South Africa is no longer confronting crime as a social ill. It is confronting crime as a competing system of governance. Across the country, particularly in urban economic hubs and vulnerable communities, criminal networks have entrenched themselves not merely as lawbreakers but as power brokers. They determine who can build, who can trade, who can transport goods. They extract “taxes” through extortion. They enforce compliance through violence. In doing so, they do not simply undermine the state; they replicate it. This is the emergence of a parallel state. The danger lies not only in the visibility of crime but in its normalisation. When extortion becomes a routine cost of doing business, when infrastructure projects are negotiated with syndicates rather than secured by law enforcement and when communities turn to informal power structures for order, the authority of the democratic state begins to erode in practice, even if it remains intact in theory. What makes this reality particularly damning is that it did not arise in a legal vacuum. South Africa possesses one of the most robust legislative tools to combat precisely this phenomenon: the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA). Designed to dismantle criminal enterprises at their core, POCA enables the state to move beyond arresting individuals and instead target entire networks; seizing assets, disrupting financial flows and stripping organised crime of its economic lifeblood. It is, on paper, a formidable weapon. In practice, it has been underutilised, inconsistently applied and often deployed too late. Organised crime thrives because it is profitable. Extortion rackets, illicit procurement schemes and infrastructure sabotage are not random acts; they are structured economic activities. The logic is simple: as long as the rewards outweigh the risks, these systems will expand. Five percentage chance of being caught. Five percentage chance of being convicted. POCA was meant to reverse that equation. Early, aggressive use of asset forfeiture and enterprise prosecution could have made criminality economically untenable before it metastasized.  That moment was missed. Today, the cost of that failure is measurable; and staggering. Conservative estimates suggest that crime, corruption and illicit financial flows drain between R500 billion and R1 trillion from South Africa’s economy each year. That is not leakage. That is a parallel budget. One that rivals, and in some scenarios exceeds, the state’s capacity to deliver services. To grasp the scale, consider the following: The Cost of Crime vs The Country It Could Build CategoryEstimated Annual Cost (ZAR)What This Could Fund InsteadReal-World ImpactCorruption in public procurement & state capture falloutR150–R300 billionBuild ~2,000–4,000 schoolsEliminate overcrowded classrooms; improve outcomes for millions of learnersOrganised crime & extortionR50–R100 billionFund ~1–2 million housing unitsDramatically reduce informal settlements and housing backlogViolent crime (security, lost productivity, healthcare)R200–R400 billionEmploy ~1–2 million public workersReduce unemployment; strengthen policing, healthcare, and educationIllicit financial flows & tax evasionR100–R250 billionExpand social grants significantlyImmediate poverty relief; reduced hunger and inequalityInfrastructure theft & sabotageR20–R50 billionRestore rail and subsidize transportLower commuting costs; improve economic access Even a partial recovery of these losses would be transformative. It could reshape the social contract. Instead, those resources are captured and recycled within criminal ecosystems. They finance further corruption, entrench patronage networks and reinforce the very structures that weaken the state. The result is a compounding crisis: the more crime pays, the more it grows; the more it grows, the harder it becomes to dismantle. This is why the current moment cannot be understood as a failure of policing alone. It is a failure of enforcement strategy, institutional capacity and political will. Especially when politicians and high level officials are used to grease the criminality.   Laws like POCA are only as effective as the institutions that wield them. Over time, South Africa’s investigative and prosecutorial capabilities have been eroded by competent staff depletion, governance failures, and, at times, political interference. Complex financial crimes require skilled forensic investigators, coordinated intelligence, and prosecutorial consistency. Where these are absent, even the strongest legal frameworks falter. Equally critical is coordination. Organised crime operates across sectors; construction, transport, procurement and beyond, yet the state’s response is often fragmented. Without integrated action across law enforcement, intelligence and regulatory bodies, syndicates exploit institutional gaps with ease. But there is a deeper, more uncomfortable truth. In some cases, criminal networks have become entangled with local political and economic structures, blurring the line between governance and illegality. This creates a dangerous equilibrium in which crime is acknowledged but not decisively confronted. Breaking that equilibrium requires more than rhetoric. It demands a shift from reactive policing to proactive economic disruption.  The state must reassert its authority not only by arresting perpetrators but by dismantling the financial systems that sustain them. This means scaling up the use of POCA to aggressively pursue asset forfeiture, targeting entire criminal enterprises rather than isolated actors, and ensuring that seized resources are visibly redirected toward public benefit. It also means rebuilding institutional capacity; investing in skills, protecting independence and restoring credibility. High-profile, successful prosecutions that dismantle major syndicates would send a powerful signal: that crime in South Africa is no longer a low-risk, high-reward enterprise. The stakes are not abstract. They are visible in stalled infrastructure projects, in businesses forced to close under extortion pressure, in communities where safety is negotiated rather than guaranteed. They are reflected in lost jobs, degraded services and deepening inequality. They show up when witnesses to crime are almost ordered to be murdered.  If current trends persist, South Africa risks entrenching a dual system of governance: a formal democratic state coexisting with an informal criminal order. That is a path toward chronic instability and diminished sovereignty. But decline is not inevitable. The legal tools exist. The economic case is overwhelming. The social imperative is urgent. What remains uncertain is whether the state can summon the resolve to act decisively; not only to manage crime, but to dismantle the parallel systems that now compete with it.  Because in the end, the true cost of crime and corruption is not only measured in billions of rand lost. It is measured in a country that could have been built. And wasn’t.

Last year, I took the Toyota Corolla Cross on a trip from Gauteng to Limpopo. I wanted to test the space, fuel consumption, comfort and the ride quality because the vehicle had become popular among South Africans. While it passed most of the tests, it mostly struggled with comfort and lacked appeal on the interior.  There was nothing that stood out, making me question why the car was so in demand, selling more than 22 000 units in 2025.  Even so, it did need something more; something to get me excited about.  In March, Toyota finally answered the call by bringing the GR-S versions of the Corolla Cross to the South African market.  While the engine and drivetrain remain the same and the changes are purely cosmetic, sometimes that is all a car needs.  What has Toyota done with the Corolla Cross GR-S? Well, for starters, Toyota has added a bold black mesh grille, sleek LED headlamps with sequential indicators and a sporty skid plate.  The car sits on 18 inch six-spoke machined alloy wheels that enhance the stance of the car. Blacked-out badges all around give it a slightly sporty edge.  On the inside, the vehicle feels sporty. Toyota wanted to give drivers a more engaging and premium experience. It succeeded.  The black leather upholstery combined with the contrast red stitching make the vehicle a pleasant place to be but the best part about the interior, as silly as it might sound, is the fact that there are red seatbelts. It’s a small but very nice touch from Toyota and incorporates the feeling of GR-Sport into the vehicle more fully.  The interior also boasts a 12.3 inch digital cluster and a 10.1 inch infotainment system that is equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. I will be the first to say that I’m not a huge fan of the infotainment system. I find it slightly slow and unresponsive. Toyota says that the Corolla GR-S includes a system that features multi-touch functionality, improved Bluetooth connectivity and an enhanced user interface for a smoother, more intuitive experience. I struggled from time to time with Bluetooth connectivity though.  When it comes to driving the vehicle, you could be forgiven for thinking you are jumping into a performance variant, thanks to all the sporty elements the exterior and interior boast. However, the same 1.8 litre engine is in the regular model. Its suspension has been specifically tuned to enhance handling and road feedback, while maintaining the comfort required for a variety of South African driving conditions.  I didn’t take a long roadtrip in the GR-S but I did do a lot of driving.  The handling was good and while the drive is not the smoothest, it is not bad either. However, when I put my foot down for quick overtakes, the car took some time to get going.  But once in motion, the car maintains itself excellently. It’s not sluggish by any means and it gives a solid and comfortable drive, although not the smoothest.  In terms of overall comfort, the seats make a difference and the sporty aura eliminates the bland feeling I got from the regular version, making it feel way more exciting.  Verdict By now, the Corolla Cross is a local favourite and doesn’t need much more than it has. It’s a smart move from Toyota to launch the GR-S version to continue competing in every department in the crossover segment.  The sporty elements on the outside and the more comfortable interior with the continued sporty touches make it feel more complete and dependable than the regular version, because at the end of the day, it is a Toyota.  This adds great value to the product and the pricing remains competitive. The Corolla Cross will therefore continue its success through 2026, which could prove to be an exceptional year for Toyota as the brand gets ready to launch the new Hilux in July.  Models and pricing  Corolla Cross 1.8 Xi  — R420 700 Corolla Cross 1.8 XS — R458 400 Corolla Cross 1.8 XR — R508 200 Corolla Cross 1.8 XS HEV — R501 100 Corolla Cross 1.8 XR HEV — R552 400 Corolla Cross 1.8 GR-S  — R527 000 Corolla Cross 1.8 GR-S HEV — R569 700

Health authorities in South Africa are urgently tracing contacts after a hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship has led to three fatalities and eight confirmed cases. The National Health Department reassures the public of a low local risk while calling for cooperation in contact tracing efforts.

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Lionel Messi says Argentina fans are right to dream of a second straight World Cup crown, but warns other contenders, including France and Spain, “are in better shape”. “There are a lot of guys who are dealing with injuries or a lack of match fitness, but the truth is that when the group is together it has been proven that it competes and always wants to win,” Messi said of Argentina in an interview with host Pollo Alvarez published on YouTube.ALSO READ: Ghana appoint former Bafana coach Queiroz as new head coach However, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has made Inter Miami the must-see team in Major League Soccer, said the competition will be stiff. “As of today, France are in great shape again. They have a ton of top-level players,” he said of the team that Argentina beat in the 2022 final in Qatar. He also tipped Spain and Brazil, called Portugal “very competitive” and noted that traditional European powers Germany and England are always dangerous. Messi, who will turn 39 in June, has yet to officially confirm his participation in the tournament, which will be held from June 11-July 19 in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Nevertheless, the former Barcelona star stressed that he has not set any time limits on his career as his competitive hunger remains. “I love playing football, and I’m going to do it until I can’t anymore,” said Messi, who earned MLS Most Valuable Player honors last season as he sparked Miami to the title and led the league in goals. “I’m competitive,” he said. “I like to win at everything … I don’t even let my son win at video games.”

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City must bounce back against Brentford on Saturday to put pressure back on Arsenal in the Premier League title race. City’s dramatic 3-3 draw at Everton on Monday handed the destiny of the title to the Gunners.ALSO READ: Arsenal sense Premier League glory as Spurs eye safety Arsenal are five points clear with three games to play, while City have four matches remaining. Victory for Guardiola’s men at the Etihad against Champions League hopefuls Brentford would cut the gap at the top for at least 24 hours before Arsenal visit West Ham. “Put pressure on Arsenal winning our games,” said Guardiola at his pre-match press conference on Friday. “That’s all we have to do. All we can do.” City were on course for defeat at Everton until Jeremy Doku’s sensational strike with virtually the last kick of the game salvaged a point. The Belgian scored twice at the Hill Dickinson Stadium to take his tally to four goals in his last five games and register his best goalscoring season in a City shirt with seven. “I’m so glad,” Guardiola added on Doku’s development. “Not just the goals, the assists, also contributing defensively. Jeremy has been amazing this season.” A seventh league title in nine seasons may prove beyond City’s men, but the club did celebrate a first Women’s Super League success for 10 years this week. Andree Jeglertz’s side ended Chelsea’s run of six consecutive league titles. “Today is a reality in the world of football the impact of the women’s team on society and the girls, how they enjoy to play football,” added Guardiola. “I think it’s the biggest step world football has made in the last decade. Before it started I think you never could imagine the impact on the girls, the teenagers, that now say ‘I want to play football’. “As much as you play a sport, it’s fantastic. And of course, a big compliment (to the City women’s team).” Guardiola is hopeful Rodri could return from injury against Brentford, while centre-backs Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol are also nearing full fitness.

Get ready for PowerBall and PowerBall Plus on Tuesday 12 May 2026, as the total winnings jump to a dreamy R164 million. There are only half-a-dozen PowerBall draws left under ITHUBA before the format changes, so will this prove lucky for a certain someone? Nevertheless, PowerBall and PowerBall Plus on Tuesday 12 May 2026 has got to where it is by a series of winless rollovers. As such, you can combine R78 million for the main PowerBall draw and R86 million for the PowerBall Plus. ITHUBA shuts shop on 31 May 2026, as the national lottery operator changes hands to Sizekhaya Holdings from 1 June 2026 onwards … POWERBALL AND POWERBALL PLUS ON TUESDAY 12 MAY 2026 Image: ITHUBA As ever, let us quickly look back to the winless PowerBall from Friday 8 May 2026 that had R155 million riding on it: FRIDAY’S POWERBALL NUMBERS Draw date: 8 May 2026 POWERBALL NUMBERS 01, 32, 40, 43, 48 PowerBall: 09 POWERBALL PLUS NUMBERS 13, 17, 28, 41, 47 PowerBall: 19 Check out all previous PowerBall results HERE. R164-MILLION POWERBALL AND POWERBALL PLUS ON TUESDAY 12 MAY 2026 For any first-time players of PowerBall and PowerBall Plus on Tuesday 12 May 2026, each entry costs you R5. Critically, adding the PowerBall Plus for just R2.50 gives you that extra chance to win R86 million. This makes it unarguably the best money you can spend to maximise your winning potential. As ever, players choose five numbers between 1 and 50, plus one PowerBall from 1 to 20. You can select your own numbers manually or use an auto-generated Quick Pick, and there are clear insights into which breeds more wins … WHO WILL WIN POWERBALL AND POWERBALL PLUS ON TUESDAY 12 MAY 2026? Of course, you can purchase tickets in-store at any licensed retailer. Alternatively, you can enter digitally through banking apps from FNB, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Absa and Capitec. Or with an ITHUBA online account and mobile app. As mentioned, the operator’s accounts close on 31 May 2026 before the switch to Sizekhaya. Ticket sales close at 20:30 on draw days. As ever, in this economy, playing the lottery should be carefully considered. For PowerBall and PowerBall Plus on Tuesday 12 May 2026, your odds of winning are 1 in 42 375 200. And the house wins 99.9% of the time, so you should not rely only on gaming as your only income. The last big lotto winner purchased a ticket at a Checkers Hyper. Was it you? POWERBALL IS HIGHEST-PAYING LOTTO GAME IN SOUTH AFRICA Manual or auto number selection? Which do you prefer to play with? Image: File And don’t forget, after the R100-million win this week, the ‘smaller’ Lotto and Lotto Plus more or less resets to zero. If you still wish to play, tonight’s game differs in that Lotto needs you to choose six numbers from 1-58, giving you slightly better odds at 1 in 40 310 358. If and when you win, here’s how you claim prize money quickly and conveniently:   Produce the winning ticket with the correct serial number/winning SMS/email confirmation. No under 18s can win Hold a valid proof of identity. Have a valid South African bank account (not older than three months). Winnings must be claimed within 365 days of the date of the draw. Likewise, depending on how much money you’ve won, your winnings can be claimed from like so: Retail stores pay out up to R2 000. Winnings of R10 000 to R49 999 must be claimed at an Approved Prize Payment Centre (APPC). From there, all participating banks will pay between R49 999 to R249 999 via EFT (except African Bank at only R49 999). For anything higher than R250 000, you must report in-person to an ITHUBA office.

Amina Jack, the former Isibaya actress, is the latest celebrity to graduate from the reputable UKZN. The 25-year-old star successfully earned her Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Psychology while balancing her acting career and her studies. The University of KwaZulu-Natal is increasingly becoming the preferred tertiary institution for many South African celebrities. Reality TV personality Amahle Biyela beamed with happiness as she celebrated her graduation from the same university on 7 May. AMINA JACK GRADUATES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF KWA ZULU-NATAL  Amina, known for her portrayal of Thokozani Zungu on Isibaya, clocked her victory lap in 2024 after obtaining her Bachelor of Social Science degree in Psychology from UKZN. In a touching Instagram post, she wrote that self-doubt crept in after dropping out in the second semester in 2021. However, she pushed through and became proud of being the first in her family to graduate. Amina Jack during her graduation in 2024. Image via Instagram/@amina_jack Her academic journey wasn’t smooth sailing, considering that she had to travel between Johannesburg and Pietermaritzburg while shooting the final season of Isibaya. “Thank you, Jesus! We did it! First-generation graduate ekhaya [at home]. I’m still in awe of God’s goodness and faithfulness,” she began. “To tell you, I dropped out in 2021 2nd Semester. I genuinely did not think I would live long enough to see or experience this,” she added. In an interview with UKZN in 2026, Amina expressed her gratitude for the support she received from the university’s Student Services Division. It offered her counseling sessions throughout her overall academic journey. “It was mentally challenging, but I made it. I don’t think I would have gone through with the mental issues that I was going through without my psychologist,” she began. “Even when I was not doing my best, there was always somebody encouraging me,” she added. Amina Jack during her honours graduation in 2026. Image via Instagram/@amina_jack The actress also revealed that she is pausing her studies to focus on getting practical experience in the field of Psychology. However, she plans on pursuing her masters degree and PHD.

The economics of desktop computing have, for the first time in the PC’s long history, been broken by the data centre.

Airtel Africa has delayed its mobile money initial public offering to late 2026, citing war-driven margin pressures.