Facing a staggering 65% Non-Revenue Water loss, eThekwini Municipality struggles to manage a plumbing crisis that leaves thousands without reliable water access.

In June, South Africa's annual consumer inflation rate soared to 5%, the highest in two years, driven by skyrocketing fuel prices and increased transport costs.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has reiterated that the Swartberg Pass is not designed for heavy motor vehicles such as semi-trailers and trucks, urging drivers to use alternative routes while storm-damaged bridges, passes and roads are rebuilt. Winde made the remarks after concluding storm recovery oversight visits to the Central Karoo and Cape Winelands districts last week, where he assessed progress on repairs following recent severe weather. Alternative routes Winde spent two days visiting key infrastructure damaged in the recent record-breaking floods. The Meringspoort and Swartberg Passes connect the Klein and Groot Karoo regions, driving interconnected business growth from George, De Rust and Oudtshoorn, through to Laingsburg and Prince Albert. “The Swartberg Pass is not designed for use by heavy motor vehicles, such as semi-trailers and trucks.” “These vehicles must find alternative routes, via Laingsburg or Willowmore,” Winde noted. Infrastructure Damage Winde emphasised that the economy of the Western Cape’s regions depends on functional infrastructure and reiterated that road users must adhere to warnings. “While we rebuild bridges, passes and roads, I urge road users to follow road signs and adhere to warnings,” Winde added. Meiringspoort consists of 20 river crossings, which all experienced damage. Two years before repairs completed Winde noted that four major sections of the road were completely washed away. The full and permanent restoration of the pass will take at least two years to complete, and will cost hundreds of millions He noted that restoration work is already underway from the De Rust area, and said that a temporary solution will be in place as soon as December 2026, reopening the route to vehicles with strict access controls in place. Road closures The Swartberg Pass was also closed due to flooding but was reopened in June after emergency works were conducted. “These recent severe weather events were unprecedented, with hundreds of thousands of people affected, and many hundreds of roads closed,” Winde said. “The Western Cape road network connects communities, businesses and families, driving growth and jobs in every town and city.” “There are people on site across the province restoring roads in just about every district.” “We have a long way to go still, but we are moving in the right direction,” he said. Smalblaar bridge repairs The premier also discussed the rebuild of the Smalblaar bridge, which is considered the most direct access point for transport between farms, residents and businesses. The permanent restoration of the bridge will take more than 12 months, but a temporary solution will be in place before the end of the year. “These bridges and passes enable businesses to thrive and residents to access opportunities.” “I understand their importance and am focused on ensuring we get safe solutions in place as quickly as possible,” he said. Winde concluded by stating that updates on restoration projects across the province would be provided as visits continue in districts that have been impacted.

Brad Binder’s chances of staying in MotoGP post-2026 are rapidly declining with Tech3 boss Guenther Steiner ruling out a KTM lifeline next season. Binder’s Red Bull KTM factory contract expires at the end of the season. Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio are replacing him and his Ducati-bound team-mate Pedro Acosta on multi-year contracts next season. Despite reports that KTM might still accommodate him in 2027, Steiner has dealt his aspirations a hammer blow in saying he does not want “old baggage”. Tech3 seems set on signing Luca Marini from Honda LCR alongside one of Manuel Gonzalez or Senna Agius from Moto2. Steiner shoots from hip Steiner, who shot to fame as team principle of the Haas F1 team on Netflix’s Drive to Survive before taking control of Tech3 in MotoGP, says he wants a “fresh start” in 2027. This could see Binder and KTM part ways after 11 years, seven of which have been in the premier class. “There’s a long history there [between KTM and Binder]. Somehow, sometimes you need to start from fresh, not to carry too much over,” Steiner was quoted by crash.net this week. “I mean, we speak all about these difficult situations and in the end we need to be what I call it a happy team going forward. We don’t want any ‘old baggage’. “Therefore, maybe it doesn’t fit in, people which were associated with the group – not only with Tech3 and KTM, but with the group – for too long of a time, because you always go back to how it was in the old days, you know.” In the event of Binder not staying in MotoGP, his management team has been exploring another option in the form of the Superbike World Championship. Brad Binder ‘deserves’ MotoGP bike Acosta meanwhile has come out to bat for Binder, saying that his team-mate deserves to stay in the premier class. “There have been very few people, I’m telling you, who have put in as much effort as he has,” Acosta told motorsport.com. “But, for one reason or another, he’s not getting the results he deserves. I would definitely give him a MotoGP bike.” The MotoGP riders are currently on a four-week summer break before the season resumes at the British Grand Prix on the second weekend of August.

Australia cricket great David Warner pleaded guilty on Wednesday to drink driving and will be sentenced later this year, court documents showed. Warner, who is one of Australia’s best-known sportsmen, was accused of being at the wheel of a van and stopping short of a random testing site, before being breath-tested, arrested and taken to a police station. Guilty plea His lawyer appeared at a Sydney court to enter a guilty plea on one count of “middle range” drink-driving. Former opening batsman David Warner, who captains Sydney Thunder in the domestic T20 Big Bash League, did not appear in court. “So many of us make those poor decisions. I think what’s important is accepting and being accountable for those poor decisions,” lawyer Bobby Hill told a hearing earlier this year. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a tradesman, a doctor or one of the best opening batsmen in the world, that danger exists for every one of us.” Warner will be sentenced on August 18. By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse

Following their entertaining 3-2 defeat to Al-Ittihad, Orlando Pirates will shift their focus to their final pre-season challenge against Spanish outfit Las Palmas. The Buccaneers have enjoyed a productive tour of Spain, recording one win, one draw and one defeat from their three matches. More importantly, head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has had the opportunity to evaluate his new signings alongside several promising DStv Diski Challenge graduates training with the senior squad. With less than two weeks before the 2026/27 season kicks off, the friendly against Las Palmas presents another opportunity for Ouaddou to settle on his strongest starting XI while identifying areas that still require improvement. Orlando Pirates need to make new signings Defensively, Pirates have shown moments of vulnerability. Captain Nkosinathi Sibisi has yet to produce consistently convincing displays, and the club could still benefit from signing an experienced centre-back to strengthen the heart of the defence before the transfer window closes. In attack, Evidence Makgopa continues to struggle for consistency in front of goal. Although Yanela Mbuthuma found the back of the net against Al-Ittihad, Orlando Pirates may still require a proven goalscorer capable of delivering regularly throughout the campaign. A striker of Peter Shalulile’s calibre would add both experience and a reliable source of goals as the Buccaneers prepare to challenge for Betway Premiership honours and mount another CAF Champions League campaign. After naming a strong starting XI against the Saudi Pro League side, Ouaddou is expected to rotate his squad against Las Palmas to give more players valuable minutes. Predicted Orlando Pirates XI vs Las Palmas: Sipho Chaine; Kamogelo Sebelebele, Nkosinathi Sibisi (captain), Lebone Seema, Deon Hotto; Sihle Nduli, Thalente Mbatha; Oswin Appollis, Patrick Maswanganyi, Bohlale Ngwato; Yanela Mbuthuma. Can the Buccaneers retain the league?

A fourth straight month of accelerating prices has put the Reserve Bank's 3% target far from reach.

Flash and Shop2Shop will combine to form a R21.3-billion platform Pepkor plans to list separately.