News | Page 49 of 119

Clicks Group Delivers Robust Financial Performance in Challenging Market Conditions, Forecasts Growth Ahead

Clicks Group’s interim results demonstrate strong financial growth and resilience in a challenging market environment.
Key highlights include increased turnover, margin expansion, and strategic initiatives for future growth and profitability.
The company’s commitment to shareholders is evident through higher dividends and a positive outlook for earnings growth.

Copper 360 Limited faces suspected market manipulation due to unusual trades, leading to price drops and legal inquiries.
The company takes legal steps, requesting investigations by the FSCA and initiating an inquiry under the Companies Act.
Potential consequences include loss recovery, criminal charges, and implications for investors, regulators, and market integrity.

Trustco Group Holdings Limited acquires additional interest in Legal Shield Holdings Limited, signaling strategic expansion.
The acquisition aims to increase net asset value, benefit from post-Covid capital growth, and simplify investment portfolios.
Legal Shield Holdings’ financial performance and land portfolio contribute significantly to Trustco’s growth strategy.

Mondi plc achieved revenues of €7.3 billion and underlying EBITDA of €1.2 billion in 2023, showcasing strong financial performance.
The final dividend payout of 46.67 euro cents per ordinary share for 2023 reflects Mondi’s commitment to shareholder value.
Shareholders in the UK will receive the dividend in sterling, while South African shareholders will receive it in rand cents.

Hulamin Limited’s Equity-Settled Conditional Share Plan aligns executive compensation with long-term shareholder value creation, fostering sustainable growth.
Recent awards of Performance Shares and Bonus Shares to directors and key executives demonstrate confidence in the company’s prospects.
Adherence to regulatory requirements and a culture of performance-based rewards underpin Hulamin’s commitment to transparency and good governance.

Former Tshwane Mayor Murunwa Makwarela has passed away after a brief illness, as announced by his family.
Makwarela resigned from his mayoral position amid allegations of submitting a fake insolvency rehabilitation certificate.
The city of Tshwane is still in the process of recouping over R1.4 million that was paid to Makwarela while he served as Speaker, highlighting ongoing financial concerns and legal disputes.

High-Stakes Trials: The Western Cape High Court witnessed intense security measures as alleged underworld figures, including Nafiz Modack and his rivals Mark Lifman and Jerome Booysen, faced separate trials for a range of serious charges, including murder, attempted murder, extortion, and gang-related offenses.
Murder of Detective Charl Kinnear: Nafiz Modack and his 14 co-accused are on trial, with Modack denying involvement in the high-profile murder of Anti-Gang detective Charl Kinnear, whose death sent shockwaves through law enforcement and the public in 2020. Prosecutors allege Modack’s central role in a criminal network responsible for various illicit activities.
Exposure of Cape Town’s Underworld: The trials offer insight into the intricate web of alliances, rivalries, and criminal activities that define Cape Town’s underworld. The outcome holds significance for residents grappling with persistent gang violence, signaling a step towards accountability and justice in combating organized crime.

Sasol Limited’s mining sector saw a slight decrease in saleable production but an improvement in mining productivity.
The gas sector witnessed growth in production volumes, particularly in Mozambique, and increased sales in South Africa.
Sasol’s financial hedging strategies include zero-cost collar instruments, ethane swap options, and Brent crude oil put options

Fatal Consequences of Illegal Electricity Connections: The article highlights the tragic deaths of three individuals in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, as a result of illegal electricity connections. Each incident serves as a stark reminder of the grave dangers posed by unauthorized attempts to tap into power sources.
Police Investigation and Urgent Warning: Following the series of fatalities, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched investigations into each case, opening inquest dockets to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Additionally, SAPS has issued a stern warning to residents, urging them to refrain from engaging in illegal electricity connections due to the serious risks involved.
Community Impact and Call to Action: Beyond the immediate loss of life, the article underscores the broader implications of illegal electricity connections, which not only jeopardize individual safety but also undermine community well-being. The incidents serve as a rallying cry for collective action to address the scourge of unauthorized power connections and safeguard the lives of residents.

Eskom has achieved a significant milestone by suspending rolling blackouts for nearly a month, surpassing a previous record set in 2022.
The suspension of load shedding is attributed to sustained generation, adequate reserves, and a decrease in electricity demand.
Independent Energy Expert, Mohamed Madhi, emphasizes the importance of ongoing efforts to address operational challenges, enhance infrastructure, and invest in renewable energy to ensure the sustainability of the recent improvements in South Africa’s electricity supply.