BizNews Radio

Spar’s VAT scandal: Unpacking the BDO investigation and corporate fallout 02.06.2026 8dk

Business Day journalist Nompilo Zulu unpacks allegations of VAT fraud and accounting irregularities at Spar’s Bloed Street Tops store, after a BDO due-diligence report flagged unreliable financials, alleged tax underdeclarations and stock-related concerns. Spar strongly disputes the claims, saying the matter relates to one store and follows a failed bid by businessman Amaan Sayed to rejoin the Spar network. With complaints now before regulators including the JSE, Saica and CIPC, Zulu explains what the report found, how Spar has responded, and what could come next.

Bank fraud: Tricks & tips — as SA banks face competition from newcomers… | Deshnee Govender 02.06.2026 17dk

Losses from digital banking fraud in South Africa are estimated to total at least a billion and a half Rand a year. In this interview with Chris Steyn, Governance, Compliance and Risk Expert Deshnee Govender, shares how the sophisticated modus operandi of bank fraudsters fool customers, and she shares tips to avoid being tricked by them. Deshnee also urges banks to have proper Governance, Compliance and Risk measures in place, and to submit employees to integrity testing and lifestyle audits. Meanwhile, she describes how the banking industry is being revolutionised. “There's…Revolut, a totally digital bank... It's currently operating in the UK and Europe, but it's got its license now to… operate in South Africa. Then as from next year, the PEPCOR group…coming out with their own bank… PlusB. So there's a lot of other players that are going to be entering the market as well. And I think the key…for the conventional banks…is to see who can actually manage the monies…of the citizens professionally and with integrity…those newcomers…are going to bring a different kind of vibe to the market. And I think citizens will be tempted to go to banks where you can be assured…that your resources are absolutely safe.”

BN Daybreak - Tue 2 June 2026: Trump Agri Tariffs; Nvidia chips; SA grid success; FMD vaccines 02.06.2026 15dk

In today's BizNews Daybreak: Internationally, President Trump cuts agricultural equipment tariffs, Apple introduces an iPhone bill-splitting feature, and Nvidia debuts a $5 trillion PC AI chip. Locally, Free State’s community grid takeover triumphs, KZN lags behind in foot-and-mouth vaccinations, and analysts unpack the impeachment pressures facing President Ramaphosa.

Rob Hersov: The small municipality that fixed itself — a blueprint to rescue South Africa 01.06.2026 30dk

What happens when a community decides it’s had enough of municipal failure? In this compelling conversation, Rob Hersov explains how a small Free State municipality took matters into its own hands, restoring services, managing electricity distribution, collecting revenue, and driving local development. The result is a working model of public-private cooperation that could transform struggling municipalities across South Africa. From grassroots leadership to political change, this is a powerful story of resilience, innovation, and a practical blueprint for renewal.

SpaceX at $1.75tn: Musk’s Wall Street moonshot — or science-fiction risk for investors? | FT Unhedged 01.06.2026 24dk

At $1.75 trillion, SpaceX is set to be the largest listing ever. Unhedged's Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong are joined by Lex editor John Foley to discuss Elon Musk's latest headline maker. The boy from Pretoria keeps remaking financial history.

Andrew Morphew - Steenhuisen’s “stockpile of vaccines sitting” in State fridges 01.06.2026 11dk

Livestock farmers across South Africa remain desperate for the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak to be contained. In his latest interview with Chris Steyn, Andrew Morphew, the spokesperson for FMD Response SA, says: “The Industry Coordinating Council says that 1,3 million doses have been distributed to the province (KZN), whereas just over 600 000 doses have been administered. So there are a lot of vaccines which are sitting in fridges.” As for the whole country, Morphew says while there is a reported 13,5 million doses in the country currently, the Portfolio Committee has reported 3,8 million doses administered. “So there's a massive discrepancy…The department is obviously sitting on a very large stockpile of vaccines now. Make some of that available to the private sector so that people that want to vaccinate their animals can. Let us use the route that has been given to us by the court in order to get those vaccines into animals as fast as we possibly can.” Morphew reiterated that over 90% of commercial beef farmers in KZN had not had access to State vaccines, but “they say they've started vaccinating beef herds now”. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen will give his update at a Press briefing today.

BN Daybreak - Mon 1 June 2026: Oil Climbs; SpaceX IPO frenzy; BEE critiques; Chelsea Flower show Gold 01.06.2026 15dk

In today's BizNews Daybreak: Global energy markets watch closely as Brent crude climbs back past $93 a barrel amid a tense US-Iran stalemate over the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, global investors rush into funds ahead of a massive, AI-linked SpaceX IPO. Businessman Sam Montši critiques BEE implementation, calling for unity over forced division. Finally, designer Leon Kluge overcomes severe weather to secure gold at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Cyril’s FBI trouble, Mashatile’s Flats move, Mkhwanazi’s award and the Woolies bombs| The NdB Sunday Show 31.05.2026 27dk

In the latest edition of the NdB Sunday Show, Chris Steyn talks to Lauren Evanthia, the Founder of the Organic Humanity Movement (OHM), about the “walls closing in” on President Cyril Ramaphosa with a former Public Protector submitting a formal whistleblower’s report to FBI and the US Department of Justice on Phala Phala; the anti-Ramaphosa voices on this Impeachment Committee due to meet for the first time tomorrow; former President Jacob Zuma’s attack on the President for turning to the courts to try and stop the inquiry; as well as "President-in-waiting" Paul Mashatile’s Cape Flats “oversight visit”. They also talk about KZN Provincial Police Commissioner Lt.-Genl. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s response to being named Newsmaker of the Year, and the bomb explosions in Woolworths in two of South Africa’s capitals, Bloemfontein and Tshwane. As for the new tax proposed for Vehicle Licence renewals to support the beleaguered Road Accident Fund (RAF), Evanthia says: “So every time there's government failure, the answer is like, let's try tax the people more…There has to be a point where we as South Africans say, no, do your job as a government. We want to see our return on investment, or we're not going to pay up.”

"BEE pits black against white": The trailblazer who says empowerment got it wrong — Sam Montši 29.05.2026 17dk

Defying Barriers is the memoir of a man told by his own government to vanish — and who turned the threat into a business empire spanning two countries. In this interview with Irakli, businessman and author Sam Montši recounts how a 1987 order to "disappear" from military-ruled Lesotho drove him into apartheid South Africa, where he joined the mighty South African Breweries. There, he says, "I was the first Black general manager in the SAB Group at the time. And white people, sadly, were not used to having a Black person overseeing them. So some of them behaved in an unfortunate fashion, and I had to get rid of one of them." Montši explains the operating instinct behind a portfolio that broke barriers from fishing to shipbuilding — "a business needs to move, and move fast" — and reflects candidly on succession, recalling how his son Arif joined him: "Dad, I'm coming to work with you. I'm not coming to work for you. I'm not going to carry your briefcase." He reveres Nelson Mandela as a nation builder — "we were lucky to have him when we had him" — but delivers a stinging critique of Black Economic Empowerment, charging that it "has pitted the Black man against the white person, rather than getting them to work together," and that requiring white firms to take on Black partners is "in a sense, suggesting that Black people cannot create these things themselves." Montši also shares the leadership philosophy that carried him from a Soweto childhood to West African boardrooms: "for you to shine, you must make the people that work directly under you shine." He outlines in detail the journey of crossing boundaries others said could not be crossed — and what it means to now hand the family business to the next generation.

How Leon Kluge, SA’s unofficial ambassador for Cape flora, struck gold at Chelsea for the third time 29.05.2026 15dk

To get Cape fynbos and proteas ready for the Chelsea Flower Show after wildfire one year and drenching rain the next is no small feat. But Leon Kluge, South Africa’s plant guru and master designer, has done it again. This year he returned from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London, the world’s most prestigious floral showcase, with not only a Gold medal but also the coveted Best Exhibit in the Great Pavilion for Life After Fire. The display, one of South Africa’s largest ever at Chelsea, featured 20,000 stems, thousands of burnt protea branches and even blooms from the Drakensberg. In an interview with BizNews, Kluge describes the hurdles he and artist Tristan Woudberg faced, from hostile weather to the soaring cost of flights. South Africans will be able to see the exhibition in September in Stanford in the Overberg, an event dedicated to the community and the flower pickers who helped make it possible. Kluge says South Africa’s natural spaces are becoming fewer and more fragile, and that he sees it as his responsibility to tell the story of an ecosystem that is both uniquely vulnerable and admired around the world. – Linda van Tilburg

BN Daybreak - Fri 29 May 2026: US-Iran truce; DA ward win; Zille's plan; SpaceX IPO, Anthropic; Blue Origin 29.05.2026 16dk

On today's BizNews Daybreak, pressure builds globally as the US and Iran edge toward a tentative 60-day ceasefire. Plus, we bring you the latest market-moving updates on Dell, SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Anthropic. In South Africa, the Democratic Alliance (DA) achieved a sensational, historic victory by winning its first-ever pure township ward in Evaton West from the ANC. Meanwhile, analysts debate Helen Zille’s 45% coalition strategy in Johannesburg and the DA's principled test regarding the Ramaphosa impeachment inquiry.

Historic win for DA in ANC stronghold township | Electoral Roadshow with Wayne Sussman 28.05.2026 18dk

In this edition of The Electoral Road Show with Chris Steyn, Elections Analyst Supremo Wayne Sussman describes how the Democratic Alliance (DA) has made history by winning its first ever township ward: “Emfuleni, Evaton is an historic ANC stronghold. And last night the DA achieved something sensational. They are able to win its first ever pure township ward, hundred percent township ward, not just in a by-election, but ever…” However, the African National Congress (ANC) did continue its “very good run” in Northwest where they had “an emphatic victory” in a Mahikeng ward, growing from 58% of the vote to 73%. These by-elections took place against the backdrop of a chilling warning from SCOPA that municipalities across the country are unviable, and the ANC NEC moving to make local government reform its singular focus. Says Sussman: “The ANC, particularly after that Gauteng result, is on the back foot now and needs to find great candidates which can connect with communities, find credible mayoral candidates which can turn the negative sentiment towards the party in Gauteng and in many other parts of the country around. This is a key, key few weeks for them.” Meanwhile, Jo’burg residents are facing more steep tariff hikes.

BN Daybreak - Thu 28 May 2026: Hormuz deal contradictions; US rate hikes; SA political & farming crises 28.05.2026 12dk

In today's BizNews Daybreak, we cover mixed signals regarding a US-Iran deal, defensive airstrikes in Bandar Abbas, and escalating Israeli operations against Hezbollah. In corporate news, Snowflake’s stock surges 35% on an AWS partnership, while Fed Governor Lisa Cook warns of potential interest rate hikes. Locally, political commentator Solly Moeng breaks down the impeachment pressure facing President Ramaphosa, and SAAI CEO Francois Rossouw discusses potential massive damages claims against Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen over livestock vaccines. Finally, strategist Edward Yardeni breaks down the S&P 500's "fabulous earnings momentum" and the scarcity of buying the dip.

Solly Moeng: Impeachment drama — Cyril fights, Mashatile waits, and SA is watching the DA… 27.05.2026 13dk

The possible impeachment of President Cyril Ramaphosa seems one step closer with the composition of a “very diverse, multi-party” Impeachment Committee, but the President is fighting back with a court bid to try and stop the inquiry. In this interview with Chris Steyn, Political Commentator Solly Moeng describes how the President is “kicking the ball down the road” and “trying to buy more time” whilst facing “people who want him to be removed because maybe it'll advance their chances towards power through coalitions”, while “others want him to be removed because what he did is wrong”. As for Deputy President Paul Mashatile waiting in the wings: “I fear that if he were to become president, he might not be friendly towards the criminal justice system. The same way that Zuma came into the Presidency running away from the long arm of the law. And people like that coming there, the first thing they do is to ensure that they will weaken any part of the State that might go after them for stuff they did or they are alleged to have done in the past.” As for how the Democratic Alliance (DA) is likely to emerge from the impeachment process, Moeng says: “Now they have an opportunity to show that they still stand for the principle that they've always promoted themselves to be standing for.” He also comments on anti-immigrant protests that have sparked urgent government talks at the Union Buildings to formulate a national plan to deal with the rising xenophobia in South Africa.

BN Daybreak - Wed 27 May 2026: SA farming vaccine victory; Gaza airstrikes; Ebola quarantine; BN portfolio insights 27.05.2026 12dk

In today's BizNews Daybreak, South African farmers win a massive High Court order against Agriculture Minister John Steinhauser over livestock vaccine restrictions. Globally, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza target new Hamas military leader Mohammed Odeh, while the US deploys health officers to Kenya to establish an Ebola quarantine facility. Back home, Alec Hogg emphasizes long-term market conviction for deeply discounted local stocks like Purple Capital, Afrimat, We Buy Cars, and Pick n Pay.

Francois Rossouw - “Lying” Steenhuisen faces big damage claims from farmers 26.05.2026 12dk

Agricultural Minister John Steenhuisen is facing huge damage claims from livestock farmers following a High Court order against him. In this interview with Chris Steyn, Southern African Afgri Initiative (Saai) CEO Francois Rousseau says the court found that the Minister and his department were “unlawfully prohibiting farmers from vaccinating their own cattle” and ordered that he “cannot interfere in the supply of or in the business transaction relating to the supply of vaccines coming into the country”. Roussouw says he hopes farmers suing the Minister for damages will succeed because “this was an absolute abuse of power”. He further charges: “This is someone who had no expertise whatsoever, appointed people with expertise on these different advisory committees, but he just used them to legitimise his actions…I do think he lied intentionally on a number of occasions and for that, farmers should hold him accountable.” Roussow outlines all the practical implications of the judgment for livestock farmers with regards to supply, procurement and administration.

BN Daybreak - Tue 26 May 2026: US-Iran spikes; Pope's AI alert; PnP cost cuts; Rand optimism; Madlanga commission 26.05.2026 14dk

Today's BizNews Daybreak episode analyses US self-defense strikes in Iran amidst delicate diplomatic efforts. At the Vatican, Pope Leo and Anthropic’s co-founder launched an encyclical warning against AI risks. Locally, Dr. Frans Cronje unpacks fracturing political coalitions, while Pick n Pay CEO Sean Summers defends painful labor cost restructurings. We also cover calls for criminal justice reform, Johannesburg’s deepening infrastructure crisis, and the market optimism driving a stronger rand.

Shirley de Villiers: Joburg's last rites 25.05.2026 8dk

Johannesburg's mayor Dada Morero delivered his State of the City address from a cathedral this week — complete with a marching band and a reading of the Lord's Prayer. But behind the pageantry, South Africa's biggest city is staring down billions in debt, a crumbling water network, and a power utility threatening to pull the plug. In this interview with Irakli, Currency Senior Reporter Shirley de Villiers picks apart Morero's claims of a fully funded budget and targets met, warning that "it fell apart out of the gates" — from misleading Cape Town comparisons to a city "owed 25 billion by debtors" but with "only 4 billion cash on hand". On Eskom's threat to cut power over a R5.2bn debt, de Villiers is blunt: "Joburg doesn't have the money...I presume it would be rotational power cuts and essentially residents being left in the dark when they have paid for their services." And Joburg, she warns, is no outlier — "116 of them have unfunded budgets, 162 of them are in financial distress...It's the result of poor leadership, poor governance, patronage politics, corruption and ineptitude." With local government elections looming in November, this is almost certainly Morero's last State of the City address — and quite possibly the ANC's last chance to convince residents it can still govern the country's economic heartland. On current evidence, the residents can but pray.

Dr Zizamele Cebekhulu-Makhaza: Mkhwanazi "dragged South Africa out of the mud…" 25.05.2026 31dk

With the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry restoring people's faith in commissions, Dr Zizamele Cebekhulu-Makhaza, Chairman of the Safer South Africa Foundation, tells Chris Steyn why the Madlanga Commission has been so effective in sharp contrast with the Zondo Commission. He describes the impact on both the SAPS and the criminal underworld of the unprecedented Press Conference in which KZN Provincial Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi stunned the country with charges of police and political capture. “He helped this country in various ways. In fact, he took this country……out of mud to bring… the information to those who have got the capacity to clean the country…we want the President to deal with this matter in a very decisive way. We expect him as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to act very decisively on the matters that the Madlanga Commission are dealing with.” As for the other pillars of the Criminal Justice Cluster, Dr Cebekhulu-Makhaza says: “...There is a problem in the Department of Justice… the underworld has infiltrated them...the Department of Justice must not try to...…hide what Mkhwanazi has revealed because everybody knows what has happened. I'm happy that Madlanga...will overlap into those terrains and reveal to us what is happening in those terrains and also in Correctional Services.” Dr Cebekhulu-Makhaza outlines in detail all the urgent reforms needed to restore credibility, accountability and operation effectiveness with the criminal justice system.

Pick 'n Pay CEO Sean Summers: We had to burn billions to save the company 25.05.2026 24dk

Sean Summers, CEO of Pick n Pay, outlines a tough but deliberate turnaround for the retailer as it battles market volatility, labour tensions and legacy costs. In a frank interview, he defends short-term share price swings and emphasises long-term value creation through restructuring and investment in stores and Boxer. He insists the goal is a sustainable, competitive future rather than quick fixes, despite pressure from losses, inflation and ongoing negotiations with unions and suppliers across South Africa’s retail sector today.