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Minister Groenewald Must Retract Dangerous Statements
Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance condemns Minister of Correctional Services, Dr Pieter Groenewald, for undermining the Constitution and calling for its amendments to justify his call for corporal punishment, as this is a slippery slope to the EFF and MK agenda to undo the protections enshrined in our Constitution. Minister Groenewald suggested that MPs should …
Fighting GBV Head-on
Dear Editor South Africa begins the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence today, and the reality remains stark. Violence against women and children continues unabated, and declaring a “State of Disaster” alone is not a tangible solution. Every life lost, every survivor retraumatised, is a failure we cannot accept. South Africa recently shut down ahead …
Michael Kors Is Dubbed the Biggest Failure in Fashion on Sheep Welfare, a Recent Report Reveals
FOUR PAWS’ campaign sparks over 85,000 protest emails and celebrity backlash demanding action Cape Town, 25 November 2025 – Michael Kors faces pressure to respond to a growing public outcry after celebrities and global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS targets the brand for ignoring the suffering of ten million lambs mutilated annually for wool fashion …
Nthatisi and Mangaung Deserve a Red Card
Bloemfontein is losing millions because the Mangaung Metro is dragging its feet in finalising an agreement with the Free State Rugby Union (FSRU) for using the Free State Stadium. In addition, the city is being robbed of the opportunity to host test matches. Executive Mayor Gregory Nthatisi was supposed to report on the progress with […]
The post Nthatisi and Mangaung deserve a red card for dragging feet with stadium agreement appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Plan to Avert Tshwane’s Financial Disaster
Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on Mayor Nasiphi Moya and her administration to reconsider their decision not to take the backdated salary increase award on review. We also call on the City to table a comprehensive budget funding plan in Council, so that other difficult decisions can be made to avoid the cashflow …
Massive Growth Opportunity for Township SMEs
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24 Drunk Driving Arrests in One Week
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Calls for Criminal Charges Against No-Show Former RAF CEO Letsoalo
Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) to lay criminal charges against former RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo after he failed to appear before the Committee today. If he does not appear tomorrow, the DA says SCOPA must immediately proceed under section 17 of the Powers, Privileges …
Would It Be Better to Say; “On the Pink”?
Jonathan Britton, NSRI Wilderness station commander, said: At 11h08, Monday, 24 November, NSRI Wilderness, and our NSRI satellite station at Sedgefield, duty crews and NSRI lifeguards, as well as the local Sedgefield water safety network, were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Myoli Beach, Sedgefield. While NSRI crew, NSRI lifeguards and an …
All the World Rugby Awards Recipients
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Youngest Ever World Rugby Dream Team Player Is a Springbok
Mr Mark Alexander, the President of SA Rugby, congratulated World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year Malcolm Marx, fellow nominees Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ox Nche, as well as Thomas du Toit, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Cheslin Kolbe for being named in the 2025 World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team on Tuesday. All six players …
Motion Pays Tribute to Babita Deokaran
The speech below was delivered by DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, Dr Jack Bloom MPL on DA’s motion to pay tribute to Babita Deokaran and proposal to honour her memory: Madam Speaker, this motion seeks to pay tribute to the late Babita Deokaran and honour her memory. Her family are unable to attend this …
Suspected Digital Fraud Most Frequent at Account Login in South Africa, TransUnion Reports
- Money or gift card scams were the most prevalent fraud type from February to May 2025, reported by one-third (33%) of South Africans who said they were targeted with fraud
- Transactions with video gaming companies, where the consumer was in South Africa, were most suspected of digital fraud in the first half of 2025 among industries analysed
- Insurance sector experienced the largest increase in the volume of suspected digital fraud among industries analysed, over the study period
According to the newly released TransUnion® (NYSE: TRU) H2 2025 Update to the Top Fraud Trends Report, the rate of suspected digital fraud[1] was the highest in the consumer lifecycle at account login for South Africa with 2.6% of those types of transaction attempts when the consumer was in the country being suspected of digital fraud in the first half (H1) of 2025. This aligns with a global trend of fraud shifting to account takeover attempts which typically occur at login. Globally, 4.3% of account login transactions in H1 2025 were suspected of digital fraud.
The report, which draws on proprietary data from TransUnion’s global intelligence network from billions of transactions from over 40,000 websites and apps and a consumer survey across 18 countries, reveals that fraud is growing.
“South Africa stands at a critical juncture in its digital evolution where opportunity and vulnerability intersect. As the nation embraces rapid digital transformation, the surge in online activity has inadvertently opened new doors for fraudsters, whose tactics are growing more sophisticated by the day. This convergence of accelerated digital adoption, economic strain and criminal innovation has created a complex risk landscape,” said Amritha Reddy, senior director of fraud product management TransUnion Africa.
According to analysis of TransUnion’s customers in its global intelligence network, digital account takeover volume worldwide grew 21% year-over-year (YoY) from H1 2024 to H1 2025, signalling a rapid escalation. The volume of digital account takeovers surged 141% from H1 2021 to H1 2025, underscoring persistent rise of this fraud type over time and reflecting the increasing sophistication of fraudsters who exploit stolen credentials and bypass authentication systems.
"As account takeover fraud surges, businesses can no longer afford solely reactive defences,” said Reddy. “The growing sophistication of fraudsters demands a proactive investment in layered security and identity intelligence. In today’s threat landscape, protecting customer accounts is not just a priority, it’s a business imperative."
Highest Rate of Suspected Digital Fraud in Video Gaming
Among industries analysed globally, the video gaming sector recorded the highest percentage of suspected digital fraud attempts in the first half of 2025, reaching 13.5%. This represents a significant 28% rate increase compared to the same period in 2024, underscoring the growing vulnerability of this sector to fraudulent activity.
For transactions where the consumer was in South Africa, the rate of suspected digital fraud attempts from February to May 2025 was the highest in video gaming at 7.7%. The greatest increase in the volume of digital transactions suspected to be fraudulent over that time was in the insurance industry, with a 154% uptick.
Chart 2: Suspected Digital Fraud Attempts in South Africa, by Sector
| Industry |
Suspected digital fraud attempt rate H1 2025 |
Change in volume of suspected digital fraud attempts from H1 2024 to H1 2025 |
| Video gaming |
7.7% |
-1% |
| Insurance |
6.7% |
+154% |
| Communities (web properties like online forums and dating sites) |
3.2% |
-45% |
| Financial services |
3.0% |
-49% |
| Logistics |
2.1% |
-99% |
| Retail |
1.1% |
-57% |
| Telecommunications |
0.7% |
-96% |
Source: TransUnion global intelligence network
“As the risk from consumer scams threatens identity integrity, organisations should rely on a mixture of data, risk signals, technology and tools to prevent fraud,” said Reddy. “The Report highlights that business leaders rank[2] identity verification, device reputation and behavioural biometrics as the leading three fraud prevention technologies.
“Businesses and financial institutions should also invest in sustained education and awareness campaigns to mitigate against schemes like account takeovers. Preventing fraud must by necessity be a multi-pronged strategy, if businesses and consumers are to stay ahead of fraudsters whose strategies continue to evolve too,” she said. “By harnessing advanced technologies, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and prioritising consumer trust, South Africa can chart a path toward a secure and inclusive digital future.”
Consumer-Reported Exposure to Fraud Grows Amid Gaps in Awareness and Prevention
Globally, consumers continue to face a wide range of scams, with tactics often tailored to regional behaviours and vulnerabilities. TransUnion’s survey found that 48% of consumers surveyed globally reported being targeted by email, online, phone call or text messaging fraud from February to May 2025, with 59% of South Africans saying the same thing. Globally, 52% were unaware that they were targeted, as were 42% of South Africans, indicating potential fraud under-recognition and a gap in fraud awareness.
Consumers in five of the six African countries surveyed reported money or gift card scams as the most experienced fraud type. In South Africa money or gift card scams was the most common fraud type – reported by 33% of those who said they were targeted with email, online, phone call or text messaging fraud from February to May 2025. Among those South Africans who said they were targeted, the next most frequently reported scams were phishing (31%), smishing (30%), and vishing (29%), with these three designed to deceive individuals into giving up their valuable personal or financial information.
South Africa Saw the Greatest Percentage of Respondents in Africa Indicating They Fell Victim to Fraud from February to May 2025
| Country | Targeted and fell victim | Targeted but didn’t fall victim | Not targeted | Most reported fraud scheme |
| South Africa | 13% | 46% | 42% | Money/gift card |
| Kenya | 10% | 71% | 19% | Vishing |
| Zambia | 9% | 76% | 15% | Money/gift card |
| Rwanda | 9% | 49% | 42% | Money/gift card |
| Namibia | 8% | 57% | 35% | Money/gift card |
| Botswana | 6% | 68% | 26% | Money/gift card |
Source: TransUnion consumer survey
“As scammers continue to evolve their tactics to enrich themselves, it’s more important than ever for consumers to regularly review their credit reports to ensure all listed information is accurate,” said Reddy.”
TransUnion came to its conclusions about digital fraud and data breaches based on intelligence from its array of TransUnion fraud prevention solutions. To learn more about how TransUnion fraud prevention solutions can help businesses avoid fraud and prevent fraud losses, click here.
Specific country and regional data in the report includes South Africa, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States and Zambia. Download the TransUnion H2 2025 Update to the Top Fraud Trends Report for more information and insights about the global fraud trends.
[1] Suspected digital fraud attempts reflect those which TransUnion customers determined met one of the following conditions: 1) denial in real time due to fraudulent indicators, 2) denial in real time for corporate policy violations, 3) fraudulent upon customer investigation, or 4) a corporate policy violation upon customer investigation.
[2] As found by TransUnion’s online business survey conducted from 29 May to 6 June 2025 in partnership with third-party research provider, Dynata. Findings were included in TransUnion’s H2 2025 Update to the Top Fraud Trends Report
Mastercard Unveils New Perks Under “The Mastercard Collection” Across Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, Delivering Elevated Cardholder Experiences
The new suite of enhanced global dining, entertainment and travel benefits has been designed for cardholders of Mastercard’s World, World Elite and the newly created World Legend portfolios Mastercard has launched The Mastercard Collection, a new suite of enhanced global dining, entertainment and travel benefits, in the Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (EEMEA) region. …
Avoid Vehicle Auction Scams This Festive Season
With the festive season approaching, many South Africans are using bonuses and 13th cheques to shop for vehicles. Online and in-person auctions offering repossessed or pre-owned cars at competitive prices are especially appealing during this time. However, increased buyer activity also attracts fraudsters. In late 2024, almost 70% of South Africans were targeted by fraud, …
Big 5 Global Opens in Dubai as Industry Hails Defining Era of Innovation in Construction and Urban Development
- ‘We have strengthened the readiness of the construction sector by updating regulatory frameworks, enabling the use of environmentally friendly building materials and expanding the adoption of smart technologies,' MoEI tells Big 5 Global Leaders' Summit
- During a panel discussion focused on unlocking the power of geospatial data at the GeoWorld Summit, delegates hear that in Dubai the focus is always on balancing governance with quality of life
- Day one product showcases include agentic AI ecosystems and a graphene-reinforced luxury concrete block with 24-karat gold finish
The 46th edition of Big 5 Global opened its doors today at Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together international exhibitors, buyers and industry leaders for four days of product showcases, knowledge sharing and on-site collaboration, catering to the region's $9.18 trillion construction projects pipeline (Source: Ventures Onsite). Day one set the pace with active halls, packed sessions and strong participation across all features.
UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure delivers opening keynote
Industry leaders, economists and policymakers converged at the Big 5 Global Leaders' Summit to examine how markets are shifting and what it will take to keep construction supply chains resilient.
Delivering the opening keynote for the summit was His Excellency Eng Yousif Abdalla, Assistant Undersecretary for Federal Infrastructure Projects Sector at UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, who highlighted how cooperation between public and private sectors remains essential to delivering projects that support economic diversification and national resilience.
“In the United Arab Emirates, we are committed to promoting the adoption of modern technologies in the construction sector and enabling a regulatory and economic environment that keeps pace with this progress,” he said. “We also encourage the use of environmentally friendly building materials, smart construction technologies and advanced data analytics in project management.
“Big 5 Global comes at a critical moment, as countries and institutions move towards smarter cities, more resilient infrastructure and projects that are more efficient in their use of resources and energy. Here, Big 5 Global plays a vital role as a global meeting point that brings together experts, innovators and companies to showcase advanced engineering solutions, exchange expertise and develop partnerships that support the transition toward a more sustainable and adaptable built environment."
‘A defining era of industrial innovation'
In the opening executive dialogue, Asam Hussain, CEO of Arabian Gulf Steel Industries, joined Dr Nicholas Fearnley, Global Head of Construction Forecasting at Oxford Economics, for a candid assessment of the steel industry's outlook. Their conversation addressed global demand trends, the shift towards low-carbon production models, and how locally sourced materials help reduce exposure to geopolitical and economic risks.
“Verified Net Zero steel gives developers' clarity on material choices,” Hussain said. “AGSI's traceable, locally sourced production offers among the lowest-carbon performance globally and supports reliable supply as regional construction needs grow.”
Angela Pernsteiner, Visionary Founder of Würth Professional Solutions, highlighted how transformational leadership and multi-generational business models are shaping new approaches to process efficiency, market positioning and strategic partnerships.
"The Middle East is entering a defining era of industrial innovation, and both the UAE and Würth Professional Solutions share a bold vision for its future,” said Pernsteiner. “With Würth Professional Solutions, we are not just expanding our footprint, we are investing in the region's long-term success.
“The UAE offers a dynamic growth environment, and we bring heritage, global expertise, and applied solutions to unlock its full potential. Our family believes in building solutions that empower industries with precision, reliability, and future-ready engineering. Big 5 Global marks an important milestone in this journey, demonstrating how shared vision and strategic collaboration can drive innovation and lasting impact."
Additional contributions throughout the day came from senior representatives of the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure South Africa, King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), the Italian Trade Agency and Abu Dhabi's DMT and ADPIC, highlighting themes of diversification and long-term planning.
GeoWorld Summit discuss data governance
At the GeoWorld Summit, experts examined governance frameworks for geospatial data and the standards required for responsible use over the next decade. Key topics included data privacy, accuracy, interoperability, regulatory alignment and how AI and machine learning can support better decision-making.
Speaking on a panel session entitled Unlocking the Power of Geospatial Data: A Governance Framework for the Next Decade, Eng Maitha Al Nuaimi, Director of GIS Centre at Dubai Municipality, directly addressed the attending delegates, making it clear that the goal is always to improve the quality of life in the emirate while ensuring data security. Governance, she said, should never negatively affect quality of life, but rather enhance it regardless of whether that is for employees, residents, or visitors.
Eng Heba Matar Khalifa Alnofeli, Head of Asset Registry and Governance Section at Abu Dhabi's Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), added that data is fuel and the quality and safety of that data is key.
Product launches and exhibitor highlights
Day one also showcased a range of new products across building materials, smart technologies, tools, HVACR systems and finishing solutions. Exhibitors reported strong engagement from buyers seeking practical solutions that support cost efficiency, sustainability and project delivery.
GIM Black & Gold, exhibiting for the first time, is displaying their graphene-reinforced luxury concrete block with 24-karat gold finish this week. Designed for architectural icons and exclusive projects, Dr Vivek Koncherry, CEO, Graphene Innovations Manchester Ltd, called the launch of GIM Black & Gold Flooring at Big 5 Global “a milestone” for the luxury materials market.
“This patented 24k gold legacy surface delivers true uniqueness, scientific depth, and material excellence, perfectly aligned with the Middle East's drive for innovation and iconic design. To preserve exclusivity, access will be limited.”
Another new-to-market launch comes from Verosoft, a global provider of Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) solutions built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. EAM is showcasing its latest innovation, mobiMentor AI, which is an agentic AI ecosystem designed to autonomously execute maintenance tasks, automate workflows, and support technicians with real-time, context-aware insights.
Rounding off the day one product showcases was PlanRadar, a digital platform helping transform construction and real estate workflows by combining task management, reporting, and AI-powered insights. At Big 5 Global 2025, the company is showcasing SiteView 360°, its AI Assistant for automated reporting, reality capture and visual documentation and instant audit-ready reports designed for QA/QC, inspections, and regulatory compliance.
“The opening day of Big 5 Global has certainly set the tone for the 2025 edition, spotlighting how industry transformation and the increasing adoption of technology and artificial intelligence is reshaping the way cities across the world are conceptualized, designed and built,” said Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President, dmg events.
Big 5 Global runs until Thursday, 27 November, at Dubai World Trade Centre, welcoming industry professionals daily from 10am to 6pm. Registration remains open on-site.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of dmg events.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Deepra Ahluwalia, Action PR
deepra.a@actionprgroup.com
971 56 477 0995
Nour Ibrahim, Action PR
nour.i@actionprgroup.com
971 54 425 0187
Khushie Mallya, PR Executive
Construction, dmg events
khushiemallya@dmgevents.com
Ranju Warrier, Head of PR & Communications
Construction, dmg events
ranjuwarrier@dmgevents.com
About Big 5 Global:
With a 45-year legacy, Big 5 Global is the largest and most influential building and construction event in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia and the annual meeting hub for the global construction industry. Taking place from 24 – 27 November 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Big 5 Global attracts more than 85,000 global attendees from over 165 countries and 2,800 exhibitors to UAE covering the full construction and urban development cycle across dedicated sectors and nine specialized events enabling industry professionals to source worldwide building solutions for every stage of construction: Heavy, Totally Concrete, Marble & Stone World, Urban Design & Landscape, Windows, Doors & Facades, HVACR World, LiveableCitiesX, GeoWorld and Future FM.
For more information and to register, visit: www.Big5Global.com
Oosthuizen Aiming for Seventh Heaven
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Tribute to Babita Deokaran: Mafia State the Greatest Threat to Country’s Sovereignty
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The post Tribute to Babita Deokaran: Mafia state the greatest threat to country’s sovereignty appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Banyana hard at work ahead of their away international friendly against Morocco – South African Football Association
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The post Banyana hard at work ahead of their away international friendly against Morocco appeared first on South African Football Association.
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