The JSE was up 0,82% at midday on Tuesday as advances in the platinum and resource sectors added support. However, financial and bank stocks had started to weigh. By noon, the JSE’s platinum mining index advanced 2,14%, resources gained 1,75% and the gold mining index edged up 0,08%.
South Africa left-arm spinner Robin Peterson looks set to board the flight for India after claiming his maiden five-wicket haul in the second Test against Bangladesh. The 28-year-old finished with impressive figures of 5-33 as the Proteas wrapped up the two-Test series against Bangladesh with a comprehensive innings and 205-run win on Monday.
Platinum struck a record for the second straight day on Tuesday, catching up with gold as a weaker United States dollar and persistent supply problems in South Africa ignited buying from speculators and investors. Platinum’s gains pushed up sister metal palladium to a six-and-a-half year high.
South Africa’s FirstRand said on Tuesday that first-half diluted normalised headline earnings per share rose 12% to 105,6 cents, at the lower end of its forecasts, despite tough market conditions. The group said it was unlikely to meet its long-term targeted growth in earnings of 10% above inflation in the current financial year.
The death toll in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) from Monday’s accidents has risen, the province’s transport department said on Tuesday. Spokesperson Rajen Chinnaboo said a fifth accident was reported in KwaZulu-Natal at 8pm, bringing the total number of deaths in the province on Monday to 32.
Kenyan rivals were on Tuesday to push ahead with talks on a new deal to share power and tackle root causes of the strife, a day after more than a dozen people were killed in the volatile Rift Valley. The negotiations are focusing on reforms to address historical injustices that entail electoral, institutional, constitutional and judicial issues.
Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has lashed out at Australian crowds after being cleared of allegations he made monkey gestures and spat toward fans in the tri-series final win against Australia. Harbhajan was cleared after match referee Jeff Crowe was unable to find any video evidence to confirm the claims by spectators and photographers.
Australia utility back Julian Huxley has been diagnosed with a brain tumour just days after he collapsed during a Super 14 match. The tumour, believed to be benign, was discovered following a series of scans after Huxley began convulsing while playing on Saturday. ”It was a huge shock when the doctor told me I have a tumour,” Huxley said on Tuesday.
Bulls prop Jaco Engels received a three-week suspension and centre JP Nel a one-week ban on Monday following incidents in the weekend’s Super 14 loss to the Sharks. Cited after the 29-15 defeat at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday in a rematch of last year’s final, the pair fronted up to a judiciary at the stadium.
Struggling Premier Soccer League (PSL) club Bloemfontein Celtic said on Monday that they had fired coach Khabo Zondo. Zondo, who also assists national coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, was axed a day after mid-table Celtic conceded three late goals to lose 3-1 at Moroka Swallows.