Mg Data Desk

latest news & developments
SIU head Andy Mothibi.

SIU heeds the ‘more orange overalls’ call

In an interview with the Mail & Guardian Data Desk, the head of SIU said it is fixing internal problems

(Graphic: John McCann)

NPA recovers nearly R12-billion

In the past year alone, the Asset Forfeiture Unit has recovered money and assets gained through corruption-related crimes

The great selloff: Luxury houses in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town linked to Gupta companies are being sold off. (Paul Botes/M&G)

Want a jet, a car, a house? Gupta sale is on

Money from the dodgy family’s assets will be used to settle debts. Eight companies are under business rescue – but what’s the point?

In 2024, global coal consumption reached a record high, with commercial banks investing more than $130 billion across Asia, the US and Europe.. (Paul Botes)

The high price of coal connections

Eskom is spending R4.5m more on coal each day because of contracts that are lucrative for certain producers

Together with a colleague, Nicholas Davis (above)coined the phrase ‘fourth industrial revolution’ a mere four years ago. One of his concerns about the 41R is the potential loss of a sense of individual agency. (Mattias Nutt/World Economic Forum)

What does ‘fourth industrial revolution’ even mean?

The M&G Data Desk aims to find out what 4IR really is

City spokesperson, Nthatisi Modingoane said that since the entry of the new administration, the City has worked steadily to improve our supply chain process which has historically fallen short of the required standard. (John McCann/M&G)

Emergency! City of Joburg’s tender processes investigated

Three of Johannesburg’s biggest fleet tenders — amounting to billions of rands — bypassed the regular tender process

Mean streets: Children are neglected when their parent spends days in a lolly lounge getting high. It’s not only youngsters who are harmed; parents become afraid of their addicted offspring, who become violent. (Hiram Alejandro Duràn)

‘Drugs are the tools for the youth to self-destruct’

A new report reveals that South Africa is the leading importer in southern Africa of chemicals to make illicit synthetic drugs such as tik

Uphill battle: Only two municipalities in the Eastern Cape achieved clean audits. This is despite millions being spent on consultants, employed to improve finances and other problems. (Delwyn Verasamy)

Consultants a fruitless waste

Despite spending more on external services to plug gaps left by mismanagement data shows that municipalities are underperforming

Jozini township. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Jozini: Where youth actually vote

The youth of Jozini are determined to make a better future for themselves despite record unemployment

Over the past four elections the smaller political parties have been losing votes hand over fist — except for the Freedom Front Plus (FF+). (David Harrison/M&G)

Small parties are shrinking – except for Freedom Front Plus

​Over the past four elections the smaller political parties have been losing votes hand over fist

(David Harrison/M&G)

FF+ gains traction in Mossel Bay

And it is not only white conservatives who are donning the party’s green and orange colours

Neglected: There are no jobs to be found in Sezela, the townsfolk say. A large proportion of the town consists of pensioners who used to work for the Illovo Sugar mill. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Umdoni residents want change

Counting Every Person: The M&G Data Desk has analysed voting results across SA for the past 20 years

It is difficult for residents of informal settlements to follow guidelines to prevent Covid-19 transmission, such as hand-washing, in the absence of access to water. It is governments’ responsibility to provide these basic services. (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)

Where voters won’t come out to vote

Many citizens in the North West have lost faith in elections, saying they do not get what is promised

Women wait for President Cyril Ramaphosa to address them in Alexandra (Oupa Nkosi)

What women want

There are more women registered to vote than men. In response, political party manifestos have increased their attention to gender issues.

The ANC will leave a legacy muddied by political careerism, personality cults and corruption (David Harrison/M&G)

Trust in Presidency up, courts and media down — survey

‘Ramaphoria’ is not dead just yet despite a few bumps on the road to the elections