BizNews Radio

Amazon is turning up the heat in South Africa. Two years after launching its local marketplace, the e-commerce giant has officially rolled out Amazon Prime at a dramatically lower price, taking direct aim at Takealot. Global Prime chief Jamil Ghani explains why Amazon believes fast, free delivery, streaming, gaming and exclusive Prime Day deals can win over South African shoppers. He also reveals how Prime works, why it’s profitable, and what could be next for Amazon in the country.

A Business Day investigation has pried open South Africa's black market for number plates and found the price of entry close to nothing. In this interview with Irakli, Business Day Deputy Editor Kabelo Khumalo explains how reporters walked out of three Johannesburg establishments with plates after doing just one thing - writing a registration number on a piece of paper, with no ID, licence or vehicle registration required. He warns the trade is above all a security risk: "Number plates is as good as a DNA for an investigative officer… because now we can't even rely on those." It also opens the door to cloning, dragging law-abiding citizens into investigations "for crimes that they have nothing to do with". Khumalo says the body representing legal producers estimates as much as 40% of number plates issued in South Africa might be illegal, and that getting hold of them is now as simple as a trip to the shops "to buy bread and milk". He points to the country's only three manufacturers of blank plates — one of which, Uniplate, "admitted that the system is imperfect" — and to "a syndicate in the middle that is distorting the market in favour of the illicit". Tellingly, the illegal plates cost the same as the legal ones: "people are not driven to buy these plates because of pricing, but because they want to avoid law enforcement." The DA has written to the Ministers of Police, Trade & Industry and Transport to set up an inter-ministerial team, while the Competition Commission pursues the three manufacturers over alleged collusion on pricing.

Globally, the US proposes major tariffs, and US-Iran peace talks face friction over the conflict in Lebanon.

Locally, a Pretoria SPAR store faces severe tax fraud allegations, a Business Day investigation exposes rampant illicit number plate sales in Johannesburg, and an expert shares crucial tips to combat digital banking fraud.

Finally, economist Mariana Mazzucato argues for purpose-driven corporate contracts.

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.

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.”