Jeremy’s weekly wrap: Brutal week for SA’s law, student funds and economy

South Africa’s pressure points are no longer isolated. This week on Moneyweb@Midday, a series of interviews revealed how institutional fragility, governance failures and global shocks are converging into a far more complex national risk story.

At the centre of that strain is the justice system itself. Speaking to Nkosana Mvundlela, president of the Law Society of South Africa, the warning was stark. A 35-year-old female attorney, identified as Chinette Gallichan, was fatally shot outside the CCMA offices in the Johannesburg CBD.

She was attacked while walking from her car to the offices, described as a targeted, professional hit. She was involved in labour disputes for Sibanye-Stillwater.

Mvundlela said a rise in targeted attacks on lawyers is pushing the system toward a tipping point. These are not random acts of violence. They strike directly at the ability of legal professionals to operate without fear.

If lawyers begin to hesitate, or worse, withdraw from sensitive cases, the consequences ripple through the entire rule of law. What emerges is a justice system that risks becoming selective, cautious, and weakened at a time when accountability is critical.

You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.

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That theme of systemic weakness carries through into higher education funding. In a detailed discussion with Rudie Heyneke, senior project manager at Outa, a two-year investigation into NSFAS accommodation exposed what can only be described as structural failure.

The issue of ghost beds is not just a bureaucratic glitch, it reflects deep contractual flaws, including questionable clauses that redirect funds in ways that demand far greater scrutiny. The risk here is twofold: public money may be misallocated, and the credibility of a system designed to support vulnerable students is being steadily eroded.

You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.

Overlaying these domestic risks is a far more volatile global backdrop. Alan Mukoki, CEO of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, warned that the escalating Middle East conflict is no longer just geopolitical theatre – it is becoming what he terms a war on the economy.

For South Africa, the implications are immediate. Rising oil prices feed directly into inflation, complicate interest rate decisions, and place further strain on already stretched consumers. Mukoki’s call is for South Africa to play a more assertive diplomatic role, leveraging its global relationships to help stabilise an increasingly fragile environment.

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You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.

Even in the private sector, the ground is shifting. In the automotive space, Liezel Jonkheid, director at the Consumer Psychology Lab, pointed to a fundamental change in consumer behaviour. The traditional dominance of brand is fading.

Today’s buyer is focused on the total experience, from digital engagement to after-sales support. It signals a more demanding, more cautious consumer who is evaluating value over time rather than making decisions based on badge or legacy.

You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.

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