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Oracle Names Hilary Maxson As CFO Amid Mass Layoffs & AI Spending Surge

· Free Press Journal

Oracle has appointed Hilary Maxson as its new Chief Financial Officer, bringing in a seasoned executive from the energy and industrial sector to steer the company's finances through the most aggressive expansion in its history.

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Maxson will report to CEO Clay Magouyrk and lead Oracle's global finance organisation. The appointment comes as the technology company has been taking on a heavy debt load to fuel its massive AI infrastructure spending.

Who is Hilary Maxson?

Maxson's career is defined by large-scale infrastructure and transformation. Since joining Schneider Electric in 2017, the organisation transformed from an electrical equipment supplier into a digital energy technology partner for key segments like utilities and data centres, focused on modernising the energy landscape through software, data, and AI, and Maxson played a key role in driving performance, scaling operations, and advancing that strategic transformation.

'Today Is Your Last Working Day': Read Oracle's Full Email Sent To 12,000 Sacked Indian Employees

Earlier in her career, Maxson spent 12 years at the AES Corporation, where she held senior leadership roles across finance, strategy, and M&A, supporting complex, capital-intensive infrastructure investments across global markets. She holds a bachelor's degree and MBA from Cornell University and also serves as a non-executive director and Chair of the Audit Committee at Anglo American plc.

CEO Clay Magouyrk said in a statement, "Hilary's experience spans industrial, infrastructure, and software businesses - sectors where capital intensity and execution excellence are critical to success."

Kehring will transition out of the role

With Maxson's appointment, Doug Kehring will transition out of the role of Oracle's Principal Financial Officer, returning his focus to helping optimise and accelerate the company's go-to-market operations. Maxson's arrival ends a twelve-year period during which Oracle operated without a standalone CFO, a vacuum filled largely by Safra Catz during her tenure as CEO.

Maxson joins Oracle during a period of rapid growth, with Oracle's most recent quarter delivering its strongest performance in over 15 years, exceeding 20 percent growth for both organic total revenue and non-GAAP earnings per share. Remaining performance obligations hit $553 billion in Q3 FY2026, up 325% year over year, almost entirely driven by large-scale AI contracts.

Oracle Mass Layoffs: What India's 12,000 Fired Employees Will Actually Get As Severance

However, the growth has come at a steep price. Oracle has taken on $58 billion in new debt within just two months, and its stock has lost more than half its value since reaching a peak in September 2025.

Oracle mass layoffs

Just days before Maxson's appointment was announced, Oracle made headlines for a very different reason. Oracle began a sweeping layoff campaign impacting as many as 30,000 workers globally, with employees receiving termination emails from 'Oracle Leadership' at 6 am stating that 'current business needs' had eliminated their position and that 'today is your last working day.'

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Trump-backer Bill Ackman makes pitch to buy record label that is home to Taylor Swift, Drake and Adele

· The Independent

In case you missed it: Fannie Nkosi remains behind bars | Another painful fuel hike in May? | Missing helicopter found

· Citizen

In the news today, South African Police Service Sergeant Fannie Nkosi’s bail application has been postponed as he remains behind bars.

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Meanwhile, motorists may be in for another painful fuel increase in May.

Furthermore, a helicopter that went missing with four occupants in the Kruger National Park has been found.

Weather tomorrow: 8 April 2026

The South African Weather Service has issued a yellow level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms with strong winds, hail, and heavy downpours in the Northern Cape. Full weather forecast here.

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Sergeant Fannie Nkosi’s bail delayed amid investigations

Sergeant Fannie Nkosi testifies at Madlanga commission at Brigette Mabandla Judicial College in Pretoria on 18 March 2026. Picture: Gallo Images/Frennie Shivambu

South African Police Service (Saps) Sergeant Fannie Nkosi will remain behind bars after the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court postponed his bail application.

Nkosi appeared in court for the first time on Tuesday, 7 April, following his arrest last week.

His arrest stems from a police operation carried out at his home in Pretoria North on 2 April under a J51 search-and-seizure warrant.

During the search, police recovered several rounds of unlicensed ammunition and a state-issued hand grenade.

CONTINUE READING: Sergeant Fannie Nkosi’s bail delayed amid investigations

WARNING: More pain at the pumps – this is how much you may pay for petrol and diesel in May

Motorists may be in for another painful fuel price increase in May. Picture: iStock

As the US and Israel’s war continues in Iran with no end in sight, motorists may be in for another painful fuel increase in May.

The projected fuel prices continue to spike, putting more pressure on consumers amid a difficult and volatile economic climate.

According to the latest data (6 April 2026) from the Central Energy Fund (CEF), motorists could pay more than R13 per litre for diesel.

The CEF’s under-recoveries also indicate that petrol prices may rise by more than R4.30 per litre, adding further strain on households and businesses.

CONTINUE READING: WARNING: More pain at the pumps – this is how much you may pay for petrol and diesel in May

Missing helicopter with four occupants found in Kruger National Park

Picture: iStock

A helicopter with four people, which went missing in the Kruger National Park (KNP), has been found.

Police said the chopper disappeared on Monday during an investigation into an animal carcass that was discovered in the park.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli told The Citizen that the chopper was found on Tuesday morning.

“This morning, 7 April 2026, the helicopter that went missing with four occupants has been successfully located, with all individuals found alive and unharmed.

CONTINUE READING: Missing helicopter with four occupants found in Kruger National Park

Knives out for Lesufi in the ANC after controversial EFF appointment

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi briefs the media at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, 5 October 2022. Picture: Neil McCartney / The Citizen

Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s decision to appoint the EFF’s Nkululeko Dunga as the MEC for finance in Gauteng has left the ANC and its structures divided.

Last week, Lesufi announced Dunga as the new finance MEC, replacing the ANC’s Lebogang Maile, who has been moved to another department. Dunga will preside over the R180 billion of the province’s funds despite being fired as finance MMC in the City of Ekurhuleni.

On Sunday, the ANC veterans’ league said it was concerned about this appointment because Dunga had been red-flagged in the City of Ekurhuleni, where he was fired as Finance MMC last year.

The ANCYL in Gauteng has requested that the party correct what it described as an “anomaly”. It complained that the reshuffled executive council lacks adequate youth representation.

CONTINUE READING: Knives out for Lesufi in the ANC after controversial EFF appointment

‘I never imagined the opportunity’: Zakes Bantwini teams up with Sting to revive iconic hit

Zakes Bantwini at King Shaka International Airport on February 16, 2023 in Durban, South Africa. Zakes Bantwini, together with Nomcebo Zikode and Wouter Kellerman scooped a Grammy Award for the Best Global Music Performance for their collaboration ‘Bayethe’ during the 65th Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles on February 5th . Picture: Gallo Images/Darren Stewart

Mzansi Grammy winner, Zakhele Madida, known as Zakes Bantwini, joins international singer Sting to reimagine iconic hit Desert Rose for a new generation.

Originally released in 1999, the track became a defining global hit. It blends Western pop with North African influences through the haunting vocals of Cheb Mami.

For Bantwini, the opportunity carries deep personal and professional significance.

“It’s one of the biggest songs in Sting’s catalogue, and I never imagined I’d have the opportunity to work with him or reimagine something so central to his legacy,” he shares. “It is one of the greatest honours of my career, after winning a Grammy, to be trusted with this moment.”

CONTINUE READING: ‘I never imagined the opportunity’: Zakes Bantwini teams up with Sting to revive iconic hit

Yesterday’s News recap

READ HERE: In case you missed it: Bus from Zimbabwe intercepted | 7 killed in M17 head-on crash | McKenzie on superfans’ trips

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