The National Treasury had initially proposed a phased VAT increase raising the rate by 0.5 percentage points in 2025 and an additional 0.5 percentage points in 2026 to address a projected R75 billion revenue shortfall over the medium term. However, the plan faced strong resistance from key political parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA) and ActionSA, as well as civil society organizations and the general public.

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba welcomed the government's decision, stating, "The reversal of the VAT increase is a victory that belongs to you, the people of South Africa, and to our maturing multi-party democracy."

The DA also played a pivotal role in opposing the VAT hike, challenging the proposal in court and voting against the fiscal framework in Parliament. The party argued that the increase would disproportionately affect low-income households already burdened by high unemployment and economic hardship.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana acknowledged the concerns raised and confirmed that VAT would remain at 15%. He announced plans to introduce revised budget legislation in the coming weeks to address the revenue shortfall through alternative means.

The withdrawal of the VAT increase has been met with cautious optimism by economists and market analysts. Following the announcement, the South African rand experienced a slight uptick, trading at 18.66 against the U.S. dollar, reflecting investor confidence in the government's responsiveness to public and political concerns.

This reversal marks a critical moment in South Africa’s democratic evolution a powerful reminder that when citizens and political leaders unite in purpose, government policy can be reshaped to reflect the will of the people.

Traffic officers will be deployed on the country’s major routes around the clock, with regular stops and vehicle inspections planned throughout the long weekend. Operation Paseka, a joint initiative led by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), SAPS, metro police departments, and provincial traffic departments, is in full force across all nine provinces.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has urged motorists to exercise extreme caution and observe traffic laws. “Wear your seat belts, reduce speed, buckle up babies and children, don’t text while driving — instead, use your hands-free kit and your voice to give instructions to your phone,” she advised.

Creecy noted that the provinces of Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and Limpopo account for more than 76% of road accidents and deaths. She also highlighted that 80% of accidents are the result of human error, including speeding, texting while driving, fatigue, and driving under the influence of alcohol. Pedestrian behaviour, both sober and intoxicated, also contributes significantly to the problem.

“Most of the serious accidents and fatalities occur on Friday and Saturday nights, particularly between 6pm and 8pm,” she warned.

Simon Zwane, spokesperson for the RTMC, said there will be heightened monitoring at toll gates and across major routes. “We will be conducting joint law enforcement operations with the SAPS, provincial and municipal authorities to deal with issues such as drunk driving, speeding, and the roadworthiness of vehicles. We’ll maintain high visibility to curb rogue driver behaviour and remove pedestrians from the roads,” Zwane explained.

In addition to government enforcement, the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has also stepped in. Mmatshikhidi Rebecca Phala, Santaco’s national spokesperson, said taxi patrollers will be deployed across the country in coordination with law enforcement to monitor compliance by taxi drivers, passengers, and operators.

“Much more heightened work will be on the N1 and R101 in Limpopo because the ZCC churches will be having their Easter pilgrimages after the closures dating back to Covid-19 lockdown times. This means traffic volumes will significantly increase,” said Phala.

Motorists are urged to:

• Rest every two hours to avoid fatigue.

• Avoid driving at night, especially on unfamiliar routes.

• Keep emergency contacts on hand.

• Secure valuables and do not overload vehicles.

With the Easter holiday marking one of the country’s busiest and most dangerous travel periods, officials are appealing to the public to play their part in saving lives. Law enforcement efforts will continue throughout the weekend, with additional deployments expected at known high-risk areas and accident hotspots

From the start, Pirates showed they were ready for the battle, staying compact and organized in defense while looking to capitalize on counter-attacks. Every player contributed to maintaining a solid structure at the back, while the midfield worked tirelessly to disrupt Algerian attacks and create opportunities.

Coach Jose Riveiro spoke about the intensity of the match, saying, “So, you know it’s going to be a battle, war, and it was like that, just what we expected. We managed to resist and be resilient to get through. It wasn’t easy, but the team showed incredible unity and spirit.”

Pirates' defensive discipline and composure under pressure were key to their progression, with the entire squad stepping up to neutralize the Algerian side’s attacking threats and maintain their aggregate lead.

Looking ahead to their next challenge, Riveiro reflected on the team’s progress: “This was a true team effort, and we’re focused on what comes next. The journey isn’t over.”

Former Vhavenda King Prince Toni Mphephu Ramabulana took the stand on Thursday as the courtroom buzzed with energy and tension. Supporters from both royal factions packed the public gallery, reflecting the significance of the outcome for the community.

Princess Masindi’s legal team argued that her exclusion from the kingship due to her gender amounted to unlawful discrimination and a violation of her constitutional rights. Her lawyers referenced the landmark 2019 Supreme Court of Appeal ruling, which declared the prior recognition of Prince Ramabulana as king unlawful due to procedural flaws and a failure to consider other eligible candidates—including Masindi herself.

The State, which had previously backed Prince Ramabulana’s kingship, remained neutral during Thursday’s proceedings. Prince Ramabulana’s legal counsel maintained that the royal council had followed proper customary protocols, and urged the court to respect traditional processes without imposing external legal interpretations.

Tensions flared outside the court, where members of the public voiced competing views.
“We stand with Masindi—our Constitution guarantees equality for all, including women,” said one supporter. In contrast, another declared, “Our traditions don’t recognize female rulers. That’s just how it is.”

The hearing concluded with the judge requesting additional written submissions from both sides. A ruling is expected in the coming months.

As the legal saga continues, the case is seen as a critical test of how traditional leadership succession will be interpreted under South Africa’s constitutional democracy. The eventual outcome may set a national precedent for balancing age-old customs with modern principles of gender equality and justice.

The budget introduces a 0.5 percentage point VAT increase, set to take effect on May 1, 2025, with another 0.5% hike expected in 2026. This decision, aimed at addressing a R60 billion fiscal shortfall, has sparked fierce debate across the country.

While the government argues that the increase is necessary to fund critical investments in healthcare, education, and social services, critics claim it will disproportionately impact struggling South Africans, making basic goods and services even more expensive. Consumer rights groups warn of a growing cost-of-living crisis that could push more households into financial distress, especially those already battling the high costs of food and transportation.

The Democratic Alliance (DA), which voted against the budget, has challenged the approval process, calling it flawed and unconstitutional. The party has vowed to take the issue to court, hoping to block the VAT increase and force a review of the government’s economic approach.

“This budget was rushed through without proper oversight,” said DA Federal Chairperson Helen Zille. “We will not allow South Africans to suffer because of reckless governance.”

As a legal battle looms, ActionSA, another key player in the GNU, has also voiced opposition to the VAT hike, making it clear that blocking the increase is its immediate priority. The party’s leader, Herman Mashaba, has warned that if the DA leaves or is expelled from the coalition, ActionSA may reconsider its own position in the GNU.

“If the GNU fails to prioritize the people over politics, we will be forced to rethink our stance,” Mashaba said.

The passing of the budget has sent shockwaves through financial markets, with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s Top-40 index falling 3.3% and the rand slipping 2.6% against the U.S. dollar. Investors are closely watching the political instability within the GNU, fearing that internal divisions could derail efforts to stabilize the economy. The budget's approval comes amid an ongoing economic slowdown, rising unemployment, and significant poverty levels across the country.

In addition to the VAT increase, the budget introduces tax relief for businesses, reducing corporate tax rates by 2%. While this move aims to attract foreign investment and stimulate the economy, critics argue that it may be insufficient in addressing South Africa’s mounting debt and social inequalities. Meanwhile, funding for key public sectors, particularly healthcare and education, has seen notable increases, as the government attempts to tackle the country’s deep social challenges.

With legal challenges ahead and the coalition’s future uncertain, South Africans are left wondering: Will this budget be the catalyst for the country’s much-needed recovery, or the spark that ignites further turmoil?

Five South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) employees, Phumzile Dlamini, Paul Bones, Phumelele Myeza, Keamogetswe Ledwaba, and Phiwe Mkhuzangwe, appeared in the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 18 March 2025, facing over 1,000 fraud-related charges in connection with a large-scale social grant fraud scheme. The suspects, aged between 30 and 48, were arrested on 14 March 2025. Three were taken into custody at SASSA’s Johannesburg Central offices, while one suspect was arrested at her residence in Soweto.

Investigators allege that the accused played key roles in manipulating the SASSA grant payment system by issuing and cloning SASSA cards. These fraudulent cards were then used to withdraw funds that were meant for legitimate social grant beneficiaries. The accused are suspected of having processed numerous illegal transactions over a prolonged period, affecting vulnerable individuals who rely on social grants for their livelihood. Initial reports suggest the fraudulent scheme may have cost the state millions of rands, though investigators are still working to determine the full financial extent of the crime.

During their court appearance, the prosecution stressed the seriousness of the charges, stating that the accused were involved in a well-coordinated operation that severely undermined the social grant system. They argued that the suspects posed a flight risk, considering the scale of the alleged crime, and requested that they remain in custody. Additionally, prosecutors indicated that the investigation is ongoing and suggested that more arrests could be made as further details of the fraud emerge. The defense attorneys, however, applied for bail, claiming that their clients were not a threat to public safety. The court reserved judgment on the bail application, and a decision on whether the suspects will be granted bail is expected in the coming days.

This case adds to a growing list of fraud scandals involving SASSA employees. In 2023, SASSA officials were implicated in a similar scheme where fraudulent accounts were created, with the proceeds of these fake grants being siphoned off into private accounts. In 2022, a high-profile case revealed a syndicate within the agency that illegally processed disability grants, leading to millions of rands being misappropriated. These repeated instances of fraud have raised concerns over the adequacy of internal controls at SASSA and the need for stricter oversight.

In response to these incidents, SASSA has pledged to bolster its security measures and improve internal monitoring systems to prevent further abuse of the social grant system. The agency also emphasized its commitment to rooting out corruption within its ranks and has stated that it will cooperate fully with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation. However, public trust in the agency remains low, and there have been growing calls for harsher penalties for those involved in defrauding the system, as well as for the implementation of stronger regulatory measures to protect vulnerable South Africans.

As the legal process unfolds, the accused will remain in custody while the court decides on their bail application. Investigators are continuing to explore the full scope of the alleged fraud, and further arrests cannot be ruled out as the investigation progresses. This case has drawn significant attention, both within the public sector and among ordinary South Africans, who are now questioning the integrity of the social grant system and the ability of government agencies to prevent corruption.