South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to engaging the United States over newly imposed trade tariffs but has made it clear that its Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy is not open for negotiation. The latest tariffs come after Washington concluded a Section 301 investigation into the enforcement of restrictions on imports linked to forced labour….
South Africa’s government is preparing stronger intervention measures against municipalities that continue to fail residents through poor water management, with President Cyril Ramaphosa confirming that legal action has already been launched against dozens of local authorities accused of violating national water legislation. In his latest weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa said improving water security has become one…
South Africa’s two state-owned rail operators are experiencing very different fortunes as the country works to rebuild its rail network. While Transnet Freight Rail is showing steady signs of recovery through improved freight volumes and operational performance, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) continues to face significant challenges in restoring long-distance passenger services….
A month-old rhino calf has been rescued after its mother was allegedly killed by poachers at a private game reserve near Middelburg, highlighting the continuing threat that wildlife crime poses to South Africa’s endangered rhino population. The incident occurred at UBhetyan-O-Africa, a private reserve located along the N11 Loskop Dam Road outside Middelburg in Mpumalanga….
The long-term impact of illegal mining is becoming an increasing concern for engineers and infrastructure experts, with warnings that continued underground excavation could threaten roads, buildings and critical public infrastructure across Johannesburg and other parts of South Africa. Mining specialists say illegal mining extends far beyond criminal activity, describing it as a growing engineering and…
South Africa’s central bank has opted to leave interest rates unchanged, signalling that the fight against inflation remains its primary priority despite continued pressure on economic growth. The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) kept the repo rate at 7%, leaving the prime lending rate at 10.5%, after the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) concluded its latest…
South African authorities are stepping up efforts to stop unsafe, counterfeit and non-compliant products from entering the country as cross-border online shopping continues to grow. The National Consumer Commission (NCC) and the Border Management Authority (BMA) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening border enforcement, improving information sharing and increasing inspections…
South Africans could soon receive their Smart ID cards and passports without visiting a government office, as the Department of Home Affairs moves into the next phase of an ambitious digital transformation programme aimed at modernising public services and expanding access nationwide. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber says the department is working towards a system…
South Africa’s National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) is facing renewed scrutiny after investigators revealed that more than R5 billion may have been allocated to students who did not qualify for financial assistance, raising fresh concerns about oversight, accountability and the long-term sustainability of the country’s largest higher education funding programme. The findings, presented by…
South African police have recovered seven high-calibre rifles, including three confirmed to belong to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), during a raid on a suspected safe house in Daveyton, east of Johannesburg. The operation followed intelligence indicating that a group of suspects was allegedly preparing to carry out a cash-in-transit robbery in Ekurhuleni….
