Author: Ariana Steenkamp

Beef prices in South Africa may face fluctuations following the confirmed outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at Karan Beef’s Heidelberg feedlot. Feedlot Closure and Its Broader Implications Karan Beef, South Africa’s largest cattle feedlot operator, confirmed the detection of FMD on 30 May 2025. Despite strict biosecurity and quarantine protocols, the highly contagious virus found its way into the Heidelberg facility, forcing the company to halt all cattle intake. In response, around 188,000 animals have been placed under quarantine, and the company has scaled down its daily slaughtering capacity from 2,000 to just 550 animals. This drastic operational change may extend…

Fuel prices in South Africa are expected to dip slightly this week, offering motorists brief relief despite looming tax increases. Minor Fuel Price Drop Expected This June The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy will announce the next fuel price adjustment on Wednesday, June 4, and according to unaudited data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF), both petrol and diesel are likely to see modest price reductions. However, these savings will be partially offset by new fuel levy hikes set to take effect on the same day. Petrol and Diesel Forecasts Petrol was initially projected to drop by approximately 20…

Trial Continues with Emotional Witness Accounts On the second day of the Dirkler murder trial, the Gqeberha High Court heard deeply emotional testimonies from individuals who encountered young Krisley Dirkler just days before her death. The case has drawn widespread attention due to the disturbing nature of the allegations. Mother and Stepfather on Trial for Child’s Death Kristen and Robin Clarke, the mother and stepfather of the 19-month-old Krisley, are facing murder charges. The child died at Livingstone Hospital on 17 October 2013, a week after being admitted in a comatose state. The State accuses the couple of long-term abuse…

In a move welcomed by many South Africans, the National Treasury has confirmed a VAT freeze, officially shelving the planned increase in Value-Added Tax. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is expected to introduce legislation that will keep the VAT rate at 15% from 1 May 2025, reversing the previously proposed 0.5% increase that was previously announced in the February budget. The Rates Bill to Maintain VAT at 15% In a statement issued by National Treasury on 24 April, it was revealed that the Rates and Monetary Amounts and Amendment of Revenue Laws Bill, commonly known as the Rates Bill, will soon…

Faster, More Reliable Identity Verification The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is celebrating a major milestone following the successful overhaul of its identity verification system. This long-awaited improvement aims to enhance efficiency and reliability, benefiting both government institutions and the private sector. The verification system plays a crucial role for entities like the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), National Treasury, and financial institutions, allowing them to authenticate client identities against the National Population Register. Overcoming System Failures Previously, the system suffered from a staggering 50% failure rate, with verification requests taking up to 24 hours to process and often…

Introduction to Kleuterzone’s Financial Trouble The liquidation process of the controversial Kleuterzone group has begun, with an appointed liquidator tasked to recover at least R130 million of investors’ money. This follows the High Court’s decision in Pretoria to place Kleuterzone Operations (Pty) Ltd. under provisional liquidation on Tuesday. Additional Creditors Join the Case On the same day, two additional creditors, Mishka Naidoo and Sesheni Nadesan Howes, successfully applied to be included as applicants in the case. They, along with another investor, Anita Susanna du Plessis (55) from Koster in North West, filed an urgent application to have the company placed…

Technical Issues Cause Flight Check-in Delays for FlySafair and LIFT Passengers flying with FlySafair and LIFT Airlines are experiencing flight check-in delays due to ongoing technical issues affecting airport systems. The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has confirmed that the problem is impacting check-in processes, leading to long queues and extended processing times. Technical Issues Disrupting Check-in Systems ACSA has attributed the flight check-in delays to a global systems issue that has affected the airlines’ ability to process passengers efficiently. “Technicians from the airlines and their service providers are actively working to resolve the matter. However, there is currently no…

Higher Costs for Using Less Electricity Eskom’s recently approved Retail Tariff Plan (RTP) for 2025 introduces fixed charges that could increase electricity costs for households that consume less power. While the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) claims the new structure will improve affordability, many consumers may face higher bills due to increased fixed charges. What Changes Are Coming? The RTP brings a major shift in Eskom’s tariff structure. The key change is the introduction of a fixed Generation Capacity Charge (GCC), applied daily per point of delivery. This means that even if a household reduces its electricity usage, they will still face higher…

South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) is grappling with intense disagreements over the national budget, with political parties clashing over how to address the country’s financial challenges. Central to this dispute is the proposed increase in Value-Added Tax (VAT), which has faced fierce opposition from several influential political figures. Malema Denies ANC Involvement in VAT Discussions Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has rejected claims that the African National Congress (ANC) approached his party to discuss a proposed VAT increase of 0.75 percentage points. During his birthday celebration in Tembisa, Malema refuted reports in the Sunday Times, asserting…

The proposed 2%  increase in VAT is currently on hold, pending a parliamentary session on 12 March. However, data suggests that if implemented, the impact could be devastating—especially for low-income households. A 2% VAT increase will significantly affect the cost of essential goods and services, making daily living even more expensive for struggling families. Why VAT Matters The Treasury’s attempt to push through a VAT increase has led to delays in the 2025/2026 Budget approval. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana downplayed the situation, but history shows that VAT increases are met with strong opposition. In 2018, VAT rose from 14% to…