5 important things happening in South Africa today
Here’s what is happening in and affecting South Africa today:
- AI and proactive measures boost SARS revenue collection: SARS commissioner Edward Kieswetter says the use of AI and proactive measures have resulted in the recovery of R210 billion for the first 11 months of the current tax year following the finance minister’s R1 billion a year allocation (over three years) to SARS for its modernisation programme. [Daily Maverick]
- Mango BRP says airline will be liquidated if Gordhan wins court bid: The BRP of Mango Airlines has warned that if Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan is successful in a new court application to block the sale of the low-cost airline, it may be forced to cease operations. Gordhan has refused to give the sale the go-ahead, saying that he wants detailed information on the investor’s business plan and foreign ownership. [News24]
- Human Rights Commission slams Mpumalanga municipalities: The SAHRC has investigated service delivery complaints in Mpumalanga involving 17 local municipalities, 3 district municipalities, and some government departments. Issues included a lack of basic necessities like water, housing, sewage, waste collection, and road maintenance. The inquiry found that municipalities across the province have violated residents’ rights as a result of its service delivery performance. [City Press]
- Unemployed healthcare workers march to Union Buildings: Hundreds of unemployed healthcare workers marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Monday and handed over a memorandum to an official from the President’s office demanding (among others) jobs, no national budget cuts in the Health Department, and transparent placement lists. [Daily Maverick]
- Markets: South Africa’s rand continued its downward slide for another session on Monday, with analysts citing the negative impact of the 2024 national budget on investor sentiment. On Tuesday (27 February), the rand was trading at R19.32 to the dollar, R24.51 to the pound, and R20.96 to the euro. Oil is trading at $82.48 a barrel. [Reuters
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Phillimon Sefake
Phillimon Sefake is a creative writer and literary scholar
