Category: South Africa Government

National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) have published amendments to the Export Regulations to allow zero-rating when movable goods are delivered for export from South Africa to terminal operators and port authorities.

The amendment relates to the section of the regulations that sets out the procedures to be followed by a vendor who elects to zero-rate the export of goods to a qualifying purchaser when those goods are initially delivered to a harbour.

“Under the current regulations, one of the procedural requirements for a vendor to supply goods at the zero-rate is that the goods must be delivered to either the port authority, the master of the ship, a container operator or the pilot of an aircraft, or be brought within the control area of the airport authority.

“It has come to government’s attention that, in certain circumstances, such as with the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT), the wording of this requirement in the Export Regulations appears to be causing practical difficulties in application,” National Treasury said on Tuesday.

RBCT is privately owned and operates the coal terminals within the Richards Bay harbour precinct. It uses the port infrastructure, including berths, channels and other services, provided by the Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA).

“In terms of the strict interpretation of the wording of the Export Regulations, to qualify for zero-rating, the coal must be delivered to the port authority, which would be TNPA and not RBCT. However, since TNPA does not run the terminal, this requirement has become difficult to fulfil,” National Treasury said.

The amendments to the regulations have been published in terms of section 74(1), read with paragraph (d) of the definition of “exported” in section 1(1) of the Value-Added Tax Act, 1991 (Act No. 89 of 1991), together with the Explanatory Memorandum (EM).

The accompanying documents may be accessed on the National Treasury website: www.treasury.gov.za. –SAnews.gov.za

 

 

 

 

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Deputy Minister in The Presidency Kenny Morolong, in partnership with the Free State provincial government and Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality Executive Mayor Gregory Nthatisi, will launch the Milestones of Freedom campaign in the Free State on Thursday.

The campaign seeks to promote social cohesion, inspire national pride and encourage reflection on South Africa’s democratic journey. It highlights the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution; the 50th anniversary of the 1976 youth uprising; the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March against pass laws; and the 60th anniversary of the forced removals from District Six.

The launch will take place at Waaihoek Wesleyan Church in Bloemfontein, a site of historical significance in South Africa’s journey towards democracy.

The launch will begin with a Freedom Walk at 9am in honour of Charlotte Maxeke, a pioneering South African religious leader and social and political activist, who is widely recognised as a prominent figure in the struggle for freedom and equality.

Participants will include students from local tertiary institutions and representatives of civil society organisations.

The walk will be followed by a visit to the Waaihoek Wesleyan Church Museum, offering participants an opportunity to reflect on South Africa’s journey from apartheid to democracy.

Waaihoek Wesleyan Church is an important site in the history of South Africa’s liberation struggle.

Morolong, together with provincial and local leaders, will preside over the Lighting of the Torch of Freedom ceremony at Waaihoek Wesleyan Church.

The ceremony will honour the women who participated in the historic 1956 anti-pass campaign, which culminated in the Women’s March to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956.

“Since the national launch in June 2026, government commenced the rollout of the campaign to provinces on 26 July. Thus far, the campaign has been launched in five provinces, with the Free State, Limpopo and North West remaining.

“Government calls on South Africans to reflect on the journey of freedom and appreciate the sacrifices made in attaining the democracy we enjoy today by celebrating the key milestones highlighted by this campaign,” the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said. –SAnews.gov.za

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The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has successfully intercepted more than 333kg of cocaine at the OR Tambo International Airport.

The cocaine – worth an estimated street value of some R167 million – was intercepted during a targeted enforcement operation conducted on a flight arriving from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

“The operation was executed simultaneously across three critical points of entry processing… aircraft baggage offloading, passenger arrivals baggage screening, and cargo inspections. The coordinated intervention forms part of SARS’ intensified efforts to combat the illicit movement of narcotics and other prohibited goods through South Africa’s ports of entry. 

“During baggage screening at the international arrivals hall, Customs officials identified two pieces of luggage containing cocaine. A total of 75 bricks, weighing 83.10kg, were found inside the suitcases. The matter was immediately referred to the South African Police Service for further investigation and forensic processing, in line with their mandate,” SARS said in a statement.

Separately, SARS’ narcotics detecting dog reacted positively to cargo offloaded from the same flight, which was found to have at least 250kg of cocaine.

SARS Commissioner, Dr Johnstone Makhubu, said the interception of cocaine from both passenger baggage and unmanifested cargo on the same flight “reflects the value of integrated enforcement”.

“This operation demonstrates that SARS is steadily strengthening its capability to detect and disrupt sophisticated smuggling syndicates. The … success is the result of intelligence-led operations, the effective use of data and risk analysis, and the unwavering vigilance and diligence of our Customs officers, who work around the clock to protect South Africa’s borders and economy.

“Every successful seizure helps protect communities from the devastating impact of drug trafficking and reinforces the integrity of legitimate trade. I wish to thank all law enforcement agencies for working together to disrupt drug trafficking.

“I also extend our appreciation to our international partners for their cooperation in combating transnational organised crime and safeguard South Africa’s borders,” Makhubu said. – SAnews.gov.za

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President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa remains a respected member of the African community of nations and a principled Pan-African actor, despite concerns raised by some African countries concerning migration-related matters.

The President was responding to questions in Parliament on Tuesday on South Africa’s standing on the continent and the measures government is taking to restore confidence in the country as a Pan-African voice.

President Ramaphosa said government has firmly rejected xenophobia, Afrophobia, vigilantism and all forms of discrimination against people from other countries.

“South Africa remains a respected member of the African Community of Nations and a principled Pan-African actor. We continue to participate actively in continental as well as regional bodies and processes, while some African countries have raised concerns about the anti-migrant actions by some groups in our country. As a government, we have firmly and publicly rejected xenophobia, Afrophobia, vigilantism, and all forms of discrimination against people from other countries,” he said.

South Africa has reinforced its commitment to Pan-Africanism through cooperation with the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU) and partner States on migration governance, regional integration and burden sharing.

The President said government has also engaged directly with a number of Heads of State and Government to explain South Africa’s position and approach to migration.

He highlighted the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit, which South Africa hosted in eThekwini earlier this month, saying government had proactively placed migration on the agenda, rather than waiting for regional leaders to raise concerns.

“Last week, at the 46th Ordinary SADC summit that we hosted in eThekwini, we took the opportunity to brief the leaders of the region on the situation in the country, and this we did without being asked either to account or to explain. We took it upon ourselves to put the matter on the agenda, and I also addressed it in my inputs and we explained precisely what the situation had been in our country,” President Ramaphosa said.

He said the approach had allowed South Africa to explain the measures it was taking, while also encouraging the region to work collectively on the broader migration challenge.

“In its communiqué, the summit called for a coordinated and multidimensional dialogue at the regional level to address the underlying drivers of migration and develop comprehensive, sustainable, and effective responses,” he said.

Comprehensive approach to migration

President Ramaphosa said government is pursuing a comprehensive approach to migration management based on the rule of law, respect for human dignity and stronger State institutions.

He said this includes reforming and modernising the country’s migration governance framework through stronger border management, action against corruption within the immigration system, improved legal migration pathways and implementation of the White Paper on Citizenship, Migration and Refugee Protection.

“Through our comprehensive approach to managing migration, we have emphasised that migration challenges must be addressed through the rule of law, respect for human dignity, and the strengthening of State institutions, not through unlawful actions targeting foreign nationals.

“An important part of this approach is the reform and modernisation of South Africa’s migration governance framework, and this includes strengthening border management, addressing corruption within the immigration system, improving legal migration pathways, and implementing the white paper on citizenship, migration, and refugee protection,” he said.

The President said the measures were intended to strengthen public confidence in the state’s ability to manage migration while ensuring that South Africa continued to uphold its constitutional and international obligations.

He also rejected suggestions that South Africa was becoming isolated diplomatically as a result of tensions over migration and attacks against foreign nationals.

President Ramaphosa said International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola had travelled to a number of countries as his Special Envoy, meeting Heads of State and Government to discuss the situation.

He acknowledged that coordinating meetings with foreign leaders could sometimes be difficult, but said the engagements had generally been positive.

“He was well received in Ghana… [and] other countries. We’ve had discussions even at my level with various Heads of States, who have articulated their deep understanding for what has been happening here, and they have wished as well, and they have said that they are willing and able support South Africa as it deals with this difficult problem, and they have also characterised it as a complex problem, meaning that there is deep understanding of the challenges we are going through,” he said.

President Ramaphosa said the diplomatic engagements have demonstrated that South Africa is not being isolated on the continent.

“While other people might have thought that we are being snubbed and we are being isolated, actually the contrary has been the case.

“As we have sat down to explain precisely the challenges that we are going through, we have found, to our pleasant appreciation, that there is understanding and there is support, and a number of countries are saying they are willing to work with us to have this problem resolved,” he said.

The President said South Africa would continue to advocate for collective African solutions to migration, while engaging diplomatically with countries that had concerns about developments in the country. – SAnews.gov.za

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President Cyril Ramaphosa says police and other security agencies are processing reports and evidence relating to violence against foreign nationals, with arrests and prosecutions expected against those found to have violated the law.

The President was responding to a supplementary question from Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema in Parliament on Tuesday, following concerns over violence against African foreign nationals in South Africa.

Malema alleged that perpetrators had in some instances committed violence in the presence of police officers without being arrested, creating the impression that the attacks were state-sanctioned.

He questioned why those responsible had not been arrested and prosecuted.

In his response, the President said the matter is being attended to.

“Thank you for that question, Honourable Malema. The issue of the instigators of these violent actions that have been taken against people from other countries is a matter that is being processed. The police have informed us, and all security apparatus have informed us that they are following up on it. They are getting all the reports and evidence,” he said.

He added that arrests have already been made.

“A number of other people have been arrested, and of course, those others who were seen to be leading these processes are also people who are of interest, of direct interest to the police, and that is a process that is going to be followed up,” President Ramaphosa said.

This as government remains concerned about the matter.

“We are obviously concerned about the actions that have been taken against any Africans in our country, and we have made it clear that those who violate the law, those who transgress various precepts of our laws, need to be dealt with,” he said.

Law-enforcement agencies would pursue cases involving violence, including incidents that had resulted in injury or death.

“In a number of cases, where, for instance, incidents of violence have even resulted in injury or death, we are going to be following all that up and ensuring indeed that those who have perpetrated those acts are followed up on.”

The President’s response came amid wider parliamentary questions on the impact of anti-migrant mobilisation on South Africa’s relations with other African countries.

Government has repeatedly rejected xenophobia and Afrophobia and has maintained that migration challenges must be addressed within the framework of the law.

President Ramaphosa said South Africa’s approach was based on strengthening the state’s capacity to manage migration rather than allowing unlawful actions against foreign nationals.

He pointed to reforms aimed at strengthening border management, tackling corruption within the immigration system, improving legal migration pathways and implementing the White Paper on Citizenship, Migration and Refugee Protection.

The President also said South Africa has been engaging with other African countries on migration through the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), arguing that the challenge could not be addressed through unilateral action or by targeting migrants.

At the recent 46th Ordinary SADC Summit hosted by South Africa in eThekwini, government placed migration on the agenda and briefed regional leaders on developments in the country.

President Ramaphosa said South Africa had done so without being prompted by other leaders.

The SADC Summit subsequently called for a coordinated and multidimensional regional dialogue to address the underlying drivers of migration and develop comprehensive, sustainable and effective responses.

READ | SADC seeks to turn borders into gateways for trade, travel and regional integration

President Ramaphosa said this approach was necessary to ensure that migration was managed through lawful and humane means, while addressing the circumstances that cause people to leave their countries. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, will on Wednesday lead a National Press Club Women’s Month Distinction Dialogue, commemorating 70 years since the historic 1956 Women’s March.

The dialogue, held in partnership with the University of South Africa’s School of Business and Leadership, will bring together representatives from government, the media, civil society, business, academia and other stakeholders.

Held under the theme: “Empowered Women Empower the Nations”, the engagement will reflect on South Africa’s journey since the historic Women’s March and explore what more needs to be done to advance gender equality, women’s leadership, economic empowerment and social inclusion.

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities emphasised that the legacy of the women of 1956 must not only be commemorated but translated into tangible action that improves the lives of women and girls, particularly those who continue to experience poverty, unemployment, gender-based violence, discrimination and exclusion.

“The event will also provide an opportunity to recognise the historic contribution of South African women and reaffirm the responsibility of the present generation to ensure that the sacrifices and courage of the women of 1956 continue to shape the future of the nation,” the department said.

This year marks 70 years since thousands of women from across South Africa marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 9 August 1956, to protest against apartheid pass laws.

The march, which brought together women across racial and social lines, became one of the defining acts of resistance against apartheid and remains a powerful symbol of women’s courage, unity and resilience.

Women marched under the banner of the Federation of South African Women and delivered petitions opposing the extension of pass laws to African women.

Their historic protest gave rise to the enduring rallying cry, “Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo”, meaning, “You strike a woman, you strike a rock”.

In recognition of the historic march, 9 August is annually commemorated as National Women’s Day, while the entire month is observed as Women’s Month.

This year’s commemoration carries added significance as South Africa marks the 70th anniversary, or Platinum Jubilee of the historic march under the theme: “Empowered Women, Empower Nations.”

Throughout Women’s Month, government and various sectors have been hosting activities and engagements aimed at celebrating the contribution of women to South Africa’s development while drawing attention to the persistent challenges affecting women and girls.

The commemorations have also provided an opportunity to reflect on progress made in advancing women’s rights and participation in political, social and economic life, while renewing calls for accelerated action to address inequality, gender-based violence, unemployment and economic exclusion.

Wednesday’s dialogue is expected to build on these discussions and reaffirm the importance of women’s empowerment as a central pillar of national development.

The dialogue will be held at the UNISA School of Business and Leadership in Midrand, Gauteng. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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The eThekwini Municipality is stepping up efforts to reclaim Durban’s inner-city public spaces through weekly, multi-disciplinary operations targeting illegal structures, illegal dumping and the unlawful occupation and use of open spaces.

The latest clean-up operation was conducted at King Dinuzulu Park, where a multi-disciplinary team removed illegal structures, cleared accumulated waste, completed extensive tree trimming to improve visibility, and fumigated the site.

Following safety concerns raised by residents and businesses, the park has now been restored for public use.

A similar operation was undertaken at The Workshop precinct, where teams tackled illegal dumping, flushed drains, trimmed trees, and swept surrounding streets.

The interventions form part of the city’s commitment to sustained weekly maintenance of public spaces rather than once-off clean-up campaigns.

Director of Supply Side and Area-Based Operations Linda Mbonambi said the operations are aimed at addressing recurring challenges across the inner city.

“Open spaces that fall into disrepair get invaded, and the disruption that follows spills over onto surrounding businesses—in some cases to the point where those businesses cannot trade. Restoring these spaces is not only about cleanliness and safety, but also about protecting economic activity and rebuilding business confidence,” Mbonambi said.

Mbonambi said the city will not allow public spaces to be misused to the detriment of communities.

“We are committed to restoring these spaces to their proper use. This forms part of a broader goal of ensuring the inner city restores a culture of preservation and attracts investment.”

The municipality said it remains committed to collaborating with precinct users and property owners to coordinate safety, cleanliness, and infrastructure maintenance, while protecting property values and preventing urban decay.

The operations will continue on a weekly basis.  They will be expanded to additional public spaces across the inner city, as part of efforts to create a cleaner, safer, more liveable and workable environment. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi says the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) has recovered about R2 billion that is due to be repaid to the State following investigations emanating from Presidential proclamations.

The Minister appeared virtually before the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday to answer questions for oral reply.

She said that, as of 7 August 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa had gazetted 84 proclamations since 1 April 2024.

Kubayi explained that the SIU’s recovery model is based on legal reviews and the “consideration of a just and equitable remedy and the no-loss, no-profit principle.”

“Legality reviews are based on impugning a decision made based on irregular and/or unlawful conduct. It is intended to have the impugned decision reviewed and set aside. Thereafter, declare the subsequent action on contracts unlawful and invalid from the date of inception.

“In most instances where favourable judgments are granted, a debasement process is undertaken to determine expenditure incurred and the profit margins earned by the beneficiary of a reviewed decision.

“In most, but not all cases, the beneficiaries of the impugned decision are ordered by the court or a special tribunal to repay the amount determined as profit back to the State institution,” she said.

The Minister praised the corruption-busting unit for its work in recovering money for the public purse.

“We do believe that the public sees the good work that is being done by the SIU. [It] remains one of the exemplary [institutions]. 

“People want to be part of the SIU because of the brand, the image, the ethics…[and] the ability to deliver results, and that’s what we want to see in many of our organisations, especially within the justice and criminal sector,” Kubayi said.

Turning to criminal referrals made by the SIU to the National Prosecuting Authority, Kubayi revealed that 1 949 referrals had been made, with some 1 794 cases pending.

“We have raised concerns about the number of referrals that lead to individuals ending up appearing before court. You find that in one case, you have several referrals. 

“So, you can have one matter investigated by SIU, but in the referral… you have five people that must be referred for prosecution, then those individuals become multiple cases. But we still want to see successful prosecutions,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

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By Josias Pila

Building an inclusive economy that creates jobs, expands business opportunities and improves the lives of all South Africans remains a central priority of the Seventh Administration. Government is pursuing a range of policies and programmes to accelerate economic growth, attract investment and unlock greater opportunities for businesses. Among these is Operation Vulindlela, a programme focused on removing barriers to economic growth and improving the performance of key sectors of the economy.

The Operation Vulindlela Phase II Q1 Progress Report, released in July 2026, demonstrates that steady progress is being made in implementing reforms aimed at improving South Africa’s competitiveness, easing constraints to growth and creating the conditions for greater private-sector investment. Important reforms are underway in priority areas including water and sanitation, digital public infrastructure, electricity, freight logistics, visa reform and local government.

These reforms matter because a growing economy creates the foundation for investment, enterprise development and, most importantly, jobs. But the gains we are making are at risk of being undermined by another economy operating alongside the legitimate one: ‘the illicit economy’.

The illicit economy is estimated to cost South Africa R84.6 billion a year. Illicit trade is a major driver of this harmful economy and includes the unauthorised production, smuggling, counterfeiting and unlawful sale of goods, as well as the distribution of products that are unregulated or falsely declared.

This is not a victimless crime. Every counterfeit or illegally traded product that enters the market has consequences beyond the transaction between a buyer and a seller.

Illicit trade undermines legitimate businesses that comply with tax, labour, safety and regulatory requirements. It deprives the state of revenue that could otherwise be invested in healthcare, education, infrastructure, community safety and other essential public services. It also threatens jobs by placing law-abiding businesses under unfair competitive pressure and weakening the markets in which they operate.

The consequences are particularly serious when illicit goods pose risks to public health and consumer safety. Counterfeit medicines and cosmetics may contain unverified or harmful ingredients. Non-compliant electrical products can create fire and safety hazards. Illicit alcohol and tobacco products evade the regulatory and safety controls designed to protect consumers. At the same time, illicit markets provide fertile ground for organised criminal networks to generate income and expand their activities.

The fight against illicit trade must therefore be understood as an important part of the broader effort to build a fair, inclusive and growing economy.

When consumers choose legitimate products and support compliant businesses, they are doing more than protecting themselves. They are helping to protect jobs, support local manufacturers and producers, strengthen township and rural economies, and reduce the demand that sustains criminal markets.

Buying local is equally important to strengthening our economy. When South Africans choose locally produced goods and services, they help keep money circulating within the domestic economy, support local manufacturers, farmers, small businesses and entrepreneurs, and contribute to the preservation and creation of jobs. Supporting local production also strengthens domestic supply chains, encourages investment in productive capacity and helps build a more resilient and competitive economy.

Buying local does not mean compromising on quality. It means making conscious choices to support products and services that are lawfully produced, compliant with our standards and contribute to South Africa’s economic development. It is a practical way for consumers to participate in building the economy we want. Every time consumers choose locally produced, genuine and compliant products, they support businesses that employ South Africans, contribute to the tax base and invest in their communities.

This is particularly important as government works to create an environment in which small businesses, manufacturers, farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs can grow and contribute meaningfully to the economy. These businesses cannot compete on a level playing field if unlawful operators are allowed to sell goods without meeting the same tax, safety, quality and regulatory obligations.

A developmental state cannot realise its economic ambitions while unlawful markets are allowed to erode legitimate enterprise, compromise consumer safety and siphon resources from the public purse.

Government’s response is underpinned by a comprehensive legislative and enforcement framework. The Counterfeit Goods Act provides measures to combat the trade in counterfeit products, while the Customs and Excise Act gives authorities powers to control prohibited and restricted goods and to detain suspected counterfeit goods at the border. The Consumer Protection Act further provides protections against unsafe, substandard and unfairly marketed products. These measures are being strengthened through the National Illicit Economy Disruption Programme, which brings together key state agencies and other stakeholders to disrupt illicit markets through coordinated enforcement, better information sharing and the use of data and technology.

These policy measures are being reinforced by intensified action on the ground. Collaboration between law enforcement agencies, the Border Management Authority and the National Consumer Commission is helping to strengthen inspections, identify non-compliant products and prevent unsafe and illicit goods from entering or circulating in the South African market.

Recent enforcement operations demonstrate both the scale of the challenge and the importance of coordinated action. In March this year, police reported seizures worth more than R160 million across several parts of the country, including a major operation in Bellville, City of Cape Town that resulted in the seizure of more than 130 000 counterfeit items. In July 2026, law enforcement agencies seized more than R27 million worth of counterfeit and illicit goods during major multidisciplinary operations.

These interventions are important not only because they remove unlawful and potentially dangerous goods from circulation, but because they demonstrate that South Africa will not allow criminal markets to operate with impunity.

Yet enforcement alone will not win this fight.

The private sector has an equally important role to play. Businesses must strengthen their supply chains, verify the authenticity and origin of products, maintain appropriate compliance measures and avoid suppliers who cannot account for the quality, provenance and legality of their goods.

Consumers, too, have agency. We should buy from reputable outlets, check packaging and relevant safety or authenticity markings, and be cautious of products offered at prices that appear too good to be true.  

The public also has a role in disrupting these markets by reporting the sale and distribution of counterfeit and illicit goods. Report suspected criminal activity at their nearest police station, through Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or anonymously through the MySAPS App. By making informed purchasing choices and reporting illicit activity, consumers can become active partners in protecting South Africa’s legitimate economy.

Ultimately, the fight against illicit trade and the call to buy local are part of the same economic project. We cannot build a strong domestic economy if legitimate South African businesses are undermined by counterfeit and illegally traded goods.

Pila is Director: Cluster Support at the Government Communication and Information System

 

 

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