MIL Africa Engine

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has urged all trusts registered in South Africa to submit income tax returns for every year of assessment, in line with legislative requirements.

This obligation applies even where a trust had no economic activity during the relevant year.

“Where a trust is no longer being used for its intended purpose, trustees are encouraged to formally terminate the trust through the Office of the Master of the High Court (Master). 

“Once the Master has issued a written confirmation of termination, trustees should request SARS to deregister the trust for income tax purposes. This process assists in preventing the unnecessary imposition of administrative penalties arising from ongoing non-compliance,” SARS said on Thursday.

Although the Trust Property Control Act does not expressly prescribe a deregistration process, the Chief Master issued a directive in 2017 to provide clarity on the procedure to be followed. 

Importantly, trustees must first establish and regularise the trust’s tax compliance status with SARS before approaching the Master for termination.

Trustees act as representative taxpayers of a trust in terms of the Income Tax Act and are required to ensure that all outstanding tax returns, payments, and related tax obligations are fully resolved prior to requesting termination at the Master and deregistration at SARS. 

In some instances, SARS may owe a trust a tax refund. 

“Once a trust has been terminated by the Master, it legally ceases to exist, as does the Office of Trusteeship. In such circumstances, SARS is unable to lawfully process or pay any refunds due to the trust.

“Trustees are therefore urged to follow the correct sequence: first confirm and regularise the trust’s tax affairs with SARS, and only thereafter proceed with termination at the Master. 

“This approach safeguards compliance and protects trustees from potential personal liability. This also ensures that any refunds due to the trust can be processed timeously,” SARS said. –SAnews.gov.za

While trade relations between South Africa and the United States face several challenges, President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government is committed to rebuilding political and diplomatic relations with the US.

Speaking at the American Chamber of Commerce South Africa  Annual General Meeting on Thursday, the President said he has been engaging the new US Ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador Bozell, on efforts to repair the strained diplomatic relations.

“Yesterday, I had the pleasure of receiving the credentials of the new US Ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador Bozell.

“Through the engagements that have taken place since his arrival in the country, I believe we have made progress in developing a common understanding of the issues that continue for the moment to define our relationship,” the President said in Johannesburg.

He added that Ambassador Bozell has made deepening commercial trade between the two countries a priority. 

“I understand that the Ambassador wants to double the amount of US companies operating in South Africa. This is an ambition that we wholeheartedly support and that we hope to work together to achieve,” Ramaphosa said.

The President emphasised that South Africa is committed to working with United States businesses to deepen cooperation and open up new opportunities as the government pursues the strategic priority of driving inclusive growth and creating employment.

The United States is a major source of foreign direct investment in South Africa, with more than 600 American companies operating in the country. It is estimated that these companies employ over 250,000 South Africans.

“The US administration has been forthright in its assessment of our trade relations, and we welcome its willingness to engage with South Africa to address concerns. Recently we have had several positive signals from the United States. 

“We recently held a critical minerals forum in Washington, with key US government departments and business,” President Ramaphosa said.

South Africa is actively engaged with various committees, both in the House and the Senate, on the renewal of African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

AGOA is a piece of legislation that was passed by the US Congress in May 2000 to provide eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the US market.

“At the same time, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition remains engaged with the US trade representative.

“We are committed to working together more closely and with greater focus to achieve a trade agreement that is mutually beneficial.

“There is a great deal that we can offer each other and there is no reason why we can’t reach agreement on areas of difference,” he said.

South Africa recenlty held a critical minerals forum in Washington, with key US government departments and business. 

“We will continue work to develop a critical minerals framework that can ensure that we continue to be a strategic supplier of critical minerals to the US. 

“At the same time, we want to develop collaborative programmes that increase investment in this important sector in our economy,” he said.

Economic renewal

South Africa stands at a juncture of economic renewal as government implements structural reforms to rebuild the economy.

The President said these efforts are bearing fruit. 

“Electricity supply has stabilised and Eskom has been returned to operational viability. Together with market reforms and substantial private investment in renewable energy, we are laying the foundation for a competitive energy market that will reduce costs for households and businesses.

“Through Operation Vulindlela, we have seen improvements in the efficiency of our ports, and we are enabling access to our freight rail for private operators,” Ramaphosa said.

There has been a decline in the cost of broadband data alongside an improvement in access.

“Far-reaching changes to our visa regime will enable the country to attract greater investment, skills and tourism. We have embarked on a second phase of Operation Vulindlela, focusing on local government, digital transformation and reducing spatial inequality.

“A particular area of focus now is on ensuring reliable access to water for households, businesses and agriculture,” the President said.

Through a National Water Crisis Committee, government is undertaking interventions to transform the provision and management of water services across the country. 

“Our commitment to macroeconomic stability and prudent fiscal management has resulted in the stabilisation of public finances and has seen our sovereign risk profile improve. 

“We are reforming our criminal justice system and tackling crime and corruption, so that businesses can invest and operate without fear. 

“We are establishing a new criminal justice reform initiative modelled on the success of Operation Vulindlela, which will focus on combating organised crime, corruption, the illicit economy and illegal firearms,” he said.

Furthermore, government has allocated more than R3 trillion over the next three years to modernise and expand public infrastructure across South Africa. 

This includes massive investment in roads, railways, ports, dams, energy generation and transmission, as well as housing.

“We remain committed to the transformation of our economy to drive sustained growth, reduce inequality and correct the injustices of the past,” the President said. –SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Justice Nambitha Christabel Dambuza-Mayosi and Justice Katharine Mary Savage as Judges of the Constitutional Court with effect from 1 May 2026.

President Ramaphosa has made these appointments after consultation with Chief Justice Mandisa Maya and leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly.

The appointments were made in terms of section 174(4) of the Constitution.

Justice Dambuza-Mayosi currently serves as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal – a position she has held since June 2015 and which included an extended period of acting as President of the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Justice Dambuza-Mayosi’s career spans more than three decades in legal practice, academia and the judiciary.

Justice Savage became a Judge of the Western Cape High Court in 2015 and has served as a Judge of the Labour Appeal Court since 2024.

President Ramaphosa has wished the new judges of South Africa’s apex court well in their new roles.

“Judge Dambuza-Mayosi and Judge Savage have for decades served the cause and practice of justice with great diligence, foresight and, most importantly, clear commitment to our Constitution.

“They join the Constitutional Court in the year in which we mark 30 years since the adoption of our democratic Constitution. This anniversary is a significant moment for our nation and serves as an inspiration for our Constitutional Court to sustain the entrenchment of our national values and the supreme law that underpins them,” said the President. – SAnews.gov.za

The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, has officially received the African Spelling Bee Championship trophy from South African learners who secured first place at the continental competition held in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Team South Africa emerged as overall champions at the Africa leg of the spelling bee competition, with learner Ashton Singh also achieving second place in the Junior Division.

The eighth season of the African Spelling Bee was held at the end of March with more than 30 African countries competing. 

The South African learners’ performance marked a significant achievement for the country on the continental stage.

Gwarube congratulated the learners for their outstanding accomplishment, describing their success as a clear demonstration of the connection between literacy and excellence.

“A reading nation is a winning nation. These learners have shown us that when we cultivate a strong culture of reading, we unlock the full potential of our young people,” said Gwarube.

The Minister highlighted the importance of extra-curricular activities such as spelling bees in strengthening foundational literacy.

She noted that such initiatives encourage learners to engage deeply with literature and language, expand their vocabulary, and build confidence.

She also underscored the role of partnerships in advancing literacy outcomes, acknowledging the contribution of organisations such as A Better Africa and other stakeholders in supporting reading initiatives across the country.

Gwarube stressed that government cannot build a reading nation alone, pointing to the need for collaboration between organisations, schools, teachers, and parents to ensure every child has the opportunity to read, learn, and succeed.

The Department of Basic Education has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting a culture of reading through programmes and collaborations that extend beyond the classroom and inspire lifelong learning.

The trophy presentation ceremony served not only as a celebration of continental success but also as a renewed call to action for all South Africans to contribute to building a reading nation and, ultimately, a winning nation. – SAnews.gov.za

Government has welcomed the successful commissioning of the Bolobedu Solar Plant, a 148-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic facility in Limpopo province.

The plant was completed in April 2026 and commissioned by mineral resources company, Rio Tinto. 

“This milestone represents a significant contribution to South Africa’s ongoing efforts to diversify its energy mix, strengthen energy security, and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. 

“The plant, which spans approximately 347 hectares, is expected to generate around 300 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean energy annually, supplying power through the national grid,” the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said on Thursday.

The Bolobedu Solar Plant, the GCIS said, stands as a strong example of how strategic public-private collaboration can unlock investment, drive infrastructure development, and support inclusive economic growth. 

During its construction phase, the project created employment opportunities for approximately 800 local residents, with a clear emphasis on skills development, empowerment of women-led enterprises, and meaningful community upliftment.

“Government commends all stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of this project for prioritising local participation, and ensuring that communities benefit directly from infrastructure investments.

“Initiatives such as these play a vital role in addressing unemployment, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and building resilient local economies,” the GCIS said.

As South Africa continues to confront energy challenges, projects like the Bolobedu Solar Plant demonstrate the critical role of renewable energy in stabilising electricity supply, while advancing the country’s climate commitments.

Government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for further investment in renewable energy and infrastructure development that delivers both economic and social value. – SAnews.gov.za