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Here’s your daily news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.
Picture: iStock / The Citizen / Cheryl Kahla
News today includes the proposed VAT increase being reversed and remaining at 15% after a two-month battle over the unpopular tax hike.
Meanwhile, former Leeds United and Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe has been officially appointed as Leeds United’s first-ever global ambassador.
Furthermore, former president Jacob Zuma’s appeal application to have the lead prosecutor recused from his arms deal corruption trial has been dismissed.
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Treasury reverses proposed VAT hike, will remain at 15%
The proposed VAT increase has been reversed and will remain at 15%, ending a two-month battle and legal challenges over the unpopular tax hike.
The treasury made the announcement shortly after midnight on Thursday.
The VAT rate was scheduled to rise to 15.5% on 1 May, but growing political and public pressure placed Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana under strain to abandon the proposed increase.
Treasury said Godongwana will introduce legislation that reverses his decision to implement an initial 0.5 percentage point hike on 1 May, followed by a second hike by the same margin on April 1 next year.
CONTINUE READING: Treasury reverses proposed VAT hike, will remain at 15%
From The Chief to global ambassador: Lucas Radebe’s Leeds United legacy
From legendary leadership to heartfelt fan tributes and a rock band inspired by his journey, Radebe’s remarkable connection to Leeds is deeper than football.
Lucas Radebe, affectionately known as The Chief, continues to etch his name into football history—this time off the pitch.
The former Leeds United and Bafana Bafana captain has been officially appointed as Leeds United’s first-ever global ambassador. This role recognises both his iconic contribution to the club and his community leadership.
CONTINUE READING: From The Chief to global ambassador: Lucas Radebe’s Leeds United legacy
Zuma’s bid to force Downer’s removal from arms deal case dismissed
Former president and MK party leader Jacob Zuma’s appeal application to have the lead prosecutor recused from his arms deal corruption trial has been dismissed.
Zuma appeared in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Thursday, where Judge Nkosinathi Chili handed down the ruling.
In February, Jacob Zuma’s legal team filed for leave to appeal Judge Chili’s decision to dismiss the recusal application against Advocate Billy Downer.
The former president argues that prosecutor Billy Downer should be removed from the case due to alleged bias, claiming his continued involvement would compromise the right to a fair trial.
CONTINUE READING: Zuma’s bid to force Downer’s removal from arms deal case dismissed
Two BMA officials, foreign nationals and facilitators arrested at Beitbridge
Two Border Management Authority (BMA) immigration officials were among the nine arrested at the Beitbridge Port of Entry on Tuesday.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in corruption and contravention of the Immigration Act.
Two executive members of the BMA led the intelligence-driven operation, which followed movement monitoring and technological surveillance at the port.
“During the operation, the executives observed a white Mercedes-Benz taxi parked near a shop at the port. Two BMA Immigration officials, a 61-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man, were seen engaging with the facilitator. They subsequently allowed it to pass through, allegedly after receiving a bribe,” said the BMA.
CONTINUE READING: Two BMA officials, foreign nationals and facilitators arrested at Beitbridge
A R1 billion U-turn: Scrapping the VAT increase leaves no winners, just absolute chaos
There are no winners in the scrapping of the VAT increase, just absolute chaos, says financial analyst Professor Jannie Rossouw.
The visiting professor at the Wits Business School told The Citizen the economy of South Africa cannot be run in such a haphazard way, and Finance Minister Enoch Gondongwana’s head may roll over it.
“This kind of behaviour means there is no policy certainty in the country and it is bad for business and investor confidence.”
He estimates that preparing for the VAT increase of 0.5% on 1 May will cost the country R1 billion at a time when nobody can afford to waste money.
CONTINUE READING: A R1 billion U-turn: Scrapping the VAT increase leaves no winners, just absolute chaos
Here are five more stories of the day:
- New ID verification process for Sassa grants: Here’s who’s affected
- EFF calls for resignation of Godongwana amid VAT fiasco
- VAT U-turn: How businesses felt the brunt of political roulette
- Mashatile convoy shooting fuels fears of ANC power struggle
- ‘I’m back in SA — I have to work to pay for treatment’: Darren Scott on his cancer battle
Yesterday’s News recap
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