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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
In the news today; as the ANC and DA meet to try out their difference, the MK party says it will not be used by the ANC to scare its biggest coalition partner. Secretary-general Floyd Shivambu added that the MK party is not desperate and “could take power single-handedly”.
The budget has caused a ruckus for its proposed 0.5% value-added tax (VAT) increase, with a constitutional law expert telling The Citizen it may be unwise to implement the hike from next month.
Meanwhile, almost a million rand was spent repairing shoddy welding at the controversial Estina Dairy Farm’s processing plant.
And while many South Africans are scrounging around for money to pay for electricity price increases, those in swimming are on the look out for SA’s next superstar in the pool.
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MK Party ‘no spare wheel for ANC to use’ in budget vote spate
MK party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu says his party will not be used by the ANC to scare their coalition partner, the DA.
The two biggest parties in the ruling government of national unity (GNU) are locked in meetings this weekend to iron out their differences over the national budget. At the heart of their disagreement is a Value-Added Tax (VAT) increase that takes effect on 1 May.
Earlier this month, the National Assembly approved a report adopting the national budget.
On 2 April, 194 Members of Parliament (MPs) voted in favour of the Standing Committee on Finance’s report on the fiscal framework and revenue proposals, while 182 MPs opposed it.
CONTINUE READING: MK Party ‘no spare wheel for ANC to use’ in budget vote spate
Here’s why constitutional law expert says VAT hike should be postponed
As South Africa prepares for a proposed 0.5% increase in value-added tax (VAT), a law expert has warned it may be wise to hold off on implementation while the matter is contested in court.
The country’s VAT rate is expected to rise to 15.5% from 1 May, following Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s announcement during his budget speech.
Section 7(4) of the VAT Act enables the hike. This act permits tax rate changes to take immediate effect upon the minister’s announcement – even before Parliament has fully processed the budget.
CONTINUE READING: Here’s why constitutional law expert says VAT hike should be postponed
Court hears how nearly R1 million was spent fixing welding at Estina Dairy Farm
The Pretoria Regional Court has heard how almost a million rand was spent to repair shoddy welding work at the Estina Dairy Farm’s processing plant.
The trial against Gupta-linked Estina Dairy Farm-accused Kamal Vasram and Saliesh Indurjeeth concerning the R37.7 million commenced before the Pretoria Regional Court on Friday.
The two are currently out on R10 000 bail each.
CONTINUE READING: Court hears how nearly R1 million was spent fixing welding at Estina Dairy Farm
Grim impact of soaring electricity prices on South Africans revealed
The results of a new survey of the socioeconomic challenges facing South African consumers and how they are dealing with them paint a grim picture of a cold, dark winter ahead for most households due to soaring electricity prices.
The latest Debt Rescue survey found that a whopping 79% of South African consumers now rely on prepaid electricity, and they only load what they can afford, often leaving families in the dark before month-end.
It is even more disturbing that the survey results reveal that 86% of the respondents could already no longer afford the cost of electricity and started to cut back on essentials such as groceries or transport just to be able to afford to keep the power on, despite already doing everything they can to minimise costs even ahead of the April electricity tariff increase.
CONTINUE READING: Grim impact of soaring electricity prices on South Africans revealed
South Africa in search of next swimming superstar
Since our readmission to international sport in the early ’90s, South Africa has been blessed with world-class swimmers.
The likes of Penny Heyns, Roland Schoeman, Cameron van der Burgh, Chad le Clos and Tatjana Smith have done well to carry the national flag at the highest level, breaking world records and winning world and Olympic titles.
As a nation, we don’t have tremendous depth in the pool, but we’ve always had superstars.
However, with Smith having retired after last year’s Olympics, and Le Clos past his best, the question now stands: Who will be next?
CONTINUE READING: South Africa in search of next swimming superstar
Here are five more stories of the day:
- Two-pot retirement system: withdrawals not being used for emergencies
- Missing Pretoria man found dead 300m from abandoned car in Diepsloot
- Macpherson says urgency of court challenge against him ‘self-created’
- Six armed robbers ambush City Power contractor near Kwa MaiMai
- VW Golf 8.5 has come a long way in almost half a century
Yesterday’s News recap
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