Proposals to change South Africa’s drunk driving laws – the big problem
The Automobile Association (AA) of South Africa says that when it comes to drunk driving laws in South Africa, the problem isn’t with limits, it’s with enforcement. The portfolio committee on transport recently rejected the government’s plans for ‘zero-tolerance’ drunk driving laws, where the Department…
Big shake up for election laws in South Africa – with more names expected on the ballot
Parliament has faced challenges in reforming South Africa’s legislation regarding elections, but with it reaching its final stages, questions around its constitutionality remain. After an impactful Constitutional Court ruling in June 2020, Parliament was tasked to renovate the electoral system to allow independent candidates to…
Government being ‘generous’ with 3% wage offer to public servants: minister
Despite the prevailing difficult fiscal position, the government believes the 3% salary increase offered to public servants is “generous”. This is the view of the acting minister of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), Thulas Nxesi and finance minister, Enoch Godongwana. This as a deadlock persists…
Massive price hike for passports in South Africa
The Department of Home Affairs has gazetted new fees for travel documents in South Africa, which will increase the cost of getting a standard passport by 50%. Standard passports have cost R400 since 2011, but under the new regulations, this will be increased to R600….
South Africa to roll out new passport services in New Zealand, Australia, the USA and other countries
The Department of Home Affairs says that it plans to expand the use of a Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) model for passports in 2023, targeting countries with a high concentration of South African citizens. The department launched a pilot project testing the VSF model through…
South African police stations – a one-stop-shop for criminals looking for guns
Devon Police Station in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, was robbed of its firearms on Wednesday (5 October 2022) – bringing the total of SAPS stations that have been robbed of their weapons to eight in 2022 alone. This has sparked criticism from several bodies, including the South…
Johannesburg in meltdown – with dry taps, no power and a new mayor
South Africa’s economic hub, the City of Johannesburg, is punch-drunk from four major blows hitting it this week. Like the rest of South Africa, the city is suffering through the longest streak of rolling blackouts on record – but on top of this, it has…
Home Affairs to fast-track critical skills and business visas
The Department of Home Affairs says it is fast-tracking critical skills visa applications currently being processed to address the growing backlog – and is setting up a team to prioritise these applications going forward. Responding in a written parliamentary Q&A this week, home affairs minister…
Mass strike action on the cards for South Africa
The SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) threatens major strike action on Monday, with as many as 21,000 workers expected to take part unless a new wage deal is struck with Transnet, the state owned transport and logistics group. Satawu, along with the United…
Concern over rule change that allows ministers to have free water and electricity
There is a growing concern over a rule change that allows for ministers and deputy ministers to not have to pay for utilities, including water and electricity, says the head of legal at the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), Stefanie Fick. Speaking with ENCA, Fick…
South Africa on its knees as strike action set to worsen
South Africa’s economy cannot afford a strike at Transnet, and the stakes are higher than they have ever been with the country already on its knees, says the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of South Africa (Seifsa). A full-blown strike at the national port and…
SA businesses offer to step in to bring an end to strike action – report
The private sector is set to band together to bring a swift end to the major strike action at the national port and freight company Transnet. Staff at Transnet, the state-owned company which operates most of the harbours in South Africa are refusing to work…