The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, has announced that the Value-Added Tax (VAT) rate will remain at 15% from May 1, foregoing a previously proposed VAT increase announced in the March Budget.

According to a statement issued by the Treasury, this decision comes after thorough consultations with political parties and careful consideration of parliamentary committee recommendations.

The decision to maintain the current VAT rate will result in an estimated revenue shortfall of R75 billion over the medium term. In light of this, the Minister has informed the Speaker of the National Assembly of his plan to withdraw the Appropriation Bill and the Division of Revenue Bill.

Adjustments to national expenditure will be proposed to cover the shortfall without compromising South Africa’s fiscal sustainability.

“The loss of anticipated revenue is significant, but maintaining the VAT at 15% will ease pressure on lower-income households, who were most likely to have been negatively impacted by the rate increase,” the statement read. However, expenditure adjustments and revisions to offset this decision will now be necessary.

Plans to introduce measures aimed at cushioning lower-income households against the potential impact of the VAT increase will be withdrawn. Meanwhile, alternative expenditure priorities will be evaluated to address revenue shortfalls, and any additional funds collected by SARS may be used to mitigate these challenges moving forward.

The Treasury statement noted that while the initial VAT increase proposal was essential for restoring funding to critical frontline services, the government is mindful of the broader economic and employment implications, as well as the immediate challenges to generating additional revenue.

Possible alternatives and suggestions for increasing funds will continue to be reviewed. “Suggestions will be considered for potential amendments in future budgets, though some options may have greater negative consequences for growth and employment,” the statement said.

A revised version of the Appropriation Bill and Division of Revenue Bill is expected to be introduced to Parliament in the coming weeks. The National Treasury will focus on ensuring the proposed adjustments maintain the country’s fiscal stability while continuing to prioritise sustainable economic growth and service delivery.

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The Eastern Cape Hawks have confirmed that US missionary pastor Josh Sullivan (45) was rescued yesterday, following his alleged kidnapping on April 10 while conducting a sermon in Motherwell.

The rescue operation involved a shootout with the suspected kidnappers.

Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba said Sullivan was found held at a safe house in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha, on April 15.

Fumba stated the operation followed verified intelligence where a coordinated team comprising the Serious Organised Crime Investigation team of the Hawks, Anti-Gang Unit, Crime Intelligence, Tactical Response Team, and other key law enforcement partners moved to the identified location.

Elaborating on the rescue operation, Fumba said: “As officers approached the house, they observed a vehicle on the premises. The suspects inside the vehicle, upon seeing law enforcement, allegedly attempted to flee and opened fire on the team.”

“The officers responded with tactical precision, leading to a high-intensity shootout in which three unidentified suspects were fatally wounded.”

Fumba revealed Sullivan was found inside the same vehicle from which the suspects had launched their attack.

“Unharmed, he was immediately assessed by medical personnel and is currently in excellent condition,” he added.

“We extend sincere appreciation to all role players that include our law enforcement members, the public, international partners, both local and international media whose support and vigilance were instrumental in this success.

“As investigations continue, we respectfully request privacy for the victim and his family as they navigate this period of recovery,” Fumba urged.

“Anyone with credible information that could assist the ongoing investigation is urged to contact the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111 or submit tips anonymously via the MySAPS App,” he concluded.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks in the Eastern Cape, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, commended the operational team for their courage, discipline, and tactical excellence under fire.

He also thanked senior government officials for their visible and personal support during this critical period, reaffirming that such united efforts send a strong message to those who threaten the safety and sovereignty of our nation.

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The Eastern Cape Hawks have confirmed that US missionary pastor Josh Sullivan (45) was rescued yesterday, following his alleged kidnapping on April 10 while conducting a sermon in Motherwell.

The rescue operation involved a shootout with the suspected kidnappers.

Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba said Sullivan was found held at a safe house in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha, on April 15.

Fumba stated the operation followed verified intelligence where a coordinated team comprising the Serious Organised Crime Investigation team of the Hawks, Anti-Gang Unit, Crime Intelligence, Tactical Response Team, and other key law enforcement partners moved to the identified location.

Elaborating on the rescue operation, Fumba said: “As officers approached the house, they observed a vehicle on the premises. The suspects inside the vehicle, upon seeing law enforcement, allegedly attempted to flee and opened fire on the team.”

“The officers responded with tactical precision, leading to a high-intensity shootout in which three unidentified suspects were fatally wounded.”

Fumba revealed Sullivan was found inside the same vehicle from which the suspects had launched their attack.

“Unharmed, he was immediately assessed by medical personnel and is currently in excellent condition,” he added.

“We extend sincere appreciation to all role players that include our law enforcement members, the public, international partners, both local and international media whose support and vigilance were instrumental in this success.

“As investigations continue, we respectfully request privacy for the victim and his family as they navigate this period of recovery,” Fumba urged.

“Anyone with credible information that could assist the ongoing investigation is urged to contact the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111 or submit tips anonymously via the MySAPS App,” he concluded.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks in the Eastern Cape, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, commended the operational team for their courage, discipline, and tactical excellence under fire.

He also thanked senior government officials for their visible and personal support during this critical period, reaffirming that such united efforts send a strong message to those who threaten the safety and sovereignty of our nation.

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Passenger car buyers in South Africa appeared undeterred by prevailing economic concerns, as evidenced by the February retail vehicle sales figures.

“Passenger car buyers in South Africa seemed undeterred by some of the economic concerns being flagged currently by the local media if one studies the retail vehicle sales figures for February, which show car sales up by 17.1% when compared to February 2024,” said Brandon Cohen, Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA).

Several economic disrupters were at play last month.

“These disrupters included the delayed announcement of the national budget, concerns about the future of trade with the United States, and an ongoing lack of confidence in the business sector. The latter concern continued as sales of light commercial vehicles decreased by 11.3% in February, although part of this fall in volume can be attributed to a shortage of stock from some of the brands. The important heavy and extra-heavy truck segment was 12.5% lower than in the corresponding month last year, which is also concerning. Medium trucks, which is a small market, recorded a sales increase of 11.5%, ,” explained Cohen.

A notable trend in the market is the growing presence of OEMs competing in the entry and lower segments of the market in the top 10 rankings, with brands such as Suzuki, Hyundai, Kia, Mahindra and Chery gaining traction. This shift suggests that affordability is playing a key role in driving unit sales, enabling consumers who previously could not afford a new vehicle to enter the market. Additionally, a 0.25% decrease in interest rates at the end of January as well as speculation over a potential VAT increase may have encouraged some buyers to expedite their purchases.

“Another reason for the surge in new car buying could have been that February is the end of a tax year for many companies, and those who still have money in their budgets tend to buy before the end of this period”.

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The Kia Sportage extended its local awards streak last week by clinching the top spot in the ‘Family Car’ category at the 2025 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards.

Beating its nearest rival by 4.7%, the Sportage 1.6CRDi GT Line Plus variant successfully defended its title at the awards ceremony held at Waterfall City Park at Mall of Africa in Johannesburg last week. 

In 2024, the Kia South Africa made history as the first Korean product to win an award in the competition, with its Sportage 1.6 CRDi EX variant receiving the honor.

The judges’ scores for the 39 finalists accounted for 50% of the final standings, while the remaining 50% was based on the rankings each vehicle brand received in the Cars.co.za Ownership Satisfaction Survey, which interviewed nearly 5,000 car owners.

“Securing this award once again reinforces that the Sportage is not just the ultimate urban SUV, but also delivers unmatched value in a fiercely competitive segment, connecting with today’s consumers,” says Paul Turnbull, CEO of Kia South Africa. “The Sportage is undeniably the best family car on the market today. Its blend of cutting-edge technology, advanced safety features, and stylish design makes it the perfect choice for modern families. We’re proud to see it continue to lead the way in both performance and customer satisfaction, setting new standards in the SUV category.”

The fifth-generation Kia Sportage was launched in South Africa in September 2022. With a feature-packed design and impressive performance powered by Kia’s renowned 1.6-litre turbocharged GDI engine, the range quickly gained praise from both fans and critics.

Bolstered in May 2023 with the addition of an equally punchy yet superbly frugal 1.6-litre turbodiesel powerplant, the nameplate celebrated its 30^th anniversary. The addition of a diesel powertrain further cemented Sportage’s unique positioning in its segment: in a market that has traditionally favoured diesel engines in SUVs, the availability of such engines have become the exception to the rule.

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Op 8 Mei vanjaar vier Afrikaans sy eeufees as amptelike taal en jy is genooi. Daar is alles van
musiekkonserte tot kuiers om lang tafels om hierdie mylpaal in Afrikaans te
vier.

Afrikaans is veel, veel ouer as ’n honderd jaar, maar op 8 Mei 1925 het dit, naas Engels, een van
Suid-Afrika se amptelike tale geword en ná 1994 het dit daardie status behou.
Dis een van die jongste wêreldtale en het in die relatiewe kort geskiedenis een
van die mees dinamiese tale geword. Dis ’n taal wat steeds groei, skep en blom
in al sy diversiteit. Afrikaans is inklusief en vriendelik, mededeelsaam en
almal se taal wat hom praat.

Die Afrikaans 100-fees
skop op 8 Mei in Kaapstad af, maar die fees maak ook ’n draai in die Paarl,
Genadendal en Pretoria.

Uit die mond, ’n musikale viering van die Afrikaanse taal, moet
nie misgeloop word nie. Met Amanda Strydom, Coenie de Villiers, Emo Adams,
Frazer Barry, Lynelle Kenned en Nicole Holm beloof hierdie om ’n uitsonderlike
viering van Afrikaanse musiek te wees. Die konserte is op 10 en 11 Mei in
Durbanville en op 28 en 29 Mei in Pretoria.

Uit die mond, met Amanda Strydom, Coenie de Villiers, Emo Adams, Frazer Barry, Lynelle Kenned en Nicole Holm, beloof om ’n uitsonderlike viering van Afrikaanse musiek te wees.

Foto: Verskaf

Op 8 en 9 Mei word daar drie langtafels gehou – een elk in die Bo-Kaap, die Paarl en Genadendal. Kom
trek jou stoel nader en kuier in Afrikaanse met kos wat die masala,
malvapoeding en mebos op jou tong gaan laat dans.

Op 8 en 9 Mei word daar drie langtafels gehou – een elk in die Bo-Kaap, die Paarl en Genadendal.

Foto: Verskaf

Vir die volledige program en ’n skakel na Tixsa waar jy kaartjies kan koop, gaan na afrikaans100.org en
klik op feesprogram.

Wil jy graag betrokke raak by Afrikaans 100? Op die webblad is daar ook ’n skakel waar jy meer kan
uitvind. Daar is ook verskeie artikels, onderhoude en interessante feite oor ons wonderskone Afrikaans.

• Besoek vandag nog afrikaans100.org of volg Afrikaans 100 op alle sosiale media-platforms.

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