Alcoholic beverages on a bar table. The National Liquor Traders Council has welcomed Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s announcement that excise duty increases on alcohol products will be limited to inflation-linked adjustments. Godongwana delivered the 2026 Budget Speech in Parliament on Wednesday, where he provided an update on revised spending plans. National Liquor Traders spokesperson Lucky…
Minister Enoch Godongwana delivers the budget speech in Parliament. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has criticised the 2026 national budget tabled by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, saying that it lacks a clear strategy for economic growth. During his speech, Godongwana highlighted that the economy is expected to grow by 1.6% this year, an…
Fuel being refilled inside of a car. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has announced an increase in fuel levies, which he says are in line with inflation. Godongwana was delivering his 2026/27 budget in Parliament in Cape Town. “In terms of fuel levies, the total increase will also be in line with inflation. The general fuel levy will go…
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana during a press briefing A boost in tax revenue has given the National Treasury room to offer the first inflation-linked tax relief since the 2023/24 financial year. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says revenue for the current financial year is projected to come in higher than previously forecast. This has been supported…
Ekapa Mine in Kimberley in the Northern Cape. Ekapa Minerals Mine in the Northern Cape, where five miners remain trapped after a mud rush incident last Tuesday, has been placed under liquidation. All mining activities at the Kimberley mine have been halted. The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) says it will approach…
Graphic depicting a ghost worker National Treasury says a ghost worker audit has identified 4 323 suspicious cases in the PERSAL system and that a verification process is under way. The department says employees who cannot be physically verified will have their salaries withheld and their employment status suspended. It says compensation of employees accounts…
Graphic depicting debt Since 2008/09, government’s debt ratio has more than tripled however, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana forecasts the country’s debt-service costs to fall. Godongwana says gross debt will stabilise as a share of GDP in 2025/26, at 78.9 percent. While delivering this year’s Budget Speech in Parliament, Cape Town, he said, “In 2026/27 it…
Picture depicting online banking Those trying their luck with online gambling may soon have to pay tax on their winnings. There is a proposal for a tax of 20% on gross gambling revenue generated by online gambling. National Treasury published a draft national online gambling tax discussion paper for public comment in November 2025. The…
Sassa is investigating over 177 000 public servants who are said to be receiving social grants. Social grant recipients will receive an increase aligned with the rate of inflation. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says, “For 2026/27, social grants are allocated R292.8 billion, enabling the increases”. National Treasury says social grants constitute the largest share of…
South African money, notes and coins. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says the local economy is gaining traction, reflecting early momentum gained from the ongoing economic reforms. Godongwana presented a R2.7 trillion budget in a more positive backdrop, despite the global uncertainty that is still lurking. He says growth is gaining momentum, supported by continued structural…
