HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

Mon 29 December 2025:

Here’s what’s happening in South Africa today:

◼️ DA leadership tensions spill into Public Protector complaint: The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, has submitted a formal complaint to the Public Protector, requesting an investigation into possible abuse of state resources by former Minister Dion George and his former staff. The complaint names George’s former advisor and acting chief of staff, Shelton Mollentze, and the Minister’s then-personal assistant, Traverse le Goff.
https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2025-12-29-da-leadership-tensions-spill-into-public-protector-complaint/

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◼️ Massive payday for Ramaphosa, ministers and other politicians: “The Minister of Finance mentioned that South Africa’s average spending on public-sector salaries is well above that of many countries,” it said. “Cabinet has approved an early retirement programme to reduce government employment costs while retaining critical skills and promoting the entry of younger talent into the public service.”
https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/846809/massive-payday-for-ramaphosa-ministers-and-other-politicians-in-south-africa/

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◼️ Rain everywhere but no water in our taps: The crisis has intensified across the country, with Johannesburg residents often enduring multi-day outages without warning or water tankers, sparking fresh outrage, while water protests have erupted in various provinces. “Municipalities are unable to fill reservoirs due to leaks and poor maintenance,” she said in September. The minister has also raised concerns about “water mafia” networks, saying water infrastructure projects face sabotage.
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/how-to-survive-water-outages-in-2026/

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◼️ Warning for legal firearm owners: This includes the abolition of self-defence as a licence purpose, reduced licence validity periods, tighter ammunition limits, increased restrictions on collectors and sport shooters, and expanded discretionary powers for the Police Minister. Opposition parties, civil rights organisations and firearm-rights advocacy groups argue the Bill’s focus is fundamentally misdirected.
https://newsday.co.za/south-africa/13063/warning-for-legal-firearm-owners-in-south-africa/
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◼️ Saying goodbye to five-year driving licences: Most countries compared have driving licence validity periods longer than South Africa’s, with the most common period being 10 years. In countries like Denmark, France, Germany, and Norway, motorists are issued driving licences valid for 15 years. In India, motorists can get licences that are valid for five to 20 years.
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/motoring/622092-saying-goodbye-to-five-year-driving-licences-in-south-africa.html

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