HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

Thu 13 August 2026:

Here’s what’s happening in *South Africa today:* 👇🏼

◼️ Call for probe into recruitment of South Africans to fight for Russia: South African military experts are urging the government to investigate who was behind recruiting under false pretences citizens to fight for Russia. Wingrin said several foreign private companies are using incentives and often false advertising, to entice citizens of African countries to fight for Russia in Ukraine. They go to Russia thinking they are going to work or study in safe areas, yet find themselves on the front line, he said.
Read more here:
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/69-south-africans-reportedly-recruited-to-fight-for-russia/

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◼️ South Africans got poorer, but alcohol consumption increased: South Africans became poorer between 2017 and 2024, but consumption of tax-paid alcohol increased – which challenges the alcohol industry’s claims about the growth of the illicit market as Treasury considers higher excise taxes. Van Walbeek also noted that real alcohol excise taxes increased by between 10% and 13% over the period, while the real price of alcohol remained roughly constant.
Read more here:
https://iol.co.za/business/economy/2026-08-13-south-africans-got-poorer-but-alcohol-consumption-increased-uct-analysis-finds/

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◼️ New visa system launched in South Africa: “Through this system, eligible travellers will be able to apply online from anywhere in the world without needing to visit a South African mission or visa processing centre,” the president said. “Applications will be processed more quickly. Decisions will be more predictable. The experience of travelling to South Africa will be significantly improved.” The system was first introduced during South Africa’s G20 Presidency for ease of travel for travellers from China, India, Indonesia and Mexico, but will now be expanded to additional countries.
Read more here:
https://topauto.co.za/news/160709/new-visa-system-launched-in-south-africa/

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◼️ Eskom backs down on R30,000 fines for people with unregistered solar panels: “Eskom has no authority to issue fines. It is not a court, it is not a statutory authority, it doesn’t write the law, and there is no provision for Eskom to issue fines,” Yelland said. “We believe that cut-offs are a threat, an empty threat, and that they have no basis in law, and they will be challenged if they start cutting off people who have not registered their solar system.”
Read more here:
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/energy/662147-eskom-backs-down-on-r30000-fines-for-people-with-unregistered-solar-panels.html
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◼️ Strict new smoking laws for SA step closer: Violations of the law will carry penalties such as fines and lengthy jail terms. The bill, which has been in process for several years, concluded its last round of public consultations at the end of 2025, where issues were flagged. One of the key points of concern was the differentiation between combustible cigarettes and non-combustible nicotine products.
Read more here:
https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/870154/strict-new-smoking-laws-for-south-africa-step-closer/