HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

Thu 16 April 2026:

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

◼️ Malema sentenced to direct imprisonment and fines: Malema returned to court on Thursday, where Magistrate Twanet Olivier delivered judgment. The EFF leader was convicted on multiple charges, including the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a public place and reckless endangerment.
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/courts/julius-malema-sentenced-to-direct-imprisonment-and-fines/

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◼️ Tax relief falls flat: Despite inflationary tax relief in the 2026 Budget, rising costs for medical aid, fuel, and electricity are eroding take-home pay, leaving many South African employees worse off in real terms. In 2026, for the first time in two years, income tax brackets were adjusted, delivering 3.4% inflationary relief. However, this still lags behind the actual inflation rate of 4.4% in 2024 and just outpaces 3.2% in 2025.
https://dailyinvestor.com/finance/129269/medical-aid-petrol-and-electricity-prices-eat-away-at-tax-relief-in-south-africa/

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◼️ 8 dangerous mistakes drivers make in SA: While cellphone use during driving remains the most common factor causing South Africans to drive distracted, it is not the only one. Herbert said that South Africans must avoid falling into the trap of assuming that the only distractions while driving are scrolling through messages or answering phone calls.
https://topauto.co.za/features/149328/8-dangerous-mistakes-drivers-make-in-south-africa/

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◼️ New rules for spam calls in SA: The changes were published in a Government Gazette notice on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, and take immediate effect. They require that any entities that conduct direct marketing must be registered, outline the steps marketers must follow to register, and detail their responsibilities once registered.
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/cellular/641243-new-rules-for-spam-calls-in-south-africa.html

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◼️ Vote for Table Mountain: Table Mountain is competing in the prestigious World Travel Awards, where winners are decided purely by public support. Officials say the campaign is not just about tourism, it’s about national pride. The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company is urging South Africans and global visitors to vote. Voting in the World Travel Awards is open to the public. Supporters must register online, select the Africa region, and vote in the ‘Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction’ category. https://www.worldtravelawards.com/vote
https://www.ewn.co.za/2026/04/16/vote-for-table-mountain-as-south-africans-rally-behind-it-for-sixth-african-tourism-title

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