HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

Thu 18 December 2025:

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

◼️ US firm after billionaire Motsepe’s companies for R3.2 billion: A South African court has the power to overturn any decision taken by a Tanzanian court against billionaire Patrice Motsepe’s investment firm African Rainbow Capital (ARC) in a multibillion-rand lawsuit initiated by a US-based company, Pula Group, the investment company’s lawyer, Anthony Mundell, argues.
https://www.businessday.co.za/news/law/2025-12-17-motsepes-firm-argues-sa-court-has-power-to-decide-on-us-firms-195m-lawsuit/

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◼️ Treasury closes municipal money taps: A total of 75 municipalities nationwide are at risk of not receiving the tranche of their equitable share payable this month due to alleged financial mismanagement. Municipalities rely heavily on these government transfers for critical functions, especially in an environment where they are struggling to collect money owed to them by consumers, businesses and even government departments.
https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/south-africa/treasury-closes-municipal-money-taps/

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◼️ Warning to people visiting shopping malls: Analysts estimate that millions of rand have been lost to vehicle thefts, hijackings, and armed robberies in and around mall precincts, where large crowds can provide cover for organised groups. “With bonuses paid, festive shopping coming up, and foot traffic spiking in malls across South Africa, criminals see this as an ideal window,” said Peter Kruger, head of growth at Phangela Group.
https://businesstech.co.za/news/lifestyle/845897/warning-to-people-visiting-shopping-malls-in-south-africa/

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◼️ Conflicting accounts emerge after raid at US refugee processing site: However, department of home affairs spokesperson Carli van Wyk said no US officials were arrested in the process, the operation was not conducted at a diplomatic site, and no members of the public or refugees were harassed. Van Wyk said law enforcement executed a routine, lawful operation in Johannesburg, targeted at suspected violations of South African immigration law.
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/conflicting-accounts-emerge-after-raid-at-us-refugee-processing-site/

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◼️ Inside South Africa’s billion-Rand building hijack economy being linked to DJ Warras’s death: Access points are welded shut. Armed “bouncers” are stationed at entrances. Tenants are told they must now pay rent to a new authority and it is usually in cash, sometimes via mobile transfers to untraceable accounts. Those who refuse are evicted violently or threatened. Owners who attempt to enter are warned they will be killed. The threats and intimidation are real and tormenting.
https://iol.co.za/business/property/2025-12-18-inside-south-africas-billion-rand-building-hijack-economy-being-linked-to-dj-warrass-death/

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