HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

Wed 08 April 2026:

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

◼️ Good news for petrol prices: Oil plunged below $100 a barrel after the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire that’s expected to halt the American-Israeli military campaign in exchange for Tehran reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Brent fell as much as 16% before trading near $95 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate slumped the most in almost six years and was last at around $96. “It would take something truly tremendous for us to get back down below $80 a barrel,” Jason Schenker, president and chief economist at Prestige Economics, told Bloomberg TV.
https://businesstech.co.za/news/energy/856203/good-news-for-petrol-prices/

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◼️ Draft learner pregnancy rules: The draft regulations meant to protect pregnant pupils against victimisation in schools put teachers at risk of being sued if the learner has medical complications. That was the warning issued yesterday as parents and labour unions said the new draft regulations could create an “onerous responsibility” for school teachers and undermine teaching and learning.
https://iol.co.za/mercury/news/2026-04-08-draft-learner-pregnancy-rules-why-a-teacher-union-is-warning-of-legal-risks/

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◼️Here’s how much municipal executives earn while services collapse: Auditor-general Tsakani Maluleke’s latest report reveals that 16 top officials across eight metros pocketed more than R44 million in 2023-24, even as many of their administrations failed audits and struggled financially. “Managers are allowed to get exorbitant salaries because they then collude in the corruption perpetrated by service providers and councillors,” Themba Godi, leader of the African People’s Convention said. “Today, we see many municipalities are on the brink of collapse, but when you look at the salaries of their leading officials, they are very high.
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/heres-how-much-municipal-executives-earn-while-services-collapse/

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◼️ Arrival of new HIV prevention medicine Lenacapavir: The injection, which is taken twice a year, is designed to improve adherence, especially among vulnerable groups such as young women, sex workers, and men who have sex with men. “The department will, in the next few weeks, announce the official launch of this game changer where the phased implementation plan will be outlined. Lenacapavir is preventive medicine, not a vaccine, considered one of the most exciting HIV prevention advances in years,” said department spokesperson Foster Mohale.
https://www.ewn.co.za/2026/04/08/health-dept-welcomes-arrival-of-new-hiv-prevention-medicine-lenacapavir

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◼️ Temu makes big VAT and import duty change: The timing of Temu’s change is relevant given recent moves by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to tighten import regulations. For years, many fast fashion and high-volume e-commerce retailers benefitted from a concession on low-value imports. This rule allowed parcels under R500 to be imported with a flat 20% duty and 0% VAT, creating a loophole international sellers could exploit, which gave them a significant advantage.
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/internet/638569-temu-makes-big-vat-and-import-duty-change-in-south-africa.html

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