HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

Wed 14 January 2026:

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

◼️ Government welcomes removal of SA from EU high risk list: “Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa and Tanzania have strengthened the effectiveness of their AML/CFT regimes and addressed technical deficiencies to meet the commitments in their action plans on the strategic deficiencies identified by the FATF. The Commission therefore considers that Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa and Tanzania no longer have strategic deficiencies in their AML/CFT regimes…”
https://independentpress.cc/government-welcomes-removal-of-sa-from-eu-high-risk-list/2026/01/14/

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◼️ BMA intercepts yet another group of children: “Two adult Zimbabwean male suspects, aged 32 and 23 respectively, were arrested for allegedly facilitating the illegal movement of the children across the border. Criminal cases have been opened against both suspects in terms of the Immigration Act in relation to the facilitation of illegal entry and movement of undocumented persons,” Mogotsi said.
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/bma-intercepts-another-group-children-beitbridge-border/

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◼️ SAPS faces R56.7bn in potential liability payouts: 49,000 unlawful arrest and detention claims have exposed the SAPS to R56.7 billion in contingent liabilities, highlighting systemic rights violations and posing a significant fiscal risk. A defence analyst noted that this liability accounts for 42% of the SAPS budget for 2025/26. He added that the findings from the Madlanga commission and the number of claims show that the SAPS is “in serious trouble” and requires a complete overhaul to restore public trust.
https://www.businessday.co.za/news/2026-01-12-police-face-r57bn-liability-from-unlawful-arrest-and-detention-claims/

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◼️ Rules for charter flights into SA tightened amid security concerns: Operators must also insert a unique passenger and crew manifest clearance number where provided into the applicable flight plan and submit that plan to the Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS). ATNS may refuse to allow a flight to enter South African airspace or disembark passengers at a local airport if the required clearance number has not been included.
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-01-13-rules-for-charter-flights-into-sa-tightened-amid-security-concerns/

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◼️ Important deadline for employers: To achieve this, the department has set out numerical targets for 18 industries in South Africa that businesses must fill with ‘designated employees’. These designated employees include Black (African, Coloured, and Indian), female, and disabled workers. Failure to file their EE reports could result in employers being fined up to R1.5 million or 2% of their turnover.
https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/847658/important-deadline-for-employers-in-south-africa-coming-this-week/

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