South Africa’s most decorated Olympian Tatjana Smith is set to compete for the Netherlands as she targets the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie defending her decision and wishing the four-time Olympic medallist well in the next chapter of her career.

Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says public consultation on South Africa’s proposed 5,200MW nuclear expansion will be based on scientific evidence and economic merit, as government seeks to strengthen the country’s electricity supply.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has committed to addressing outstanding student allowance payments, Funza Lushaka bursary delays and administrative challenges affecting students at several higher education institutions following an engagement with Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Yusuf Cassim.

SASSA CEO Themba Matlou has called for a more modern and citizen-focused social assistance system, with improved offices, shorter queues, digital records and stronger fraud controls among the agency’s priorities.

The National Consumer Commission has announced a recall of 23,667 Chery Tiggo 4, Omoda C5 and Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max 2.0 vehicles over safety defects that could affect braking performance and cause rear suspension failure. Affected motorists have been urged to contact authorised dealerships for free inspections and repairs.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved salary increases of between 3.5% and 4% for public office-bearers for the 2026/27 financial year, with the adjustments effective from 1 April 2026. The increases apply to ministers, MPs, provincial leaders, judges and traditional leaders.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has dismissed social media claims that Dylan Perumal attempted suicide, confirming that he is in hospital after falling ill. The authority has appealed to the public to stop circulating unverified reports about his condition.

South Africa’s official unemployment rate increased slightly to 33.7% in the third quarter of 2026, despite 101,000 jobs being added to the economy. Statistics show that the number of unemployed people also increased, highlighting the continued pressure on the country’s labour market.

The R54 million fraud and corruption trial involving former acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane has been delayed after the State discovered that a company named in the indictment no longer exists, forcing prosecutors to amend the charges.

Home Affairs has launched the first phase of its Digital Asylum System, with biometric technology, machine learning and artificial intelligence set to play a central role in reducing processing delays, tackling a decades-old appeals backlog and curbing abuse of the asylum system.

Cape Town will host the World Economic Forum Special Meeting from 27 to 31 March 2028, bringing global political and business leaders to South Africa to discuss economic disruption, investment and new opportunities for growth.

Public Service and Administration Minister Mzamo Buthelezi says African countries need capable, ethical and responsive state institutions to navigate global economic disruptions, drive inclusive growth and improve service delivery.

A 53-year-old Mozambican national has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his wife in a brutal panga attack at their home in Rasewana Village, Bolobedu, on New Year’s Eve in 2024. The court found that the murder was premeditated and that the accused had shown no remorse.

Alleged cartel figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has accused IDAC investigators of pressuring him to implicate senior police officials, claiming he was arrested to facilitate their pursuit of top SAPS members. He also alleges that his Section 204 statement contained information he had not provided and that he signed it without reading its contents.

As online Black Friday shopping continues to grow in South Africa, Standard Bank is warning consumers to watch out for fake deals, fraudulent websites and social media scams designed to steal their money and personal information.