Rand stablecoin issuers welcome Treasury’s rethink of crypto rules
Stablecoin firms hope new draft regulations will treat tokens as payments, not capital flows, and lift the ban on cross-border crypto transfers
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Thursday, 22 October
Communications minister orders Icasa to overhaul broadband sharing rules
Solly Malatsi has directed the regulator to rewrite 16-year-old facilities leasing regulations and draft rapid deployment rules to cut broadband costs.
ChatGPT ads are live in South Africa: how to start and what it costs
OpenAI added South Africa to ChatGPT Ads on 21 October. How local businesses sign up, how billing works, and what the evidence says.
Rand Water warns Gauteng municipalities it may cut supply over record demand
Rand Water says it is pumping at maximum capacity as Johannesburg draws 1,801 megalitres a day against a 1,356 allocation, and warns of curtailment for over-consumers.
Rainbow Rare Earths pushes Phalaborwa feasibility study into 2027
Rainbow Rare Earths switched separation method for its Limpopo phosphogypsum project, picked Neo Performance Materials and moved the full feasibility study into 2027.
SA cherry growers await China’s final nod before first shipments
Cherry protocol signed in September, but Beijing must still confirm South Africa meets its import requirements. Minister Aucamp expects approval by year-end.
SARS filing deadline 23 October: what late filers face in penalties
SARS says late tax returns attract monthly penalties of R250 to R16,000 based on income. What the 23 October deadline covers and who must file.
South Africa inflation edges up to 4.5% in September as fuel lifts transport costs
Stats SA puts September CPI at 4.5%, up from 4.4%, as fuel pushes transport inflation to 10.8%. What economists expect for October and the SARB.
Treasury projects R13bn saving from reducing social grant fraud within R38.1bn savings plan
The MTBPS counts R13bn in expected savings from reducing social grant fraud, part of R38.1bn in savings. It is a projection, not recovered stolen money.
IDC nears R10bn takeover of ArcelorMittal South Africa, Bloomberg reports
The IDC has reportedly agreed terms to take over ArcelorMittal South Africa for about R10bn: R3bn in cash and R7bn of debt, subject to a shareholder…
Online gambling tax: Treasury still consulting, final design due in February 2027 Budget
Godongwana's MTBPS kept the proposed 20% online gambling tax alive but set no final design. Treasury will announce it in the February 2027 Budget.
IFISA is supporting projects worth over R207bn, Godongwana tells Parliament
The MTBPS says IFISA is already supporting projects worth over R207bn. How the BFI, PPP rules and the Credit Guarantee Vehicle fit in, and what is…
Medium-term budget: debt stabilises at 78.4% as Treasury drafts fiscal anchor law
The MTBPS says debt stabilised at 78.4% of GDP and tables a draft fiscal anchor law with no hard debt cap. What it means for bonds,…
21 October 2026
SABS drafts AI standards for South Africa: comment by 10 November
The SABS has put eight draft AI documents out for comment until 10 November. What they ask of a business, why they are voluntary, and what…
Bolt launches electric-vehicle rides in Johannesburg with Samtea fleet
Bolt partners with the South African Meter Taxi and E-Hailing Association to run BYD Dolphin EVs on routes to Sandton and OR Tambo, aiming for 500…
5% import duty imposed on most newsprint to protect Sappi’s Ngodwana mill
A 5% customs duty on imported newsprint, effective 16 October, aims to shield Sappi’s Ngodwana machine and preserve local jobs.
Auditor-General orders end to Cuban military project as Defence misses half its targets
The Auditor-General has told the SANDF to wind down its Cuban co-operation project Kgala, while flagging missed targets, ageing assets and billions in unresolved irregular spending…
Why the FSCA debarred Africa Bitcoin Corporation’s former leaders and opened a second probe
The FSCA has debarred and fined three former Africa Bitcoin Corporation leaders over 2022 Altvest share trades and is investigating trading in the company's securities in…
South Africa’s digital identity system: a working prototype, draft rules and a 2028 deadline
Home Affairs has demonstrated a working digital ID and fixed the green ID book's end date, but the launch date, bank KYC use, costs and final…
Redefine solar wheeling project to power three Cape Town properties
The R106m Redefine solar wheeling project at Brackengate sends 9,889MWh a year through Cape Town's grid to two malls and an office precinct.
Lactalis milk price cut pushes dairy farmers towards losses, Samilco warns
The Lactalis milk price cut of 70c a litre is being phased in from September. Samilco says farmers face losses; MPO puts one large farm's hit…
Banks tip South Africa credit rating upgrade after the medium-term budget
Bank of America and BNP Paribas expect a South Africa credit rating upgrade after the 21 October budget statement. Which agency, which month and why.
ISS flags Implats executive bonuses after worker deaths
Proxy adviser ISS says Implats executive bonuses may draw scrutiny after worker deaths, but backs every resolution at the 29 October AGM.
Ramaphosa tells South Africa to prepare for loss of AGOA benefits
Ramaphosa says South Africa must prepare for a loss of AGOA benefits. What the law says, and what is at stake for vehicle and citrus exporters.
Transnet record train: 696 wagons, 7.6km, world title back in SA
A Transnet record train of 696 empty wagons ran 7.6km on the Sishen-Saldanha ore line, taking back a world title Australia's BHP held since 2001.
20 October 2026
How SARS checks your bank deposits, and what it can cost
SARS can query unexplained bank credits and estimate your tax if you stay silent; here are the rules, deadlines and penalties.
SARS trust penalties: R250 to R16,000 a month, by income band
SARS can penalise a trust R250 to R16,000 a month per unfiled return; the top amount applies only above R50 million of taxable income.
Civil Aviation Amendment Act takes effect: what operators must do
The 2021 Civil Aviation Amendment Act came into force on 12 October 2026, tightening security duties and adding an environmental role.
Treasury proposes one administrator for R88bn unclaimed assets
Treasury's August discussion paper would move unclaimed assets to a central administrator and the CPD, and industry is pushing back.
Nedbank completes R13.9bn purchase of 66% of NCBA
Nedbank has finalised its R13.9 billion deal for 66% of Kenya's NCBA, with all regulatory approvals reported as secured.
