Here are five important things happening in South Africa on Friday, 9 January 2026.

Amid the ongoing scrutiny at the Madlanga Commission, the Police Minister says that over R25 million has been paid to suspended officers.

High street shops, pharmacies and music venues have said that the axing of planned increases to business rates for pubs should apply to them too.

Companies are trying to wean staff off Excel spreadsheets to centralise control of their data.

The Greggs boss says there is “no doubt” weight loss jabs have led it to having a healthier menu.

An increasing number of people cannot afford to heat their homes in winter, says a charity boss.

Minister of Communication and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi says that South Africa’s TV Licence regime has all but collapsed, and details on a new scheme will be presented to the department next month.

As new vehicle sales in South Africa return to pre-pandemic levels, Mahindra has emerged as a fast-riser, selling more cars than many of Europe and Asia’s most established brands.

The hospitality industry had called for a rethink of planned changes to the way the tax based on property is calculated.

The South African Revenue Service has a close to R500 billion pile of unpaid debt, with VAT being the worst offender.