VAT changes on the cards, and South Africa getting a new SOE
Here are some of the key developments happening in South Africa today, 12 December 2025.
Top Stories
Schoolboys to be target of UK’s violence against women strategy
Changing attitudes among boys and young men will be central to the government’s plan, the BBC is told.
‘It’s ruined my life’: Flat-owner says building work by freeholder has left her homeless
A botched roof extension caused the ceiling to collapse at Kate Morris’s top-floor flat.
Flood misery for Gazans awaiting next stage of peace plan
Gazans in tents have been hit by heavy rain as failure to find last Israeli hostage risks derailing peace plan.
Maduro says Trump wants Venezuela’s oil. But is that the real US goal?
The South American nation’s output has plummeted and restoring its former glory would be a heavy lift.
SPOTTED ON SENS : Two quiet cash geysers – chrome waste jackpot and township fibre rent
Sometimes, the most basic things can lead to lucrative opportunities in the mining and infrastructure sectors. Mantengu’s innovative chrome processing plant converts waste into value, while Fairvest’s investment in township fibre networks promises steady rental income and community growth.
Eurovision winner Nemo to return trophy in protest of Israel
The Swiss singer says there is a “clear conflict” between Israel’s continued participation in the event and the values Eurovision stands for.
Big VAT changes on the cards for South Africa
South Africa is seeing increased calls to raise the country’s compulsory VAT registration threshold, which has not changed since 2009.
THEATRE: Animal instinct — why Cats is the musical everybody remembers
Love it or hate it, Cats is a song-and-dance sensation that’s been wowing audiences for 44 years. It’s back in South Africa with a sensational young cast, backed up by a creative team with decades of experience.
MoD to unify all intelligence units under single command
The overhaul comes as the minister for armed forces warns “the shadow of war is knocking on Europe’s door”.
Cop closes 15-year-old case in days
When the case of a man who had escaped from a North West prison back in 2010 while serving an eight-year sentence remained unsolved and was later relegated to the cold case unit, it took Sgt Morongwa Koboekae only a few days to find the prisoner.
Mbokazi and Broos have buried the hatchet – Mkhalele
Bafana Bafana assistant coach Helman Mkhalele has disclosed that defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi and coach Hugo Broos have smoked the peace pipe.
Ramaphosa defends GNU amid DA’s BEE legal fight
Party stresses its transformation agenda has not changed
British backpacker jailed for 4 years over deadly drunken e-scooter crash
The 25-year-old had an alcohol level three times the legal limit when she hit 51-year-old Thanh Phan.
AMABHUNGANE: The facilitators, criminals and money launderers in SA’s gambling crisis
Greedy local financial service giants and offshore betting pirates are helping drive our vast and fast-growing online gambling crisis, while the industry is also shaping up to be a major money laundering risk.
Trump signs order to block states from enforcing own AI rules
California’s governor Gavin Newsom issued a strongly-worded statement in response to the executive order.
A decade and R164 million later: A case study of government failure in South Africa
Construction of the Sarah Baartman Remembrance Centre in Hankey, Eastern Cape, started in August 2014 with a budget of R164-million. It was expected to be completed in two years.
US proposes 5-year social media review for World Cup tourists
A new proposal from the Trump administration would require visitors to the US to provide five years of social media activity for review as a condition of entry.
Trump threatens funding for states over AI regulations
WASHINGTON, Dec 11 (Reuters) – US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he will withhold federal broadband funding from states whose laws to regulate artificial intelligence are judged by his administration to be holding back American dominance in the technology.”We want to have one central source of approval,” Trump told reporters, flanked by top advisers, including Treasury Secretary Scott...
Cathay passenger tries to open aircraft door mid-flight from Boston to Hong Kong
HONG KONG, Dec 12 (Reuters) – Cathay Pacific 0293.HK said on Friday that a passenger on flight CX811 from Boston to Hong Kong tried to open an aircraft door mid-flight on December 10.
Suspect in Charlie Kirk killing appears in court, judge mulls media access
Dec 11 (Reuters) – Tyler Robinson, the accused killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, made his first in-person court appearance on Thursday as a judge heard arguments on what level of media access should be allowed in the high-profile criminal case.