Cape Town —
Update as at 16h30 SAST
Driving Tax May Be On The Way for Motorists
Amid heavy petrol price increases and another on the way on June 1, the Department of Transport is investigating a new "traffic management levy" which will help with the financing of traffic management resources at both the provincial and national level. A white paper has been published and the department says this tax could be added to existing vehicle licence fees and/or fuel sales.
President Ramaphosa Gets New Spokesperson
It has been two years since President Cyril Ramaphosa has had a spokesperson, following the suspension of Khusela Diko, who never disclosed her financial interests in companies that were awarded government tenders to produce Covid-19 PPE clothing and equipment. Vincent Mangwenya will take the reins as the president's spin doctor. He takes over from Tyrone Seale who had been acting in the position. The president said that Magwenya has extensive media experience. He had worked in the presidency before - as spokesperson for former president Jacob Zuma between 2009 and 2010.
South Africa's Unemployment Rate Down
South Africa's unemployment rate edged lower to 34.5% in the first quarter of 2022 from 35.3% in the final quarter of last year, Statistics South Africa has announced.
The agency said the number of unemployed totalled 7.862 million people in the three months to end-March, compared with 7.921 million people in the previous three months.
South Africans Know Now How Much Petrol Price Will Increase
As the June 1 petrol price hike looms large, consumers are wondering what the new price per litre will be. An increase by R2,43 per litre is what awaits motorists from midnight tonight. Many are calling for the scrapping of the fuel levy which was temporarily decreased two months ago but then reinstated. The fuel levy brings R90 billion a year into state coffers and its scrapping may not be possible. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Minerals and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe are reportedly in talks again to see how government can assist consumers. A reprieve for motorists is that the government announced a reduction in the fuel levy to ease the petrol price hike tomorrow.
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Ivermectin Stopped For Covid-19 Treatment
The anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin is no longer allowed to be prescribed to Covid-19 patients, with immediate effect. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has terminated the controlled Compassionate Use Access Programme, saying there is no credible evidence it helps treat Covid-19. The authority had allowed its use in January 2021, amid public interest and reports of illicit Ivermectin entering the market.
Former South African Cricketer Assaulted In UK
Mondli Khumalo, 20, a former U-19 cricketer who is now playing for North Pemberton cricket club in Bridgwater in the UK, was severely assaulted, allegedly by a 27-year-old-man, in Somerset on Sunday, May 29, 2022. The man was arrested but later released as the investigation continues. Khumalo has reportedly been in an induced coma over the weekend, following surgery.
