Probe flags over 4K ‘ghosts’ drawing state salaries
Government’s “ghost worker” verification process flagged thousands of “ghost workers” on the payroll. (Image created with GenAI) MTBPS 2026: The state’s “ghost worker” verification process has flagged 4 323 high-risk, suspicious cases in the payroll system. This is according to National Treasury’s 2026 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) released today. Ghost employees are defined as…
Trump hopes to flatter Putin into negotiating on Ukraine, experts say
WASHINGTON — In recent weeks, President Donald Trump has taken measures that strengthen Russia’s position and may rehabilitate Russian President Vladimir Putin’s soiled reputation in the international community. Trump returned to office vowing to swiftly end the Russia-Ukraine war, proclaiming last year that he was on “nobody’s side” except “humanity’s side.” But the neutral posture…
Treasury backs down on crypto rules after ‘thousands’ of comments
Finance minister Enoch Godongwana National treasury and the Reserve Bank will rewrite their draft rules on moving crypto assets across South Africa’s borders after receiving “thousands of comments” on the proposals, finance minister Enoch Godongwana said on Wednesday. “It is clear that we need to take a different approach to these amendments,” Godongwana told parliament…
Africa: When Tax Officials Visit – Why Softer Tax Outreach Can Build Trust in Some Places and Erode It in Others
Across sub-Saharan Africa, revenue authorities are increasingly changing how they engage with small businesses. The traditional approach involved audits, penalties and inspections. But more recently many are investing in taxpayer education, “door-to-door” visits, and focusing on ways to make it easier to comply. The logic driving the change is that auditing every small trader is…
Tesla and SpaceX: Why does Elon Musk want to merge the companies?
“In my opinion, 100%. It’s just a question of when,” says David Nicholson, chief technology advisor at market research firm The Futurum Group. During Tesla’s earnings call on Wednesday, Musk said he had nothing further to add about the prospect of a merger but quipped: “I feel like I’m tap-dancing through a minefield.” Musk said…
Advtech buys 25% stake in AI edtech, MathU
Advtech has acquired a 25% stake in edtech company MathU, securing a seat on its board and exclusive rights to current and future AI-enhanced education solutions. Geoff Whyte and WA Burger | Image supplied MathU develops AI-powered tutoring platforms for subjects such as mathematics, science, English, and accounting, across three divisions: Society (for under-resourced learners);…
Africa: Illegal Fishing Is Thriving in African Waters – a Satellite System Could Help Change That
A patrol boat off the coast of Gabon intercepted three trawlers in July 2026, inside the Grand Sud Reserve. This is one of west and central Africa’s largest marine reserves, where industrial trawling is banned. None of the trawlers held a valid licence. The patrol found them because analysts at the non-profit Global Fishing Watch…
Africa: Again, Egypt to Host CAF Women’s Champions League Final
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has confirmed that Egypt will host CAF Women’s Champions League Final Competition for the second successive years. Egypt have now hosted the event three times – having hosted the inaugural event in 2021. Eight Clubs, Zonal Winners in their respective CAF Zones, from across the continent will gather from…
Witkoff faces backlash for calling Putin a “humanitarian”: “Embarrassing and outrageous”
Washington — U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff faced immediate backlash Wednesday for praising Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “humanitarian” after he released 74-year-old Stephen Hubbard, an American who had been imprisoned in Russia for four years and who had been determined to be wrongfully detained. “You talk so much about my president, President Trump,…
Minister promises ‘revised’ draft of crypto assets regulation
Finance minister Enoch Godongwana. MTBPS 2026: Finance minister Enoch Godongwana has conceded that a “different approach” will be required for crypto regulations. This, after National Treasury received thousands of comments following publication of the Draft Capital Flow Management Regulations, which included the cross-border treatment of crypto assets. The draft regulations, published in April, represent a…