Kimberley is the hottest spot at 35°C, followed closely by Mbombela at 34°C. Gqeberha has the coolest start at 11°C. Mbombela's thunderstorms make it the stormiest outlook. Along the coast, the South African Weather Service has issued warnings for damaging waves at Mossel Bay, Lamberts Bay, Saldanha Bay and Kleinzee.

Warnings and Advisories

7-Day Forecast by Province

Forecast data: South African Weather Service (weathersa.co.za) and various 3rd party providers and AI Tools.

The post Here is today’s weather by province: Damaging waves threaten west coast from Kleinzee to Mossel Bay appeared first on SA People.

According to the NPA’s 2025-2026 Annual Report presented to Parliament on Thursday, 8 October 2026, the NPA sealed 165 convictions from 170 cases.

Major triumphs include André Claude Dickoumba-De-Diguela, who was sentenced in July 2026 to 25 years direct imprisonment for orchestrating a R62 million Value-Added Tax (VAT) fraud scheme spanning 12 years.

In another matter, Western Cape accountant Ivor Carolissen received an extra four years in prison for submitting fraudulent Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) returns.

The scheme attempted to extinguish corporate tax debt, exposing the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to potential prejudice exceeding R18 million.

Welcoming the harsh sentences, SARS Commissioner Johnstone Makhubu noted that fraudulent claims “are carefully calibrated acts of criminality that defraud the country’s revenue base”.

NPA stripping criminal profits through 97% success rate

Meanwhile, the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) has also delivered a commendable courtroom performance, maintaining a 99% litigation success rate.

The AFU obtained 481 freezing orders valued at R858 million, completed 732 confiscation and forfeiture cases worth R467 million, and realised R532 million in direct recoveries.

Additionally, cumulative freezing orders linked to State Capture accountability reached R13.3 billion, cementing asset recovery as a central pillar in stripping profits from crime and restoring public resources.

Building trust through delivery and accountability

Briefing Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development on the annual performance, National Director of Public Prosecutions, Andy Mothibi, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to restoring confidence through tangible delivery.

These combined enforcement outcomes contributed significantly to South Africa’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) increased monitoring grey list, Mothibi noted in his presentation.

To sustain these institutional gains, the NPA says it is actively pursuing complete financial and operational independence from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, with a draft NPA Amendment Bill scheduled for submission by late November 2026.

The post The complex crime where NPA secured massive 97% conviction rate appeared first on SA People.

American officials urged personnel to “avoid this area” around Davis Lane, situated between Dr Pixley KaSeme Street and Monty Naicker Road, where emergency services responded to burning vehicles.

The safety advisory marks an early test for newly appointed Consul-General James Liddle.

Chaotic march through Durban city centre

The unrest began outside the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre, where stick-wielding demonstrators from March and March and Insizwa Nobunsizwa chased away nearly 1 000 asylum seekers.

Protesters torched an immigrant-owned scrap yard before splitting into groups that rampaged towards Point Road and Gillespie Street, smashing windows and looting stores.

At least 14 vehicles were set alight, a building caught fire, and one person was rushed to hospital after being shot near Dr Pixley KaSeme Street.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed additional public order officers were deployed after forces were stretched by unplanned marches.

Netshiunda added that three foreign nationals were arrested for assault after allegedly breaking a protester’s leg.

Although tensions calmed late on Thursday, police maintained a heavy presence as business owners assessed the damage.

Appealing for restraint, Insizwa Nobunsizwa leader Nkosikhona Ndabandaba urged his followers to stop the violence.

“The police are not fighting with us, but we can agree that when things go wrong they must reprimand us. That is what I’m doing now; even though I love you, I must reprimand you when you do something wrong,” he said.

The post ‘Avoid this area’: US consulate issues another security alert as building torched appeared first on SA People.

Here’s the weather outlook for South Africa’s nine provinces.

The South African Weather Service has issued weather updates stating that fine, cool conditions are expected in some provinces this week.

SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS

IMPACT-BASED WARNINGS

NIL

FIRE DANGER WARNINGS

NIL

ADVISORIES

NIL

Weather conditions and UVB forecast in South Africa’s provinces

Gauteng

Gauteng can expect partly cloudy and warm but hot in the north, with showers and thundershowers expected.

The expected UVB Sunburn Index is High

Mpumalanga

Mpumalanga, the Place of the Rising Sun, can expect fine in the morning with foggy conditions along the escarpment, otherwise partly cloudy and warm to hot with isolated showers and thundershowers in the western Highveld and along the Escarpment. It will be very hot in the Lowveld.

Limpopo

Fine in the morning with foggy conditions over the interior, otherwise partly cloudy and warm to hot with isolated showers and thundershowers in the central and southern parts. It will be very hot in places in the east.

North West

North West, known as Bokone Bophirima in Setswana, can expect fine becoming partly cloudy and warm to hot with isolated showers and thundershowers.

Free State

In the Free State, fine becoming partly cloudy and warm to hot with isolated showers and thundershowers except the south

Northern Cape

Morning fog patches along the coast where it will be cool, otherwise fine and to warm to hot. It will be partly cloudy in the north-east where isolated showers and thundershowers are expected. The wind along the coast will be moderate to fresh south-easterly.

Western Cape

Cool along the coast, otherwise fine and warm with high-level clouds, becoming partly cloudy over the extreme south-western parts in the morning, while cloudy along the south coast from late afternoon. Light drizzle is possible over the Overberg during the evening. The wind along the coast will be moderate to fresh north to north-westerly, but strong along the south-west coast in the morning. It will become moderate to fresh south to south-westerly from the afternoon, while south-easterly along the south-west coast from the evening.

The expected UVB sunburn index is Moderate

Eastern Cape

The Western half: Morning fog in places, otherwise fine and warm but cool along the coast and adjacent interior. The wind along the coast will be light to moderate south-westerly.

The Eastern half: Morning fog in places over the interior, otherwise fine and cool to warm. The wind along the coast will be light to moderate south-westerly.

KwaZulu-Natal

Morning fog patches over the eastern interior, otherwise fine and hot to very hot but warm along the south coast. It will become partly cloudy to cloudy in the afternoon with isolated showers and thundershowers except over the north-eastern parts. The wind along the coast will be light north-westerly in the morning, otherwise moderate to fresh north-east in the north but south to south-westerly in the south spreading to the north from late morning.

The expected UVB Sunburn Index is High

Forecast data provided by the South African Weather Service.

The post WEATHER: Isolated showers and thundershowers expected this weekend appeared first on SA People.

That cost also reaches businesses that depend on road transport. Higher fuel costs can therefore ripple through the wider economy. 

This has raised questions about whether government should collect some revenue differently.

WHY ARE FUEL LEVIES PUSHING UP PUMP PRICES?

South Africa’s fuel taxes already form a substantial part of the pump price. National Treasury put combined fuel taxes at R6.58 per litre for petrol in 2026/27. That figure includes the general fuel levy, RAF levy, customs duty and carbon tax. 

The general fuel levy alone now costs motorists R4.10 per litre of petrol. The RAF levy adds another R2.25 per litre. 

That makes fuel levies particularly noticeable whenever international oil prices or the rand already push prices higher. Government also relies heavily on this income. 

Treasury therefore cannot simply remove these charges without replacing billions in revenue.

COULD FUEL LEVIES MOVE TO LICENCE FEES?

The RAF has now reportedly proposed applying its levy to vehicle registrations or licence renewals. The proposal responds partly to declining fuel sales as electric and hybrid vehicles gain ground. 

Such a system could reduce pressure on the price of each litre. However, motorists would still pay through their annual vehicle costs. 

A flat charge could also penalise people who drive relatively little.

The RAF has also proposed charging foreign-registered vehicles entering South Africa. Botswana already charges road-related fees and third-party insurance for foreign vehicles. 

That approach could make visiting motorists contribute towards accident-related costs. 

However, South Africa would need an efficient collection system at borders.

COULD A MILEAGE TAX REPLACE THESE LEVIES?

Another proposal would scrap fuel levies and charge motorists according to kilometres travelled, as Driving.co.za managing director Rob Handfield-Jones has suggested to MyBroadband.

His proposal would also consider vehicle weight. Heavier vehicles generally cause greater road damage, making this approach closer to a “user pays” model.

A mileage charge could remove some tax pressure from fuel prices and would make electric, petrol and diesel vehicles contribute through the same system. 

However, authorities would need reliable mileage records and effective enforcement.

The bigger problem involves replacing lost government revenue as the Treasury relies heavily on the general fuel levy as a tax source.

A complete switch would therefore require careful phasing. Yet shifting some charges away from each litre could offer motorists relief.

The real debate now involves more than electric vehicles. It asks whether South Africans should keep paying taxes through every tank they fill. 

A different system could preserve government revenue while reducing pressure on pump prices.

The post Fuel levies: Could South Africa find another cheaper way? appeared first on SA People.

The Presidency confirmed in a statement that Mashatile had returned to work at the start of the week, ending an extended period of medical leave following a minor procedure undergone earlier this year.

The deputy president had been absent from public engagements since late July 2026, with his first public sighting occurring in mid-September when he hosted former president Thabo Mbeki at his home.

Expressing gratitude to the public, Mashatile thanked South Africans for their messages of goodwill and support.

“Your thoughts, prayers and calls have been greatly appreciated,” Mashatile said. “They have all made a positive impact on the journey towards recovery. For that, I am most grateful.”

He previously noted he looked forward to “returning to my duties in full, serving our nation with renewed energy and commitment”.

Mashatile’s immediate itinerary includes chairing Cabinet committees, attending the Mid-Term Budget Policy Statement, addressing oral questions in the National Council of Provinces, and resuming his political programme.

However, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Namane Dickson Masemola, will represent him on Monday, 12 October, to deliver a keynote address at the 8th Social Justice Summit at Stellenbosch University.

Mashatile’s return comes after a period where both he and President Cyril Ramaphosa faced health setbacks, with Ramaphosa briefly booked off on medical advice following his return from the BRICS summit in India.

Zuma out of action, as Mashatile returns

In another presidential development, former president Jacob Zuma is currently out of action.

The 84-year-old leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party was hospitalised in KwaZulu-Natal this week after campaigning in Msinga ahead of upcoming local government elections.

While reports indicate Zuma arrived at a private hospital by ambulance after taking ill during campaigning, MK Party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu downplayed concerns, maintaining that Zuma underwent a routine semi-annual medical check-up and remains in good health.

The post Presidency issues update on Paul Mashatile’s health status appeared first on SA People.

South Africans have long since wondered whether inflation now justifies bigger denominations. The short answer from the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) remains no. 

The SARB says it has no immediate plans for an R10 coin or R500 note. That does not mean the question has disappeared. 

The central bank reviews South Africa’s currency mix as spending patterns and prices change.

WHAT DO THE NEW COINS AND NOTES RUMOURS REALLY MEAN?

The latest speculation followed questions from Daily Investor about possible new denominations. 

The SARB confirmed that it considers the denomination mix continuously. However, it currently considers the existing mix appropriate. 

The R10 banknote remains widely used, so the bank sees no urgent reason for an R10 coin. 

South Africa currently has six circulating coins, from 10c through to R5. The country’s banknotes range from R10 to R200. 

South Africa has changed its coins before. The first R5 coin arrived in 1994, replacing the R5 note. The South African Mint later introduced the bimetallic R5 coin in 2004. The Mint says the design added security features, including micro-lettering and a grooved edge.

Inflation also pushed smaller coins towards retirement. South Africa stopped minting 1c and 2c coins in 2002 and stopped producing 5c coins in 2012. 

Production costs eventually outweighed their face values. 

COULD A R10 COIN ACTUALLY MAKE LIFE EASIER?

A R10 coin could offer practical advantages for frequent cash users. Coins generally withstand handling better than notes and can remain in circulation longer. 

A higher-value coin could also help people who make many small cash payments. Vending machines, parking systems and transport payments could potentially benefit from another durable denomination.

However, convenience alone does not justify another coin. 

The SARB weighs purchasing power, inflation trends and public views before changing denominations. Its latest assessment found that South Africa remains unready for an R10 coin. 

The current R10 note therefore stays firmly in the cash toolbox.

WHY DOES SOUTH AFRICA STILL STOP AT R200 NOTES?

The R500 note sounds attractive when prices make R200 notes disappear quickly. A R500 note could reduce the number of notes needed for larger cash payments. That could make carrying cash simpler for legitimate users.

Yet the SARB also sees risks in higher denominations.

Larger notes could make illicit cash hoarding easier, according to the central bank’s assessment. Physical cash offers anonymity, which criminals can exploit when moving illegal proceeds. The SARB therefore keeps the R200 note as the highest denomination.

Inflation makes the debate understandable. Daily Investor calculated that R200 from 1992 equals about R1,426 today. That comparison highlights how much purchasing power the rand has lost. 

For now, rumours about new coins and notes remain just that. 

Future inflation could change that position, but shoppers should not expect new denominations soon.

The post Will South Africa get R10 coins and R500 notes? appeared first on SA People.

The transaction marks the exit of co-founders Jonathan Womersley and Marcel van de Ghinste after 17 years, while chief executive officer Frans Joubert and the executive team re-invest to retain operational leadership.

To support this next phase, OUTsurance Group chairman and former RMB Holdings chief executive Herman Bosman has been appointed chairman, while GetSmarter co-founder Robert Paddock joins the board.

Building a local champion

Commenting on the transaction, Bosman said: “LekkeSlaap is a great example of what South African entrepreneurs can build when they combine a strong customer proposition with persistence and ambition.”

Joubert confirmed the business will now invest “more deeply in technology and localisation” to drive expansion across Southern Africa.

LekkeSlaap: Garage startup to market leader

The business originated in 2009 when Womersley and Van de Ghinste launched TravelGround.com from a garage with R12 000 in capital, before creating LekkeSlaap in 2013 as South Africa’s first Afrikaans booking portal.

It subsequently grew into a formidable local Airbnb competitor listing over 40 000 properties and serving nine million guests, holding its ground after the American giant entered the local market in 2015.

With South Africa’s online travel sector expanding rapidly, the deal ensures one of the country’s standout tech success stories remains in local hands.

The post FirstRand founders buy Airbnb competitor in South Africa appeared first on SA People.

In reality, South Africans still face several obstacles before the system works properly. 

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) introduced a new Opt-Out Registry under amended consumer regulations.

The system should let consumers block unwanted direct marketing. However, consumers cannot yet assume that every unwanted caller will disappear.

WHY IS STOPPING SPAM CALLS SO IMPORTANT?

The sheer volume of unwanted calls explains the frustration. Reports suggest that Truecaller identified an estimated 17.47 billion spam calls targeting South Africans during the first half of 2026.

That figure represented a 25.2% increase from the same period in 2025. Truecaller also recorded 3.71 billion spam messages during those six months. 

Spam calls also create opportunities for fraudsters. Criminals increasingly use spoofing and artificial intelligence to appear legitimate. 

That creates a nasty dilemma for consumers. Ignoring unknown numbers can protect you from scams. It can also make genuine callers harder to reach.

IS STOPPING SPAM CALLS EASY WITH THE NEW REGISTRY?

The new system should make stopping spam calls much easier. Consumers can block individual marketers, entire industries, or all direct telemarketing. 

Consumers can also choose which communication methods they want to block. These include calls, SMSes, emails and postal marketing.

The problem lies in the system’s current rollout. The NCC still needs to register direct marketers on the platform. Until then, consumers cannot block every legitimate marketer through the registry. 

Recent experiences also show some practical frustrations. One consumer waited for profile approval before contacting the NCC’s service centre. The system also experienced delays during that process. 

The NCC has continued developing the system. It recently sought service providers to complement its Opt-Out Registry. 

CAN THE LAW REALLY KEEP SPAM CALLERS AWAY?

The regulations give consumers stronger protection, but enforcement remains crucial. Direct marketers must register before conducting direct marketing under the new guidelines. 

Marketers must also check their databases against consumers’ registered blocks. They must remove consumers who opted out before contacting them. 

Companies that ignore the rules could face serious financial consequences. Penalties can reach R1 million or 10% of annual turnover, whichever amount is greater. 

Serious offenders could also face criminal prosecution. Convicted offenders may receive fines or imprisonment for up to 12 months. 

Yet scammers create a separate challenge. Criminals who spoof numbers or impersonate institutions have little reason to obey an opt-out registry.

Stopping spam calls therefore needs more than one solution. The NCC registry should help against legitimate direct marketers. Phone-based blocking tools can also identify suspicious numbers before consumers answer.

For now, stopping spam calls remains possible, but hardly effortless. The new rules provide stronger ammunition. Consumers still need patience while the system catches up.

The post Stopping spam calls: Can South Africans really block them? appeared first on SA People.

A typical driver travels about 1 100 kilometres monthly. Using average consumption, the journey requires about 81.4 litres of fuel monthly.

Fuel prices have climbed sharply since the start of the year. 

The latest increase took effect on 7 October, pushing Gauteng 95 petrol above R30 per litre. 

HOW HAS THE COST OF COMMUTING CHANGED SINCE 2000?

South Africa’s historical fuel data shows just how dramatically prices have changed. 

The average coastal price for 93 petrol stood at R3.26 per litre in 2000. Department of Mineral Resources and Energy data puts that figure at less than one-ninth of October’s Gauteng 95 petrol price.

The comparison does not use identical fuel grades or locations. However, it illustrates the extraordinary long-term increase in fuel costs. 

Statistics South Africa also tracks the dramatic rise in petrol prices since 1976. Its historical petrol analysis shows petrol crossing R5 in 2005 and R10 in 2008.

For today’s typical driver, January 2026 petrol cost about R1 689 monthly. October’s price lifts that figure to about R2 462. October fuel prices therefore add about R773 to the monthly bill.

WHEN DID THE COST OF COMMUTING REALLY SPIKE?

The biggest shock came during autumn. 

Gauteng 95 petrol rose from R20.30 in March to R23.36 in April. It then reached R26.63 in May and R28.06 in June. 

Prices briefly eased before rising again. September petrol reached R26.92 before October’s record R30.25. The October increase added R3.33 per litre. Diesel climbed even faster, with 0.005% diesel reaching R33.29 per litre wholesale. 

For an 81.4-litre monthly petrol user, October fuel costs about R2 462. Over ten months, that totals roughly R20 191. Diesel reaches about R2 712 monthly at October’s wholesale price.

WHAT CAN WORKERS DO ABOUT THESE COSTS?

Drivers can reduce the cost of commuting by sharing rides and combining journeys. Carpooling spreads fuel expenses between several workers. Public transport can also remove fuel, parking and some maintenance costs.

Employers can reduce commuting pressure through flexible working arrangements. Flexible start times can also help workers avoid expensive and congested peak journeys.

The cost of commuting also competes with other major household increases. Eskom electricity tariffs rose by 1 044% between 2008 and 2026, and consumer prices increased by 158% during the same period. 

That puts commuting into perspective. Workers now face higher costs before they even start earning for the day.

The post How much has the cost of commuting to work increased in South Africa?  appeared first on SA People.