The Western Cape High Court has officially suspended South Africa’s planned VAT increase, offering temporary relief just days before the first hike was due to take effect. The court ruled that the initial half-a-percentage-point increase, scheduled for 1 May 2025, along with the second phase set for April 2026, will
In light of the ongoing global issue of workplace accidents, occupational diseases, and fatalities, the Public Servants Association (PSA) is calling on companies to strengthen their health and safety policies, placing worker protection at the forefront. Speaking on VOC Breakfast on Tuesday morning, the association’s Claude Naiker emphasized the importance
The City’s Fire and Rescue Services have raised concerns as two active fire lines crept closer to Chapman’s Peak on Tuesday morning. According to Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse, two helicopters will remain airborne throughout the day to support ongoing aerial firefighting efforts, as the Tokai Mountain blaze
The City’s Fire and Rescue Services continues to battle a large wildfire that broke out over the weekend. Three separate fires ignited in the Lower and Upper Tokai regions of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) on Friday. While two have been successfully contained, the third blaze remains active. Speaking on
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is rolling out a new biometric enrolment and identity verification process for clients who apply for grants using alternative identification methods. This includes refugees or asylum seekers who don’t possess the standard 13-digit South African ID number. The aim is to tighten security
State prosecutors are expected to wrap up their case in the high-profile trial concerning the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith, who went missing in February last year. The accused — Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn — face serious charges, including kidnapping and human trafficking. Captain Wesley Lombard,
The Public Servants Association (PSA) has welcomed the Department of Basic Educations (DBE) deployment of over 200 000 teachers, through the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI). The Department of Basic Education implanted the initiative to ease the pressure that existing teachers face while at the same time creating jobs and
Concern has been raised that the special holiday for learners may impact learning and teaching. The 2025 South African school calendar includes normal public holidays as well as a unique school holiday week from April 29 to May 2. Speaking on VOC Breakfast on Thursday morning, Basil Manuel, Executive Director
The Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana has announced that a Value Added Tax (VAT) increase of 0.5 percentage points has been revoked. Godongwana made the announcement following careful evaluation of the parliamentary committees’ recommendations and lengthy discussions with political parties. Economist Dawie Roodt said the decision to leave VAT unchanged,
VOC became the first Muslim radio station in South Africa when a special events license was granted to the station in Ramadan/January 1995. Subsequent temporary broadcast licenses were granted, permitting the station to broadcast for 24 hours.
