Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week:
This week, South Africa’s consumer price inflation remained at 3.2% in February, unchanged from January, with key contributors including food, alcohol, and recreation, while inflation eased in transport and household goods.
The South African Reserve Bank kept the repo rate at 7.5%, maintaining the prime lending rate at 11%, as inflation remains contained and growth projections for 2025 show a slight decline.
Eskom has yet to confirm loadshedding plans for the upcoming long weekend after suspending Stage 2 on Thursday morning following overnight power cuts.
Traffic chaos hit Ekurhuleni on Wednesday as EMPD officers staged an illegal strike over salary disputes, causing major delays on key highways, including the R24, N3, N12, and N17.
The South African music industry is mourning the loss of Yolanda “Yallunder” Nyembezi, who passed away after battling an undisclosed illness, with tributes pouring in for the talented singer.
Here are the top stories of the week:
SARB KEEPS REPO RATE UNCHANGED AT 7.5%
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has maintained the repo rate at 7.5%, keeping the prime lending rate steady at 11%. Announcing the decision on Thursday, SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago noted a slight rise in inflation, which remains contained at 3.2%.
Growth projections for 2025 have fallen 0.6% below expectations, reflecting a slowdown compared to 2023. This marks the first pause in rate adjustments following three consecutive cuts by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).
CONSUMER INFLATION HOLDS STEADY AT 3.2% IN FEBRUARY
South Africa’s annual consumer price inflation remained at 3.2% in February, unchanged from January, marking the fourth consecutive month above the 2.8% low recorded in October. The monthly consumer price index (CPI) rose by 0.9%.
Key contributors to rising inflation included recreation, food and non-alcoholic beverages, alcohol and tobacco, and communication. However, inflation eased in categories such as personal care, health, restaurants, household goods, and transport.
FOOD PRICES SPIKE, MAIZE MEAL AT A 17-MONTH HIGH
The food and non-alcoholic beverage inflation rate climbed to 2.8% in February, up from 2.3% in January. Price hikes were notable for fruit, vegetables, cereals, seafood, and hot beverages. Meanwhile, dairy, oils, and sugar products saw slower increases.
Maize meal inflation surged to 10.6%, with a 5kg bag now costing R74.91, up from R68.52 last year. Samp prices also soared by 18.7%. These increases are driven by supply chain inflation, with farm-level maize inflation at 64.7% and factory-gate inflation at 15.0%.
OTHER NOTABLE PRICE CHANGES
Meat Prices: Prices remained stable, recording 0% annual and monthly change.
Hot Beverages: Inflation rose to 14.6%, with instant coffee up 19% and black tea at 12.4%.
Medical Costs: Medical aid premiums increased by 10.5%, with doctor and dentist fees up by 6.6% and 5.2%, respectively.
Fuel Prices: Petrol rose to R22.41 per litre, up from R21.59 in January, but remains lower than the R23.24 recorded a year ago.
SOUTH AFRICANS TO PAY MORE FOR ELECTRICITY AS NERSA APPROVES PRICE HIKE FROM APRIL
South Africans will face a sharp rise in electricity costs as Nersa approves Eskom’s 12.74% tariff increase, effective 1 April 2025.
This follows a three-year pricing plan, with additional hikes of 5.36% in 2026 and 6.19% in 2027. Municipal customers will see an 11.32% increase. The decision, finalized after a March 11 meeting, adds pressure on consumers already struggling with energy costs and load-shedding uncertainties.
ESKOM YET TO CONFIRM LOADSHEDDING PLANS FOR LONG WEEKEND
Eskom has not yet announced whether loadshedding will take place over the upcoming long weekend. This follows the power utility’s decision to implement Stage 2 on Wednesday night before suspending loadshedding on Thursday morning.
EKURHULENI METRO POLICE STRIKE OVER PAY CUTS
Traffic in Ekurhuleni ground to a halt on Wednesday as members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) staged an illegal strike over salary disputes and overtime cuts. The protest caused severe congestion on major routes, including the R24 Westbound, N3 Northbound, N12, and N17, with delays reported between the OR Tambo and Electron interchanges.
The striking officers, who reportedly downed tools during peak traffic hours, are demanding salary adjustments and the reinstatement of overtime pay. A memorandum of demands, seen by eNCA, highlights grievances about unfair labour practices, reduced rest days, and lower salaries compared to other municipalities.
Metro police officers had previously submitted their demands to the city in February but claim their concerns were ignored.
COURT DROPS ATTEMPTED MURDER CASE AGAINST EDWIN SODI
The attempted murder case against businessman Edwin Sodi has been struck off the court roll after the complainants failed to appear in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Sodi was accused of attempting to shoot his estranged wife, Ntateng, and her friend at their Bryanston home in 2022. Despite the State’s opposition, the court ruled to remove the case, citing settlement agreements between Sodi and the complainants, who had also filed withdrawal statements.
MUSIC INDUSTRY MOURNS THE LOSS OF YOLANDA “YALLUNDER” NYEMBEZI
The South African music industry is mourning the loss of Yolanda “Yallunder” Nyembezi, who passed away on Thursday at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital after a battle with an undisclosed illness. Known for her powerful vocals and versatility, Nyembezi had worked with some of the biggest names in music.
Her family shared a heartfelt statement, honoring her bravery and strength during her illness. “Her music, legacy, and love will live on forever,” they said, asking for privacy as they grieve the loss of their beloved Yolanda.
R527.2 BILLION BUDGET FOR GAUTENG
Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, presented the province’s R527.2 billion budget for the next three years, highlighting a 3% annual growth rate. The Gauteng Department of Health leads spending with a R66 billion allocation in 2025/26, focusing on essential services and HIV/AIDS programs.
Other key areas include housing, education infrastructure, and transport, with notable allocations for human settlements and social development.
SASSA OFFICIALS’ FRAUD CASE POSTPONED
The bail hearing for seven South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) officials and three accomplices accused of fraud has been postponed to 1 April 2025. The accused, facing over 1,000 fraud-related charges, appeared before the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Four of the accused were arrested last month, with another four taken into custody on Friday. Two additional suspects voluntarily handed themselves over on Sunday and Monday, respectively.
SASSA Acting CEO, Themba Matlou, expressed his support for the arrests, highlighting the agency’s commitment to tackling fraud and corruption within its ranks.
SAA MOVES TO MINIMISE IMPACT OF PILOT STRIKE ACTION
South African Airways (SAA) has assured passengers that it is taking steps to minimise disruptions caused by pilots’ ‘work-to-rule’ industrial action on 19 March, as per Travel News. The airline received notice from the SAA Pilots Association (SAAPA) and the National Transport Movement (NTM) Pilot Forum regarding the action, which began on March 18.
SAA Group CEO John Lamola stated that contingency measures have been put in place to maintain flight operations and provide real-time updates. He emphasised the airline’s commitment to resolving outstanding issues while prioritising safety and service reliability.
The airline expressed disappointment over the pilots’ decision, especially after offering a three-year salary increase agreement and a longevity salary progression model on March 5, improving on its December 2024 proposal.
OVER ONE MILLION SASSA BENEFICIARIES SWITCH TO POSTBANK BLACK CARDS
Postbank has confirmed that over one million South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) beneficiaries have migrated from the gold SASSA card to the new black Postbank card. This accounts for 46% of all beneficiaries, with around 1.5 million still needing to make the switch.
Postbank CEO Nikki Mbengashe shared the milestone on Monday, stating, “We are currently sitting at 1.1 million beneficiaries and would like to thank everyone who has come forward to swap their cards.” She acknowledged that while the project began in September last year, the numbers only surged this year.
The announcement was made during a media briefing on the progress of the SASSA card replacement initiative.
THREE NEW MPOX CASES CONFIRMED IN EKURHULENI, GAUTENG
Health officials have confirmed three new Mpox cases in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, bringing the regional total to six. The latest infections include a 38-year-old man, a 14-year-old boy, and a 33-year-old woman, the latter two being direct contacts of the first patient. None of them have a recent travel history to affected regions, indicating possible local transmission.
According to National Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale, the number of Mpox cases in South Africa has now risen to 31 since the outbreak began in May 2024, with six recorded this year. Three fatalities have been reported so far.
The new patients, who also tested positive for herpes simplex virus (HSV), are in isolation and receiving medical care. Outbreak response teams have been deployed for contact tracing and case investigation.
Though Mpox generally presents as a mild illness, health authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and adhere to preventative measures.
LIMPOPO MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR KILLING SEVEN FAMILY MEMBERS
The Thohoyandou High Court has sentenced 53-year-old Enoch Ndou to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of seven relatives, including four children, on Christmas Day in 2021. The killings took place at Jimmy Jones village near Malamulele and were linked to inheritance disputes.
Judge Thogomelani Tshidada handed down the sentence on Friday, stating that Ndou’s 15-year sentences for six of the murders would run concurrently with his life sentence. Additionally, he was declared unfit to own a firearm.
The victims, aged between two and 50, were all shot in the head, and their bodies were discovered by another family member. The court found that Ndou had no prior history of violent behavior or mental illness.
AKANI SIMBINE SET FOR WORLD INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS DEBUT THIS WEEKEND
South African sprint star Akani Simbine is set to compete in his first-ever World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, this weekend. The 31-year-old, known for his consistency in outdoor events, is still chasing his first major championship medal. With the defending men’s 60m finalists absent, the race is wide open. European champion Jeremiah Azu, Australia’s rising star Lachlan Kennedy, and US sprinter Ronnie Baker are among the top contenders. Simbine, who clocked 6.57 in his indoor debut, will be aiming to make his mark in the shorter format.
TEAM SOUTH AFRICA WINS BIG AT THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD WINTER GAMES
South African athletes have been celebrated for their remarkable performance at the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. Team South Africa brought home one gold, three silver, and two bronze medals. Bianca Basson, Frankfort Mokabo, Naledi Hlalele, and Tyrell Sykes showcased their skills in figure skating, while Shane Bentley and Shirnel Swarts excelled in short track speed skating.
The athletes received a hero’s welcome at OR International Airport, where their resilience and sportsmanship were hailed by the Department.
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