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South Africa’s electricity tariffs have increased by more than 900% since 2007, according to Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. Speaking ahead of the release of the government’s new electricity pricing policy for public comment, the minister said tariffs had risen from about 19 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2007 to more than R3.70 per kilowatt-hour today. The announcement is significant for households, businesses and industries across Gauteng, where electricity remains a major monthly expense and an important driver of economic activity.

A Johannesburg businessman who was kidnapped at his business premises in Cleveland has been rescued unharmed following a multidisciplinary South African Police Service (SAPS) operation that resulted in the arrest of four suspects. The businessman was allegedly abducted on Saturday, 15 August 2026, before suspects reportedly accessed his bank account and demanded a ransom for his release. Police arranged a controlled ransom drop that led to the arrests, the recovery of two vehicles and four cellphones believed to have been used in the crime. The suspects are expected to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 19 August 2026.

March and March has temporarily suspended its activities while its leadership undertakes consultations through the newly established SA First Forum ahead of planned demonstrations on 30 September 2026. The movement confirmed the pause on Tuesday, 18 August, saying it is engaging with various organisations to strengthen its advocacy work and organisational structures. The announcement comes weeks after nationwide anti illegal immigration protests and signals a temporary shift from public demonstrations to consultation and planning.

South African motorists are paying new fuel prices from Wednesday, 5 August 2026, after the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources confirmed a 52 cent per litre decrease for both grades of petrol and sharp increases for diesel. Gauteng drivers now pay R25.42 per litre for inland 93 petrol and R26.17 for inland 95 petrol, while diesel wholesale prices have risen by more than R1 per litre. The adjustment matters for households and businesses because diesel costs feed directly into transport, logistics and operating expenses across the province.

President Cyril Ramaphosa officially launched South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) at OR Tambo International Airport in Ekurhuleni on Wednesday, 12 August 2026. The launch marks the country’s transition towards a fully digital immigration system designed to simplify international travel while strengthening border security.

Transport authorities across South Africa are intensifying enforcement against illegal scholar transport operators, with Gauteng launching a province-wide operating licence handover programme ahead of a key 14 August deadline. The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has warned that scholar transport operators who have already been approved for operating licences must collect them before the deadline, while operators transporting learners without the required permits risk enforcement action. The renewed compliance drive forms part of broader efforts to improve learner safety, eliminate administrative backlogs and ensure that all scholar transport services operate legally under the National Land Transport Act.

City Power has announced planned electricity outages that will affect parts of Johannesburg this week and next as maintenance teams work to improve the reliability of the city’s electricity network. Residents and businesses in sections of Midrand and Roodepoort will experience temporary power interruptions on 12 August and 18 August 2026 while essential work is carried out on switching stations. The utility says the scheduled maintenance is necessary to service ageing infrastructure, reduce the risk of unplanned outages and strengthen the network during the high electricity demand experienced in winter.

Gauteng is facing a severe cold front with freezing temperatures, heavy rain and hazardous driving conditions. Here’s what you need to know, who to call and how to stay safe.

City Power is working to restore electricity to thousands of Johannesburg residents after more than 2 400 outage calls were recorded during one of Gauteng’s coldest weather events in recent years. The utility said freezing temperatures, wet weather and increased electricity demand have placed severe pressure on the network, resulting in widespread outages across the city. Residents and businesses have been urged to reduce electricity usage during peak periods while technical teams continue restoration efforts under difficult weather conditions.

Gauteng residents could see light snowfall as an intense cold front sweeps across South Africa, bringing freezing temperatures, rain, strong winds and the possibility of snow in parts of the province. Snow Forecast issued for Monday, 10 August, and Tuesday, 11 August 2026, indicate that southern and eastern Gauteng, including Johannesburg, could experience light snowfall while temperatures are expected to fall to some of the coldest levels recorded in recent years. The severe weather system has already brought snowfall to parts of the Eastern Cape, with the South African Weather Service issuing high-level warnings for disruptive snowfall in several provinces.