Police minister Senzo Mchunu has proposed amendments to the Private Security Industry Regulation Act, which will bar security guards from using “prohibited weapons” such as tasers, teargas, water cannons, sponge grenades, rubber/plastic bullets “and other weapons that may harm civilians”, Business Day reported. The private security industry employs more than 580,000

Die organisasie Free SA het ʼn sterk waarskuwing gerig oor voorgestelde wysigings aan vuurwapenregulasies en het die voorgestelde wysigings as “vaag, onwerkbaar en ʼn ernstige bedreiging vir openbare veiligheid” bestempel. Lees meer op Maroela Media

The South African government has withdrawn its ban on cannabis and hemp foodstuffs, following public outcry and pressure from civil society organisations, easing tensions for sellers who can now resume business. The South African government has withdrawn its contentious regulations banning the sale, importation and manufacture of food products containing

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa plans to lift a ban on cannabis and hemp-derived edibles announced earlier this month following vast backlash over the move. Trade associations and stakeholders felt that the prohibition had no scientific basis and was detrimental to the economy. The statement released by his office on

In wat bestempel word as ʼn oorwinning vir die publiek wat betref openbare deelname en demokratiese verantwoordbaarheid, het dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, minister van gesondheid, die omstrede verbod op die verkoop, invoer en vervaardiging van voedselprodukte wat hemp en cannabis bevat opgehef. Lees meer op Maroela Media

Civil society group Foundation for Rights of Expression and Equality (Free) SA has welcomed the decision by Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi to withdraw a prohibition notice banning the sale, importation, and manufacture of food products containing hemp and cannabis. Free SA said the minister’s decision came after mounting pressure from civil

The presidency has confirmed that the health minister would withdraw regulations prohibiting the sale, importation and manufacture of foodstuffs containing hemp and cannabis, following an outcry. Presidential spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said in a statement the minister Aaron Motsoaledi and the department of health would “continue to consult broadly” before publishing

Government inefficiencies are on the spotlight as treasury is urged to look at alternative ways to cover the budget shortfall. Free SA has written to president Cyril Ramaphosa, asking him to start by trimming his cabinet. Watch the discussion on eNCA

The Foundation for the Rights of Expression and Equality (FreeSA) has given Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi 14 days to justify the ban on food items containing hemp and Cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is an essential component of medicinal marijuana and is derived from the hemp plant. FreeSA is calling for

Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana’s proposed 2025 budget speech sparked strong opposition from various political parties. In Wednesday’s budget speech, Godongwana proposed that the country’s VAT rate will increase by 0.5 percentage points in both 2025 and 2026, bringing the VAT rate to 16% by 2026 and 2027. While the

Civil rights organisation Free SA has formally demanded answers from the Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, regarding the recently published Regulations Relating to the Prohibition of the Sale, Importation and Manufacture of Foodstuffs Containing Any Part of the Plant or Component Derived from the Genus Cannabis Sativa L, Hemp, Hemp Seed Oil

The 2025 proposed budget presented by Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana on Wednesday has sparked strong opposition from various political parties, each offering critical perspectives on the government’s fiscal policies. Read more on IOL

South Africa cannot afford to celebrate small gains while ignoring the bigger picture. These were the words from Free SA, in response to the latest unemployment statistics. Watch on eNCA

The big talking point surrounding the postponement of the 2025 Budget Speech was the proposed VAT hike of 2%, which would have hit all South African consumers at a time when household budgets are already under severe strain. Read more on IOL

South Africa’s Unemployment Rate Declines, Youth Unemployment Remains High The latest labour force data reveals that South Africa’s unemployment rate has declined to 31.9% in Q4 2024, a 0.2 percentage point drop. Read more on IOL

Die besluit om die begrotingsrede ter elfder ure vir amper ’n maand lank uit te stel te midde van onenigheid oor ’n verhoging in BTW, laat die vraag ontstaan oor of daar ook ander belastingskokke gewag het. BTW is in 2018 van 14% tot 15% verhoog en Enoch Godongwana, minister

President Cyril Ramaphosa said that unemployment is one of the major issues the government is looking to better in 2025, but experts argued that the president needs to do more and fell short in his State of the Nation Address (SONA). Read more on IOL

Free SA, the Foundation for the Rights of Expression and Equality, has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa today to urge him to repeal this harmful legislation.  This follows their recent condemnation of President Ramaphosa for signing the Expropriation Act into law. In the wake of the assent of this troublesome

Despite President Ramaphosa’s optimistic message about South Africa’s business environment, experts warn of the complexities that deter potential investors. Read more on IOL