Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week:
This week, Mango Airlines may soon take off again after four years on the ground. Business rescue practitioner Sipho Sono confirmed that a deal with a new investor is in its final stages, potentially returning the low-cost airline to the skies for the first time since July 2021.
Gauteng has rolled out South Africa’s first smart number plate pilot. Launched at Nasrec Expo Centre, these high-tech plates include QR codes, tamper-proof features, and digital tracking to curb crime involving cloned or untraceable vehicles. The six-month test aims to assess national rollout potential.
Fuel prices dropped on 4 June, bringing relief to motorists. Petrol is down by 5c per litre, diesel by 36c, paraffin by 56c, and LPGas by 89c/kg. The decrease is linked to global oil price trends and a slightly stronger rand.
A powerful cold front is expected to sweep across the Western Cape on Saturday, bringing freezing weather, heavy rain, rough seas, and even snow. The SA Weather Service issued warnings for mountain regions, which may see up to 40 mm of rain.
Communications regulator ICASA is investigating Starlink for allegedly operating without local licensing. The satellite internet service by SpaceX is under scrutiny following a formal government notice that reaffirmed all providers must comply with SA’s legal framework.
Here are the top stories of the week:
MANGO AIRLINES SET TO MAKE A COMEBACK AFTER FOUR YEARS
Mango Airlines could soon be back in the skies, four years after it was grounded. Business rescue practitioner Sipho Sono says the airline is finalising a deal with a new investor that could see it resume operations for the first time since July 2021.
As part of the process, Sono confirmed they’re assessing the value of unused tickets and vouchers from before the shutdown. This signals a major step forward for the state-owned low-cost carrier’s long-awaited return.
TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR RASHID LOMBARD
Tributes are pouring in following the passing of Rashid Lombard at 74. The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport hailed him as the heart behind the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and a master behind the lens.
Lombard’s activism during apartheid, his radio work, and his tireless commitment to jazz and photography made him a cultural force. President Ramaphosa praised his work as a powerful record of South Africa’s struggle. Artscape Theatre will burn a candle in his honour, remembering a man who humbly gave so much to art, music, and community.
DURBAN WOMAN WRONGFULLY ARRESTED WINS R580K PAYOUT
Cynthia Khedama has been awarded R580,000 in damages after a nightmare ordeal at King Shaka International Airport. In 2011, she was wrongly arrested and detained for 12 days in a filthy cell due to mistaken identity while on her way to Turkey.
After a legal battle that saw the initial R1 million award reduced to R350,000 on appeal, Khedama took the matter to the Supreme Court of Appeal and won a higher payout. Her treatment sparked serious questions about police conduct and accountability.
GAUTENG LAUNCHES NEW NUMBER PLATES
Gauteng has kicked off a six-month pilot for South Africa’s first smart number plates, launching the initiative at the Nasrec Expo Centre. The plates come with QR codes, tamper-proof decals, and digital tracking to crack down on cloned plates and vehicle-linked crimes.
Starting with G-Fleet vehicles, the project aims to modernise registration and tighten law enforcement tools. Premier Panyaza Lesufi said the system is crucial in disrupting syndicates, with 85% of Gauteng’s crimes involving a vehicle. The move follows a rise in cases using cloned plates, including the Olorato Mongale murder case.
SNOW, RAIN AND STRONG WINDS EXPECTED AS COLD FRONT HITS THIS WEEKEND
A strong cold front is set to hit the western parts of South Africa from early Saturday, bringing freezing temperatures, rough seas, strong winds, and snow. The SA Weather Service has warned of 30 to 40 mm of rain in mountainous areas of the Western Cape and lighter showers elsewhere.
Small stock farmers are urged to prepare for very cold and wet conditions, especially over the weekend as the system moves eastward. Light snow is expected on mountain peaks in the Western Cape and high-lying parts of the Northern Cape.
PETROL AND DIESEL PRICES DROP FOR JUNE
South African motorists got some good news this week as fuel prices dropped on Wednesday, 4 June. Petrol is down by 5c per litre, while diesel sees a bigger cut of 36c. Paraffin and LPGas users also benefit from price drops, with wholesale paraffin down by 56c and LPGas falling by 89c/kg.
The cuts come as Brent Crude oil dipped and the Rand strengthened. Despite the price break, drivers should keep an eye on the upcoming fuel levy increase set for later this month.
ICASA INVESTIGATES STARLINK FOR OPERATING WITHOUT AUTHORISATION IN SA
ICASA has launched a formal investigation into claims that SpaceX’s satellite internet service, Starlink, is operating in South Africa without the required authorisation. In a government notice (Gazette No. 49777), the regulator reminded all electronic communications providers that compliance with South African laws is non-negotiable.
ICASA has reached out to SpaceX for clarity and is now gathering evidence, including deploying inspectors to verify Starlink’s presence.
SA ECONOMY GROWS BY 0.1% IN Q1 2025, DRIVEN BY AGRICULTURE AND TRANSPORT
South Africa’s economy inched forward with a 0.1% GDP growth in Q1 2025, Stats SA revealed on Tuesday. Government welcomed the modest rise, crediting strong performances in agriculture and transport. Farming activity surged by 15.8%, thanks to a boom in horticulture and livestock, while transport and communication grew by 2.4% as land and air travel picked up.
Finance and real estate also contributed slightly. Although the recovery remains slow, GDP has rebounded from pandemic lows, now sitting at R1.17 trillion—up from R954 billion in Q2 2020.
THREE HOUSE ROBBERY SUSPECTS KILLED IN N1 HIGHWAY SHOOTOUT
Three suspected house robbers were shot and killed in a dramatic shootout with police on the N1 Highway in Sunninghill, Johannesburg, on Thursday. Police believe the individuals were linked to a string of house robberies in the province.
The incident unfolded just hours after Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni revealed that the province accounts for 26.2% of the national crime rate. He also flagged robberies as a key driver of Gauteng’s murder statistics during his briefing on the latest crime figures.
Police spokesperson Mavela Masondo said investigations are ongoing and more details will be released once confirmed. Officers have been deployed to the scene.
SARS TAX FILING SEASON TO OPEN IN JULY
SARS has confirmed that the 2025 tax filing season will run from 7 July to 20 October for non-provisional taxpayers. Those selected for auto-assessment will start receiving SMS and email notifications from 7 July. If no notice is received, individuals must file their returns from 21 July.
Auto-assessed taxpayers who are happy with the info provided don’t need to take action. If a refund is due, it will be processed within 72 hours. Those who owe SARS must pay by the due date.
SARS has urged all taxpayers to prep early, ensure their banking and contact details are up to date, and check eFiling for accuracy to avoid delays.
MAILE CALLS ON YOUNG PEOPLE TO LEAD SA’S AUTOMOTIVE FUTURE
The Gauteng Department of Economic Development and the AIDC hosted a major Youth Stakeholder Engagement on Friday, 30 May 2025, in Tshwane, bringing together young people, industry leaders, labour, and civil society to map out youth’s role in South Africa’s evolving automotive sector.
Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile delivered the keynote, stressing the importance of the industry in job creation and innovation. He pointed to a recent 11.9% rise in vehicle sales as proof of the sector’s resilience and called for youth to lead in areas like green mobility and digital transformation.
Maile highlighted the Tshwane Automotive City project as a launchpad for local growth, blending logistics, manufacturing, and skills development. “Young people must not see this industry as closed off. Their skills, creativity, and energy are key to the industry’s future,” he said.
AIDC CEO Andile Africa reinforced the message, spotlighting the agency’s learnerships, township hubs, and training centres aimed at building youth employment and entrepreneurship.
Maile closed by encouraging young people to take advantage of bursaries, mentorships, and training while calling on private companies to partner with government in tackling unemployment. Gauteng’s message was clear: the province’s automotive shift to a smarter, greener future needs youth at the wheel.
DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM CAPE TOWN TO PARIS RETURN
Air France is making travel between South Africa and Europe a breeze again, bringing back its nonstop flights between Cape Town and Paris for the 2025/2026 summer season. The daily service will run from 15 December 2025 to 12 January 2026—just in time for the holiday rush.
Passengers can expect a smooth ride aboard the sleek Airbus A350, known for its comfort, advanced tech, and gourmet meals with Champagne in all cabins.
The route offers European tourists direct access to Cape Town’s world-famous coastlines and winelands, while South Africans benefit from seamless connections across Europe and beyond via Paris.
Flight AF0871 will take off from Cape Town at 8:50am daily, landing in Paris by 7:20pm. The return leg, AF0890, departs Paris at 6:30pm and touches down in Cape Town at 6:45am the next day.
Air France will offer up to 18 flights weekly into Cape Town and 32 flights in total across South Africa, unlocking over 11,000 seats each way per week.
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The post Top Stories in South Africa this week: Lesufi, Rashid Lombard, Mango, Petrol price, Cold front, Starlink & more appeared first on YOMZANSI. Documenting THE CULTURE.
