News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day.
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News24 brings you the top stories of the day,summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature.
A woman says her niece,who had booked to attend the Afro Nation music festival in Portugal through travel agency Blacktrotters Afrika,only received her flight tickets four hours before she had to be at the airport and was booked on an airline she said was “not a luxury airline brand”.
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‘Worst experience ever’: Luxury travel agency hauls clients to court over scam claims
- Luxury travel agency Blacktrotters Afrika is seeking an interdict against two clients who publicly accused the company of providing subpar service and prioritising celebrities and influencers,labelling it a “scam”.
- The clients,Sethanyi Boitumelo Setati and Linda Oliphant,detailed their negative experiences on social media,citing issues like flight arrangements,accommodation,and unequal treatment compared to other travellers.
- Blacktrotters Afrika denies the allegations,claiming they treat all clients equally and that issues encountered during trips were largely beyond their control. They offer refunds and investigations for complaints.
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Nicholas Gotsell and Lisa Schickerling came under attack during an oversight visit with Ian Cameron to the Philippi SAPS training academy.
Supplied/Nicholas Gotsell
‘The blood was squirting’: DA MP recalls horror attack in Philippi Cape Town
- Three DA MPs were attacked in Philippi,Cape Town,after an oversight visit to a SAPS training academy.
- The MPs were warned of an impending attack moments before their vehicle was ambushed,resulting in injuries to all three.
- Police have arrested two teenagers in connection with the attack and are expecting to make another arrest soon.
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Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
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‘BEE not discriminatory’: Mashatile defends SA’s transformation policies
- Deputy President Paul Mashatile defends South Africa’s B-BBEE Act,stating it’s not discriminatory but a transformative policy to correct past injustices.
- South Africa faces international pressure from the US regarding its racial equity laws and B-BBEE,while domestically,the DA challenges employment equity laws.
- The government aims to align policies with inclusive growth and equal opportunities,leveraging economic diplomacy and structural reforms.
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Some schools may face hefty tax shock in 2026 under new law
- Schools that have previously claimed VAT may face tax bills as the government tightens regulations.
- Under a new proposal,all schools must deregister as VAT vendors by 1 January 2026,and repay “exit VAT” on assets.
- The proposed amendment allows schools to pay the VAT bill in 12 monthly instalments and prevents SARS from reopening past tax assessments finalised before 1 January 2026.
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SANDF chief,General Rudzani Maphwanya.
Mlungisi Louw/Volksblad/Gallo Images
US seeks clarity on SA’s Iran stance,expressing ‘great concern’ following Maphwanya trip
- The US government is “greatly concerned” about statements made by SANDF chief General Rudzani Maphwanya in Iran and is seeking clarification on South Africa’s policy regarding Iran.
- Defence Minister Angie Motshekga defended Maphwanya’s visit as pre-planned and denied he had gone rogue,while other South African officials distanced themselves from his remarks.
- The incident has created a diplomatic predicament for South Africa,potentially impacting trade negotiations with the US and raising questions about the general’s constitutional mandate.
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Prenelan Subrayen has been reported for a suspect action.
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Proteas spinner Subrayen flagged for suspect action,Maharaj returns to ODI bowling summit
- Keshav Maharaj has regained the No. 1 spot in the ICC’s ODI bowling rankings after his five-wicket haul against Australia.
- Prenelan Subrayen,who debuted in the same match,has been reported for a suspect bowling action and will undergo assessment.
- Subrayen will not participate in the second ODI,further impacting the Proteas’ bowling options after Kagiso Rabada’s injury withdrawal.
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Airport lounges aren’t just for business class and elite bankers. Many SA bank cards already unlock them for free - or you can buy your way in for three hours of tranquility.
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SA bank cards that offer free global lounge access – and smarter pay as you go options
- South African bank cards offer DragonPass or Amex lounge access,but walk-in passes (around R600) may be more cost-effective for infrequent international travellers. Premium bank accounts with lounge access come with higher fees,which may not be worth it for occasional use.
- International airport lounges provide significant value with amenities like quiet spaces,showers,and food,especially during long layovers. Unlike domestic lounges,which are often overpriced,international lounges offer a worthwhile experience.
- Many South African bank account holders may already have access to more than 1 000 international lounges through their cards via programmes like DragonPass. Activating these benefits through the bank’s app can provide free lounge access,but it’s essential to compare the cost of premium accounts versus occasional walk-in fees.
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*These summaries were written with the support of Gemini Pro AI.
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