The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has reached a historic milestone, collecting more than R2 trillion in net revenue for the 2025/26 financial year.

In a briefing on 1 April 2026, SARS confirmed it collected R2.01 trillion, marking the first time the tax authority has crossed the R2 trillion threshold in South Africa’s democratic era.

The figure represents an 8.4% increase from the previous financial year and is R24.7 billion higher than earlier estimates announced in the national Budget.

SARS says the improved performance is due to stronger compliance measures, better administrative efficiency, and some support from the mining sector. The higher-than-expected revenue also helped government avoid a planned increase in VAT.

Commissioner Edward Kieswetter credited the achievement to the work of SARS staff and taxpayers. He said the milestone reflects “the diligent work of more than 14,500 employees” and the contribution of compliant taxpayers.

“Every rand collected helps build a capable state and enables government to deliver services to South Africans,” Kieswetter said.

Key tax categories, including VAT and Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE), recorded solid growth, supported by improved consumer sentiment, lower interest rates and targeted compliance efforts.

Despite the strong performance, SARS warned that the illicit economy remains a major challenge, costing the country more than R100 billion in lost revenue each year through activities such as smuggling, fraud and counterfeit trade.

The agency says it has stepped up enforcement, preventing an estimated R75 billion in revenue losses through investigations and audits during the year.

Looking ahead, Kieswetter says SARS is rolling out its “Modernisation 3.0” strategy, which includes digital identity systems, artificial intelligence, and automated tax processes aimed at improving compliance and making tax administration more efficient.

Since 1994, SARS has collected over R25 trillion in revenue, with nearly half of that raised in the past seven years.

Kieswetter, whose term is nearing its end, said the milestone highlights the importance of public trust and voluntary compliance in sustaining the country’s fiscal health.

South African drivers are being urged to check their vehicles following a series of product recalls announced by Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa and Toyota South Africa Motors.

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has notified consumers about affected Ford Ranger, Wildtrak, Puma, and Hino 700 vehicles.

Ford Ranger XLT and Wildtrak

Ford is recalling 438 units of its 2025 Ranger XLT and Wildtrak models sold nationwide between 18 February and 18 March 2025. The issue involves the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve, which may fail and cause a sudden loss of engine power at low speeds.

“Drivers may also experience warning indicators such as a check engine light appearing on the dashboard, weak acceleration, engine vibration, or the engine failing to start. A loss of engine power while driving may increase the risk of an accident.”

Ford Puma

Ford is also recalling 26 units of 2023–2024 Ford Puma passenger vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled, but the Restraint Control Module (RCM) software may not have been correctly installed during the prior visit.

“This recall is meant to correct the software as the underlying condition addressed in the earlier recall may still exist. If this is not corrected, in the event of an accident, the performance of the vehicle’s restraint system could potentially be reduced, thereby increasing the risk of injury to occupants.

Hino 700 Series

Toyota South Africa Motors is recalling 58 Hino 700 series vehicles sold between 4 February and 9 November 2025. The fuel pump housing in these vehicles may develop cracks under high load due to a production defect, potentially causing a fuel leak.

“Owners of affected vehicles are urged to visit the nearest authorised Ford and Toyota dealership to have the necessary repairs carried out. All repair work will be covered at no cost to vehicle owners affected.”

Upington was rocked by a chilling discovery yesterday when the body of a 46-year-old woman was found in a freezer at her home.

The grim find came just hours after her husband reported her missing at around 10:00 yesterday morning.

The South African Police (SAPS) says they discovered her body inside a deep freezer in a storeroom at the residence.

“After a search was launched for her, her body was discovered inside a deep freezer at their residence on the same day. Police have registered an inquest docket and confirmed that an autopsy will be carried out to determine the cause of death.”

Authorities stress that all information collected will contribute to an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

“Residents with any information are asked to contact the Upington Detective Unit on 054 337 3435, or submit tips via the MySAPS App or the SAPS Crime Stop number at 08600 10111.”

Get your smart ID at more bank branches. The Home Affairs Department has exceeded its own target of rolling out its new Digital Partnership Model to 110 bank branches by the end of March. The initial target was 100 bank branches. A third bank, FNB, has also officially joined the project.

Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber, said: “The rapid pace at which Home Affairs is fixing long-standing problems is a testament to the power of reform-minded leadership that embraces innovation.

Get your smart ID at more bank branches

The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, says just three weeks after the first branch was launched, 77 branches of Capitec Bank were online. This was along with 30 branches of Standard Bank, and the first three branches of First National Bank. They offer Smart ID replacement services in communities that have never had access before. He says that when this is compared to the existing 248 Home Affairs offices offering Smart ID services, the addition of 110 more service points constitutes a 44% service expansion over those three weeks.

Home Affairs reached yet another major milestone on its digital transformation journey

So far, over 25 000 Smart ID applications have already been processed through participating bank branches. He says the system is processing applications at a rate of more than one per minute. The Minister added that through this new model, citizens are able to apply to replace their Green ID Book or a lost Smart ID at participating bank branches. They can do this in as little as five minutes. This avoids long travel times and queues.

The Minister added, “In addition to what we have already delivered, first-time Smart ID applications, Passport applications, secure courier delivery of IDs and Passports.”

The Department has exceeded its own internal target

You are reminded that the new service does not require any prior booking or paperwork. It is secured through cutting-edge fingerprint and facial recognition technology. The Minister says the process eliminates paper-based manual processes and official discretion. The application process is also secured against manipulation and fraud.

“applications submitted via digital banking apps will all become reality through these reforms.”

1 000 bank branches by 2029

The Acting Spokesperson to the Minister, André Gaum, says the Department is firmly on track to deliver on its target in the Medium-Term Development Plan. The target is to reach 1 000 bank branches by 2029. He says the rollout remains deliberate and phased to ensure system stability and service quality. Further expansion is planned in the coming weeks. The Minister says that Absa Bank and Nedbank are currently in varying stages of testing and are expected to go live once testing is complete.

The City of Cape Town’s Urban Waste Management Directorate has reassured residents that waste and recycling collection will continue as usual during the upcoming public holidays on Friday, 3 April, and Monday, 6 April 2026.

Residents are advised to place their bins out for servicing as early as possible.

“Reduced traffic over the holiday period means our crews can travel more efficiently, but it’s important that bins remain out until 9 pm to ensure collection.”

The City also urged residents to remain patient during the Easter period, which carries a higher risk of unplanned disruptions and delays.

“If your bin is not emptied on the scheduled day, please bring it out again each day until it is collected. Any uncollected bins should be reported after 48 hours.”

Community Recycling Centres

Community Recycling Facilities and drop-off sites will operate according to Saturday or public holiday hours on Good Friday and Easter Monday. On Easter Sunday, sites will follow normal Sunday hours.

The Directorate also reminded residents that disposal of garden greens is currently limited. Commercial customers are restricted to Coastal Park landfill, while residential customers may only dispose of one load of garden greens per day. For more details, residents can visit capetown.gov.za.

Reporting Issues and Service Requests

Residents can log service requests or report waste collection issues via the City’s online portal at www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests, by calling 0860 103 089, emailing wastewise@capetown.gov.za, or through the City App.