WC Finance MEC says education and health are budget priorities over next 3 years
This includes R101 billion for education, R100 billion for health, and just over R6 billion for housing.
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IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma ‘stunned' after being named in urgent court bid by KZN health MEC
Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma says she's shocked to be named in an urgent court case by KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Mngadi and awaits ruling. Image: DOCTOR NGCOBO/Independent Newspapers KwaZulu-Natal media personality and activist Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma says she was stunned to learn she's been named in an urgent court application brought by KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Mngadi. This comes after months of friction between the Simelane and Ngobese-Zuma, who earlier this year founded March and March, an NGO that drew headlines and criticism for stationing volunteers at KwaZulu-Natal hospitals and asking patients for ID to check their legal status. Simelane-Mngadi slammed the initiative, calling it 'unlawful acts of vigilantism,' and warning that 'no member of the public or structure has the legal or moral authority to block others from accessing healthcare.'' Shortly after the controversy, Ngobese-Zuma's contract at Vuma FM was abruptly terminated, sparking allegations that Simelane-Mngadi had pressured the station by threatening to withdraw health department advertising. The MEC's office denied any involvement, calling the claims 'entirely false and without merit,' but opposition parties and activists continued to push for investigations into her conduct. In a Facebook post on Saturday, July 26, 2025, Ngobese-Zuma revealed that she had received court papers from lawyers said to be representing the MEC. 'Yesterday at 14:24, I received an inbox from lawyers said to be representing MEC Nomagugu Simelane Mngadi. I later found out that the matter was filed as an urgent application in court around 3 pm,' she wrote. 'My lawyers sent a letter responding,and now we wait for the ruling. I'm not sure why my name is in it, though. But I will wait as I had said.' Screenshots attached to her post showed filings from the Pietermaritzburg High Court, listing Ngobese-Zuma as a respondent alongside political journalist Sihle Mavuso, who also posted his response online, saying the urgency was exaggerated. 'Well, late yesterday, around 2 pm, uNomagugu and her so-called 'lawyers' filed their court papers and wanted the Pietermaritzburg High Court to hear the matter at 3 pm on the same day,' Mavuso wrote. 'I quickly filed my responding papers and told the court the urgency is self-created and it should penalise her for abusing it.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Ngobese-Zuma, who has long been outspoken on migrant access to health care, expressed her frustration in isiZulu: 'Kazi mina ngingenaphi ngoba sengithola amaphepha in my Facebook inbox.. ey ngiyahlokolozwa yezwa!!' (Translated: 'Why am I being dragged into this? Now I'm receiving legal papers in my inbox… I'm being harassed!') This week, the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal issued a media statement defending Simelane-Mngadi and denying any role in the decision by Vuma FM not to renew Ngobese-Zuma's contract. The party urged the public not to engage in 'political lynching' of its leaders and insisted there was no political interference in the matter. Ngobese-Zuma rejected the ANC's version, describing its statement as 'riddled with misleading claims' and damaging to her reputation. 'The statement is not only unfortunate, it is riddled with misleading statements that have the effect of eroding my good name, particularly when the catchphrase has no nexus with the contents of the statement,' she said. In response, she has taken legal steps against the ANC, accusing it of spreading misinformation that eroded her good name. 'The seriousness of the statement has warranted that I instruct my legal team to take appropriate legal action before the close of business tomorrow, in a quest to vindicate my rights,' she said in a statement on Wednesday evening. IOL previously reported that Simelane-Mngadi vowed to take legal action over what she described as 'false and malicious' claims. Both Ngobese Zuma and Mavuso confirmed they have filed responses and are waiting for the Pietermaritzburg High Court to rule. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
The South African
3 days ago
- The South African
PowerBall draw jackpot a GUARANTEED R100 million on Tuesday, 29 July
South Africans across the country are dreaming big as the PowerBall and PowerBall Plus jackpots climb to a combined R122 million ahead of the highly anticipated draw on Tuesday, 29 July. National lottery operator ITHUBA confirmed that the PowerBall jackpot is a g uaranteed R100 million, while the PowerBall Plus prize is expected to reach R22 million. 'To win, you need to play,' ITHUBA reminded hopefuls, encouraging participation through authorised retailers, online platforms, and mobile channels. The announcement has sparked a wave of enthusiasm among seasoned players and first-time ticket buyers alike, with many eyeing the life-changing potential of becoming an overnight multimillionaire. This massive prize pool comes as many households continue to feel the pinch of rising costs, making the prospect of a win even more appealing. For some, it represents a chance to escape financial pressure; for others, it's simply a moment of hope and excitement in uncertain times. The draw, one of the largest of the year, promises to be closely watched across the country. ITHUBA advises all players to purchase tickets before the cutoff time on Tuesday and to play responsibly. Whether it's buying a quick pick or carefully choosing lucky numbers, millions will be watching to see if a new millionaire is crowned. The draw will be broadcast live on Tuesday evening, and results will be available shortly after on official platforms, as well as The South African website. Good luck! Buy your tickets now at your nearest participating retailer, on our website by visiting national using your computer or mobile site, via the National Lottery Mobile App, or participating banks, namely FNB, ABSA, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Capitec, TymeBank and African Bank otherwise dial 120 7529# for USSD. Winners who win R50 000 and above receive free trauma counselling from professional psychologists and financial advice from accredited financial advisors absolutely free. At the same time, winnings are paid tax-free directly into the winner's accounts. The next PowerBall and PowerBall Plus draws will take place on Tuesday, 29 July from 20:58. The PowerBall jackpot draw required players to pick five main numbers from 1 to 50 and one 'PowerBall' number from 1 to 20 for an entry fee of R5.00 per board. Draws take place every Tuesday and Friday. The record prize for any lottery game in South Africa came in the PowerBall when one winner scooped an incredible R232 131 750.69 in the draw held on 19 February 2019. PowerBall Plus is exactly the same as PowerBall but gives players a second chance to win. When buying a PowerBall ticket, players can pay an extra R2.50 per board to enter the PowerBall Plus draw. Odds are the same, while prizes are usually slightly lower. It was introduced on 28 November 2015 by the National Lottery of South Africa. If you are buying tickets from a lottery outlet, they close at 20:30 on the day of a draw. Players must be 18 years old. Monday: Daily Lotto Tuesday: Daily Lotto + PowerBall and PowerBall Plus Wednesday: Daily Lotto + Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 Thursday: Daily Lotto Friday: Daily Lotto + PowerBall and PowerBall Plus Saturday: Daily Lotto + Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 Sunday: Daily Lotto For more details and to verify the winning PowerBall and PowerBall Plus numbers, visit the National Lottery website. You must always confirm the official winning numbers on the National Lottery website. We do our best to post the results as accurately as possible, but the National Lottery is the only source you can use to 100% verify the results. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Daily Maverick
4 days ago
- Daily Maverick
The Financial Wellness Coach: How to cut estate duty and avoid heavy tax
Although it may seem like a good idea to transfer assets before death to reduce estate duty, doing so can actually result in higher tax costs. Question: My father is a widower and has just been diagnosed with cancer. The prognosis is not good and I'm helping him to tidy up his affairs to make the inheritance process easier. I am his only child. His assets consist of a house worth R4-million and various share investments worth R8-million. To reduce his estate duty bill, we are thinking of transferring the house to his only grandchild while he is still alive. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads Does this make sense? Are there any other factors we should consider? Answer: Although it may seem like a good idea to transfer assets before death to reduce estate duty, doing so can actually result in higher tax costs during your father's lifetime. This is because of: • Immediate payment of capital gains tax (CGT) If your father transfers the house to his grandchild now, he will trigger a CGT event. He will need to pay tax on the growth in value of the property from when he bought it until the date of transfer. This could be substantial, especially if the house has appreciated significantly. • Donations tax Donating the house (valued at R4-million) to the grandchild will also trigger donations tax at 20% on the value above the R100,000 annual exemption. This means that your father will have to pay donations tax of R780,000. • Transfer costs The transfer will also incur costs such as conveyancing attorney fees, deeds office charges and transfer duty. As you can see, this approach would result in a high immediate tax burden (CGT plus donations tax plus fees) without actually reducing the tax payable, as donations tax is charged at the same rate as estate duty (20%). Additionally, the value of these taxes is paid during your father's lifetime, thereby reducing the capital available for investment and growth. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads Alternative strategy An alternative solution that is worth considering is the following: Your father's estate is worth R12-million. He will get the R7-million estate duty abatement. This means that R5-million of his estate would be dutiable, which, at a rate of 20%, means that he would be paying R1-million in estate duty. One of the few options is to make use of disallowed retirement contributions. In short, if you buy a retirement annuity (RA) that is worth more than the lesser of R350,000 or 27.5% of your taxable income, the excess contributions are classed as disallowed contributions. If you buy a living annuity with that money and your beneficiaries elect to receive the proceeds of the annuity when you die, this amount will not trigger estate duty. Consider this scenario Your father buys an RA for R5-million (which is above the allowable deduction threshold); The excess contributions are classified as disallowed for tax purposes; He then converts this RA into a living annuity; and If your child (his grandchild) is listed as the beneficiary of the living annuity and chooses to receive the benefit as an income stream, no estate duty will be payable on this amount upon your father's death. This will result in the following: A saving of R1-million in estate duty, as the living annuity falls outside the estate for estate duty purposes; A saving of R200,000 in executor fees, as the living annuity has a beneficiary and need not be dealt with by the executor; The income paid to your child will be taxable in their hands, but since they will probably have little to no income while still young, the tax will be minimal, if any; and This structure can fund education, living expenses or long-term income. This is a fantastic way for your father's legacy to live on. Although it is never nice to think about death, a bit of planning can make a material difference to the amount of money that leaks from an estate when there is a death. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads I would strongly recommend that you speak to a suitably qualified professional before implementing any of these ideas, because I'm only seeing part of your financial picture and there may be other factors that need to be taken into account. DM Kenny Meiring is an independent financial adviser. Contact him on 082 856 0348 or at Send your questions to [email protected]. This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
