The Electoral Commission has written to Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi requesting that he facilitates a request to the president asking for election day, Monday, 1 November, to be declared a public holiday.

Alcohol industry groups have welcomed South Africa’s move to an adjusted level 2 lockdown but have raised concerns about the damage another ban could do to the sector.

Recently gazetted regulations published by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy now make it compulsory for non-residential buildings in South Africa to declare their energy consumption by displaying an energy performance certificate at the entrance of their buildings. Building owners have until December 2022 to comply with these new building energy regulations, which require a formal assessment of your building energy consumption.

The South African liquor industry has warned the government of the potential negative impact on economic recovery and jobs if another ban on the sale of alcohol is imposed.

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment minister Barbara Creecy has outlined the government’s push to phase out harmful plastics and replace them with recyclable alternatives.

President Cyril Ramaphosa last night avoided a total ban of alcohol sales in the country during the Easter weekend following meetings with stakeholders but imposed restrictions on off-site consumption of liquor.

The opposition Democratic Alliance has tabled its Ease of Doing Business Bill which is aimed at cutting and reducing red tape associated with doing business in South Africa.

Non-government organisation the Healthy Living Alliance (HEALA) has called on Finance minister Tito Mboweni to double South Africa’s health promotion levy in his budget next week.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says that his government will look at the introduction of new regulations around the sale of alcohol in South Africa, but he may already have ready-made legislation waiting in the wings.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has published a new gazette which provides further details around South Africa’s relaxed level 3 lockdown and the changes to some restrictions.

The National Consumer Commission’s warning comes amid investigations in to seven leading retail stores in the country, accused of price gouging on ginger and garlic.

With the South African Revenue Service (SARS) seeking to increase its revenue base, organisations with misconceptions about how certain payroll elements should be taxed, may unknowingly be exposing themselves financially.