Latest news with #NathanErasmus
Daily Maverick
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Mixed news at the pump: fuel levy rises while prices drop
The Western Cape High Court has dismissed the EFF's urgent bid to block a controversial fuel levy hike—just as fuel prices dip. From midnight, levies rise by 16c (petrol) and 15c (diesel), despite constitutional questions. It's a pump paradox: taxpayers pay more, but pump prices briefly fall. In a ruling handed down yesterday, Judge Nathan Erasmus found that the EFF's application lacked urgency and did not meet the legal threshold for interim relief. The court did not engage with the broader constitutional challenge itself, which the EFF had previously framed in its initial filing as a possible Part B of its legal strategy. A tax fight rooted in Budget 3.0 The levy increase was announced in Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's revised Budget 3.0, tabled in May following the political fallout and eventual withdrawal of VAT hikes in earlier budget versions. Treasury estimates the fuel levy will raise about R4-billion in the 2025/26 fiscal year. The EFF has argued that the use of Section 48(1) of the Customs and Excise Act to implement the fuel levy increase amounts to an unconstitutional bypassing of Parliament. Section 77 of the Constitution requires that all new taxes be passed via a money Bill through the National Assembly. Arguments on constitutional compliance Representing the EFF, Advocate Mfesane Ka-Siboto told the court: 'The fact that this has happened before does not make it lawful. Past practice is not a substitute for constitutional compliance.' He described the move as a case of 'taxation without representation.' The Treasury, represented by Advocate Kameel Premhid, countered that Section 48(1) had long been used lawfully to adjust fuel levy schedules. He argued the measure was an administrative amendment within an existing framework, not the introduction of a new tax requiring legislative approval. What this means for you For consumers, the fuel levy increase translates into higher petrol and diesel prices at the pump, effective immediately. This could lead to broader knock-on effects on transport costs, food prices and inflation, particularly for lower-income households who spend a greater share of their income on fuel-linked expenses. Treasury maintains the hike is necessary to address fiscal gaps left by the abandoned VAT proposal. The fuel levy increase will be offset by a decrease in fuel prices – which also kicks in on Wednesday, 4 June. The Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) announced the following price decreases yesterday: Petrol 93 (ULP & LRP): ⬇️5cents/litre. Petrol 95 (ULP & LRP): ⬇️5 cents/litre. Diesel (0.05% sulphur): ⬇️ 36.9 cents/litre. Diesel (0.005% sulphur): ⬇️36.9 cents/litre. Commenting on the changes, the DMPR noted that over the last month, there has been a decrease in the average Brent Crude oil price from US$66.40 to US$63.95, largely on the back of continued global trade uncertainty, Parliament distances itself from the damage Parliament, which was cited in the court papers, but not the target of any relief, issued a brief statement after the judgment: 'Although cited in the application, no relief was sought against Parliament. Parliament's position throughout the proceedings was to abide by the outcome of the court process. Accordingly, Parliament will comply with the court's ruling.' Oversight loophole or legal mechanism? In its legal representations, Treasury has argued that Section 48(6) of the Act ensures Parliamentary oversight by requiring the amended tariff to be tabled after the fact. The EFF, however, contends this form of post-implementation tabling falls short of the constitutional threshold for public finance legislation. EFF's Part B remains unclear In a short statement on X after the ruling, the EFF said: 'We are committed to fighting the fuel levy increase in court and in Parliament.' However, the party did not explicitly confirm that it would pursue the Part B constitutional review. Whether the EFF returns to court or not, the broader legal and political debate over fiscal authority, oversight and the democratic control of taxation is likely to persist. DM
Khaleej Times
29-05-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
S African woman gets life term for selling 6-year-old daughter
A South African court on Thursday sentenced a woman to life in prison for kidnapping and selling her six-year-old daughter, in a case that horrified the country. Joshlin Smith went missing in February last year from her home in Saldanha Bay, a fishing town 135 kilometres north of Cape Town, and has never been found. Her mother, Racquel "Kelly" Smith, was found guilty of kidnapping and selling the young girl, reportedly for 20,000 rand ($1,100). Judge Nathan Erasmus ruled that Smith, 35, and her two co-accused -- a boyfriend and mutual friend -- also be jailed for life for human trafficking. They were all sentenced to a concurrent 10 years imprisonment for kidnapping. "I am also ordering the entry of your names to the child protection register," Erasmus ruled. Smith was present at the court and sat through the hour-long proceeding with an impassive gaze. She was initially a figure of sympathy when her child disappeared, sparking a massive nationwide search operation. Photos showing Joshlin's striking green eyes, broad smile and brown pigtails flooded the internet. The case drew national attention, including from a minister who offered who offered a one-million-rand ($54,000) reward for her safe return. But it took a turn when prosecutors alleged that Smith sold her daughter to a traditional healer, who was interested in her eyes and fair complexion. South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world and the kidnapping of children is on the rise.
Al Arabiya
29-05-2025
- General
- Al Arabiya
South African woman gets life term for selling six-year old daughter
A South African court on Thursday sentenced a woman to life in prison for kidnapping and selling her six-year-old daughter, in a case that horrified the country. Joshlin Smith went missing in February last year from her home in Saldanha Bay, a fishing town 135 kilometers (85 miles) north of Cape Town, and has never been found. Her mother, Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, was found guilty of kidnapping and selling the young girl, reportedly for 20,000 rand ($1,100). Judge Nathan Erasmus ruled that Smith, 35, and her two co-accused -- a boyfriend and mutual friend -- also be jailed for life for human trafficking. They were all sentenced to a concurrent 10 years imprisonment for kidnapping. 'I am also ordering the entry of your names to the child protection register,' Erasmus ruled. Smith was present at the court and sat through the hour-long proceeding with an impassive gaze. She was initially a figure of sympathy when her child disappeared, sparking a massive nationwide search operation. Photos showing Joshlin's striking green eyes, broad smile and brown pigtails flooded the internet. The case drew national attention, including from a minister who offered who offered a one-million-rand ($54,000) reward for her safe return. But it took a turn when prosecutors alleged that Smith sold her daughter to a traditional healer, who was interested in her eyes and fair complexion. South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world and the kidnapping of children is on the rise.
IOL News
29-05-2025
- IOL News
Nation awaits verdict in Joshlin Smith human trafficking and kidnapping case
Judge Nathan Erasmus will deliver the long-awaited sentencing for the suspects in the Joshlin Smith disappearance. Image: . The day the entire nation has been waiting for has arrived - the day of sentencing in the Joshlin Smith disappearance. Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn, and Kelly Smith will know their fate on Thursday. On Wednesday, State Advocate Zelda Swanepoel urged the Western Cape High Court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment for the human trafficking conviction. While she left sentencing on the kidnapping charge to the discretion of the court, she emphasised the severity of the crime. 'We use today's evidence to be the voice of Joshlin,' said Swanepoel. Judge Nathan Erasmus also referred to the trauma this case has left behind, recalling an earlier statement of Kelly's mother, Amanda Smith Daniels, where she stated she would go in a frantic search for Kelly's son should he be only two minutes later on his way home from school. 'Will Saldanha ever be the same after this case?' Judge Erasmus asked. 'This instance has changed the whole community and changed how we all look at things,' Swanepoel submitted. She called on the court to take the victim impact statements into account that were handed in as evidence during the morning. 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 ✕ Swanepoel told the court on the day Joshlin was reported missing, February 19, 2024, Boeta was in a parental position. Van Rhyn she stated, was identified as a menace to society. 'We have seen Ms Smith getting emotional and crying in court. But, respectfully, I want to say. It's a little too late,' Swanepoel submitted. Judge Erasmus also advised the trio to bring all their belongings along with them. 'You will probably be transferred to maximum security facilities and will not back to to the prison where you stayed for the night,' he said. Cape Argus
IOL News
29-05-2025
- IOL News
Justice for Joshlin: Nation awaits justice for human trafficking and kidnapping convictions
Judge Nathan Erasmus will deliver his sentencing on Thursday. Image: Mallory Munien The day the entire nation has been waiting for has arrived - the day of sentencing in the Joshlin Smith disappearance. Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn, and Kelly Smith will know their fate on Thursday. On Wednesday, State Advocate Zelda Swanepoel urged the Western Cape High Court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment for the human trafficking conviction. While she left sentencing on the kidnapping charge to the discretion of the court, she emphasised the severity of the crime. 'We use today's evidence to be the voice of Joshlin,' said Swanepoel. Judge Nathan Erasmus also referred to the trauma this case has left behind, recalling an earlier statement of Kelly's mother, Amanda Smith Daniels, where she stated she would go in a frantic search for Kelly's son should he be only two minutes later on his way home from school. 'Will Saldanha ever be the same after this case?' Judge Erasmus asked. 'This instance has changed the whole community and changed how we all look at things,' Swanepoel submitted. She called on the court to take the victim impact statements into account that were handed in as evidence during the morning. 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 ✕ Swanepoel told the court on the day Joshlin was reported missing, February 19, 2024, Boeta was in a parental position. Van Rhyn she stated, was identified as a menace to society. 'We have seen Ms Smith getting emotional and crying in court. But, respectfully, I want to say. It's a little too late,' Swanepoel submitted. Judge Erasmus also advised the trio to bring all their belongings along with them. 'You will probably be transferred to maximum security facilities and will not back to to the prison where you stayed for the night,' he said. IOL
