Dear Subscribers,
A busy week in the regulatory world — we’ve got two attachments for you this week: the full Gazette Watch and the Newsflash , which, between them, cover a lot of ground. Here’s what to prioritise:
TWO DEADLINES THIS WEEK
- Draft National Airports Development Plan — comments close TODAY, 29 May. A decade-defining infrastructure policy with R22bn in planned capex. If your work touches aviation, logistics, freight, or property, get a submission to DoT by COB today. See the Gazette Watch for the full analysis.
- Engineering Profession Act — Work Rules — comments close TOMORROW, 30 May. Once finalised, these rules create criminal liability for deploying unregistered engineers. Relevant to anyone who employs or procures engineering services. Full detail in the Gazette Watch. Submit via ecsa.co.za.
From the Gazette Watch — also worth your attention:
- Companies Amendment Acts — More sections commenced on 22 May via Presidential Proclamation. Company secretaries and legal teams: check which provisions are now live and update governance frameworks. Director liability risk is real. (More on this below from the Newsflash.)
- Employment Equity — The 2025 Public Register is published. If your entity isn’t on it, you’re not eligible for state contracts. Check labour.gov.za and get your compliance certificate sorted.
- Wholesale Electricity Pricing — NERSA’s consultation on the South African Wholesale Energy Market methodology is open until 26 June. If you’re in energy, generation, or distribution, this will affect your cost base. Don’t miss the window.
- Customs: Indonesian Steel & Chinese Tyres — New duties in force from 22 May. If you import hot-rolled steel from Indonesia (11% safeguard duty) or pneumatic tyres from Shandong Changlu, update your cost models and alert procurement today.
- Fetakgomo-Tubatse SEZ — Formally designated as of 22 May. The 15% CIT rate is now unlocked for qualifying operations in the Limpopo mineral beneficiation corridor. First-mover advantage is a real thing here.
From the Newsflash — interesting reads this week:
- Executive Pay — Binding Shareholder Votes Now Law — President Ramaphosa has signed the Companies Amendment Acts into law, introducing binding shareholder approval of remuneration policies at public and state-owned companies. There’s a “two-strike rule” for repeated rejections, and directors on remuneration committees could be barred for two years if the implementation report fails twice. Tie this together with the commencement notice in the Gazette Watch — the obligations are live.
- Mining Sector — MPRDA Amendment Bill Warning — The Minerals Council CEO and president have publicly warned government not to “sandbag” the sector with a revised MPRDA Bill that doesn’t reflect months of good-faith engagement. Minister Mantashe has indicated the revised bill will be published in the second half of 2025. Worth watching if you have mining interests or supply into the sector.
- Labour — Employment Services Amendment Bill Coming — The Department of Employment and Labour has gazetted its intention to table the Employment Services Amendment Bill, which will regulate the employment of foreign nationals and introduce sector-based quotas. This comes as tensions on the ground are escalating sharply, with March and March setting a 30 June deadline. A national shutdown is planned. Worth briefing your HR and operations teams.
- Transport — AARTO Rollout Suspended in Western Cape — The Western Cape municipalities (including Cape Town) have been excluded from the 1 July AARTO Phase 2 rollout following an intergovernmental dispute. The third phase and demerit points system are now being pushed to “around 2027” at the earliest. If you manage a fleet or administer traffic fines, the Moneyweb piece in the Newsflash is worth a read.
Full analysis, risk ratings, deadlines, and action steps for all gazette items are in the attached Gazette Watch (Gazette watch 27 May). The Newsflash has the full articles with source links (Newsflash – 25 – 29 May).
As always, reach out if anything needs escalation or a deeper dive.
– Lee’s Compliance & The Legal Team