# 5 important things happening in South Africa today

- Link: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/2019/10/01/5-important-things-happening-in-south-africa-today/
- Published: 2019-10-01T10:00:05+02:00
- Author: dearSA

![](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/20191240/5-important-
things-happening-in-South-Africa-today.png "5 important things happening in South
Africa today")

Here’s what is happening in and affecting South Africa today:

 * **[Government is working on new laws that will bar foreign nationals from operating in certain sectors of the economy](https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/government-to-ban-foreign-business-from-certain-sectors-33387127)**.
   Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola said that the legislation
   will strike a clear balance in helping the economy grow while clearly indicating
   which types of businesses foreign nationals are and are not allowed to operate
   in. [IOL]

 * **[South African taxpayers are some of the most heavily taxed in the world, but things may still get worse](https://www.enca.com/business/south-africans-taxed-hilt)**.
   Economist Mike Schussler believes that the government will likely increase personal
   income tax rates and the fuel levy as it is running out of options to raise money.[
   eNCA]

 * **[State arms company Denel has failed to supply R250 million worth of army vehicles to the government of Chad, despite having been paid a R100 million deposit almost two years ago](https://city-press.news24.com/News/denel-blows-r250m-arms-deal-with-chad-20190923)**.
   Chad has since cancelled the contract and demanded its deposit back from the 
   cash-strapped arms company. [City Press]

 * **[Parliament has begun revising the rules to deal with the removal of the Public Protector. ](https://www.parliament.gov.za/press-releases/review-national-assembly-rules-removal-chapter-9-institution-office-bearers-kicks-earnest-today)**
   While the constitution and the national assembly’s rules do set out a broad framework
   for parliament to remove the head of a Chapter 9 institution such as the public
   protector, these new changes aim to ensure clarity and uniformity. [Parliament]**

 * The rand starts the week on the back foot following the US Federal Reserve’s 
   decision to cut rates and further uncertainty regarding the US-China trade agreement.**
   [On Friday the rand was at R14.91 to the dollar, R18.62 to the pound and R16.43 to the euro.](https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=1&From=USD&To=ZAR)**