National shutdown in South Africa, crackdown in Johannesburg, and strict new smoking laws
South Africa is on tenterhooks ahead of the 30 June 2026 shutdown, a tense domestic flashpoint driven by a coalition of anti-illegal-immigration civic organisations.
Groups linked to the shutdown include the March and March Movement, Operation Dudula, the Kwanele Foundation, and the United Truck Drivers of South Africa.
The groups set 30 June as a deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to self-deport or leave the country.
They have applied for permits for demonstrations countrywide and are demanding that the government initiate mass deportations of undocumented foreign nationals.
Memories of the devastating July 2021 unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng have put both the state and the private sector on high alert.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia announced a R600 million contingency plan to mitigate potential threats.
The markets are not too concerned. The South African rand steadied at R16.58 against the dollar in early trade on Thursday.
ETM Analytics said in a research note that producer price inflation would probably jump, but might be overshadowed by falling oil prices.
South Africa’s benchmark 2035 government bond was slightly firmer in early deals, as the yield fell 2 basis points to 8.265%.
Here are the biggest stories in South Africa on Thursday, 25 June 2026.
South Africa is on high alert for a national shutdown next week: South Africa will deploy more police this week to deter possible violence before a June 30 deadline set by protest groups for foreigners to leave the country. Read more here
Crackdown in Johannesburg hits Coca-Cola, KFC, Netflix, WeBuyCars, Absa, Jeep, Engen, Dis-Chem, and eTV: The City of Johannesburg has intensified its crackdown on illegal billboards, affecting top companies such as Coca-Cola, Netflix, MTN, Absa, WeBuyCars, Jeep, KFC, and Dis-Chem. Read more here
Strict new smoking laws for South Africa are coming: After years of delays, amendments, lapses, and revivals, South Africa is finally moving closer to implementing new smoking laws. Read more here
Top medical aid in South Africa with 200,000 clients hit by data breach: Profmed has notified customers of a data breach involving third-party providers that support the administration of the medical aid scheme. Read more here
Permanent petrol price cut proposed for South Africa: The civil action group AfriForum has written to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, requesting that the government’s temporary fuel price relief measure be made into a permanent tax cut. Read more here
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