'It's not a bad budget, considering the mess we're in,' says News24's Carol Paton

Loading player...
"I think it's not a bad budget in the context of the absolute terrible mess we're in," says Carol Paton, News24's Writer-at-Large. On Thursday, she spoke to The Lead host, Graeme Raubenheimer, about the politics of Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's proposed VAT increase, his gripe with the DA's rejection of the budget, and SARS’ renewed bid to boost the tax books. Later, we hear about how the Health Department has quietly outlawed the sale of cannabis food products. And Machete-turned-History Channel star Danny Trejo reminisces about his magical Mzansi moments. If you're a fan of the show or have a burning topic you'd like to engage in, drop us your mails and voice notes at tips@24.com
13 Mar 2025 English South Africa News · Society & Culture

Other recent episodes

Emfuleni’s by-election won’t fix its worsening service delivery crisis

In a preview for the November municipal polls, the people of Beverly Hills in Evaton in the Vaal municipal district of Emfuleni are voting for a new ward councillor this Wednesday. This outcome may not change much, though, argues roving journalist Ntwagaae Seleka, because the service delivery crisis throughout Emfuleni…
27 May 33 min

Return to the Bellville South house of horrors

In this edition, The Lead returns to the Bellville South house of horrors with News24 court and crime journalist, Lisalee Solomons. She reports that 63-year-old Aletta Rose, the murder convict accused of decapitating her Cape Town sister in March, has been giving court and remand prison authorities a headache. Rose, who now…
20 May 26 min

PowerBall? The lotto king’s curious business ties

The licence to operate the Lotto is about to change hands to Sizekhaya Holdings, not without claims of alleged misconduct by those left out of the ultra-lucrative tender. The man steering that outfit is Moses Tembe, a figure who's in business with at least three others precariously close to Deputy…
18 May 39 min

Your ultimate Phala Phala couch catch-up

President Cyril Ramaphosa reckons he's got a fair chance of challenging an independent panel's findings that he may have broken the law in relation to the 2020 theft of a large sum of money from a couch based at his Phala Phala game lodge. But this “Section 89” report, overseen…
13 May 33 min

OR Tambo gold bust haunts SAPS major generals. Plus: Cape storm wrap

We kick off this news week with two more senior police figures in the dock, this time facing serious charges in connection with a peculiar unwrought gold bust at OR Tambo International Airport about five years ago. Major Generals Feroz Khan and Ebrahim Kadwa, and security company boss Tariq Downes,…
11 May 19 min