For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: IFP appeals for law, order ahead of June 30 undocumented immigration protests; SARS Commissioner welcomes Constitutional Court judgment on zero-rating of gold; And, Amnesty calls EU complicit in new Libyan crackdown on migrants

The IFP has issued an urgent appeal for public order and strict adherence to the law as South Africa manages a high-stakes immigration crisis, marked by the mass gathering of foreign nationals at repatriation centres and upcoming nationwide protests scheduled for June 30.

On Wednesday, the party called for heightened coordination between South African authorities and African governments to manage the swelling numbers of undocumented immigrants seeking to return to their home countries.

Thousands of foreign nationals, including undocumented immigrants, have assembled at embassy offices and temporary repatriation centres across South Africa, waiting for formal verification and processing.

To prevent logistical bottlenecks and humanitarian concerns, the IFP has urged neighbouring African governments to cooperate directly with Pretoria.

Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service Dr Johnstone Makhubu has welcomed the unanimous judgment of the Constitutional Court in Lueven Metals v Commissioner for the SARS, which confirms SARS’ interpretation of Section 11(1)(f) of the Value-Added Tax Act.

In a media release, SARS explains that the judgment clarifies that the zero-rating of gold supplied to the South African Reserve Bank, the South African Mint Company or a registered bank applies only where the gold is supplied in one of the prescribed forms and has not undergone any manufacturing process other than refining or the manufacture or production of those prescribed forms.

The court confirmed that the zero-rating of gold under Section 11(1)(f) does not apply to second-hand or recycled gold that has already undergone prior manufacturing.

SARS says this ruling provides clear legal guidance, puts an end to aggressive value-added tax interpretations and reinforces SARS' commitment to enforcing tax law in a principled manner.

Authorities in eastern and western Libya have intensified a crackdown on migrants and refugees in the last month with mass arrests, detentions and expulsions, Amnesty International said, accusing the EU of complicity in abuse.

Libya, where control is split between rival western and eastern factions, has been a major transit route for people fleeing conflict and poverty towards Europe by the dangerous sea route since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising toppled Muammar Gaddafi.

The EU and its member states have long supported and trained the Libyan coastguard, which intercepts migrants at sea. While the EU formally recognises only the Tripoli-based government, since last year it has also stepped up engagement with the rival authorities in the east.

Amnesty said the crackdown included mass arrests across multiple cities, forced evictions and expulsion of hundreds of migrants, including nationals of war-torn Sudan, without the chance to ask for asylum or challenge their deportation.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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