Aloha,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here's what I've got for you today:
Here’s what I’ve got for you today:
- 24 hours offline: Mauritius blinks
- 35, ambitious, and still searching
- SARS eyes your crypto wallet
24 hours offline: Mauritius blinks
On Friday, users in Mauritius were surprised when they couldn’t access popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.
The country’s communications regulator had imposed this restriction across Internet service providers, set to last until Mauritius’s general election on November 10.
This move came in response to an online scandal involving leaked phone conversations of prominent figures, which rapidly spread, mostly through TikTok.
The leaked tapes, allegedly obtained through wiretapping, included sensitive exchanges involving government officials and even featured a police commissioner discussing tampering with a police brutality case — adding fuel to the public’s outrage and sparking legal scrutiny.
Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth defended the social media restriction as essential for maintaining national security during the sensitive pre-election period, though it led to accusations from opposition leaders that the government was attempting to curb free speech and influence the upcoming election results.
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The social media ban was ultimately lifted within 24 hours, reportedly due to backlash from the media, opposition, and public protests. The Information and Communication Technology Authority (ICTA) withdrew the restriction following consultations with other authorities.
35, ambitious, and still searching
Ever feel like life’s moving slower than your ambition? Sarah gets it. She’s been working in some form since she was 16, but only officially “landed a job” six years ago.
Looking back, she wonders if certain choices — like going to a polytechnic or moving out of Lagos after marriage — might’ve held her back a bit.
Some backstory: Since she was a teenager, Sarah’s always wanted more than what her civil servant parents had. They provided well, but she dreamed bigger and saw entrepreneurship as her ticket to that life.
She’d jump at any chance to earn a little cash, and her parents loved that drive. Right after secondary school, she helped a shop owner down the street as a sort of part-time assistant. There wasn’t a set pay, but some days she’d go home with a little cash or something from the shop — a small sign she was carving out her way.
Well, she’s 35 now and still having a tough time in her career, and she’s hard on herself about it. Check out Oluwanifemi’s story to learn more!
SARS eyes your crypto wallet
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is cracking down on crypto holders and traders in South Africa, making it clear that crypto transactions aren’t tax-free or exempt from reporting.
Tax Consulting SA highlighted that SARS actively tracks undeclared crypto trades, using AI and other tech tools to detect potential non-compliance. They focus on traders who might believe they’re flying under the radar and could face penalties or audits if they haven’t declared profits or income.
In recent months, some crypto holders received letters from SARS urging them to disclose any crypto activities, noting they’d already flagged unreported trades from transaction data shared by exchanges.
For compliance, SARS has introduced a Voluntary Disclosure Programme (VDP) as a final chance to declare any missed crypto-related income without major penalties — unless the omissions were grossly negligent or intentional. However, this applies only if individuals come forward before an audit is triggered.
With increased efforts to enforce crypto tax compliance, SARS has also partnered with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) and crypto platforms to monitor trading activities.
The message is clear: declaring crypto earnings is no longer optional, and proactive compliance is advised to avoid hefty penalties or legal issues.
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What I'm watching
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Opportunities
- Paystack is hiring for multiple senior positions. Apply here.
- Moniepoint is hiring for various roles in the UK and Lagos. Apply here.
- Interswitch is looking for a Senior Backend Engineer. Apply here.
- Flutterwave is hiring for several roles in African countries, including Nigeria and Zambia, and the UK. Apply here.
- Pitch Friday is this Friday, November 8, 2024. Register here.
- Looking for an internship or remote role? Here's a list of 1,500+ opportunities in different fields (tech, finance, marketing, health and more). Check it out here.
- Follow Techpoint Africa's WhatsApp channel to stay on top of the latest trends and news in the African tech space here.
Have a productive week!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
