South AfricaCounting illegal miners raised South Africa’s mining output 12.5%.

Treasury now puts peak debt at 74.6% of GDP, down from 78.4% in October’s budget statement.

Statistics South Africa rebased to 2022 and raised that year’s GDP 4.9% to R6.99 trillion, counting illegal mining.

Treasury says revenue, spending and debt estimates are unchanged.

Treasury projects a 3.5% main budget deficit in 2026/27, down from 3.7%.

How each outlet framed it
Daily Maverick
credits the 4.9% GDP rise mostly to illegal mining, now counted, which lifted mining 12.5%

Sources: Daily Maverick