Author: Malebogo Putu

In the rural village of Mvenyane, two young entrepreneurs are turning an ecological threat into a thriving business while addressing critical environmental challenges. Sinikeziwe Tshobisa, 27, and Kwakhiwa Mshoboyi, 31, founded KFOX 2ND Couture Board Company in 2020, repurposing invasive black wattle trees into eco-friendly charcoal and firewood. Their venture combines sustainability, social responsibility, and community development, providing both environmental solutions and economic opportunities. Tackling an Invasive Threat Black wattle, one of South Africa’s most pervasive invasive species, has long plagued the region, causing water shortages, veld fires, and the displacement of indigenous plants. Recognizing the severity of the problem,…

The Employment Equity (EE) Amendment Act, aimed at alleviating regulatory constraints for small businesses, comes into force today, marking a significant milestone in South Africa’s efforts to boost job creation and economic growth.President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the proclamation notice in 2024, setting January 1, 2025, as the implementation date for the revised legislation. The amendment exempts small businesses employing fewer than 50 workers from complying with Chapter III of the original Employment Equity Act (EEA) of 1998.Under this change, small businesses are no longer required to submit EE reports or develop comprehensive equity plans. This exemption applies starting from the…

South African police have arrested two men in separate incidents involving the brutal murders of their partners in the OR Tambo District of the Eastern Cape. Both cases, which occurred within hours of each other, have highlighted the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in the country.In the first incident, a 32-year-old man allegedly murdered his 24-year-old wife late on Monday, 30 December 2024, in Nkonkweni locality, Qumbu. According to police reports, the attack was fueled by suspicions of infidelity. The suspect was arrested and is scheduled to appear before the Qumbu Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 2 January…

Police in Mogwase have launched a manhunt after a brazen cash-in-transit heist unfolded on Tuesday evening, 31 December 2024, in Moruleng Village. The dramatic incident, which took place around 6 p.m., left a cash van and a getaway car engulfed in flames.According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane, the cash van, carrying two security officers, was traveling from Moruleng village towards Mogwase when it was ambushed at Letsheng section. A Mercedes Benz sedan blocked the van just before a speed hump, while armed assailants opened fire on the escort vehicle, forcing it to halt.”The escort crew managed to escape unharmed,…

In a chilling discovery on New Year’s Eve, Lindley police unearthed two decomposed bodies in a locked house in Ntha, a township near Lindley, Free State. The grisly scene was uncovered after neighbors alerted authorities to a foul odor emanating from the home, accompanied by swarms of flies seen through a window.Officers responded to the complaint around 10 p.m. on December 31, 2024. Upon arrival, they found the house locked, but located the owner’s car parked at the property. When the homeowner refused to grant entry, police peered through a window and discovered the bodies on the floor, covered with…

The South African government is battling ongoing outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, with strict containment measures in place to prevent the highly contagious disease from spreading further.Eastern Cape: Progress Amid PrecautionsThe Eastern Cape outbreak has shown signs of stability, with no new cases reported in the past three months. Despite this, the Disease Management Area (DMA), declared in July 2024, remains under strict lockdown.Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has said that movement restrictions will continue through the festive season and will only be lifted once thorough surveillance confirms the absence of infection.Seventy-three farms in…

Limpopo, South Africa – The South African Police Service in Northam, Waterberg District, has opened murder and inquest dockets following the discovery of two bodies in a house in Northam on 26 December 2024. The victims, a 33-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman, were found in a state of advanced decomposition. The two individuals, who were in a romantic relationship and living together, were last seen on 25 December 2024 at approximately 23:45 at a local tavern. The investigation is still in its early stages, and while a domestic dispute is being considered as a possible motive, authorities have not…

Komatipoort, Mpumalanga – Moisés Armando Mate, a 32-year-old Mozambican national, was sentenced on Friday, 27 December 2024, after he was caught smuggling 14 Mozambican minors into South Africa. Mate was sentenced to six months in prison, with the option to pay a R6,000 fine, which was wholly suspended for three years, on the condition that he does not commit a similar offense or assist anyone in unlawfully entering, remaining, or departing South Africa during that period.The conviction stems from an incident on 6 December 2024, when Mate was arrested in Komatipoort after he illegally transported 14 girls, aged between 4…

Tragedy at Muan Airport: Jeju Air Flight Crashes, Claims Dozens of LivesMuan, South Korea – A Jeju Air flight skidded off the runway at Muan International Airport in a catastrophic accident on Friday, resulting in a fiery crash that claimed numerous lives. Initial reports suggest the aircraft’s landing gear failed during its descent, causing it to crash into a barrier before exploding into flames.The death toll is described as “instantly devastating,” with rescue workers now focused on recovery rather than rescue efforts. Many of the passengers were holidaymakers returning from a five-day Christmas tour to Thailand, leaving their families shattered…

Police across South Africa have been lauded for their swift and decisive actions in tackling violent crimes and illicit activities, resulting in multiple arrests over the festive season. Ex-Boyfriend Arrested for Brutal Murder in Coligny Petrus Bassion Mvala (47) was arrested in Coligny on Tuesday, 24 December 2024, for the alleged murder of his ex-girlfriend, Binny King (34). According to reports, Mvala called King to his vehicle in Extension 3, Tlhabologang, near Coligny, where she was allegedly stabbed over 15 times with a sharp instrument. Despite jumping out of the vehicle and being rushed to a clinic, King succumbed to…