Author: Malebogo Putu

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…

A 24-year-old man was arrested in the early hours of Friday, 27 December 2024, in Tshing Location, Ventersdorp, for allegedly stealing an ambulance with a patient inside. The incident occurred late on Thursday, 26 December 2024, at around 23:55 in front of the local hospital.According to police reports, Emergency and Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) personnel were attending to a patient who had been placed inside the ambulance for transportation to a neighbouring hospital. As the paramedics were finalizing the handover process, the suspect allegedly seized the opportunity, climbed into the driver’s seat, and drove off with the ambulance — and…

Law enforcement agencies have intensified efforts to curb illegal mining activities, resulting in multiple arrests across mining hotspot areas, including Kleinzee, Riverlea, and Stilfontein. On Friday, 27 December 2024, Operation Vala Umgodi, a multi-disciplinary task force, raided the Nattubooi informal settlement in Kleinzee. Acting on intelligence reports, members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) arrested 15 undocumented persons, including 10 men and 5 women aged 40 to 49. During the operation, police confiscated two jackhammers from one of the female suspects and apprehended a 20-year-old South African male found in possession…

Business chambers in the Eastern Cape have pledged to support STEM education following meetings held on the 10th and 11th of December 2024 with Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ms. Nomalungelo Gina. The discussions focused on addressing South Africa’s STEM skills gap and boosting collaboration with industries.The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, represented by CEO Ms. Denise van Huyssteen, highlighted the urgent need to produce more engineers, as international demand poaches local talent. The chamber invited the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI) to collaborate on identifying critical skills needs and developing tailored upskilling programs.Similarly, the Border-Kei…

The Limpopo Provincial Government has praised the quick action of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Seshego, which resulted in the arrest of a 28-year-old man for statutory rape. The arrest follows an incident where a 13-year-old girl gave birth at Seshego Hospital on 25 December 2024. Over 1 360 babies were safely delivered at public health facilities across the country on Christmas Day. According to the National Department of Health, the number of teen mothers has decreased from 145 in 2023 to just under 90. Among the new teenage mothers is a 13-year-old who gave birth to a…

Acting Gauteng Premier Lebogang Maile will visit Eldorado Park on Saturday following the murder of a female traffic warden.”I am deeply disturbed by the senseless killing of our dedicated Traffic Warden. As the Gauteng Provincial Government, we condemn all forms of violence, especially against women,” said the Acting Premier ahead of his visit.The visit comes after the tragic murder of the warden who was allegedly killed by her boyfriend who is a police officer. “We will work tirelessly to ensure justice is served and support is provided to the affected family and community,” he said.Maile is set to visit the…