Author: Larson Thebe

North West police have issued a warning to parents, guardians and community members to closely monitor children around dams, rivers, swimming pools, lakes and bridges. The caution follows a tragic incident in which two teenage girls drowned in a river at Moshava village near Zeerust. According to police, officers were alerted to the drowning on Wednesday afternoon. Upon arrival at the scene, they were informed that three girls and two boys had gone swimming in the river. After entering the water, two of the girls struggled to swim back to safety. “The two boys managed to rescue one girl and…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Advocate Dinkie Portia Dube as the new Deputy Public Protector of the Republic of South Africa for a seven-year term, effective 1 February 2026. According to the President’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, the appointment was made in terms of section 2A(1) of the Public Protector Act, 1994 (Act 23 of 1994), following a recommendation by the National Assembly. The position became vacant in 2023 after the then Deputy Public Protector, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, was appointed as the Public Protector. Dube’s appointment follows a recommendation by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development after interviews conducted…

Operations at the Rustenburg Local Municipality offices were brought to a halt earlier today after smoke was detected in two of the floors at the building. Authorities say no injuries or casualties were reported during the incident. “Upon detection, emergency protocols were immediately activated. The Municipal Fire and Rescue Services, together with relevant internal departments, responded promptly to the scene. As a precautionary measure, employees were required to evacuated to ensure the safety of employees and members of the public,” said the municipality’s acting Communications Manager, Odirile Madiba. Furthermore, Madiba said emergency personnel are conducting assessment, adding that the situation…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved a 4.1% salary increase of public office bearers with effect from 1 April 2026. The implementation follows his consideration of recommendations by the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers. “Having considered the Commission’s recommendations and its impact on the fiscus, the President however decided to increase the salary of public office-bearers by 4.1% and 3.8% in different categories. The increase of 4.1% applies to judges, magistrates, traditional leaders and members of independent constitutional institutions. The increase of 3.8% applies to Members of the National Executive, Members of Parliament, members of provincial executive councils…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness following the death of 13 learners when their private scholar transport vehicle collided with a truck near Vanderbijlpark today. Four other learners were admitted to hospital with serious injuries, including the taxi driver. The learners were on their way to five different schools in Vanderbijlpark and Vereeniging. According to the police preliminary report, the taxi driver was trying to overtake two vehicles, when he collided with a side tipper truck in Fred Droste Road. Eyewitnesses say the truck driver was trying to swerve to avoid the accident, but it was too little too…

The Portfolio Committee on Transport has thrown its support for the proposal by Minister Barbara Creecy for a total ban of alcohol in legislation. This after the minister last week revealed that despite a 5% reduction in several road fatalities during the 2025/26 festive season, there was an increase of people driving under the influence of alcohol. “A total of 173 695 drivers were tested for driving under the influence of alcohol and 8 561 of these tested positive, a 144 percent increase on the same period last year. The highest alcohol reading was recorded in KwaZulu Natal where one motorist recorded…

Four Springbok stars have been nominated for the prestigious SA Rugby’s Men’s Player of the Year for 2025. The four are Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ox Nche and Jasper Wiese, and they will contest from Haashim Pead, who played a key role for the Junior Boks in their World Rugby U20 Championship triumph. Marx is the favourite after he was named World Rugby’s Men’s 15s Player of the Year last year, but it will not be an easy ride against his team-mates. SA Rugby announced the nominees – as voted for by members of the media and…

The death toll from the floods that have ravaged parts of Limpopo, has risen to eleven, and caused damage estimated to more than R4 billion. The floods began on December 25 2025, in the Waterberg and Capricorn Districts and escalated with heavy rains affecting Vhembe, Mopani, and Sekhukhune Districts. Briefing the media on Friday, Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba said the floods have destroyed over 430 roads and several bridges, and over 31 schools among others. “The floods have caused significant damage, including destruction of roads, bridges, water and electricity infrastructure, schools, and health facilities, resulting in displacement of families and…

President Cyril Ramaphosa is calling for restraint and dialogue in Iran, following weeks of violent protests against the government that have led to thousands of deaths. The protests have seen authorities shut down the internet and its airspace except international flights to and from Iran, as they blamed outside influence for fuelling the protests. Pretoria, which has trade relations and are both members of BRICS, said it is following the developments in Iran with concern. “The reports of unrest and the subsequent loss of life are concerning, and South Africa urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint. South Africa firmly…

ActionSA said it’ll soon legally challenge the decision of the Independent Police Investigating Directorate (IPID) to classify the investigation report into the conduct of the Presidential Protection Unit (PPU) members relating to Phala Phala as “Top Secret”. The party said this challenge come after suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu, last year told parliament that the report into the theft of large sums of foreign currency at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm in Limpopo, was classified as top secret, according to the Minimum Information Security Standards (MISS). It said it also comes after IPID ignored its requests to justify the classification of…