Author: newsnote correspondent

A South African maternal rights organisation has highlighted the persistent issue of teenage pregnancies following reports of multiple births to young mothers on New Year’s Day 2026. In the Eastern Cape, health and social development authorities reported that 21 babies were delivered to teenage mothers aged 15–19 by midday on 1 January 2026, out of 84 total births recorded in public facilities at that time. Some reports noted the number rising to 23 by later in the day. This comes against a backdrop of national statistics from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), which recorded over 123,000 births to mothers aged…

President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran’s leadership on Friday, declaring that the United States is prepared to intervene militarily if Iranian forces violently suppress ongoing protests that have already claimed several lives. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” The president’s use of “locked and loaded” revives phrasing he has employed in past confrontations with Iran, signaling…

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli and Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi joined forces on New Year’s Day to lead a high-profile safety awareness campaign across Durban’s crowded beaches. The initiative forms part of the national #SaferFestiveSeason operations, aimed at promoting public safety during the peak holiday period. The leaders were supported by Durban Metro Police, local government authorities, civil society organisations, and Community Policing Forums in a united effort to engage beachgoers. The campaign focused on crime prevention, road and water safety, responsible alcohol consumption, and adherence to bylaws amid the large crowds enjoying the sunny weather. Authorities urged…

KwaZulu-Natal police have initiated a manhunt for four armed men following the brutal killing of four family members at their home near Mdweshule, close to Port Shepstone on the province’s south coast. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, December 31, 2025, when the suspects—armed with firearms and a bush knife—allegedly broke down the door of a rondavel where an eyewitness and her 45-year-old fiancé were staying. According to KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza, the suspects demanded money. When informed there was none, they opened fire on the fiancé, killing him on the spot. “The suspects then instructed her…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged full implementation of the Madlanga Commission’s recommendations to root out political interference and criminal influence in law enforcement, while issuing a strong call to South African men to end gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). In his New Year’s message delivered on Wednesday afternoon, 31 December 2025, Ramaphosa said the Government of National Unity remains committed to restoring trust in the police. “We are determined to continue to take decisive steps to clean up our law enforcement agencies. The recommendations of the Madlanga Commission will be implemented to enhance the reforms needed to reposition our police…

South Africa’s gambling industry recorded a massive surge in the 2024/25 financial year, with total wagers reaching R1.5 trillion, a R400 billion increase from the previous year, according to the National Gambling Board (NGB). The growth has been primarily fuelled by the widespread adoption of mobile betting apps, which have made gambling highly convenient and turned it into a frequent activity for millions. Gross gambling revenue climbed to R75 billion, up from R59.3 billion, while adult participation rates rose to 65.7%, roughly double the level seen in 2017. The rapid expansion is linked to easy mobile access, aggressive marketing through…

As South Africa bids farewell to 2025, the year will be remembered as one of profound turmoil in the criminal justice system, relentless gender-based violence, political instability, economic challenges and strained international relations. From explosive allegations of corruption at the highest levels to nationwide protests forcing landmark policy shifts, the nation grappled with systemic failures while demanding greater accountability. Bombshell Allegations Rock the Justice System The year’s defining moment came on 6 July when KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi publicly accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and others of ties to organised crime syndicates. Mkhwanazi…

Controversial businessman and alleged criminal kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has been transferred from Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria to the eBongweni Super-Maximum Correctional Facility in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal — South Africa’s most secure prison. The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) confirmed the December 21, 2025 transfer, describing it as a routine security measure based on risk assessments, safety considerations, and operational requirements. DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale is legally empowered under the Correctional Services Act to relocate inmates when necessary. Matlala is awaiting trial on multiple charges, including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and…

Patients and healthcare workers at Jubilee District Hospital in Gauteng say they are being forced to buy drinking water from an outside tuckshop as the facility continues to struggle with unreliable and unsafe tap water — even during periods of extreme heat. Visitors arriving desperate for hydration are reportedly directed away from empty dispensers toward paid bottled water before receiving treatment. Staff members routinely carry large containers to endure their shifts, while many low-income patients rely on tanker-supplied external storage tanks that are primarily intended for flushing toilets rather than drinking. A concerned mother whose child is admitted at the…

A new UNESCO report reveals that Southern Africa’s arts and cultural festivals are far more than entertainment, serving as significant drivers of economic growth, job creation, tourism, and social development. The study, Creating for the Future: Harnessing Southern Africa’s Arts and Cultural Festivals for Sustainable Development, analyses 10 major festivals across nine countries in 2024. These events generated over $11.7 million (R195 million) in revenue and created nearly 3,000 jobs. Key findings include a strong multiplier effect: every dollar invested yields an additional $2.51 (R41.80) in local economies. With 61% of attendees being non-local, festivals significantly boost tourism. Socially, the…