Author: newsnote correspondent
The R61 road in Mthatha, a bustling area of the Eastern Cape, has been closed to traffic following a tragic police shootout that has claimed several lives. Authorities are treating the scene as an active crime area, with investigations underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, which erupted earlier today at Rose. Preliminary reports suggest that the shootout involved an alleged extortionist and five of his associates. Eyewitness accounts recount a chaotic scene as gunfire erupted, leaving bystanders in shock and prompting an immediate response from law enforcement. The situation escalated rapidly, but police have yet to release specific…
In a dramatic escalation of military tension, Iran has launched missiles targeting the US-run Al Udeid airbase in Qatar, a direct response to US airstrikes that struck Iranian nuclear facilities just days earlier. Qatar has condemned the attacks, labelling them a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty, while Iran maintains that its response was measured, ensuring no casualties were inflicted on Qataris. The missile strikes occurred on Saturday following a series of US air raids on three nuclear sites in Iran, which had significantly heightened tensions in the region. The Qatari Ministry of Defence reported that all missiles were intercepted, with…
As the Middle East grapples with escalating tensions, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent call for dialogue and a peaceful resolution encapsulates the intricate balancing act South Africa is undertaking in maintaining its diplomatic ties with both Iran and the United States. This complexity resonates deeply within the geo-political landscape, especially as the country positions itself as a key player amidst escalating international conflicts. Among the BRICS nations, South Africa enjoys cordial diplomatic relations with Iran, bolstered by a shared vision of multipolarity in international affairs. However, this friendship does not come without its challenges. Ramaphosa’s administration has openly condemned Israel’s actions…
Oil prices skyrocketed on Monday as fears of disruptions to energy markets intensified following US air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The rand also faced a significant decline, trading lower amid growing uncertainty and escalating tensions in the volatile Middle Eastern region. As traders reacted to the weekend’s events, the US dollar strengthened against several currencies, reflecting a heightened assessment of security risks linked to Iran’s looming threats to American bases in the Middle East. Iran, the world’s ninth-largest oil producer, is responsible for an output of around 3.3 million barrels per day, with nearly half of this volume earmarked…
As the world grapples with volatile oil markets, concerns regarding international oil prices and global supply chains surged on Sunday following a military strike by the United States on three significant nuclear sites in Iran. This military action, which marks an alarming escalation in tensions throughout the Middle East, comes just under two weeks after hostilities flared once again between Iran and Israel. Analysts are sounding the alarm, warning that the repercussions of these actions could be dire for the global economy. In a televised address, US President Donald Trump hailed the airstrikes as a “spectacular military success,” declaring that…
Tehran has said the US has “launched a dangerous war against Iran” after president Donald Trump announced that US warplanes struck three nuclear facility sites in Iran. At around 8pm ET on Saturday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that “very successful” strikes had been carried out on the nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. The US president later asserted that Iran’s key nuclear sites were “completely and fully obliterated” in an address to the nation from the White House. Iran responded saying it “reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people,” and called for an emergency UN…
A devastating incident at the Macadamia Military Base near Komatipoort, Mpumalanga, has left the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) reeling following a tragic series of events. An ongoing investigation has revealed that the attacker involved in the stabbing was, in fact, a deceased member of the SANDF. The horrific encounter reportedly began with an altercation between soldiers stationed at the base, part of the SANDF’s ongoing Operation Corona. According to Rear Admiral Prince Tshabalala, the attacker fatally stabbed a fellow soldier and subsequently took his own life by inflicting serious wounds upon himself. Details surrounding the incident remain sparse,…
The backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East has reached a tipping point as Iran categorically refuses to engage in talks regarding its nuclear programme while facing ongoing assaults from Israel. This declaration comes amid an eighth consecutive day of aerial engagements, which have reportedly left at least 17 individuals injured in Israel, with three in critical condition following Iran’s latest missile attacks. The situation continues to deteriorate as the once-hopeful diplomatic discussions, which saw Iran’s foreign minister meet with high-ranking European officials, yielded no substantial progress. European powers remain on edge, with the United Kingdom’s government ramping up…
In a shocking and tragic incident, Sinethemba Mpambane, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Institutional Support and Development at Walter Sisulu University (WSU), was fatally shot multiple times while seated in his vehicle on the evening of 19 June 2025. The harrowing event unfolded at the entrance of the university’s Nkululekweni facility in Mthatha, leaving the academic community in profound sorrow and concern. This devastating loss strikes just weeks after another tragic occurrence on the WSU campus, where Sisonke Mbolekwa, a promising final-year student, was killed during a protest. Both incidents have raised alarm bells regarding safety and violence on campus, prompting…
Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu will be laid to rest in South Africa, a departure from the customary return to one’s homeland for burial. The decision comes amidst a contentious dispute between Lungu’s family and the Zambian government, following his death earlier this month from an undisclosed illness at a South African hospital. Since Lungu’s passing, tensions have escalated as the family voiced their strong objections to any involvement from current Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema in the funeral proceedings. The family’s demands have added layers of complexity to the task of repatriating Lungu’s body, ultimately leading to the conclusion that…