Category: English

With the festive season holidays drawing to a close, road users are encouraged to act responsibly and remain vigilant as heavy traffic is anticipated on all major routes nationwide this weekend.

Law enforcement officers will maintain high levels of visibility during this period.

“Motorists are advised to plan their trips carefully. They are advised to avoid travelling at night as evidence shows that most deadly crashes happen after sunset and in the early hours of the morning.

“Travel data analysed since the start of the festive season road safety campaign on 01 December shows that 21% of fatal crashes happen between 7pm and 10pm and 6% between midnight and 1am.

“These are the times when most head-on collisions have taken place claiming many lives,” Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said on Friday.

Drivers are urged to take sufficient breaks to avoid fatigue.

The RTMC said speeding, drunken driving and reckless conduct will not be tolerated.

“Public transport operators are called upon to avoid overloading and to ensure that their permits are valid for the routes they operate on. Public transport operators are further called upon to desist from loading and off-loading passengers at unsafe spots as this increases the risk of pedestrian crashes,” RTMC said.

More than 4 700 public transport vehicles have been impounded for contravention of operator permits, while 12 600 vehicles have been discontinued for roadworthy related infringements.

“Motorists are also advised to check the weather forecast and ensure that they don’t drive through storms and are not crossing over flooded bridges.

“Motorists are reminded to reduce speed when driving in rainy conditions, increase the following distance between vehicles and have their lights on. Speed must also be reduced when driving past residential areas or pedestrian dense locations,” RTMC said. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has successfully apprehended a 55-year-old man who is allegedly linked to a string of rapes and robberies spanning over two decades across Welkom, Thabong, and Bloemfontein.

The suspect’s run from the law ended recently after he allegedly attacked a 21-year-old female victim.

“The victim was walking home from town through the Magengenene graveyard when she was attacked and raped. Alert community members responded to the incident, chased the suspect, and successfully handed him over to the Mangaung police,” SAPS said on Thursday.

Preliminary investigations have revealed a “disturbing pattern of deception”.

The suspect reportedly posed as a “prophet” claiming that his ancestors required the victims to perform rituals in the graveyard.

Once at the Magangenene graveyard, he would persuade victims to undress for “cleansing”. He would then cut the victim’s hair and burn it on a nearby grave and proceed to rape the victims. The man would also rob the victims of their cellphones, claiming “witches” would use the devices to track them.

Detective work and DNA profiling have since linked the 55-year-old to seven additional cases of rape and robbery with five of them taking place in Mangaung, while two other cases happened in Welkom.

“The forensic evidence links him to crimes dating back as far as 1999. Records indicate the suspect was out on parole when he allegedly resumed his criminal activities in 2022. The recent graveyard attack marks the eighth case now officially tied to his name.

“The suspect is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court shortly to face multiple charges of rape and robbery,” SAPS said.

The investigation is being spearheaded by Detective Sergeant Bessie Nthoba of the Mangaung Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, Cold Case and Serial Rapist Division.

The SAPS believes there may be more victims who have not yet come forward.

Anyone who was victimised in a similar manner is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Nthoba on 082 886 8979, call the Crime Stop Tip-off line on 08600 10111, or report to their nearest police station. – SAnews.gov.za

The City of Cape Town has appealed to residents be more water-wise and minimise non-essential consumption due to excessive water usage over the past few weeks.

The City has set a collective water-wise daily usage target of less than 975 million litres per day (MLD) for the summer season. 

This allocation was determined to mitigate the risk associated with below average or unpredictable rainfall during 2026, and to maintain a reliable water supply. 

 As of Wednesday, 31 December 2025, the average water usage stood at 1 025MLD, with the city’s dam levels at 70.5%.

“Currently, the City’s main supply dams are 19.2% lower than last year at this time and as a city, we have collectively and consistently been using over 1 000 million litres of water daily. 

“While there is no immediate reason for concern, all Capetonians, visitors and businesses are encouraged to carefully manage their water use over the coming months,” the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, said.

Badroodien said early and sustained reductions in water use help protect water security, reduce the risk of sudden restrictions, and ensure that sufficient reserves are available should rainfall in 2026 be below average. 

“Adjusting water-use habits now across households, businesses and the tourism sector will help build resilience against climate-related shocks and safeguard water supplies,” he said.

The City reminds the public of some key tips to keep water usage down:

• Take short, stop-start showers or small baths. The maximum flow rate of new and replaced showerheads may not exceed seven litres.
• Wash more with less, for laundry and dishes. Only wash clothes and dishes (pots, cups etc) when really needed. Washing and spot-cleaning can use less water.
• Turn off taps and hoses when not using the water.
• Only water gardens before 09:00 or after 18:00 to avoid evaporation losses.
• Keep summer fun water-wise. Use water mindfully for children’s play and cooling. Use a wet cloth to cool down hot skin and avoid wasteful spraying of water. – SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has confirmed large numbers of dead white mussel, whelks and other shellfish being washed out at St Helena Bay and Elandsbaai on the West Coast.  

Members of the public have been cautioned to refrain from eating the washed-out marine animals, as they carry significant health risks, rendering them unsuitable for consumption. 

The dead shellfish, which washed up on Monday and Tuesday, indicates that they died after being paralysed, unable to burrow and then washed up. 

“This is most likely due to the presence of a harmful algal bloom (HAB) or red tide. Red tides are algal blooms, that is, accumulations of large amounts of phytoplankton (single-cell algae) that are common during summer and autumn along the West Coast. 

“This particular red tide is colourless and therefore not visible to the human eye, but paralytic shellfish poisoning neurotoxins are extremely toxic to humans.  All shellfish, irrespective of being washed out or collected from shore or subtidal, should not be eaten,” the department said on Wednesday.

The department will continue to monitor the situation with respect to the extent of the red tide and resultant mass mortalities on the West Coast. – SAnews.gov.za

Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, is today expected to join postpartum mothers in welcoming their newly born bundles of joy at the Leratong Hospital in the West Rand.

During the New Year’s Day ceremony, mothers will be presented with gift hampers for their babies.

“Additionally, the MEC will use the opportunity to engage parents about the importance of registering their babies immediately after birth at the Department of Home Affairs. 
“Furthermore, the MEC will also emphasise the significance of timely immunisation and breastfeeding to promote babies’ development and protect them from preventable diseases,” said the Gauteng Department of Health.

On Christmas Day, the public health facilities in the province saw the births of 428 babies (206 males and 222 females). 
Nkomo-Ralehoko welcomed babies born at Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital where she presented mothers with gift hampers.

A total of 80 babies were born at the province’s academic hospitals – Steve Biko, Dr George Mukhari, Chris Hani Baragwanath and Charlotte Maxeke.

Tertiary hospitals – Tembisa and Kalafong – in the province saw the births of 46 babies while regional and district hospitals including Jubilee, Far East Rand Hospital and the Mamelodi Hospital saw the births of 234 babies.

Community Healthcare Centres including Bekkersdal, Hillbrow and Ebony Park saw the births of 68 babies. – SAnews.gov.za 

As the nation welcomes the New Year, President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is encouraged by signs of progress that are laying the groundwork for even better outcomes in the year ahead. 

“Yes, much more still needs to be done. We therefore enter the New Year with renewed hope, greater purpose and even greater confidence in the potential of our great country and its people,” the President said on Wednesday in a message to the nation.

While acknowledging the persisting challenges facing the country, the President said government was continuing to take a variety of actions to address unemployment, poverty, inequality, gender-based violence and femicide as well as service delivery and crime.

“Our success in addressing these challenges includes working together in partnership between the government, business, labour, civil society, and every citizen committed to the future of our country.

“Together, we are changing our country for the better. Our economy is recovering. We are working on creating more jobs, especially for young people. 

“Inflation has eased. The cost of living is coming down. The rand has strengthened. South Africa’s sovereign credit rating has been upgraded for the first time in nearly two decades. This means government can mobilise funding for infrastructure investment and social development at a lower rate,” the President said.

According to President Ramaphosa, the structural transformation programme that South Africa embarked on five years ago is showing positive progress. 

Eskom’s performance, which in the recent past caused hardship to households, communities and businesses, has improved steadily. 

“As a result, our country has gone without load shedding for many months. More goods are being transported on our rail network and handled through our ports. 

“We have restored more commuter rail corridors, making it possible for more people to travel safely and affordably. Infrastructure is one of our key priorities. We have for the first time budgeted more than R1 trillion for infrastructure investment over the next three years. This has catalysed the revitalisation of our country’s roads, port, rail, energy and water systems,” he said.

Through the Presidential Employment Stimulus, the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention and other public employment programs, government has enabled thousands of people to find opportunities to earn, learn and build livelihoods.

“We have worked with the private sector to establish the Youth Employment Service that has created more than 200 000 work experience opportunities for young unemployed South Africans and is set to increase this number in the coming period.

“The continuing improvement of the business environment is contributing to the improvement of our economy and job creation. Our state-owned enterprises are being strengthened and are set to play their key role in the economy. 

“Rooting out corruption is our overriding priority. Through the excellent work of the Special Investigating Unit, the SIU, and the Asset Forfeiture Unit we have recovered billions of stolen money,” the President said.

Moreover, specialised task teams have made breakthroughs against illegal mining, kidnapping, economic infrastructure crimes and construction site extortion.

“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 that are needed to reposition our police service and other law enforcement agencies,” President Ramaphosa said.

This year government launched the National Dialogue and held the first National Convention, which brought together delegates from across society to define the agenda for an inclusive, nationwide conversation about the next chapter in the country’s democracy.

“The National Dialogue continues our country’s proud tradition of holding inclusive conversations to resolve challenges, to build consensus and to chart a course for the future. 

“We are traversing a path we have walked before and will be guided in the National Dialogue process by the Eminent Persons Group who will be the guarantors of the Dialogue’s inclusivity and integrity. The Steering Committee comprised of community-based representatives will steer the national consultations next year,” the President said.

With the successful hosting of the first Group Twenty (G20) Summit ever held on African soil, South Africa’s standing in the global community was enhanced.

“The Leaders’ Declaration adopted by the Summit articulated global commitments on inclusive economic growth, debt sustainability, climate action, food security, reform of global financial institutions, and a number of other key issues. 

“We can stand proud that the legacy of our G20 Presidency is that we ensured that the voice of our continent Africa and the Global South is recognised, reflected and respected,” he said.

He hailed South Africa’s ability of working together to overcome even the most difficult obstacles.

“Our spirits have been lifted by the excellent performance of our artists, our sports people, our musicians and our writers. We salute all who continue to proudly fly our national flag high across the world in international forums in sports, arts and culture, academia, commerce, science, medicine, the judiciary, politics, labour, trade, investment and many other endeavours,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa expressed gratitude for the contribution that every South African has made in all of the people’s lives endeavours over the year.

“We thank you. Despite the challenges we face our country is getting stronger, our economy is improving. As we prepare to welcome a new year let us remain united to building the South Africa of our dreams. 

“I call upon the men of South Africa to respect and honour the young girls and the women of South Africa and desist from gender-based violence and fermicide. Wherever you may be across our beautiful land, I wish you a happy and blessed new year.

“May God bless South Africa and protect its people,” the President said. –SAnews.gov.za