FILE | Scorched fields in the Cape Winelands The Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM) Fire Services have been deployed to a fire in Languedoc, Stellenbosch, which is burning in the direction of Boschendal Wine Estate. The fire is being fueled by strong winds. Spokesperson, Anesca Roodt says together with the Winelands Fire Protection Association, Boschendal…
An alcoholic beverage poured into a glass. A lobby group has proposed an increase in South Africa’s legal drinking age from 18 to either 21 or even 23. Gatekeepers South Africa has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa, citing the country’s struggles with alcohol abuse and its link to domestic violence, drunk driving, and other risks….
A house has been destroyed by the fire in Aalwyndal, January 7, 2026. The Mossel Bay Municipality in the Western Cape says it has secured additional crews from Hessequa and George Municipalities, as well as Working on Fire, to support the Mossel Bay and Garden Route District firefighters. What started as a vegetation fire quickly…
An empty classroom. Some parents are still seeking placement for their children as schools get set to reopen on 14 January. The Western Cape Education Department says by mid-December it had already placed over 96% of learners in grades R, one and eight. It says placement is still in progress for about 7 000 learners…
File | Sewage spillage. Residents of Mattafin in Mpumalanga have raised concerns over sewage waste flowing into their homes, especially when it rains. Some claim that the situation has not only put their lives at risk, but also their belongings, such as furniture. Others have accused the municipality of leaving sewage manholes uncovered. Concerned resident…
Court gavel. The bail application of the 48-year-old Sipho Ngomane, accused of killing his wife, a police officer, Sergeant Joyce Ngomane, has been postponed to next Tuesday for further hearing at the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court, in Mpumalanga. During the accused’s last court appearance, the case was postponed due to the unavailability of the state prosecutor….
A protestor holds a placard at a march against human trafficking. A 47-year-old foreign national is expected to appear in the Booysens Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, facing charges of contravening the Immigration Act and suspected human trafficking. He was arrested in Johannesburg on Tuesday, after ten teenage boys were rescued from a suspected trafficking operation….
FILE IMAGE | Chairs and tables inside of a courtroom. A 42-year-old radio presenter will appear in the Moutse Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo today for allegedly raping his colleague. Police spokesperson Hlulani Mashaba says the accused had offered to take the belongings of the complainant to her home in Walkraal outside Groblersdal last month. Mashaba says the…
A municipal water pipeline The eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal says it is confident that its repairs to a major water pipeline will be completed by the end of this week. Mayor Cyril Xaba inspected the damaged pipeline following a burst last week. The pipe supplies about 30 megalitres of water a day to the city….
A plug and a power socket Residents of Winburg in the Free State say that the constant power outages and water cuts have crippled the town’s economy. They claim the on-going crisis occurs repeatedly, yet the Masilonyana Local Municipality remains silent and fails to communicate with the community. Residents say they have suffered significant losses,…
