TrendySA Online

PRETORIA - President Cyril Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr Marius van der Merwe, a Brakpan-based security industry member and former Ekhurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department official who recently testified before the Madlanga Commission. Mr Van der Merwe was shot multiple times in full view of his family outside their Brakpan home on Friday evening, 5 December 2025. The President extends his deep condolences to the family of Mr Van der Merwe and wishes them strength for their recovery from a deadly trauma. President Ramaphosa said: “While our law enforcement agencies establish the circumstances leading to this heinous act, I am appalled and saddened by this attack on a former public servant who recently served the cause of justice and integrity by testifying at the Madlanga Commission.” President Ramaphosa established the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Crimina...

BRAKPAN - QRF Task Team Owner and Madlanga Commission Witness Marius van der Merwe was fatally shot in Brakpan, east of Johannesburg. Van der Merwe, a key witness (Witness D) at the Madlanga Commission, was tragically shot and killed last night (Friday) in front of his family. He had recently testified before the commission, where he implicated several high-ranking police officials — including Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department senior officer Julius Mkhwanazi — in allegations of corruption and the cover-up of a murder case. The motive for the attack remains unclear at this stage. Authorities have launched an investigation into the killing.

SANDTON - The African National Congress (ANC) Gauteng Provincial Task Team (PTT) warmly welcomed the successful convening of the 16th Regional Conference of the ANC Greater Johannesburg Region, held from 3–5 December 2025 at Cedarwood Hotel in Sandton under the theme:   “The Year of Renewal: Making the ANC a More Effective Instrument of the People to Achieve the Vision of the Freedom Charter.”   This Regional Conference took place shortly after South Africa successfully hosted the G20 Summit under the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”an achievement that once again showcased the leadership capacity of the ANC-led City of Johannesburg on the world stage.   *A CONFERENCE GUIDED BY RENEWAL, UNITY & ORGANISATIONAL REBUILDING*   The Conference was officially opened by the ANC Gauteng PTT Co-Convener, Cde Panyaza Lesufi, who emphasised the urgent need to:   • Strengthen the programme of organisational renewal, • Rebuild and consolidate the...

LYDENBURG - The police are closing in on the remaining suspects, its only a matter of time that all of them are rearrested. Isaac Malope who escaped from lawful custody has been rearrested after receiving information from Crime Intelligence. He was arrested by the multidisciplinary team at Manyeveni Village at Kabokweni today, Wednesday 03 December 2025 at approximately 10:30. Isaac Malope (25) will be charged with escape from lawful custody and he will appear before the Mashishing Magistrate's Court on Thursday, 04 December 2025. The police are still appealing to the community to assist in locating the three remaining suspects. Anyone with information can contact the Detective Branch Commander of Lydenburg SAPS on 076 060 0273, call #CrimeStop on 08600 10111, or use the #MySAPSApp.

CATO RIDGE - Just after Midnight on Tuesday Morning ALS Paramedics responded to a serious Taxi Crash on the N3 Pietermaritzburg bound near Cato Ridge, West of Durban.  Paramedics arrived on the scene to find chaos as they found that a single taxi fully loaded with teenagers had somehow lost control and overturned coming to rest on its side. Multiple casualties were found and immediately more Ambulances as well as Advanced Life Support Paramedics were dispatched to assist.  A total of Thirteen Teenagers had sustained various injuries and once stabilized on the scene they were transported to various Pietermaritzburg Hospitals for the further care that they required.  At this stage the events leading up to the crash is unknown however all necessary authorities were in attendance and will be investigating further.

LIMPOPO - As the December holidays draw closer, the season also forms part of an old tradition which sees young boys undergo an initiation passage to become men. This tradition is prevalent in most parts of the country, including the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Although government has put strict regulations around this tradition, young boys still lose their lives. An onlooker has criticized this fact and also shed light on the hefty fee that is expected from each initiate. According to the concerned citizens, parents pay R4 500 for your boys to attend initiation school. Circumcision is absolutely free in government hospitals. They should have been using that R4 500 to take your boy for drivers license, security guard or fork lift certificate or anything that will help him to get a job.  "There is absolutely no job that require initiation school as qualification," he criticized. Early this year six boys, including a traditional surgeon were in...

GAUTENG - The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is urging members of the public to carefully consider launching boats or other craft onto Hartbeespoort Dam at this time, due to extensive water hyacinth coverage that presents serious and growing safety hazards. The floating mass of hyacinth currently covers large areas of the dam. It is expected to increase rapidly in the coming weeks. Hyacinth growth at Hartbeespoort typically accelerates during the summer season, and changes in wind direction are causing these thick mats to move swiftly and unpredictably across the water. This creates extremely hazardous conditions for watercraft. “We are asking the public to carefully consider whether it is safe to go out on the water,” said Arthur Crewe, NSRI Hartbeespoort Station Commander. “If your craft becomes trapped in the hyacinth, the rescue options are limited. Even our rescue vessels suffer damage attempting to get through, and in some cases, rescues are extremely challengin...

PRETORIA - The Gauteng Traffic Police (GTP) High-Speed Unit arrested over 20 motorists for excessive speeding along Gauteng freeways. The suspects recorded between 148km/h and 195 km/h in a 120km/h zone. The suspects were charged with reckless and negligent driving, with an alternative charge of exceeding the prescribed speed limit. Motorists are reminded to prioritise theirs and the safety of others. Every driver must obey the traffic laws, including speed limits, to ensure safer roads for all.

DURBAN - Police have confirmed that an inquiry docket has been opened against Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla following the apparent recruitment of a group of men allegedly involved in the Ukraine/Russian war. According to SAPS spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe, Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma-Mncube has deposed an affidavit at the Sandton police station for police to investigate Zuma-Sambudla, Siphokasi Xuma and Blessing Khosa.  "This in relation to seventeen South African men who are allegedly trapped in the Ukraine/Russian War. Ms Mncube claims the men were lured to Russia under false pretences and handed to a Russian mercenary group to fight in the Ukrainian war without their knowledge or consent," she said. Mathe said the docket has been handed over to the HAWKS Crimes Against the State (CATS) component for further investigation.

GREYTOWN - At least three people have been swept away and homes destroyed in northern KwaZulu-Natal this evening. KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma is expected to visit  the area by 08h00 tomorrow morning. "I have recieved distressed calls from various communities in New Hanover, Dalton and other areas in Umshwathi Local Municipality. Roving teams from both human settlements and transport departments, including our Ambassador Ayanda Msweli, are already assessing the damage. I will join the teams at 08h00 tomorrow morning," MEC Duma stated. He further stated: "Three people have been swept away and reported missing. Some communities have been evacuated to the community hall. I will engage with the Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, as part of efforts to strengthen and augment our intervention. Our focus is on short-term housing solutions for the displaced families." This is a developing story.