Traffic volumes along the N3 in KwaZulu-Natal are surging as holidaymakers make their way to the coast in the lead-up to Christmas. According to the N3 Toll Concession (N3TC), nearly 1,400 vehicles per hour passed through the Tugela Toll Plaza by 11 a.m. on Friday, while over 1,100 vehicles were recorded at the Mooi River Toll Plaza. Earlier in the week, traffic peaked at over 1,500 vehicles per hour.
A 63-year-old man began serving a life sentence after being convicted by the Mitchells Plain Regional Court for raping his 13-year-old granddaughter. The man, previously on parole for raping his daughter, was declared unfit to work with children or possess a firearm and was added to the National Register for Sex Offenders.
The Health Department has reported a significant increase in rubella cases across the country, with KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and the Western Cape recording the highest numbers. Commonly known as German measles, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has documented 10,137 positive cases this year, surpassing last year’s figures.
The N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) has announced that it anticipates a significant increase in traffic heading into KwaZulu-Natal starting Friday and continuing through the weekend as Christmas approaches. In response, authorities are ramping up efforts to ensure safety on the busy route.
Luigi Mangione, the man accused of fatally shooting a US insurance executive in Manhattan, appeared in a New York court on Thursday to face federal charges, including murder. The case has drawn attention to widespread anger over the American health care system.
The high-profile trial of Agnes Setshwantsho, accused of murdering family members to claim insurance payouts, is set to commence in January next year. Setshwantsho faces charges of murder, two counts of fraud, and defeating the ends of justice. She was arrested in Gauteng late last year.
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has pledged a seamless experience for international travelers following recent disruptions at OR Tambo International Airport.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is set to kick off nationwide festive season operations in Cape Town today. The initiative aims to ensure the safety of South Africans and visitors during the busy holiday period.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has revealed that 512 people have lost their lives on South Africa’s roads since December 1. Speaking at a media briefing in the Western Cape on Thursday, Creecy highlighted a worrying rise in road accidents and fatalities during the festive season.
Traffic on the R61 in Port Edward, on the south coast, has come to a halt following an obstruction at the uMtamvuna bridge, which is blocking access to the Eastern Cape. Reports indicate that the road is blocked by a combination of trucks and minibus taxis, though the cause of the closure remains unclear.
The United States has reported its first severe human case of bird flu, with a Louisiana resident hospitalized in critical condition after suspected contact with an infected backyard flock. The patient, who has underlying health conditions and is over 65 years old, is suffering from severe respiratory illness, marking a more severe manifestation of the H5N1 virus. This case is the first linked to non-commercial poultry, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has urged men to seek assistance rather than resort to violence when facing domestic challenges, following the tragic murder of a woman on the province's south coast. The incident, which occurred earlier this week, saw Nontobeko Cele fatally stabbed in uMzinto.
The N3 Toll Concession has advised motorists to postpone their travel plans on the N3 Van Reenen Pass following a major truck accident that caused significant traffic delays on Thursday morning. The incident involved a jackknifed truck that obstructed the northbound carriageway.
Efforts by a Presidential task team to restore Durban's appeal as a prime holiday destination are showing positive results, according to Tourism Minister Patricia De Lille. The task team, formed in February, was tasked with addressing declining tourist numbers following the 2021 civil unrest and concerns over water quality at Durban's beaches, which were previously impacted by high e-coli levels linked to sewage spills.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) has identified the Department of Defence as the leading national department in late supplier payments, with overdue invoices amounting to R348 million in the second quarter of the 2024/25 financial year. Despite showing some improvement from the previous quarter, only 19 of the 42 national departments fully complied with legislation requiring timely payment of supplier invoices.
The funeral service for veteran broadcaster and cultural activist Mala Lutchmanan is being held today at the Clare Estate Crematorium, west of Durban. Lutchmanan, who passed away yesterday at the age of 64, leaves behind a profound legacy as a radio presenter, educator, and author.
Six illegal miners have been apprehended at two separate shafts in Stilfontein as part of ongoing efforts to combat unlawful mining in the region. Provincial police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone confirmed that the individuals face multiple charges, including illegal mining, trespassing, and contravention of the Immigration Act.
Motorists can expect a mix of price increases and decreases in fuel costs for January, according to the Automobile Association (AA). Based on unaudited mid-month data from the Central Energy Fund, the AA predicts a potential 11-cent rise in the price of petrol per litre.
Deputy National Police Commissioner Tebello Mosikili has confirmed that 41 people have died as a result of foodborne illnesses across South Africa. Mosikili, also the chairperson of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), spoke during a media briefing in Pretoria this morning, where government ministers outlined the national response to the growing crisis.
A toddler is currently recovering in hospital following a near-drowning incident in Kloof on Wednesday morning. Paramedics responded to the scene at a private residence on Springdale Road, where the approximately one-year-old girl was found in a swimming pool.
A man who allegedly confessed to murdering his girlfriend has been found dead in what police believe to be a suicide. The tragic incident occurred on the province's south coast, where the 25-year-old woman’s body was discovered in Umzinto on Tuesday night.
The deadline for spaza shop owners to complete their registration has been extended to 28 February 2025. Food-handling business owners, including spaza shop operators, are now required to submit their completed applications, along with all necessary documentation, at designated customer care centres.
KwaZulu-Natal authorities are intensifying efforts to ensure compliance among food-handling facilities, manufacturers, and retailers. This comes as the registration deadline for spaza shop owners, mandated by President Cyril Ramaphosa last month, closed on Tuesday. Non-compliant shops now face potential closure.
The mpox epidemic has spread to nearly every health district in Burundi, with experts raising concerns over the government’s handling of the outbreak and lack of transparency. A Burundian doctor, speaking anonymously to AFP, criticized authorities for their "catastrophic, irresponsible, and criminal" management of the crisis.
