TrendySA Online

Johannesburg - South African musician and actress Winnie Khumalo has sadly passed away at her home after a short illness. Khumalo, who has enjoyed success in her resounding music career, was only 51 years old. Her death was announced today, Tuesday, 7 January. Heartfelt tribute messages have began flooding various social media networks, including those of fellow colleagues in the entertainment industry and fans. "The Khumalo family is in our thoughts and prayers as they mourn the loss of their beloved daughter, Winnie Khumalo. May her soul rest in peace. Her passing is a tremendous loss not only to her family, but to the entire nation of South Africa and the music industry, which she touched with her incredible talent. May her memory be a blessing to all who knew her, and may her music continue to inspire and uplift us in the days ahead. Rest in peace, Winnie Khumalo. Your legacy will live on in our hearts" - wrote Rainydays holdings. This is a developing story.

An accident between a truck and mini bus has claimed a total of 18 lives on the Van Reenen Pass, N3, last night, 6 January. The KZN Department of Transport confirmed that the number of people who have perished has increased from 10 to 18 (13 adults and 5 Children).  MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma said: "We have just received a very disturbing report from a highly dedicated team from Road Traffic Inspectorate. "Initially, we reported that unfortunately between eight and ten or more have died following a horrific accident involving a truck and a taxi. The number has increased to 18 (13 adults and 5 children)". The accident happened just between 20h30 and 21h00 in Van Reenen along the N3. "We wish to send our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. I have requested a comprehensive report from our dedicated RTI team," said Duma. Traffic remains backed up on the N3 this morning. This is a developing story.

Pretoria - President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the late Prof Sibusiso Bengu, the democratic South Africa’s first Minister of Education, will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2. Prof Bengu passed away on 30 December 2024 at the age of 90. President Ramaphosa reiterates his deep condolences to the family and friends of Prof Bengu, who also served as South Africa’s ambassador to Germany from 1999 to 2003. Prof Bengu’s Special Official Funeral Category 2 will be held at the University of Zululand in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday, 10 January 2025. Proceedings will include ceremonial elements rendered by the South African Police Service. President Ramaphosa has directed that the National Flag be flown at half mast at flag stations around the country from tomorrow morning, Tuesday, 7 January, until the evening of the funeral. Source: GovZA

Durban - Having gone missing for a couple of days, Ayabonga Mjilo, aged 23, was discovered murdered and buried in a shallow grave in eNanda, KwaZulu-Natal.  According to police, the woman was last seen leaving a restaurant in Umhlanga with a male companion in the early hours of 25 December 2024 and a case of kidnapping was opened after she did not return home. Thorough police investigations uncovered the identity of the man who was seen leaving the establishment with the missing woman. During the investigations it was discovered that the man, who was her manager at work, took her to his home at Amaotana area in Inanda. The two reportedly had an altercation and the man allegedly strangled her to death and buried her body in his yard. The suspect (37) was arrested on Saturday morning, 4 January 2025 and appeared in the Durban Magistrate's Court on Monday, 6 January 2025, facing charges of kidnapping, murder and defeating the ends of justice. This is a developing story.

Pietermaritzburg - A two-truck accident has left multiple injured and one person severely entrapped in Tweedie, outside Pietermaritzburg, today, Sunday, 5 January. Midlands EMS crews were on the scene of this serious motor vehicle accident involving the two trucks. According to the report, the collision has left three people severely injured, with one person trapped under one of the trucks. Midlands EMS Advanced Life Support paramedics and rescue medics are working tirelessly alongside the Fire Department and towing companies to extricate the trapped individual. The N3 southbound was closed earlier to allow emergency service to clear the scene.

Pietermaritzburg - Two pedestrians were killed after allegedly attempting to rob another pedestrian in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday, 5 January. Midlands EMS crews were dispatched to the N3 Northbound near Liberty Mall following reports of a pedestrian accident. Upon arrival, it was established that two individuals, allegedly attempting to rob a pedestrian, fled and ran across the N3, where they were struck by a truck. According to Midlands EMS, both pedestrians sustained fatal injuries and were declared deceased at the scene. Authorities were present to investigate further. This is a developing story.

One life was lost when an accident involving a bus took place in Ndwedwe, north of Durban this weekend. On Saturday (4 January)afternoon, IPSS Medical Rescue received calls for assistance from EMRS after a bus travelling on the P100 lost control. Sadly one person lost their life, three people were in a critical condition, four sustained moderate injuries and 50 people sustained minor injuries. Patients were stabilised on scene by Paramedics from various services, and were transported to appropriate facilities for further care. Our condolences go out to the friends and family of the deceased.   The cause of the accident will be investigated further by SAPS, but according to eyewitnesses the bus experienced brake failure which led to the accident.

A man was reported to have drowned while swimming in the Umhlatuze River this week. On Wednesday, 1 January, the Empangeni SAPS Search & Rescue responded to the area, due to failing light and the presence of crocodiles, the decision was made to resume the search on Thursday morning. According to Arrive Alive, Empangeni SAPS Search & Rescue, IPSS Search & Rescue, PACSYS and Umlalazi Fire returned to the area on Thursday morning to continue the search. With the use of a drone, rope system and rescue raft (croc), SAPS divers were able to safely locate the body of the victim. His body was recovered, and handed over to Mtunzini SAPS for further investigation.

A 16-year-old girl, arrested for allegedly stabbing her 24-year-old boyfriend, is expected to appear in the Modimolle Magistrate Court today, Friday, 3 January. The police at Modimolle  arrested the 16-old-girl in connection with the fatal stabbing of the boyfriend. According to reports, the incident happened on 01 January 2025 at about 05:20 following a love-triagle dispute. During the altercation, the accused allegedly drew a knife from her bag she was carrying and stabbed her boyfriend who sustained serious injuries on his body. He walked towards his home but succumbed to stab wounds at the corner of Moloantoa and Selemela streets Extension 8 Phagameng in an open field at Modimolle. He was found by his friend at the scene and Emergency Medical Services were summoned to the scene and was certified dead. A case of murder was registered for further investigation.  This is a developing story.

Government responders at the scene. Aliwal North -  A single-vehicle accident on the N6 near Aliwal North in the Free State has claimed the life of one female and left three others injured. The incident occurred on January 2, 2025, at approximately 09:00, when a silver Ford Kuga overturned. The vehicle, which was travelling from the Eastern Cape to Orkney in the North West, lost control and overturned. Emergency services responded quickly, transporting the injured patients to Stoffel Coetzee Hospital for treatment. Provincial Traffic, Municipal Traffic, SAPS, EMS, and Fire Department all responded to the scene. The road remained open, despite the accident.

POTCHEFSTROOM – Police have launched a manhunt following a cash-in-transit heist that occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, 31 December 2024. It is alleged that a cash-in-transit van with two security officers inside, was travelling from Moruleng village to Mogwase at about 18:00. Along the way, at Letsheng section, just before the van could go over a speed hump, it was blocked by a Mercedes Benz sedan that came from the side road.   According to information received, a number of heavily armed suspects emerged and started firing shots at the escort vehicle that came to a halt not far from the scene and the crew managed to flee unharmed. Another BMW vehicle blocked the road for other road users. The two security officers inside the cash van were forced out of the van at gunpoint and robbed of their firearms. An unconfirmed number of suspects used explosives to blow up the cash van and took an undisclosed amount of cash. Moreover, the Mercedes Benz and the cash van caught fire a...

South African Government wishes its citizens a Happy New Year A new year brings new opportunities, new hopes, and new beginnings. Let’s start this year with gratitude for the lessons of the past and excitement for the promise of the future. May 2025 be filled with health, happiness, and success for you and your loved ones. Here’s to new adventures, endless possibilities, and making every moment count. Let’s make this year our best one yet! Source: South African Government

City of Cape Town MMC for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith has sent many praises to volunteer firefighters who stopped at nothing to protect properties this festive season. "And while the sun is giving its last rays over our coast, these volunteers are still at it. With crews from Volunteer Wildfire Services high up on the slopes still, they are going through all the burned vynbos, looking for any burning embers, putting these out so we don't get any nasty surprises through the night," said Smith. "Crews from their base were deployed immediately, with additional volunteers called from standby, from across our city. "These crews will only come back down much later tonight. They won't be getting paid for their service, they are all volunteers, every single one of them. They formed their organisation purely for the purpose of good, to help protect our City against the effects of wildfire, to help protect our natural heritage. "The only way they are a...

WESTERN CAPE - Ongoing festive season operations yielded success when members of the Anti-Gang Unit arrested suspects for the illegal possession of firearms during weekend operations. On, Saturday, 28 December 2024 the members searched a premises in Moray Court, Hanover Park and arrested a 15 year old male when he was found in possession of a 9mm pistol without a serial number with ammunition. He was arrested for the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. A 19-year-old male who is wanted on an attempted murder case was also arrested. Furthermore, members of the Anti-Gang Unit deployed in the Delft policing precinct due to the ongoing gang violence in the area, searched a premises in Buffalo Street, The Hague on Saturday evening. They confiscated a 9mm pistol with ammunition which was hidden in the roof of the house. A 21-year-old man was arrested for the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. The suspects are due to make their respective court appearances ...

Johannesburg -  On Monday, 23 December 2024, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department ( JMPD ) Tactical Response Unit responded to a report of unauthorized borehole drilling activity in the vicinity of Nugget Street, near the intersection of Main and Fox Streets. Upon further investigation, it was established that two additional buildings along Durban and Delvers Streets also had unauthorized borehole drilling conducted without the necessary documentation or approval from the City of Johannesburg. The operator of the drilling truck at the initial site was arrested along with the individuals involved in the drilling at the other two buildings. The five male suspects were detained at the SAPS Johannesburg Central Police Station for tampering with critical infrastructure. The JMPD has impounded the drilling equipment used at all three locations. The department is following up on the matter and will take appropriate action against all those involved. "The JMPD would like to rei...

POLOKWANE – Operation Vala Umgodi, intelligence-driven joint operation between Sunday, 29 December and early hours of Monday, 30 December 2024, delivered significant results in the fight against crime in Limpopo. On Sunday, 29 December 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM, the team arrived in Musina Town and proceeded to Musina City Centre and China City to carry out Vehicle Check Point (VCP) duties. During the operation in the City Centre, officers successfully arrested a foreign national and confiscated counterfeit goods with an estimated value of R2 million. The 34-year-old suspect was issued a summons and fined R5000, which was paid at Musina SAPS. The counterfeit goods were seized and registered in the SAP 13. The suspect is expected to appear before the Magistrate's Court soon. Additionally, nine undocumented foreign nationals were arrested. In a separate operation, the Vala Umgodi Task Team in Waterberg District worked alongside the Tactical Joint Operational Centre (...