TrendySA Online

PIETERMARITZBURG - In a joint effort between uMgungundlovu Crime Intelligence, Alexandra police station Crime Prevention officers, and Mi7 National Group, three suspects linked to the kidnapping and assault of a Pietermaritzburg woman were arrested after exhaustive investigations.  On Tuesday, 28 January, the elderly woman was allegedly kidnapped by four people, two men and two women, from a shopping centre in Scottsville. It is believed the four lured the woman into their vehicle, a Suzuki Ertiga, and demanded access to her banking app. When she didn't comply, she was beaten relentlessly inside the vehicle as the suspects left the area.  Unfortunately, the woman was assaulted so badly that her device's facial recognition software could not verify her features to allow access to the banking app. That is when the suspects allegedly contacted the woman's daughter to ask for a passcode to the app. Becoming suspicious, the daughter immediately reported this to the p...

JOHANNESBURG - South African consumers will have to brace for another blow to their cost of living, as the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has approved a 12.74% electricity price hike for Eskom, set to take effect in the next financial year. The regulator has also approved further hikes of 5.36% for 2026/27 and a further increase of 6.19% for the 2027/28 financial year. The decision comes as part of Eskom’s Sixth Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD6) revenue application for the 2025/26, 2026/27, and 2027/28 financial years, which was announced on Thursday afternoon. Tough balancing act NERSA Board Chairperson, Thembani Bukula, described the complexity of the decision-making process as a “delicate balancing act” of "conflict" that took into account the needs of all stakeholders. “We are required to ensure that Eskom is sustainable within the short and the long term. At the same time, we are required to ensure that the electricity services that Es...

"When every second counts", is a phrase synonymous with First Responders such as Paramedics at an accident scene. Knowing what to do when an ambulance is behind you can save lives!  Here are a few simple but vital steps to help paramedics reach those in need quickly and safely, courtesy of ALS Paramedics Medical Services: * Move to the side: Create space for the ambulance to pass. * Give way: Prioritise the emergency vehicle’s path. * Stop until the ambulance passes through: Avoid driving ahead or next to it. * Keep the centre lane open: This is crucial for smooth passage in heavy traffic. Your quick actions can make all the difference. 

JOHANNESURG - After more than 10 months of uninterrupted electricity supply due to the success of the Generation Recovery Plan, Eskom has issued an alert indicating a high risk of loadshedding at short notice. “This is a potentially temporary setback. Loadshedding is largely behind us due to the structural improvements in our generation fleet. However, over the past seven days, we have experienced several breakdowns that require extended repair times. This has necessitated the use of all our emergency reserves, which now need to be replenished. Consequently, we are closely monitoring the status of our current emergency reserves, and loadshedding up to Stage 4 may be implemented over the weekend.” said Eskom Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane. Eskom will issue further updates in due course. Source: Eskom

DURBAN - A feared gang leader of the notorious Inanda West Gang and his accomplice were shot and fatally wounded in a shootout with police at Cottonlands in Verulam on Thursday afternoon. Police operationalised intelligence about the gang leader and his two accomplices who were driving to Umhlanga, reportedly to collect drugs and ammunition. When the three left Umhlanga, they swapped vehicles and vigilant police managed to identify them and followed them until the suspects parked their vehicle along Vincent Dickinson Road in Cottonlands. When police approached their vehicle, the suspects opened fire towards the police and a shootout ensued. The 22-year-old gang leader and his 27-year-old accomplice sustained fatal gunshot wounds during the shootout. A search is underway for the third suspect who narrowly evaded arrest. The gang leader had a warrant of arrest against him on a case of murder. He was linked to over 20 cases and had allegedly killed over 10 people. His other ca...

PRETORIA - International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, has urged Rwanda to stop its support for the M23 group and to withdraw its forces from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). “The unauthorised presence of the Rwanda Defence Forces in eastern DRC violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC,” the Minister said at the 1257th Meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC), on Tuesday.  Several soldiers serving with peacekeeping forces in the DRC were killed by the M23 rebel group in recent days following intense fighting, including 13 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Deadly clashes have erupted in eastern DRC following Kinshasa’s withdrawal of its diplomats from Kigali, as rebels backed by Rwanda advance toward the key city of Goma, which is rich in minerals.  The soldiers of the SANDF are part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Cong...

DURBAN - Former President Jacob Zuma's daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla appeared in the Durban Magistrate's Court today, Thursday, 30 January, facing charges relating to the July 2021 unrest. Represented by Advocate Dali Mpofu, Duduzile was released on warning after a bail of R3000 was proposed. The State did not oppose the bail on the basis that she handed herself over for processing and court appearance. The matter will now move to the Durban High Court on 20 March 2025. Duduzile, a member of uMkhonto Wesizwe Party, is accused of encouraging anarchy during the 2021 July unrest which left parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal in dissarry. The unrest saw the looting and torching of shopping centres which was triggered by the arrest of Zuma for contempt of court.  More than 300 people lost their lives during the act.

KWAZULU-NATAL - Approximately 150 bags of cement were looted from a truck in Hambanathi in KZN on Wednesday, 29 January. Members of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) were called out to Manzekhofi Road after approximately thirty (30) individuals on foot and in vehicles began looting the truck.  On arrival, Reaction Officers dispersed the crowd and secured the balance of the load.  According to the driver, he took a wrong turn and ended up on a narrow road. He experienced difficulty in reversing due to the length of the trailers.  Reaction Officers escorted the truck to its destination.

KWAZULU-NATAL- Royal AM is looking to bolster its ladies squad by trialing new talent this week. The Pietermaritzburg-based club, owned by Shawn Mkhize aka Mamkhize will be holding trials on Friday and Saturday, details below: Royal AM is excited to announce open trials for our Ladies team! Join us at Dare Osborn Sports Ground (Harry Gwala stadium) on: Friday, January 31st | 9:00am - 1:00pm Saturday, February 1st | 9:00am - 1:00pm Age: 16 to 22 "Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your skills and join the Royal AM family! "We look forward to seeing you on the pitch!"  While the future looks promising for the female squad, the gents are currently dark following the indefinite suspension of all the matches in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

RANDBURG - Gossip blogger Musawenkosi Khawula returned to the Randburg Magistrate’s Court today, Wednesday,  29 January, where he appeared briefly and unexpectedly abandoned his bail application. His legal representative told the court that Khawula will be abandoning bail for now due to a pending matter in the Fochville Magistrate's Court . The court has postponed the case to 18 February. He faces charges of attempted murder, alternatively reckless driving, as well as an additional charge of failing to render assistance and/or report an accident to the police. The celebrity blogger also faces charges of crimen injuria and Contravention of Section 19 of the Cyber Crimes Act of 2020 and Hate Speech. This is a developing story.