TrendySA Online

DURBAN - Public assistance is required in locating a silver VW Polo that was reported stolen in Durban. The vehicle was stolen from the Laguna Pools on the Durban Beachfront in Durban - KZN, at approximately 14:00 on Tuesday, 10 December 2025. It was later spotted in Umlazi – KZN shortly after the theft. Vehicle details:  • Make & Model: VW Polo  • Colour: Silver  • Registration: CR60NMZN  • Fuel level: Approximately R300 petrol at the time of theft Identifying features:  • Window tint removed  • Tow bar fitted  • Island-style sticker on the right rear bumper  • Cricket ball–sized dent on the right rear door below the window  • Minor dents on the driver’s door Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the vehicle is urged to contact Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) on 086 1234 333. 

GAUTENG - On Monday, 8 December 2025, the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU), under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Arends, conducted a search operation at the Heidelberg Correctional Facility. This initiative was executed in collaboration with facility management, including the Communications Department, the Emergency Support Team (EST), and various units of the South African Police Service (SAPS). The operation involved the search of over 100 inmates, resulting in the confiscation of numerous illegal items, including cellphones, chargers, earphones, a laptop, cash, dagga, tattoo machines, and various grocery items. On Wednesday, 10 December 2025, the #AGU returned to the Boksburg Correctional Facility for another search of approximately 150 inmates, resulting in the seizure of contraband such as multiple cellphones, a mini hi-fi, chargers, a knife, various grocery items, dagga, and cash. Further charges were imposed on the inmates found in possession of these contraband items. Lt ...

GAUTENG - Traffic authorities have arrested more than 500 drunk drivers nationally over the weekend in a drive intended to reduce the number road crashes and fatalities in this festive season period. The highest number of arrests were in Gauteng, followed by North West and the Eastern Cape from Friday to Sunday. The National Traffic Police also contributed immensely by arresting a total of 104 drivers. The provincial breakdown of the arrests are as follows: Gauteng - 138 North West - 95 Limpopo- 71 Eastern Cape - 69 Western Cape - 61 KwaZulu Natal - 21 No arrests were made in Free State, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape.  Drunk driving operations will be intensified in coming days especially over the December 16 long weekend, Christmas and Family as well as the New Year’s Day holidays. These days are generally associated with high alcohol consumption when people are having with family and friends. Unfortunately it leads to an increase in road crashes which claim many lives....

MPUMALANGA - Seven people lost their lives instantly when a sedan and a light delivery vehicle (LDV) collided on the N12 between Ogies and Emalahleni on Monday morning (08 December 2025).  The crash happened when one of the vehicles seemingly lost control and veered completely off the road and crossed into the opposite direction before colliding with the vehicle in the opposite lane. The road is such that there is space in the middle of two roadways going in opposite directions, each with multiple lanes. This seems to suggest that one of the vehicles must have been moving at a high speed.  Five of the deceased were occupants in the sedan, and two victims were in the LDV. There were no survivors in this crash. The sedan had two females and three males, while the LDV victims were all males.  The investigation into the collission by the police, Road Traffic Management Cooperation and the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, is already underway. H...

DURBAN - EThekwini Municipality has assured the public that the incident captured in a video currently circulating on social media, purporting to show a gas explosion in the Durban CBD, was not a gas-related event, contrary to speculation. The incident which took place at the corner of Dorothy Nyembe and Anton Lembede streets was the result of electrical cable arcing. Arcing refers to an electrical discharge or spark that occurs when electricity jumps between damaged conductors. In this case, the spark and visible flare stemmed from minor cable damage, and not from ageing infrastructure. "Crucially, there were no injuries, fatalities, or disruptions to electricity supply in the area. The municipality’s Energy Management team was immediately dispatched to the site, swiftly containing the situation. "We strongly urge residents and stakeholders to rely on official communication channels for verified updates and to refrain from sharing unconfirmed reports that may ca...

POLOKWANE - Orlando Pirates were crowned Carling Knockout champions on Saturday after edging past Marumo Gallants, securing a 1-0 victory to claim a win in the final played at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium. It was the end of a long wait for League Cup glory for the Buccaneers, who left it until late before producing the decisive touch in a marathon encounter to bag their second trophy in the 2025/26 season. In clinching what had been an elusive title, they defeated a determined Gallants outfit that had claimed a couple of big scalps in their road to the final. Pirates had gone into their final competitive fixture before the festive season break looking to cap an excellent start to the season with one more piece of silverware added to their cabinet. They were almost gifted the lead three minutes in through a sloppy pass from the Gallants defence, leading to a shot from striker Evidence Makgopa which was cleared off the line. The Buccaneers’ next shot on target came following...

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.