Author: NationWatch
A devastating fire that tore through a five-storey building in central Johannesburg on Thursday claimed the lives of at least 73 people, including children, while 52 others sustained injuries. Authorities said the building, which had been illegally occupied, was located in one of the city’s most deprived and crime-ridden areas. According to Emergency Management Services (EMS) spokesman Robert Mulaudzi, the fire is one of the deadliest seen in recent years. “We have now 73 fatalities and 52 people injured who were transported to various healthcare facilities for further medical care,” he said. Officials revealed that many of the victims were…
The Western Cape branch of South Africa’s taxi union has called off a week-long strike that crippled public transport in Cape Town and left thousands of commuters stranded. The strike, led by the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco), was in protest of a new by-law allowing the City of Cape Town to impound vehicles instead of issuing fines for certain traffic offences. The controversial regulation permits law enforcement to impound vehicles that are unlicensed, overloaded, without registration plates, or fail to stop when ordered by a police officer. Taxi operators argued that the by-law unfairly targets them and demanded…
Bafana Bafana coach Morena Ramoreboli says the biggest challenge his understrength squad faced during the 2023 Cosafa Cup was the lack of regular game time for most players in the 2022–23 season. Bafana earned a bronze medal after beating Malawi on penalties in the third-place playoff at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban on Sunday. Ramoreboli revealed that about 80% of his players had not played regularly for their clubs during the season. “Assembling a squad where so few, apart from some exceptions like Lyle Lakay, Rowan Human, Tshegofatso Mabasa and Katlego Mohamme, seem likely to make a front-line Bafana line-up,…
A suspected gas leak in South Africa has claimed the lives of 17 people, including three children, in an informal settlement in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg. According to local officials, the victims died from gas inhalation, and police have warned residents to stay clear of the area as the scene remains hazardous. Forensic investigators continue to assess the site. Authorities have linked the incident to illegal gold mining activities in the area. Gases are often used by illegal miners—known locally as zama zamas—to extract gold from soil taken from abandoned mine shafts. One of the gas cylinders was discovered leaking…
Several people have died and dozens of homes have been destroyed following severe flash floods in parts of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The flooding came after heavy rainfall and strong winds hit the province beginning on June 27, 2023. Within a 24-hour period to June 28, the community of Paddock in Ugu District recorded 176mm of rain, while Sezela, also in Ugu District, recorded 84mm. In Mount Edgecombe, located in eThekwini, the Greater Durban Metropolitan area, 72mm of rain was recorded during the same period. Emergency services carried out multiple rescue operations across eThekwini on June 28. Members of the…
South Africa’s corruption watchdog on Friday cleared President Cyril Ramaphosa of any wrongdoing in connection with a farm cash scandal that had become one of the most significant controversies of his presidency. The scandal broke in June 2022 when former South African intelligence chief Arthur Fraser lodged a police complaint, alleging that Ramaphosa had hidden the 2020 theft of about $4 million from his Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo Province. After an extensive probe, Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka announced that Ramaphosa had not violated the executive ethics code or the constitution. “Aggregated against the standard imposed by the…
The 2023 South African National Shutdown took place on March 20, 2023, organised by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The protest was held a day before Human Rights Day and aimed to demand the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa and an end to load-shedding across the country. EFF leader Julius Malema had earlier warned businesses nationwide to close their doors during the protest or risk being looted. Despite the warning, several businesses and public services operated under heavy security supervision. The shutdown saw widespread demonstrations in different parts of the country, including Tsakane, Gauteng, where large groups of protesters gathered.…
South African rapper AKA’s newest album, Mass Country, has made a global impact with its feature on a billboard in New York’s iconic Times Square. The achievement marks a major milestone for the late artist, showcasing his musical legacy on one of the world’s most recognized advertising stages. Mass Country, released in February 2023, has received widespread acclaim from fans and music critics alike, celebrating AKA’s creativity and contribution to South African hip-hop. The Times Square feature serves as a tribute to the rapper’s enduring influence and the global reach of his artistry.
The Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, has officially released the 2022 matric results. Motshekga made the announcement during a live broadcast on Thursday evening, marking the culmination of the 2022 academic year for Grade 12 learners across South Africa. The release of the results follows months of anticipation among matriculants, teachers, and parents nationwide.
Volkswagen South Africa recorded impressive vehicle sales in 2022, with a total of 63,601 units sold domestically. Of these, 58,447 were passenger cars, giving the German automaker a 16.4% share of the total passenger car market. According to Steffen Knapp, head of the Volkswagen Passenger Car brand, 5,154 commercial vehicles were sold locally during the same period. Volkswagen also achieved strong export figures, shipping 98,315 Polos to 38 international countries, representing an increase of 8,942 units compared to 2021. The Polo Vivo emerged as Volkswagen’s best-selling model in 2022, with 20,866 units sold. The Polo followed with 15,697 units, while…