The body of an 11-year-old boy who allegedly drowned in the Kgotptjane River in Phuthaditjhaba on 19 September has been recovered after community members spotted it trapped around a tree.

The Pretoria Regional Court has postponed the corruption case against Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and 15 others to 17 November 2026, pending the completion of a review into the validity of the charges.

Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has told the Randburg Magistrates’ Court that he had consensual sexual intercourse with an 18-year-old woman and denies raping her. His bail application has been postponed to 1 October, and he will remain in custody.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has sent condolences to the families of 11 people killed when a minibus taxi and truck collided head-on near Mtubatuba. Nine of the victims were burnt beyond recognition, while nine others were seriously injured.

Suspended deputy national police commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya is expected back in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for a formal bail application after being arrested last week on five charges, including rape, human trafficking and sexual grooming of a child.

A man identified as a person of interest in the murder of 23-year-old Boitumelo Gift Mashita has been found dead inside his vehicle in Midrand hours after she was shot and killed in Thembisa.

Gauteng and Limpopo are bracing for severe thunderstorms, with hail, damaging winds, heavy rain and excessive lightning expected. Motorists are being urged to exercise extreme caution as stormy conditions could lead to flooding and dangerous driving conditions.

The South African Police Service says 14 274 suspects were arrested during Shanela operations between 21 and 27 September, while police seized 148 illegal firearms, more than 22 000 litres of alcohol and arrested 195 suspects for rape.

The Madlanga Commission has directed its secretary, Dr Nolitha Vukuza, to lay criminal charges against suspended Crime Intelligence deputy head Major General Firoz Khan after he failed to appear virtually to testify, despite being subpoenaed.

The war has killed nearly 200,000 people, according to estimates by humanitarian organizations, while regional and international interests have become the main driving force behind the conflict and the fuel that periodically reignites it.

A 60-year-old Mthatha businessman has been arrested for allegedly contravening the Firearms Control Act after police seized 140 firearms and found a further 135 firearms unaccounted for at his security company.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead South Africa’s National Heritage Day celebrations at Bongolethu Sport Stadium in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, on Thursday.

The Gauteng Provincial Government will host an Orange Day awareness programme in KwaThema on Friday, bringing together men, youth, law-enforcement officials and community members to strengthen efforts to combat gender-based violence and femicide.

The Pretoria High Court was shown a photograph allegedly depicting former defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula receiving a gift bag from defence contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, who claims it contained R250,000 in cash.

The Congress of South African Students has accused Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube of delaying the Foundation Phase textbook catalogue and failing to address challenges affecting learners, while calling for her removal.