A growing number of South Africans are falling victim to a disturbing criminal trend in which robbers escalate attacks into short-term abductions and force victims to transfer money using mobile banking applications. Security analysts have described these incidents as “express kidnappings” — crimes that often begin as armed robberies, hijackings, or opportunistic attacks before quickly…
Cape Town’s coastline, known worldwide for its scenic beauty and thriving marine life, is now facing an escalating public health concern as rabies continues to spread among local seal colonies. City officials have confirmed that the virus has become endemic within Cape fur seal populations along the Cape coastline, raising alarm for beachgoers, surfers, boaters…
Temu has introduced a significant update for customers in South Africa by including VAT and applicable import duties directly in the checkout total. The move simplifies the shopping experience by allowing consumers to pay the full cost upfront instead of settling a separate customs bill after dispatch. Previously, South African shoppers often received a tax…
South Africa’s banking sector could soon welcome a major new player, with retail giant Pepkor preparing to launch a low-cost digital bank as early as 2027. The planned lender, currently referred to as plusb, is expected to focus on everyday consumers, particularly customers earning below R15,000 a month. Unlike traditional banks that rely heavily on…
South Africa’s digital transformation efforts have suffered a major setback after the Auditor-General revealed that billions of rand have been spent on government IT systems that either failed outright or delivered little practical value. According to the Auditor-General of South Africa’s 2024/25 consolidated report on national and provincial audit outcomes, 41 ICT projects across government…
Rosebank, one of Johannesburg’s most sought-after residential and commercial precincts, is increasingly being flagged as a new hijacking hotspot in South Africa, according to the latest crime data. Figures released by the South African Police Service for the third quarter of 2025, covering October to December, recorded 4,778 carjacking cases nationwide — equivalent to around…
Authorities have issued a fresh warning to visitors at Kruger National Park following a series of incidents involving reckless behaviour near wild animals. The warning comes after videos circulating on social media showed tourists leaving their vehicles to approach dangerous wildlife, sparking concern among officials and conservation experts. In one widely shared clip, a visitor…
A South African court has cleared a major legal hurdle in a high-profile international fraud case, ruling that a group of Nigerian nationals can be extradited to the United States to face criminal charges. The Western Cape High Court dismissed an appeal brought by several of the accused, who had sought to block their extradition….
South African motorists may soon see the end of the country’s long-standing five-year driving licence renewal cycle, as Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has confirmed that the proposed extension to eight years remains on track. The development follows renewed pressure from civil rights organisation AfriForum, which wrote to the minister in February urging the Department of…
Seven years after body-worn cameras were first proposed for South African police officers, the technology is still not operational, with authorities confirming that the project remains in the procurement phase. Acting police chief minister Firoz Cachalia said the first phase of the long-delayed nationwide rollout officially began in April 2026. Project still in contracting stage…
