Top Stories in South Africa this week: Lusikisiki shooting, Petrol Price, Drug mule, Duma Ka Ndlovu, Solly Moholo & more
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Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week!
This week, police are investigating a tragic mass shooting in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, where 18 people were killed across two homesteads. The victims were gathered for a family event when gunmen opened fire. A single suspect has been detained for questioning.
Meanwhile, a 21-year-old South African woman was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport for drug trafficking after arriving from São Paulo, Brazil. Authorities have so far recovered over 110 bullets of suspected cocaine from her stomach.
In other news, Deputy President Paul Mashatile continues his working visit in London after a successful trip to Ireland aimed at strengthening ties in education, science, and trade. On the legal front, TV and film producer Duma ka Ndlovu was granted R100,000 bail in connection to a tax fraud case.
Tributes have been pouring in for gospel legend Solly Moholo, who passed away at 65.
Lastly, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named his squad for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, with captain Ronwen Williams set to lead the team in their matches against Congo in October.
Here are the top stories of the week:
MANHUNT UNDERWAY AFTER 18 KILLED IN LUSIKISIKI MASS SHOOTING
Police have detained one individual for questioning in connection with the tragic mass shooting in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, where 18 people lost their lives.
The shootings occurred at two homesteads on the same street, leaving 12 women and one man dead at one location, and three women and one man at another. The victims were reportedly gathered for a family event when gunmen opened fire on Saturday.
The 18th victim succumbed to injuries in the hospital on Sunday, according to the South African Police Service. A manhunt is still underway as authorities search for the remaining assailants.
ANOTHER DRUG MULE, A 21-YEAR-OLD SOUTH AFRICAN WOMAN ARRESTED AT OR TAMBO
Recent incidents include a Namibian woman caught on 22 September and a Nigerian man arrested on 13 September, both also trafficking drugs from São Paulo. The woman is currently under police supervision as authorities monitor her condition for the release of more drug bullets.
TV PRODUCER DUMA KA NDLOVU GRANTED R100K BAIL OVER ALLEGED FRAUD AND TAX EVASION AMOUNTING TO R25 MILLION
X/HeidiGiokos
His co-accused, tax practitioners Rodney Mutsharini and Maxwell Mloyi, were each granted R50,000 bail.
The trio faces multiple fraud and tax evasion charges, with Ndlovu’s alleged tax evasion amounting to R25 million. The charges stem from Ndlovu’s involvement with his company, Ambrobrite, which was implicated during the Zondo Commission for benefiting from procurement advice and consultancy ties to Bain & Company under former president Jacob Zuma. Ndlovu is well know in the TV industry for shows like Muvhango, Imbewu: The Seed and Uzalo.
PETITION LAUNCHED AGAINST CHRIS BROWN’S SA PERFORMANCE DUE TO GBV HISTORY
Billboard
Non-profit organisation Women For Change (WFC) has expressed strong opposition to Chris Brown’s upcoming concerts in South Africa, stating that hosting the artist undermines the country’s efforts to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The call for cancellation comes in response to Brown’s history of violence against women, notably his 2009 assault on ex-girlfriend Rihanna (police report here), which continues to spark public outrage. With South Africa preparing to observe 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, WFC and its supporters believe giving Brown a platform would be an insult to the nation’s ongoing fight against GBV and femicide.
LIMPOPO PIG FARM ACCUSED TO RETURN TO COURT IN NOVEMBER
TownPress
The Polokwane Regional Court has postponed the bail hearing of three men accused of the murder of two women, Maria Makgato and Kudzai Ndlovu, to 6 November 2024.
The women’s decomposed bodies were discovered last month in a pigsty on a farm in Onverwacht, outside Polokwane.
A man who was with the victims also sustained gunshot wounds during the incident. The accused – Zacharia Olivier, Rudolf de Wet, and William Musora – face charges of murder, attempted murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
DEPUTY PRESIDENT MASHATILE IN LONDON TO BOOST SA-UK TRADE TIES
This follows a successful trip to Ireland aimed at improving trade and collaboration in education, science, and innovation.
The London visit focuses on strengthening South Africa’s trade and investment ties with the UK, one of its key partners. Mashatile will engage with global private sector leaders, including Bloomberg, Sasol, and Goldman Sachs, to attract foreign direct investment and build investor confidence in South Africa.
The visit also aligns with the Government of National Unity’s goals of fostering economic growth and creating an ethical developmental state.
GAUTENG MAKES FIRST PAYMENT OF R3.8 BILLION TOWARDS R12.9 BILLION E-TOLL DEBT
This payment includes R3.2 billion for the debt itself and an additional R546 million for maintenance.
The total debt is being split between the Gauteng Provincial Government, responsible for 30%, and National Treasury, covering 70%. The e-toll system was scrapped earlier this year, with the government assuming the financial burden to alleviate motorists.
However, five years of the sentence are suspended on the condition that La Grange avoids further fraud charges and testifies against other Steinhoff employees.
La Grange’s conviction stems from a plea deal in which he admitted to defrauding Steinhoff of over R367 million by manipulating financial statements in 2016. His fraudulent activities, conducted under the instruction of then-CEO Markus Jooste, contributed to the collapse of the company.
Steinhoff, a global retail giant, was liquidated in 2023 following years of investigations into financial misconduct. La Grange has also been fined R2 million and is banned from holding office in a public company for 10 years. The National Prosecuting Authority and Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation welcomed the conviction, marking it as progress in one of South Africa’s largest corporate fraud cases.
GOSPEL LEGEND SOLLY MOHOLO PASSES AWAY AT 65
sollymoholo_official/instagram.com
Tributes are flooding in for renowned gospel musician Solomon Molokoane, affectionately known as Solly Moholo, who passed away at the age of 65.
Known for his unwavering faith, Moholo’s music has deeply touched fans across South Africa and beyond. His legacy in gospel music remains strong, with heartfelt tributes pouring in from all corners.
PETROL PRICE DROPS BY R1.14 FOR OCTOBER
Local motorists are in for good news as fuel prices took a dip on Wednesday, 2 October 2024.
The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources announced the decreases across all grades of petrol and diesel.
Key adjustments include:
Petrol 93: Down by R1.06
Petrol 95: Down by R1.14
Diesel (0.05%): Down by R1.14
Diesel (0.005%): Down by R1.12
Illuminating paraffin: Down by R1.11
For Gauteng, petrol 95 now costs R21.05 per litre, while coastal areas see prices drop to R20.26.
LIMPOPO POLICE UNCOVER DRUG LAB IN MAKOTSE VILLAGE, SEIZE R4 MILLION IN DRUGS
During a joint operation by the Limpopo Provincial Organised Crime Unit, Flying Squad, and Lebowakgomo SAPS on 29 September 2024, police seized drugs worth R4 million and arrested three suspects aged between 25 and 33.
Mandrax was found at the suspects’ residence, alongside a drug lab filled with chemicals used in production. The SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory has been called in to investigate, and security remains tight at the site.
PRASA TO EXTEND TRAIN SERVICES FOR FANS GOING TO WATCH MTN8 FINAL IN DURBAN
The move aims to ease traffic congestion and provide fans with convenient travel options.
Special trains will connect Umlazi, Winkelspruit, KwaMashu, Pinetown, Cato Ridge, and Crossmore to Durban Station, where fans can transfer to Moses Mabhida Station. Shuttle services between Durban Station and Moses Mabhida will run every 15 minutes from 13:00 to 17:00 and resume from 20:15 to 22:00. See full schedule here.
ROAD CLOSURES IN SANDTON FOR RED BULL SHOWRUN THIS WEEKEND
To accommodate this thrilling motorsport spectacle featuring the Oracle Red Bull Racing RB7 Formula 1 car, drivers should plan for detours and allow for extra travel time. Renowned British F1 legend David Coulthard will be leading the showrun, promising an electrifying experience for motorsport enthusiasts.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to take note of the closures and to seek alternative routes to avoid traffic congestion in the area.
Road closures in effect in and around the event location:
Katherine Street – between Pretoria Avenue and Rivonia Road
West Street – between Rivonia Road and Weirda Road East.
5th Street – Between Rivonia Road and Katherine Street.
Pybus Street – Between Rivonia Road and Katherine Street.
Johan Street – Between Weirda Road East and Katherine Street.
Albertyn Street – Between Weirda Road East and Katherine Street.
Discovery Place – Between Katherine Street and Park Lane.
Rivonia Road – Between Pretoria Ave and Katherine Street/Sandton Drive.
Park Lane – Between Discovery Place and Wierda Road West
CASE AGAINST FORMER MINISTER ZIZI KODWA AND CO-ACCUSED POSTPONED
X
The case against former minister Zizi Kodwa and his co-accused, Jehan MacKay, has been postponed to 24 October 2024.
The pair face allegations of bribery, with claims that Kodwa received over R1.6 million in return for influencing government IT tenders.
Kodwa and MacKay briefly appeared before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Palm Ridge, Johannesburg. MacKay, a former director at Enterprise Outsourcing Holdings, is accused of offering bribes to secure multi-million rand tenders for his company.
Kodwa’s legal team has previously expressed frustration over ongoing delays in the case.
BAFANA BAFANA GEARS FOR AFCON QUALIFIERS AGAINST CONGO
Broos has welcomed back captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to lead the team.
South Africa will first face Congo in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, on Friday, 11 October 2024, before heading to Congo for the return fixture on Tuesday, 15 October 2024.
Competing in Group K with Congo, South Sudan, and Uganda, Bafana Bafana are aiming to secure one of the top two spots to qualify for the AFCON tournament, set to be held in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
