LATEST NEWS: Yet another fire at Durban’s China Mall in Springfield park
Firefighters are fighting a fire at Springfield Park's China Mall in Durban that destroyed numerous stores.
Wednesday night at midnight saw the fire start.
According to Bheki Hadebe of eThekwini Fire, the flames broke through the complex's roof.
He claims they've succeeded in containing the fire.
It is currently becoming softer. There are numerous stores that were impacted."
Meanwhile, Hadebe claims that entry to the location is forbidden since the mall's structural integrity has been jeopardized.
Already, a few of the walls started crumbling.
LATEST NEWS: Seven people killed execution-style in KwaMashu
In the vicinity of the M25 offramp in KwaMashu, a distressing incident occurred where seven individuals lost their lives, having been fatally shot under a railway bridge.
KwaZulu-Natal police representative, Jay Naicker, reports that authorities were alerted to the scene at 11pm on Thursday.
The victims were discovered lying adjacent to a pillar of the railway bridge, with evidence of gunshot wounds to their heads.
A total of 18 spent 9mm cartridges were recovered by the police at the crime scene.
The available information suggests that the deceased individuals resided beneath the bridge and were involved in criminal activities in the area.
Naicker suspects that vigilantism may be the underlying motive behind this heinous act.
Consequently, the case has been transferred to the Provincial Organised Crime division for further investigation.
LATEST NEWS: Multi-vehicle crash on M7 forces road closure
On Monday morning, paramedics responded to a multi-vehicle incident on the M7 near the Bluff, south of Durban.
A truck crashed into a number of cars.
According to reports from the scene, the driver is thought to have lost control of the vehicle, which flipped.
According to Garrith Jamieson, a spokesman for ALS Paramedics, "He came down from the Bellville bridge side."
"Several ambulance services are now treating a number of cases. Due to a spillage of maize, the entire Pinetown bound road is closed.
Both directions of traffic suffered greatly from this.
Bok hooker Mbonambi accused of racial slur on England's Curry
LATEST NEWS: South Africa's Bongi Mbonambi is currently under investigation by his team management and may face charges from England after allegedly making a racial slur towards Tom Curry during the Springboks' victory in the Rugby World Cup semi-final.
Mbonambi is the only specialized hooker for the Springboks, as Malcolm Marx's tournament was cut short by an injury.
The 32-year-old Mbonambi is accused of addressing England's backrow forward Curry with a racial description followed by an swearword.
Curry approached referee Ben O'Keeffe approximately thirty minutes into the intense match in Paris to report the alleged comment and seek guidance on how to respond.
O'Keeffe replied, "Please do nothing." After South Africa narrowly defeated England 16-15 to secure a spot in the final, Curry was asked if Mbonambi had said something that bothered him.
He responded, "Yes," but added that he did not wish to discuss it further.
South Africa Rugby announced on Sunday that they are taking the charge seriously and will investigate the matter. They stated, "If any evidence is found to support the claim, we will address it with Bongi."
massive drug bust in Durban
The confiscated cocaine, valued at approximately 72 million rands, was apprehended at the harbor yesterday.
According to National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, no arrests have been made thus far in connection with the case.
This multimillion-rand drug bust was the result of a two-month-long operation driven by SAPS intelligence.
Collaborating with members of the Hawks, Vispol, and local police, authorities intercepted a container that arrived from Brazil on a ship.
The container was subsequently transported to a warehouse in southern Durban, where it was discovered to be concealing five, ten, and twenty-liter containers filled with white paint.
Forensic teams uncovered over 200 blocks of cocaine, wrapped in plastic, among the paint.
During a brief visit to the warehouse, representatives from the media witnessed National Commissioner Masemola, Police Minister Bheki Cele, and KZN Police Commissioner being briefed on the scene.
Commissioner Masemola revealed that over the past month, their officers stationed at Durban harbor had been conducting surveillance on a vessel en route from Brazil to South Africa. It is suspected that the shipment was intended for Gauteng.
One Direction star banned from driving after speeding incident
Liam Payne has expressed remorse for his speeding offense and has agreed to pay a fine.
The former member of the popular band One Direction has recently been banned from driving for a period of six months after being caught driving at 43mph in a 30mph zone in England earlier this year.
In addition to the driving ban, Liam has also been ordered to pay a fine of 293 pounds (equivalent to R6,700).
Liam pleaded guilty to the offense and issued an apology to the court, stating that he was unaware of the speed limit. He assured the court that he would promptly settle the imposed fine within 14 days.
All Durban beaches closed due to broken shark nets
Water activities have been prohibited at the beaches of eThekwini Municipality.
The beaches have been closed due to the recent heavy rainfall, which has caused the water to become murky.
According to spokesperson Lindiwe Khuzwayo, the KZN Sharks Board has informed them that logs and debris have been washed into the sea by the rain, and some of the shark nets at most beaches have been damaged by unsafe objects.
While all water activities are banned, residents can still engage in other beach activities that do not involve contact with seawater.
Beachgoers are advised to take this warning seriously. Efforts are underway to repair the damaged nets and infrastructure caused by the heavy rain. The city regrets any inconvenience caused.
LATEST NEWS: Consumer inflation rises to 5.4%
South Africa's annual inflation has seen a consecutive increase, reaching 5.4% in September.
This brings the Consumer Price Inflation back to the same level it was in June.
Patrick Kelly, the Chief Director for Price Statistics, confirms that the CPI rose by 0.6% between August and September.
The main contributors to this increase were transport and food.
The fuel index saw a second consecutive monthly rise of 7.6% between August and September.
Inland 95-octane petrol prices surged by R1.71 in September, reaching a 13-month high of R24.54.
In terms of food, inflation ticked slightly higher to 8.1% from 8.0% in August after five months of cooling down.
Meat, fish, oils and fats, fruit, and non-alcoholic beverages all experienced higher annual rates in September.
However, lower rates were recorded for bread & cereals, sugar, sweets & desserts, vegetables, and milk, eggs, and cheese.
Meat prices increased by an average of 0.6% between August and September, pushing the annual rate up to 3.8%.
LATEST NEWS: Life sentence for Inanda rapist
A KwaZulu Natal man has begun serving a life sentence for rape.
The Ntuzuma Regional Court found 29-year-old Bonisile Cele guilty of attacking a woman at his Inanda home last year.
Prosecutors say the woman stated there was another attacker who's known to Cele. ‘‘Cele’s accomplice assaulted the suspect, and they took her to his home. While Cele was arrested, his accomplice escaped and is still to be traced.
LATEST NEWS: Biden arrives on solidarity visit to Israel
US President Joe Biden landed in Israel on Wednesday on a solidarity visit following Hamas attacks, under the shadow of a deadly blast at a Gaza hospital that has inflamed regional tensions.
Under unusually tight security even for the US president, Biden and Netanyahu chatted briefly on the tarmac at Ben Gurion Airport surrounded by their guards before their motorcades set off for a Tel Aviv hotel where they will hold talks.
Hundreds of armed police and troops were stationed around the seafront Tel Aviv hotel where Netanyahu and Biden will meet, with armed snipers on the roofs of nearby villas.
LATEST NEWS: ‘Defecation’ incident causes flight to be cancelled
An easyJet flight was cancelled and its passengers made to disembark after someone onboard the aircraft apparently defecated on the airplane bathroom floor.
The flight on Sunday evening from the Spanish island of Tenerife to London Gatwick had already been delayed by several hours.
Aaran Gedhu, a passenger on the plane, told sources that the flight encountered problems before departure when the scheduled plane was replaced by a smaller plane, meaning that some passengers Denied boarding at the airport.
Rumours later emerged that someone had defecated on the bathroom floor.
There was no fighting amongst the passengers,” Aaran Gedhu said.
According to Gedhu, passengers remained in their seats during the cleaning process.
LATEST NEWS: Motorists could pay less for fuel in November
Petrol and diesel users can expect some relief in the near future. In November, petrol prices are projected to decrease by a significant R1.97 cents and R1.92 cents per litre, depending on the grade.
Early indications suggest that diesel, which has been a burden on motorists' finances, may drop by 78 cents per litre next month.
Additionally, the cost of Illuminating paraffin is expected to fall by 74 cents.
These predictions are based on unaudited mid-month data from the Central Energy Fund, according to the Automobile Association.
The AA emphasizes that the November outlook will bring much-needed relief to consumers, particularly with the decrease in diesel prices.
LATEST NEWS: Twenty20 format Cricket joins the Olympics
Cricket has been approved as one of the five new sports to be featured in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The International Olympic Committee's session voted in favor of including cricket's, along with baseball/softball, flag football, squash, and lacrosse.
The decision was made at the IOC session in Mumbai, a significant cricket hub
With only two opposing votes, the new sports were accepted.
The organizers have proposed a six-team event for both men's and women's Twenty20 cricket, which is the shortest form of the game.
Cricket last appeared in the Olympics in the 1900s, with a British team defeating a team representing France.
The addition of cricket to the Olympic program is a financially strategic move. It aims to tap into the profitable South Asian market, attracting fans from countries like India and Pakistan.
India, in particular, has become an economic powerhouse in cricket through initiatives like the Indian Premier League (IPL), which features global cricket stars.
LATEST NEWS: Euro 2024 qualifier soccer game between Belgium and Sweden abandoned due to terrorist attack
In the Belgian capital Brussels on Monday evening, two individuals were fatally shot in what the government has labeled a terrorist attack.
According to Belgian media, the suspect remains at large even after several hours, prompting authorities to raise the terror alert level in Brussels to its highest point.
Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lah-bib expressed her shock at the terrorist attack that claimed the lives of two victims in central Brussels.
She emphasized the need to utilize all necessary resources to combat militancy and extended her condolences to the victims' families and the police forces.
In response to the incident, the terror threat level for Brussels was elevated to level 4, the highest level. Previously, Belgium as a whole had been at level 2.
The attack occurred during a Euro 2024 qualifier soccer game between Belgium and Sweden, causing the match to be abandoned.
Philippe Close, the mayor of Brussels, assured the public of the police's presence on the streets to ensure safety.
He emphasized the collaborative efforts between the police services and the Minister of the Interior, stating that he was at the crisis center to oversee coordination.
Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo urged the people of Brussels to remain vigilant. The country's Crisis Center also issued a statement requesting that no images or videos related to the incident be shared, out of respect for the fallen victims.
Orange (Level 6) weather warning:
Disruptive Rain expected later on today.
Heavy rain leading to flooding of roads, bridges and vulnerable formal and informal settlements is expected over parts of uMgungundlovu, iLembe, Ethekwini and Ugu districts.
LATEST NEWS: Boy aged 6, killed in anti-Muslim knife attack linked in attack linked to Israel-Hamas war
The child was stabbed 26 times by his landlord on Saturday and later died at hospital, while his 32-year-old mother was also wounded but expected to survive, the Will County sheriff's office in Illinois said in a statement.
"Detectives were able to determine that both victims in this brutal attack were targeted by the suspect due to them being Muslim and the on-going Middle Eastern conflict involving Hamas and the Israelis," the sheriff's office said, adding the killing took place about 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of Chicago.
Biden, in a statement late Sunday, confirmed that the woman was the boy's mother and said their "Palestinian Muslim family came to America seeking what we all seek - a refuge to live, learn, and pray in peace."
"This horrific act of hate has no place in America, and stands against our fundamental values," added Biden, calling for Americans to "come together and reject Islamaphobia and all forms of bigotry and hatred."
LATEST NEWS: Local Santaco chairperson shot dead in Ladysmith
The South African National Taxi Council has issued an appeal for witnesses to come forward following the killing of Bhekuyise Masondo, a member of the taxi council, in Ladysmith.
On Friday, the chairperson of the Klipriver Taxi Association was fatally shot in his office.
Sifiso Shangase, Santaco's provincial manager, stated that they are still awaiting a police report on the details surrounding the shooting.
Shangase emphasized the importance of resolving conflicts through negotiation rather than resorting to violence, stating that open-door discussions are encouraged at Santaco.
Shangase expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Masondo, a respected figure in the taxi industry.
LATEST NEWS: Colombia's deadliest serial killer dies serving his sentence
Luis Alfredo Garavito, who was known as "The Beast" or "The Monster of Genova," passed away on Thursday while serving his prison sentence for the abuse, torture, and murder of at least 170 boys between the ages of eight and sixteen.
The Colombian prison authority confirmed his death. Garavito, Colombia's deadliest serial killer and one of the world's most notorious, had been incarcerated since 1999.
Garavito employed various disguises, such as a traveling salesman, a monk, a disabled or homeless person, and even an aid worker, to gain access to schools and locate his victims.
Once he led the boys to remote areas, often enticing them with food and drink, he would assault them.
He kept a detailed record of his victims in a small notebook.
In October 1998, the discovery of 36 murdered children in Pereira prompted the largest criminal investigation in Colombian history at that time.
It was during this investigation that authorities eventually identified Garavito as the perpetrator.
Prosecutors revealed that Garavito subjected his victims to torture and mutilation before slitting their throats.
In 2000, Garavito was sentenced to a total of 835 years in prison after confessing to his crimes.
However, the maximum sentence allowed in Colombia is 40 years. Garavito had been battling cancer in one eye and leukemia.
Additionally, he confessed to committing crimes in Venezuela and Ecuador, resulting in a 22-year prison sentence in absentia.
LATEST NEWS: Improved security features for new KZN number plates.
The Department of Transport in KZN has announced that the province's new number plates will have.
According to a spokesperson, this is to prevent criminal activities such as cloning of number plates.
The department will closely monitor the printing of these plates to ensure that they include the new features, as well as the coat of arms of KwaZulu-Natal.
Starting from December 1st, vehicle registration plates in KZN will bear the letters 'ZN'.
LATEST NEWS: Improved security features for new KZN number plates.
The Department of Transport in KZN has announced that the province's new number plates will have.
According to a spokesperson, this is to prevent criminal activities such as cloning of number plates.
The department will closely monitor the printing of these plates to ensure that they include the new features, as well as the coat of arms of KwaZulu-Natal.
Starting from December 1st, vehicle registration plates in KZN will bear the letters 'ZN'.
Existing plate owners will have a 24-month period to switch to the new system.
This decision was made during a provincial cabinet meeting after a presentation by Transport officials.
LATEST NEWS: Sadtu members to march to Durban City Hall
Sadtu teachers are getting ready for a Friday protest march to Durban's City Hall.
on what they perceive to be a financial crisis at the provincial Department of Education.
According to Sadtu, the financial crisis has made it difficult for some schools to tighten up security, fill teacher shortages, and pay budgetary allocations to schools.
Officials from the education department and KZN Premier are anticipated recipients of the memo.
King Dinuzulu Park will be the starting point of the march, according to a speaker of the of the union.
