THOHOYANDOU — A group of approximately 15 armed suspects hijacked several vehicles at a fuel station near the turn-off to Nandoni Dam in the early hours of Easter Monday.
The incident took place only a few kilometres from Thohoyandou. Motorists were ambushed while they were refuelling their cars at the garage.
According to the reports, the suspects targeted drivers at the premises. They robbed the fuel station and seized multiple vehicles before fleeing the scene.
The hijacked vehicles included Ford Raptor bakkies and a Ford Fiesta. All the stolen vehicles were later recovered. Three of them were found shortly after the incident, while a fourth vehicle, a Volkswagen, was recovered later in Malamulele.
The suspects are believed to have fled in the direction of the Kruger National Park road.
No arrests have been confirmed at this stage. Investigations into the matter remain ongoing.
Motorists are urged to remain vigilant, especially when stopping at fuel stations during the early hours.
15-Year-Old Male Arrested in Atlantis for Possession of Unlicensed 9mm Pistol
Atlantis – Members of the Atlantis Crime Prevention Unit arrested a 15-year-old male on Sunday night, 5 April 2026, in Bunting Crescent, Atlantis, after he was found in possession of an unlicensed 9mm pistol.
The unit was conducting routine crime prevention patrols in the area when officers spotted a group of people standing on a street corner. As the members approached the group, one individual fled on foot. A unit member pursued the suspect and apprehended him.
During the apprehension, the 15-year-old male was found to be in possession of the unlicensed firearm. He was immediately arrested on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm.
The suspect is scheduled to appear in the Atlantis Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 7 April 2026. No further details regarding the firearm or additional items recovered have been released at this stage.
This incident forms part of ongoing efforts by the Atlantis Crime Prevention Unit to address illegal firearms in the community.
Seven Killed in Head-On Collision on M17 Between Motherwell and KwaZakhele
A head-on collision on the M17 road between Motherwell and KwaZakhele in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, claimed the lives of seven people on Sunday afternoon, 5 April 2026, at approximately 3pm.
Dashcam footage recorded from the manganese truck shows a Renault seven-seater SUV, which was carrying seven occupants, suddenly drifting out of its lane and moving directly into the path of the oncoming truck. The vehicles collided head-on within seconds, with the truck driver having no time to take evasive action.
All seven occupants of the Renault were killed in the crash. The deceased consisted of three men and four women. No other fatalities or injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
Eastern Cape Transport Department provincial spokesperson Unathi Binqose confirmed that the crash involved the seven-seater SUV with seven occupants and the manganese truck travelling in opposite directions. A case of culpable homicide has been opened at Swartkops SAPS. Authorities are using the dashcam footage as part of the ongoing investigation to determine what caused the Renault to leave its lane. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
Eastern Cape Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha extended condolences to the families of the deceased. Motorists using the M17 have been urged to remain cautious, stay within their lanes, and avoid any behaviour that could lead to loss of control on routes shared with heavy vehicles.
The incident occurred on a section of the M17 regularly used by both light vehicles and heavy trucks. No further details on road conditions, weather, or mechanical factors have been released at this stage.
A 14-year-old boy was killed on Sunday after the vehicle he was driving overturned on the M25 in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal.
Emergency services were dispatched following multiple calls from members of the public reporting a serious motor vehicle accident. Responders arrived at the scene at approximately 15:59 and located a blue Toyota Corolla Quest that had overturned multiple times.
The boy was driving the vehicle in the eastbound lane when he failed to negotiate a bend. The car veered onto the extreme right verge before rolling several times. It came to a stop on all four wheels in the opposite lane, facing the westbound direction.
The boy’s father was a passenger in the vehicle. It is alleged that the father was under the influence of alcohol, which led to the 14-year-old operating the car.
The boy was ejected from the vehicle. Paramedics assessed him at the scene and found that he had sustained fatal injuries. He was declared deceased on arrival.
The father was handed over to the police for further investigation.
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Pretoria Learner Zané de Jager Dies Unexpectedly During Voortrekker Camp at Thaba Veldwerkkamp
Zané de Jager, a Grade 11 learner at Hoërskool Waterkloof in Pretoria, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, 1 April 2026, while attending the Thaba Veldwerkkamp. The camp is located on a farm approximately 20 km northwest of Brits and forms part of the long-established Voortrekkers youth fieldwork programme, which focuses on field, survival, and life skills taught by experts and learned through practical experience.
De Jager’s parents were on vacation in Botswana when the incident occurred. Camp organisers remained in continuous contact with her commando leader, Lourens van Staden, throughout the relevant period.
Reports indicate that camp leaders, medical officers, and a doctor were present on site. Emergency protocols were followed, including the calling of a helicopter. The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, and the incident remains under investigation.
Hoërskool Waterkloof issued a statement expressing deep sorrow: “Met groot hartseer groet ons ’n Klofie, Zané de Jager. Haar pragtige glimlag en mensweens sal vir altyd in ons gemeenskap onthou word. Ons gedagtes is by haar familie, vriende en almal wat haar geken het. Mag sy in vrede rus.” The school community has rallied around the family, offering support to De Jager’s relatives and friends.
The head management of the Voortrekkers described the loss as “’n onbeskryflike verlies” and stated that their hearts go out to her family, friends, fellow Voortrekkers, the camp management, commando leader, and all youth members of Thaba affected by the tragedy. Karin Stoffberg, head leader of the Voortrekkers, confirmed that camp organisers had maintained ongoing communication with the commando leader and offered prayers for comfort and strength for those grieving.
Condolences have also come from other affiliated groups, including Laerskool Monumentpark and various Voortrekker branches such as Sytze Wierda and Rietvallei, all expressing sympathy and prayers for the family.
The death has prompted an outpouring of messages on social media platforms, with members of the broader community noting the programme’s established safety record while some calling for a full independent investigation into the circumstances. No further details on the investigation’s progress have been released by authorities at this time.
De Jager, born on 9 November 2005, was remembered by the school and Voortrekker community for her smile and positive presence. The family has not issued any public statements beyond the support extended by the school and organisation.
