Mookgophong, Limpopo – In a bold overnight robbery, over 20 armed individuals targeted a truck stop on the R101 highway, making off with two trailers containing copper estimated at R4 million in value.
The attack unfolded between 11:00 PM on February 15, 2026, and 3:00 AM on February 16, 2026. The perpetrators entered the site, subdued a security officer, and seized his 7.65mm Bersa pistol. They then detained several truck drivers and employees, holding them captive during the operation.
In addition to the trailers, the group stole R22,000 in cash from the premises before escaping.
Law enforcement acted quickly following the report. On February 16, officers stopped a white Nissan NP200 vehicle near Musina, which was linked to the crime, and took one person into custody.
Subsequent leads directed police to a Hyundai Staria minibus at a fuel station in Makhado. As authorities approached, multiple passengers escaped on foot. The driver was arrested immediately, and with assistance from drone surveillance and ground teams, three more individuals were captured.
The four detained suspects are undergoing questioning as part of the ongoing probe.
SAPS Hunts for Two Women Suspected of Drink Spiking and Theft in Pretoria
Pretoria, South Africa – Authorities from the South African Police Service (SAPS) are actively searching for two female suspects linked to an alleged drink spiking incident in Hatfield.
The incident reportedly involved the suspects tampering with a man’s beverage, after which they accompanied him to his apartment. Once there, several items were stolen from the premises.
A formal case has been opened at the Sunnyside SAPS station.
Individuals with any details on the suspects’ locations are urged to reach out to SAPS. Contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111. All tips will remain confidential.
Major Firearm Seizure in Middelburg Highlights Ongoing Compliance Issues
In a recent operation, the South African Police Service (SAPS) conducted 3,728 compliance inspections at business premises, including gun dealers and security companies, under the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000. This Act requires licence holders to ensure safe storage, proper authorisation, and full accountability for all licensed firearms and ammunition. All firearm owners must hold a valid competency certificate along with a valid licence or permit.
The National Tracking and Tracing Task Team, as part of Operation Buyisa, arrested a 55-year-old gun dealer in Middelburg for non-compliance with the Act. During the operation, 537 licensed firearms and ammunition were seized. These firearms were stored at an unlicensed facility on a plot outside eMalahleni. A related security company was found operating with expired firearm licences. The dealer had reportedly exceeded storage capacity at the registered premises.
Under Section 120(1) of the Act, offences include contravening provisions of the Act, breaching licence conditions, and disregarding lawful notices or requirements. Such inspections enforce accountability and accurate record-keeping for licensed firearms and ammunition.
Mpumalanga, where Middelburg is located, recorded 332 murders between April and June 2024, averaging three per day. Firearms and knives were the primary weapons used in these incidents. In the 2023/24 period, Mpumalanga accounted for 532 firearm-related murders, representing 4.5% of the national total. Five provinces, including Mpumalanga, accounted for 93.5% of all firearm murders in South Africa during that time. Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition increased by 29.6% in Mpumalanga in a recent reporting period. In the fourth quarter of 2022/23, Mpumalanga saw multiple-victim murders and incidents linked to domestic violence.
Nationally, South Africa recorded over 26,000 homicides in 2024, averaging more than 70 per day. Firearms accounted for a large share of these deaths. Between 2019 and 2024, more than 3,400 SAPS firearms were lost or stolen, with only a fraction recovered. In the October to December 2024 period, firearms were used in 2,886 murders. During the same quarter, 1,952 suspects were arrested for illegal possession of firearms, and 1,380 for illegal possession of ammunition. Firearms were involved in 42% of murders and 58% of attempted murders in that period. In the fourth quarter of 2024/25, 4,023 cases of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition were registered, marking a 2.7% increase from the previous year. Guns were used in 71.1% of home robberies in 2024/25. In assaults during the same year, guns were involved in 18.4% of cases. Between January and March 2025, 5,727 murders occurred nationally, averaging 62 per day, alongside 6,985 attempted murders, averaging 75 per day.
- Armed Suspects Disrupt Traffic in Attempted Hijacking on Cape Town’s N2 Highway
- Foiled Robbery Attempt at Dikwena Sasol Garage in Limpopo
- Cash-in-Transit Robbery Reported on Khoza Street in Atteridgeville
- Tragic Two-Vehicle Collision Shuts Down N1 at Capricorn Toll Plaza in Limpopo
- Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle at Tzaneen Police Station
Reckless Driving in Scholar Transport: A Deadly Threat to South African Students
February 17, 2026, Johannesburg – Every school day, thousands of South African students board minibuses and taxis for their commute, but for many, this routine journey is fraught with danger. Reckless behavior by scholar transport drivers, including drinking and driving, has led to numerous accidents, claiming hundreds of young lives and highlighting systemic failures in the industry.
Recent tragedies underscore the severity of the problem. In January 2026, a minibus carrying schoolchildren collided with a truck near Vanderbijlpark in Gauteng, resulting in the deaths of 14 learners. The 22-year-old driver faced charges of murder, reckless and negligent driving, operating without a professional driving permit, and using an unlicensed vehicle. This incident is part of a broader pattern: between 2018 and 2022, over 800 schoolchildren perished in scholar transport-related crashes across the country. Another crash in Carletonville claimed 11 pupils and their driver, with reports indicating the driver may have been intoxicated.
Studies reveal that reckless driving is a primary cause of these accidents, often compounded by overloading, mechanical failures, and the use of unsuitable vehicles like bakkies. In eThekwini Municipality, statistics show that 38% of injured children under 16 were passengers in minibuses or light delivery vehicles, pointing to unsafe transport practices. Wide roads, excessive speeds, and poor driver compliance make crossing streets hazardous for students, exacerbating the risks during pick-up and drop-off.
Drinking and driving amplifies these dangers significantly. South African research estimates that alcohol is involved in 33% to 69% of fatal driver incidents. In one operation in Cape Town, a driver was arrested for transporting learners while under the influence of alcohol. Nationally, intoxication contributes to higher fatality rates, particularly in light vehicles and buses, where passengers and pedestrians face elevated risks. The Road Traffic Management Corporation notes that driver errors like speeding, unsafe overtaking, and alcohol use are major factors in crashes, with young drivers 20 times more likely to cause accidents due to such behaviors.
The scholar transport sector suffers from operational inconsistencies and unethical practices, including unroadworthy vehicles and lack of oversight. Authorities have urged drivers to ensure vehicles are licensed and mechanically sound, avoid overloading, and refrain from drinking. Recent crackdowns in areas like Johannesburg and Tshwane have impounded hundreds of non-compliant vehicles, leading to arrests for offenses including drunk driving.
These incidents not only result in loss of life but also inflict lasting trauma on families and communities. With road fatalities rising—2,557 lives lost in 2023 alone—experts call for stricter enforcement, better vehicle inspections, and driver training to protect vulnerable students. Until comprehensive reforms are implemented, the daily school run remains a perilous gamble for South Africa’s youth.
