A fatal road accident occurred on Friday afternoon when a Mahindra and a Hyundai truck collided on Matlala Road near Extension 71, just outside Polokwane.
The crash claimed the life of one person while several others sustained injuries. Emergency crews were dispatched to the site without delay, where they provided initial medical assistance before transferring the wounded to hospital for ongoing treatment.
Authorities are now in control of the scene to conduct necessary investigations and clear the roadway. Drivers approaching the area have been urged to proceed with extra care and prepare for possible disruptions while operations continue.
Surge in Robberies and Attacks on E-Hailing Drivers Highlights Ongoing Safety Crisis in South Africa
E-hailing drivers across South Africa, particularly those operating on platforms such as Uber and Bolt, are facing a marked increase in targeted robberies, assaults, and hijackings. Criminals frequently pose as passengers through app bookings to steal vehicles, cellphones, and cash, with many incidents occurring during late evenings or early mornings.
A high-profile case in February 2026 involved the murder of 22-year-old Nigerian national Isaac Satlat, an e-hailing driver. He was strangled inside his vehicle after picking up passengers in Pretoria West. The suspects forced the driver to stop, robbed him of his cellphone, and hijacked the car. Dashcam footage captured the attack, which was later shared widely. Satlat’s body and the vehicle were recovered in Atteridgeville. Four suspects, including Dikeledi Mphela (24), Goitsione Machidi (25), and McClaren Mushwana (30), have been arrested and charged with murder and robbery, with a fourth suspect also appearing in court.
The National E-hailing Federation of South Africa (NEFSA) has confirmed that violent crimes against drivers are not isolated events but part of a pattern ongoing since 2015—more than ten years. The federation has repeatedly called for the government to establish a dedicated e-hailing task team to tackle the specific criminality affecting the sector.
Other recent incidents include the assault and extortion of a driver following a passenger drop-off at Phoenix Plaza in Durban, as well as the stabbing death of another driver in Cape Town. In Gauteng, criminals have increasingly lured drivers under the guise of legitimate rides before robbing them at gunpoint. One attempted robbery in Eldorado Park saw suspects shot during the confrontation.
Data from 2020 to 2024 shows a considerable rise in assaults, robberies, car hijackings, malicious damage to property, and murders directed at e-hailing drivers. Common risks include armed attacks, unauthorised route changes, and fare disputes, particularly in isolated or high-crime areas at night.
National carjacking statistics reflect some improvement overall. The South African Police Service recorded 4 778 carjackings in the January-to-March 2025 quarter, a 12.3% decline from the previous year. Sedans, hatchbacks, and coupes accounted for 44% of targets, followed by bakkies and panel vans at 33.1%. Gauteng continues to dominate, with 57.5% of incidents occurring in the province.
Despite the broader decline, the Road Freight Association has reported a dramatic increase in hijackings specifically targeting e-hailing and courier vehicles, driven by the perceived value of their cargo and onboard items.
New national regulations that took effect on 11 March 2026 require e-hailing vehicles to be fitted with panic buttons and visible branding. Industry groups have welcomed the safety features but noted the financial burden these impose on drivers. Calls continue for stronger passenger verification—such as biometric or ID-linked checks—real-time GPS route sharing, in-app emergency alerts directly connected to police, and dedicated rapid-response units in known hotspots.
E-hailing remains a vital part of daily transport in major cities including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, and Durban. However, the persistent threat of robbery and violence has left many drivers operating in fear, prompting sustained appeals for coordinated action between platforms, law enforcement, and government authorities to improve vetting, response times, and overall protection measures.
The pattern of attacks since 2015, combined with the latest documented cases and rising sector-specific incidents, underscores that while general vehicle crime shows modest improvement, the risks unique to e-hailing demand urgent and targeted intervention.
North West Father Remanded in Custody Following Alleged Murder of Two Young Sons Near Groot Marico
Groot Marico – Police in the North West province are investigating the deaths of two toddler brothers whose bodies were discovered in bushes next to a river at Skuinsdrift-Tshwaro Farms outside Groot Marico.
On Saturday afternoon, 7 March 2026, officers responded to the scene after receiving reports of the lifeless bodies. The victims were identified as one-year-old Reabetswe Masiangwa and his three-year-old brother Lesedi. Both children had sustained multiple injuries. Emergency and medical rescue services attended the scene and declared the boys dead on arrival.
According to North West police spokesperson Sergeant Kelebogile Morake, preliminary information indicates that the 35-year-old father of the boys, Afentseng Motlhanke, had collected the children from their grandmother earlier that day while their mother was attending church. Reports further state that an argument had taken place between the parents prior to the incident, during which Motlhanke allegedly threatened to kill the children.
With assistance from local community members, police traced and arrested Motlhanke on Sunday, 8 March 2026.
Motlhanke made his first court appearance in the Groot Marico Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 10 March 2026, facing two counts of murder. The case was postponed to 17 March 2026 for a formal bail application, and the accused was remanded in custody.
Acting provincial commissioner of the North West, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, welcomed the arrest and noted the swift collaboration between police and the community that led to the suspect being traced and detained.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths continues.
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Tragic School Stabbing in Khutsong Leaves Grade 9 Learner Dead
KHUTSONG – A 16-year-old Grade 9 learner has been fatally stabbed at Badirile Secondary School in Khutsong, prompting the Gauteng Department of Education to immediately deploy psychosocial support services to the affected school community.
The incident took place on Thursday morning when a fight erupted between two learners on the school premises. A 17-year-old Grade 10 learner allegedly stabbed the younger pupil during the altercation, leaving the victim critically injured.
The wounded Grade 9 learner was rushed to a nearby clinic for emergency treatment but later succumbed to his injuries.
Education MEC Matome Chiloane confirmed that the department has dispatched a dedicated psychosocial support unit to Badirile Secondary School. Counselling sessions for learners and educators impacted by the tragedy are scheduled to begin on Friday.
Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances of the stabbing. In the meantime, the school has initiated its own internal disciplinary procedures.
The Gauteng Department of Education has appealed to parents to partner with schools in efforts to prevent violence among learners, emphasising that such incidents carry devastating and far-reaching consequences.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the 17-year-old suspect has been arrested.
