The bodies of Cameron Waldeck-Cooks, 17, a Grade 11 pupil at St Stithians Girls’ College in Johannesburg, and Ethan Coetzee, 19, who matriculated from St Stithians Boys’ College in 2025, were discovered by cleaning staff at 07:30 on Monday, 3 August 2026, at the Waterval Self-Catering Holiday Home and Round Here Guest Farm, situated 1 km outside Sabie, Mpumalanga.
Both bodies were transferred to the state mortuary in Mashishing on Monday afternoon.
Mpumalanga police initially opened an inquest docket. Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed the deaths and stated that a post-mortem examination would be conducted to establish the cause of death.
On Friday, 7 August 2026, the Office of the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga confirmed that a murder case had been opened following post-mortem results. The findings suggested that Waldeck-Cooks may have been strangled while Coetzee may have taken his own life. Speculation of a drug overdose has not been ruled out by police.
Police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo stated: “The South African Police Service in Mpumalanga is now investigating a case of murder and an inquest following the deaths of two teenagers at a certain lodge in Sabie. An inquest docket was initially opened. However, following postmortem results, a case of murder was added. The postmortem results suggest that the 17-year-old female may have been strangled, while the 19-year-old male may have taken his own life.”
Cameron Waldeck-Cooks’ parents, Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck-Cooks, stated that their daughter was on a hiking trip in the Sabie district with two families on the weekend she died. She was working towards the gold level of The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment (the South African implementation of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award) and saw the trip as an opportunity to prepare for a multi-day adventurous journey.
The parents said they appointed an independent forensic pathologist whose preliminary findings indicated Cameron died as a result of strangulation and suffocation. They confirmed that police had opened a murder investigation.
In a statement the family said: “We are aware that conflicting and unverified accounts concerning the circumstances of Cameron’s death have been reported. We ask that speculation not be presented as fact while the investigation and forensic processes remain ongoing.”
They described Cameron as a deeply loved daughter, sister, family member, friend and student who was kind-hearted, warm and determined, with a quiet strength and genuine care for those around her. A memorial service will be held later in August.
St Stithians College previously paid tribute to both. Cameron was remembered as an accomplished sportswoman who excelled in rowing and netball, a natural leader and mentor, known for her kindness, warmth, determination and resilience. Ethan was described as a young man of strength, commitment and humility who received rugby colours as a first-team player, was a national champion in eventing, and supported younger students.
Investigations continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Baby born in minibus taxi in Verulam CBD, KwaZulu-Natal
A 27-year-old woman gave birth to a healthy baby boy inside a minibus taxi in the Verulam central business district on Wednesday morning, 5 August 2026.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) received multiple calls for urgent medical assistance at approximately 10:06 after the woman went into labour while travelling in the vehicle. Paramedics and reaction officers arrived at the taxi rank on Ireland Street at 10:10. Upon arrival, they found that the mother had already delivered the baby inside the minibus taxi.
Paramedics immediately attended to both the mother and the newborn. They cut the umbilical cord and confirmed that both were stable. The mother and baby, identified as Baby Mbambo, were then transported to Osindisweni Government Hospital for further medical care.
Both the mother and Baby Mbambo were reported to be in a stable condition following the incident.
The birth occurred at the taxi rank on Ireland Street in Verulam, north of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. RUSA, a private emergency response and security organisation that operates in the area, handled the call and the on-scene medical intervention before the transfer to hospital.
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