Tswaing Municipality, North West Province – A school bus carrying 71 learners from Gamaloka Village overturned on a gravel road between Sleepsteen and Gerdau Farms on the morning of February 17, 2026.
The incident occurred when the bus struck a hump, causing the steering wheel to disengage. The vehicle then veered off the road and flipped over.
Thirty-seven learners sustained injuries, with one in a condition of serious concern. These individuals received treatment at General De La Rey Hospital in Lichtenburg. The remaining 34 learners underwent medical assessments and observation at Coligny Clinic.
The North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management launched a full investigation into the accident. Alternative transportation for the learners was arranged through an operator under a service level agreement, with additional operators available if required.
MEC Wessels Morweng of the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management expressed wishes for a speedy recovery to the affected learners.
Cash-in-Transit Robbery Unfolds in Rustenburg Amid Reports of Gunfire
Rustenburg, North West – February 16, 2026 – A cash-in-transit (CIT) vehicle was targeted in a robbery on Kremetart Avenue near the cemetery in Rustenburg on Monday afternoon. Video footage circulating on social media shows armed suspects engaging in a shootout, with gunfire audible in the clip.
South African Police Service (SAPS) members arrived at the scene shortly after the incident was reported, where they secured the area and initiated investigations. No immediate details on casualties, the amount of cash involved, or arrests have been released by authorities. Motorists and local residents have been advised to steer clear of the vicinity and to report any suspicious activity to the police.
This event marks another in a series of CIT attacks that have plagued the North West province, a region that has recorded multiple such incidents in recent years. In November 2025, for instance, a failed heist in the Rustenburg central business district on Fatima Bhayat Street ended with one suspect fatally shooting himself after being wounded in the leg during a confrontation with security officers from a Fidelity cash van. Police launched a manhunt for accomplices following that attack.
Earlier, in July 2025, a CIT robbery in Waterfall East, Rustenburg, saw suspects flee the scene after targeting a vehicle, prompting public reports of looting at the crime site as bystanders tampered with the area. Law enforcement urged the community to avoid interfering to allow for proper investigations.
Nationwide, CIT robberies have shown a measurable decline in 2025, according to data from the Cash-in-Transit Association of South Africa (Citasa). A total of 180 incidents were documented from January to December 21, 2025, representing a 13% drop compared to the same period in 2024. Despite this reduction, the tactics employed by criminals have grown more violent, with increased use of explosives to breach armoured vehicles, vehicle ramming to force confrontations, and sustained gunfire that endangers not only security crews but also nearby civilians.
Provincial breakdowns highlight shifting hotspots. In 2025, Gauteng led with the highest number of CIT attacks, followed by KwaZulu-Natal, which accounted for a significant share—up to 34% in early-year figures. The Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, and North West have also featured prominently, with North West seeing consistent activity amid broader efforts to combat aggravated robberies.
South African Police Service crime statistics for the first half of 2025 (April to September) further reflect progress in some categories, recording 24 CIT heists compared to 40 in the same period of 2024—a 40% decrease. This aligns with intensified operations like Project Shanela, which have involved multidisciplinary teams, including flying squads and provincial task forces, to disrupt organised crime networks behind these heists.
Industry experts note that while the overall frequency has dipped—attributed to better intelligence sharing between private security firms and SAPS—the financial toll remains substantial, with millions of rands lost annually and a push toward cashless systems accelerating in response. In the North West, collaborative arrests have followed several incidents, such as a November 2024 heist on the R104 road near Kroondal, where a suspect was detained in Tlhabane for possession of hijacked vehicles linked to the crime.
As investigations into Monday’s Rustenburg robbery continue, SAPS has reiterated calls for public vigilance. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in securing cash movements across South Africa’s roads, even as law enforcement reports gains in stemming the tide of these high-risk crimes.
- 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
Two Suspects Appear in Court After Viral Video of Alleged Assault on Street Children in Oudtshoorn
Oudtshoorn, Western Cape – A 75-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman have been arrested and charged following the circulation of a viral video showing the alleged assault of three street children in Oudtshoorn.
The incident occurred on Friday, 13 February 2026, at the intersection of Van der Riet Street and Kruid Street. Video footage, which spread rapidly on social media, depicts a woman striking the children with what appears to be a plastic pipe. The children, described as street children, are seen crying during the altercation. Additional allegations indicate that one of the children was shot at with a paintball gun.
Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that Oudtshoorn police opened a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm shortly after the video surfaced. The charges were later escalated to attempted murder due to the severity of the allegations, including the use of the paintball gun.
The suspects, identified as Johan Scholtz, 75, and Gerda Tait, 52, were arrested over the weekend. Scholtz was taken into custody on the day of the incident, while Tait was arrested on Sunday, 15 February. Both appeared in the Oudtshoorn Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 16 February 2026.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila stated that the pair faced three counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The charge sheet details that the children were allegedly hit with a plastic pipe, with one sustaining a paintball gunshot to the body. The case was postponed to 23 February for a bail application.
The video sparked widespread outrage across South Africa, with many expressing shock at the treatment of the children. Community members and social media users called for swift justice, while some local residents noted prior complaints about the behaviour of street children in the area.
The matter has also been escalated to the South African Human Rights Commission for further investigation, amid concerns over child protection and public violence.
Police have appealed to the public for any additional information that could assist the investigation. Authorities emphasised that the case remains active and that the legal process must be allowed to unfold without interference.
This incident has highlighted broader issues around the safety and welfare of vulnerable children in South African communities, particularly in smaller towns like Oudtshoorn.
The suspects remain in custody pending the next court appearance.
