VANDERBIJLPARK – A serious accident has resulted in the full closure of the R553 Golden Highway behind Mittal Steel, forcing motorists to seek alternative routes amid heavy congestion.
Traffic officials have urged drivers to avoid the affected section entirely. Those travelling from Sebokeng are specifically advised to use the N1 or Boipatong road to bypass the area and minimise delays.
The incident occurred on the busy commuter route, leading to significant backups in the Vaal Triangle region. No further details on the cause or any injuries have been released at this stage.
Motorists are encouraged to check for updates before planning trips through Vanderbijlpark and to allow extra travel time.
This remains a developing situation.
KZN Police Chief Presents Prison Letter to Parliament Claiming Businessman Transported Furniture to Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala Farm
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has handed over a handwritten letter from a former prisoner to Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee. The letter alleges that businessman Vusimuzi Cat Matlala told his former cellmate he had delivered furniture, including couches, to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in Limpopo.
The eight-page letter was written by Jermaine Prim, who shared a cell with Matlala at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility. According to the document, Matlala described himself as very close to the Ramaphosa family and spoke about transporting items to the property.
Phala Phala farm is the site of a 2020 burglary in which a large amount of foreign currency, reportedly hidden inside furniture, was stolen. The break-in triggered investigations into possible money laundering, undeclared cash holdings and claims of interference by law enforcement officials. The case has not been finalised and continues to face court challenges. Independent Police Investigative Directorate reports linked to the matter were declassified only recently.
Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi tabled the letter during his testimony to the parliamentary committee. He told members that the contents amount to unverified hearsay and still require proper investigation. He added that some information in the letter matches details from earlier intelligence gathered by police.
The commissioner also highlighted problems with prison management at the time, saying oversight failures allowed Matlala access to freedoms not normally granted to inmates.
The Presidency has issued no statement on the specific claims contained in the letter.
Opposition parties have demanded immediate steps to verify the information in the document. They have warned that any confirmation of the claims could introduce new elements to the long-running Phala Phala matter that has affected the president since the 2020 incident.
33-Year-Old Suspect Arrested by Eastern Cape Authorities Following Shooting Incident at Motherwell Funeral
Eastern Cape authorities have arrested a 33-year-old man after a shooting incident took place at a funeral in Motherwell on Saturday, 21 March 2026.
Officers conducted a stop-and-search operation linked to the incident and recovered two 9mm pistols from which the serial numbers had been removed. They also seized two magazines, five rounds of ammunition, and two empty cartridges during the search.
The suspect was unable to produce a valid firearm licence when questioned by the officers. He was placed under arrest immediately after the weapons and ammunition were found in his possession.
The vehicle involved in the incident was confiscated by the authorities.
The 33-year-old suspect is expected to appear in court in the coming days.
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Pedestrian Killed in Early Morning Collision on R102 in Cornubia, KwaZulu-Natal
A male pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross the R102 in Cornubia, KwaZulu-Natal, early on Sunday morning.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) was dispatched to the scene following an emergency call received at approximately 05:39. Upon arrival, reaction officers confirmed that the pedestrian had been hit by a white Kia Rio.
The pedestrian sustained life-threatening injuries and was declared deceased at the scene. His identity could not be established immediately.
The occupants of the white Kia Rio were not injured in the incident.
Authorities have not released any further details at this stage.
A 53-year-old police captain attached to the Bethal Police Station shot and killed a 37-year-old woman before turning his service pistol on himself at a residence in Grootvlei near Balfour, Mpumalanga.
The incident unfolded when the captain arrived at the woman’s home, described by police as his female friend. Entry was initially refused. He then broke a window to force his way inside the residence. Once inside, he chased the victim’s sister out of the house.
The sister left the scene and sought help, which prompted police to be alerted. On arrival, officers found both the captain and the 37-year-old woman lying on the floor inside the residence, each with gunshot wounds. Both were declared dead at the scene.
A service pistol issued to the captain was recovered at the location.
Mpumalanga police have opened a murder docket as well as an inquest into the deaths. Spokesperson Mavela Masondo confirmed the sequence of events, stating that the captain broke the window after being refused entry, entered the house, chased the sister away, and was left alone with the woman before the shootings took place. Investigations are continuing.
