Pretoria – An armed robbery occurred at Brooklyn Mall on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, at approximately 10:00. A security officer was shot and injured during the incident. The officer was airlifted to a nearby medical facility and is in a stable condition.
Shoppers scrambled for safety and took cover inside stores as the mall’s outlets went into immediate lockdown. Shots were fired, causing widespread panic. Initial confusion arose near the Mugg & Bean area, where the sound of the first shot was mistaken for something dropping. No other shoppers or staff were reported injured.
Police, private security companies and emergency services responded swiftly and remained on scene. Multiple law enforcement agencies and security teams were active at the mall, with members of the public urged to avoid the area.
Police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk confirmed that six suspects were arrested. One suspect was wounded during a shootout with officers. A rifle and a hijacked vehicle linked to the robbery were recovered.
The investigation is ongoing. No further details on the exact target of the robbery or items taken have been released by police at this stage.
Taxi Boss and Wife Fatally Shot in Suspected Targeted Attack Near Palm Taxi Rank, Delft South
Cape Town – Zwelakhe Lingani, a 50-year-old rank manager for the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Associations (CODETA), and his wife were shot and killed on Monday evening, 16 March 2026.
The double murder occurred at about 20:15 near the Palm taxi rank in Delft South. Police confirm the couple was travelling in a silver Toyota Fortuner when unknown suspects approached the vehicle and opened fire before fleeing the scene.
Both victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds to their bodies and heads. They were declared dead on the scene by medical personnel.
Delft police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg stated: “Delft police responded to a complaint of a shooting on Monday evening, 16 March 2026, at about 20:15, near the Palm taxi rank, Delft South, and upon arrival on the scene, they found a 50-year-old male and an adult female who sustained multiple gunshot wounds to their bodies. Both victims were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. According to reports, the victims were driving in a silver Toyota Fortuner when they were approached by unknown suspects who shot them before fleeing the scene. The motive for the attack is believed to be taxi-related.”
Police recovered 85 R5 cartridges and 13 9mm cartridges at the scene.
Delft detectives are investigating two counts of murder. No arrests have been made and no suspects have been identified.
CODETA spokesperson Nceba Enge confirmed that Lingani was a member of the association.
This incident follows a triple murder at the Voorbrug taxi rank on Delft Main Road on 12 March 2026, in which three taxi operators were killed.
Police have urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS app anonymously. Investigations continue.
Man in Twenties Shot Dead After Alleged Attack on SAPS Officer in Durban
Durban – A man believed to be in his twenties was shot dead on Botanic Gardens Road in the Berea area after he allegedly attempted to rob a member of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Emergency medical personnel responded to the shooting incident on the road just after 7:30am this morning. On arrival, they found SAPS members and multiple security personnel already at the scene.
The medical team was shown to the male victim, who had sustained a gunshot wound to the head. Paramedics carried out an immediate assessment and determined that the injuries were fatal. The man was declared deceased on the scene.
Initial information indicates that the deceased had attacked an SAPS official during the alleged robbery attempt, after which the officer retaliated. The scene on Botanic Gardens Road remains active.
All necessary authorities are present at the location and will continue to investigate the circumstances of the incident.
Viral Video Highlights Escalating School Bullying Crisis in South Africa
A video showing a young girl being beaten in front of a crowd of onlookers, including other children who stood by and in some cases recorded the incident, has been circulating widely on social media platforms. The footage, marked as not suitable for sensitive viewers, depicts the assault occurring in what appears to be a school-related setting, with bystanders failing to intervene.
This incident comes amid growing evidence of bullying as a persistent and widespread problem in South African schools. According to data from the Department of Basic Education and UNICEF from 2023, approximately 3.2 million learners experience bullying each year, roughly double the global average. A 2019 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study further revealed that 74% of South African Grade 5 students reported exposure to one or more forms of bullying almost monthly.
More recent figures underscore the scale of the issue. Provincial Education Departments reported a total of 11,194 incidents of bullying in public ordinary schools between October 2024 and September 2025. In the first weeks of the 2025 academic year alone, 548 cases were documented nationwide, with Limpopo province recording the highest number at 305. Earlier studies, including one from 2013 involving 12,000 Grade 9 pupils, showed that 36% of learners were involved in bullying as victims, perpetrators or both, with 19% identifying primarily as victims.
Additional statistics paint a concerning picture of under-reporting and impact. Research indicates that around two-thirds of victims never report their experiences, often due to fear of ridicule, disbelief or inaction. One in ten high school learners skips school to avoid bullying, contributing to absenteeism and disrupted education. Data also shows that 90% of bullying incidents are learner-on-learner, taking forms including physical, verbal and psychological abuse. Boys and older students have been identified in some studies as more likely to be victims.
The effects extend beyond immediate harm. Bullying has been linked to anxiety, depression, declining academic performance and, in severe cases, suicide. A 2021 study across primary schools found 33% of children aged 10-12 had been hit by peers, while 30% reported being called unkind names. The 2019 TIMSS data further noted that 64% of Grade 9 learners experienced bullying on at least a monthly basis.
The Department of Basic Education maintains the National School Safety Framework and has developed an Anti-Bullying Strategy that promotes a zero-tolerance approach, including early intervention, school-based support teams and codes of conduct. The department also observes Anti-Bullying Week annually in November to raise awareness. Provincial policies, such as the Western Cape’s “Abuse No More” guidelines, set timelines for acknowledging reports within 24-48 hours and completing investigations within 10 school days.
Despite these measures, the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has raised concerns that bullying remains poorly addressed in provinces including the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Presentations to the committee highlighted inconsistencies in school-level data, under-reporting and a lack of uniform action. In the Eastern Cape alone, over 3,400 learners were affected by bullying incidents in one year, with varying quarterly figures pointing to gaps in documentation. The committee noted that responses often remain reactive rather than preventive.
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has publicly urged school leaders to act swiftly on bullying allegations and has referenced interdepartmental mechanisms, including collaboration with the South African Police Service, to strengthen responses. Parliamentary records show the department receives aggregated provincial data to identify trends and guide national policy.
These statistics and ongoing reports confirm that school bullying continues to affect millions of South African learners, with documented incidents rising and systemic challenges in addressing the root causes persisting across provinces.
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Johannesburg Authorities Issue Urgent Warning Over ‘Chuff’ Trend as Teens Inhale Fire Extinguisher Contents
A video showing school learners inhaling the contents of a fire extinguisher is spreading on social media, prompting concern from officials in Johannesburg.
The activity, referred to as the ‘Chuff’ challenge, has triggered alerts from parents, teachers and emergency responders across the city.
The City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services has highlighted the serious health dangers linked to breathing in fire extinguisher substances. These risks include pneumonia, seizures and death.
Officials stated that fire extinguishers are made only to extinguish fires and are not intended for inhalation or any form of smoking.
To address safety awareness, the city operates Besafe Centres located in all seven regions. These centres provide educational programmes on life and fire safety, which cover the correct use of fire extinguishers.
Schools and members of the public are encouraged to visit the Besafe Centres or arrange for Public Education Officers to deliver these training sessions at their locations.
Parents have been called upon to speak directly with their children about the hazards of participating in the ‘Chuff’ trend.
Anyone who believes a person may be at risk from this activity is advised to contact the Emergency Management Services Command and Control Centre immediately on 011 375 5911.
The Emergency Management Services is appealing to the community to share accurate information about the dangers so that further harm can be avoided.
