Roodepoort, Gauteng – A 16-year-old was taken into custody earlier this week following the discovery of a significant quantity of explosives at a local address.
The arrest was carried out by the National Intervention Unit and Gauteng Crime Intelligence officers, who acted on intelligence regarding the sale of explosives in the Motlhakeng area and surrounding regions.
Upon arriving at the specified location in Roodepoort, authorities apprehended the individual and confiscated 50 blasting cartridges, 25 safety fuse connectors, and detonating cords.
Ongoing probes aim to uncover any associated criminal groups involved in the unlawful handling and supply of such materials.
Items of this nature are frequently employed in high-risk offenses, including cash-in-transit heists and unauthorized mining operations.
Tragic Death of 14-Year-Old After Childbirth Sparks Family’s Call for Investigation
Cape Town – The family of 14-year-old Sibahle Mbina is seeking clarity and justice following her untimely death shortly after giving birth at Groote Schuur Hospital.
Sibahle’s mother reported that the teenager delivered her baby at the facility and was sent home on the same day. However, the next day, Sibahle experienced intense pain and various health issues.
Medical assessments revealed a severe infection, thought to have originated during the delivery process. This infection subsequently affected her kidneys and brain, leading to a swift decline in her health.
Despite efforts to treat her, Sibahle succumbed to her condition after several days. Her newborn child, however, remains healthy.
The mother also claimed that Sibahle suffered an injury during the birth, specifically from her legs being spread excessively wide. The family believes this injury may have played a role in the infection’s development and spread.
In response, relatives are demanding a thorough probe into the circumstances surrounding the incident, emphasizing the need for accountability and detailed explanations about the events leading to Sibahle’s passing.
Bus Accident Leads to Full Closure of N1-29 Near Ingwe Lodge
Makhado, Limpopo – Authorities have shut down the N1-29 highway in both directions following a bus accident at Ingwe Lodge, located outside Makhado. The incident took place around 06:40 on February 19, 2026, when the bus veered off the roadway and ended up in a ditch.
Emergency responders are currently at the site managing the situation, with additional information expected to be provided as it becomes available. No details regarding injuries or the number of passengers involved have been disclosed at this time.
Motorists are urged to avoid the area and take detour routes, including the R523 Nzhelele Road. This stretch of road has previously been the site of similar bus-related accidents.
Updates on the road’s reopening and further developments will follow from local transport officials.
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Tragic Two-Vehicle Collision Shuts Down N1 at Capricorn Toll Plaza in Limpopo
Polokwane, Limpopo – February 18, 2026 – A devastating two-vehicle crash has led to the complete closure of the N1 highway at the Capricorn Toll Plaza in Limpopo, halting traffic in both directions and causing significant disruptions for commuters and freight transporters alike. Emergency services, medical personnel, and officers from the South African Police Service (SAPS) are actively on the scene, attending to the aftermath of what authorities have described as a horrific incident.
The collision occurred earlier today on this critical stretch of the N1, a major national route that serves as the backbone for transportation in northern South Africa. Details on the exact cause of the crash remain under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest high speeds or adverse road conditions may have played a role. No confirmed information on casualties has been released at this time, though witnesses reported seeing extensive vehicle damage at the site. The Capricorn Toll Plaza, located approximately 50 kilometers north of Polokwane, is a key checkpoint on the highway, managed by the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) as part of the N1’s tolled network.
The N1 highway, often referred to as the Great North Road, is one of South Africa’s busiest arterial routes, stretching over 1,900 kilometers from Cape Town in the south to the Beit Bridge border post with Zimbabwe in the north. In Limpopo province, it traverses diverse terrain, from the flat savannas around Polokwane to the rugged foothills of the Soutpansberg Mountains near Makhado (formerly Louis Trichardt). This particular section near the Capricorn Toll Plaza handles an average daily traffic volume of over 20,000 vehicles, including heavy-duty trucks carrying goods from mining operations in the Bushveld Complex and agricultural produce from Limpopo’s fertile farmlands. The province itself is known for its rich mineral resources, such as platinum and chrome, and its subtropical climate, which supports crops like citrus, avocados, and macadamia nuts. However, the highway’s high usage also makes it prone to accidents, with SANRAL reporting over 500 incidents in Limpopo alone in the past year, often exacerbated by factors like driver fatigue, overloading, and occasional heavy rainfall that can lead to slippery conditions.
The closure has forced authorities to redirect traffic onto alternative routes to minimize delays. For drivers heading south from Makhado toward Polokwane, the recommended detour is to turn left onto the R36 at Morebeng (formerly Soekmekaar), a small rural settlement known for its historical railway links and surrounding maize farms, before joining the R81 to reach Polokwane. Conversely, those traveling north from Polokwane should take the R81 from the Mall of the North – a prominent shopping center in the provincial capital that serves as a landmark for local navigation – and proceed through Ga-Dikgale, a village area with strong cultural ties to the Northern Sotho people, before connecting to the R36 at Morebeng and rejoining the N1 beyond the toll plaza.
These detour options, while viable, add approximately 30-45 minutes to journey times and involve secondary roads that may not accommodate heavy vehicles as efficiently as the N1’s dual carriageway. The R81 and R36 are provincial roads maintained by the Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure, and they wind through communities where livestock crossings and pedestrian activity are common, necessitating extra caution from motorists.
SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo urged drivers to remain patient and adhere to traffic directives. “We are working diligently to clear the scene and restore normal flow, but safety is our top priority,” he stated. The incident comes amid heightened road safety awareness in Limpopo, following recent operations at the Capricorn Toll Gate aimed at enforcing speed limits, seatbelt usage, and vehicle compliance, as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the province’s road fatality rate, which stood at over 1,200 deaths in 2025 according to national statistics.
Motorists are advised to stay updated via local radio stations, SANRAL’s traffic app, or official social media channels for real-time developments. The N1’s closure underscores the vulnerabilities of South Africa’s road infrastructure in remote provinces like Limpopo, where economic growth relies heavily on efficient transport links. Investigations into the crash are ongoing, with a full report expected from authorities in the coming days. Travelers planning routes through the area should consider delaying non-essential trips until the highway reopens.
