In a dramatic wildlife encounter, a hippopotamus charged and overturned a boat carrying conservationists in a dam located in the Lowveld region of South Africa, an area encompassing Kruger National Park. The incident involved members of the conservation group The Digital Ark, who were attempting to rescue an escaped hippo and its calf that had fled from a nearby farm amid severe flooding.
The team planned to use tranquilizer darts to sedate the animals before transporting them in specialized trailers to a safer location. However, during the operation, the hippo launched itself from the water, capsizing the vessel and ejecting one conservationist into the dam. The individual quickly climbed onto the upturned boat for safety. Two other team members, including one equipped with a tranquilizer gun, observed the event from a nearby raft.
No injuries were reported in the accounts of the event. Footage of the attack, captured during the rescue effort, has garnered over 14,000 views online. Andre Pienaar, a conservationist leading the operation, shared details on social media, confirming the authenticity of the footage and highlighting the dangers posed by hippos, which cause more human fatalities in Africa than nearly any other large animal.
Tragic Crane Overturn in Overport Claims One Life
Durban, South Africa – A man lost his life in a workplace accident involving a cherry picker crane on February 19, 2026, in the Overport area. The incident took place shortly after 5:00 PM outside a shopping mall along Ridge Road, also known as Peter Mokaba Road.
According to emergency responders, the cherry picker, a mobile elevated work platform, overturned during the process of being unloaded from a transport vehicle. The driver, estimated to be in his thirties, was thrown from the equipment and suffered critical injuries. Paramedics from ALS Paramedics arrived quickly, but after assessment, they pronounced him dead at the scene due to the severity of his wounds.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) secured the area and initiated an investigation into the circumstances. Initial reports describe the event as an unexpected mishap, with no signs of external interference. The precise cause remains undetermined pending further examination.
Shopping mall officials issued a statement offering sympathies to the deceased’s loved ones and pledged full support to the ongoing probe by authorities.
Updates on the investigation are anticipated as SAPS concludes their review.
Hijacking Syndicate Busted in KZN After High-Speed Pursuit
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal – Authorities disrupted a vehicle hijacking and theft operation on February 19, 2026, resulting in the arrest of three individuals connected to several cases in the region.
The incident began around 10:00 AM when intelligence indicated suspects were active in the Chatsworth area, tied to prior thefts and hijackings in Chatsworth and nearby locations. A joint team, comprising Marshall Security’s Special Operations Team, Isipingo Trio Crimes unit, Fidelity Investigations and Specialised Operations, ET Rapid Response, and Tracker SA, positioned themselves along the M1 Higginson Highway.
Officers observed the suspects in a white VW Polo near a Chatsworth shopping center, where they were in the process of stealing a blue VW Polo. When approached, both vehicles sped away, initiating a chase from the Woodhurst off-ramp toward Havenside. The fleeing suspects drove erratically, striking several other vehicles and causing accidents. Their white VW Polo eventually veered out of control, crossed the median, and crashed into a civilian car on the highway.
The highway was promptly secured to manage the scene and protect bystanders. Three suspects were apprehended on site, while the blue VW Polo escaped. The civilian driver involved in the collision suffered serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital.
A vehicle search uncovered two unlicensed firearms, including one with an erased serial number, a signal jammer, a police radio, various car-breaking tools, specialized vehicle equipment, multiple computer boxes from vehicles, and several ignitions for different cars.
The arrested individuals were held at Bayview South African Police Service station and later received medical attention under guard after requesting it. They are suspected in additional vehicle theft and attempted theft incidents in Wentworth, Mayville, Amanzimtoti, and Chatsworth. Investigations remain active.
- Truck Driver Survives Fiery Crash on N1 in Limpopo Following Brake Failure
- Four Occupants Seriously Injured in Vehicle Rollover on N2 Near Magabeni
- Hawks Execute Takedown Operation in Mpumalanga Amid Education Department Corruption Probe
- Terrifying Hippo Attack Flips Conservation Boat in South Africa’s Lowveld
- Fatal Road Accident on M13 Near Gillits Leaves One Dead
Five Dead, Dozens Injured in Limpopo Bus Accident on N1 Highway
MAKHADO – A bus accident on the N1 highway in Limpopo province claimed five lives and left 32 others injured early on February 19, 2026. The incident occurred at approximately 2:50 AM near Ingwe Lodge in the Vhembe District, outside Makhado, also known as Louis Trichardt.
The Marcopolo bus was traveling from Gauteng province toward Musina, with passengers intending to continue to Zimbabwe. Preliminary reports indicate the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer off the roadway and plunge into a ditch or embankment.
Among the deceased were the male driver, one female passenger, and three male passengers. Of the injured, four sustained serious injuries, ten were critically hurt, and eighteen had minor injuries. All survivors were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
The N1-29 road was closed in both directions following the crash, with emergency services, traffic officers, and investigators remaining on site to clear the area and conduct a full probe. Motorists were advised to use alternative routes due to expected delays.
This location is the same spot where a previous bus crash in October 2025 resulted in at least 42 fatalities, involving passengers traveling to Zimbabwe and Malawi. Survivors of the recent incident have called for an investigation into road safety at the site, citing similarities to the prior tragedy. Transport ministers have instructed the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) to develop engineering solutions for the curve just after Makhado, where crashes have increased.
Limpopo’s MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye, visited the scene and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. An official investigation into the exact cause, including potential factors like overloading, is ongoing.
