A devastating head-on collision between a heavy motor vehicle and another vehicle has occurred in Piekenierskloof Pass along the N7 highway, resulting in fatalities. The incident has prompted the immediate closure of the road in both directions, with no estimated time for reopening provided yet.
Emergency response teams, including medical personnel and law enforcement, have arrived at the scene to manage the situation and provide necessary assistance. Officials are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash to determine its exact cause.
The collision has caused significant delays and backups for commuters in the area. Drivers are strongly encouraged to steer clear of the N7 near Piekenierskloof Pass and seek out detour options to minimize further congestion.
Authorities emphasize the importance of patience among road users during this disruption and recommend monitoring verified traffic reports for the latest developments on road status and safety advisories.
Police Reservist Wiandre Pretorius Dies by Suicide in Brakpan Following Attempted Assassination
Brakpan, South Africa – In a tragic development, Wiandre Pretorius, a police reservist implicated in a high-profile murder case, has died after shooting himself at a petrol station in Brakpan on the East Rand. The incident occurred in front of his partner, Juan-Mare Eksteen, who serves as a police sergeant and was also mentioned during proceedings at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Pretorius’s death comes just days after he survived an apparent assassination attempt outside his home in Boksburg. During that event, three unidentified gunmen opened fire on his bakkie, discharging approximately 16 rounds as he was leaving his residence in Klapper Street, Van Dyk Park. Pretorius managed to escape without injury, though his vehicle sustained significant damage from the gunfire. In a voice note recorded shortly after the attack, he urgently called for assistance, stating that his vehicle had been heavily damaged and expressing uncertainty about whether it was a targeted hit.
The Boksburg shooting is part of a series of violent incidents involving individuals connected to the Madlanga Commission, a judicial inquiry examining criminality, political interference, and corruption within South Africa’s criminal justice system. Pretorius was named in testimony by Witness D, identified as Marius van der Merwe, who described him as someone who presented himself as a South African Police Service (SAPS) member. Van der Merwe himself was fatally shot outside his Brakpan home in December 2025. However, Gauteng police have stated that no connections have been established between these attacks.
Pretorius, along with others, faced allegations related to the 2022 killing of a suspect in Brakpan. According to details from the commission, the group was accused of torturing the individual before his death, after which the body was dumped at a lake in Germiston. Pretorius had connections to Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officers. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has completed its probe into the matter and forwarded the docket to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for review.
Authorities are currently probing the circumstances of Pretorius’s suicide, with no further details released on potential motives or additional evidence at this time. This case highlights ongoing concerns raised by the Madlanga Commission regarding integrity issues within law enforcement structures.
Tragic Discovery: Body of Missing 23-Year-Old Found in Shallow Grave in Mpumalanga
Kwaggafontein, Mpumalanga – Authorities have recovered the body of a 23-year-old man who had been reported missing in Kwaggafontein, Mpumalanga, on Sunday. The discovery was made by the police’s search and rescue team, marking a somber end to the search efforts.
The body was located buried in a shallow grave behind a home in the nearby area of Vlaklaagte 2. Police officials confirmed the find, which has prompted an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
According to reports, the deceased was last seen in the company of a 30-year-old male individual. This person is known to the police and remains at large as authorities continue their efforts to locate him.
At this stage, the exact cause of the incident remains unclear. However, it has been reported that an argument occurred between the two men prior to the disappearance, which may provide a potential lead for investigators.
Police have not released further details about the identities of those involved or any additional evidence uncovered at the scene. The investigation is active, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in clarifying the events that led to this tragic outcome.
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Tragic Week in Johannesburg: Six Lives Lost to Drowning in City Waterways
JOHANNESBURG – Emergency response teams in Johannesburg have retrieved six bodies from local water bodies during a concerning three-day span, prompting urgent appeals from officials to prioritize safety measures around rivers, dams, and pools.
The recoveries, carried out by the Johannesburg Water Policing and Diving Services, occurred between February 3 and February 5 across multiple neighborhoods in the city. The sites included Norwood, Sandringham, Cosmo City, Doornkop, and Cyrildene, highlighting the widespread risks posed by urban water hazards.
Among the deceased were men and women ranging in age from 19 to 55 years old. A particularly heartbreaking case involved a seven-year-old child who drowned in an unused swimming pool in Cyrildene. In multiple instances, the bodies were discovered entangled in river currents or caught among debris, complicating the retrieval efforts. One operation demanded specialized techniques because of severe contamination in the water body, underscoring the environmental challenges faced by rescue personnel in these scenarios.
Following each recovery, the bodies were transferred to the South African Police Service for further processing. Authorities have initiated inquest dockets for all six cases to investigate the exact circumstances leading to the deaths, ensuring a thorough examination of contributing factors such as water conditions, access points, and potential preventive measures.
This cluster of incidents has intensified focus on water-related dangers in Johannesburg, where seasonal weather patterns and urban development can exacerbate hazards. Officials from the Johannesburg Water Policing and Diving Services emphasized that rivers and dams often swell with unpredictable flows, trapping individuals in submerged obstacles. Abandoned or neglected pools, like the one in Cyrildene, present silent threats, especially to young children exploring unsupervised areas.
In response, city authorities have issued clear directives to the public. Residents are advised to approach any body of water with extreme caution, avoiding entry without proper preparation. For families, the message is unequivocal: constant supervision of children near open water sources is essential to prevent tragedies. Boaters, swimmers, and anglers are recommended to don life jackets or other flotation devices as standard practice, regardless of perceived swimming proficiency or water depth.
The Johannesburg Water Policing and Diving Services, which operates around the clock to monitor and respond to such emergencies, has recorded these recoveries as part of a broader effort to map high-risk zones. Their divers, trained in both standard and hazardous extractions, navigate everything from fast-moving streams to polluted stagnant waters, often working in low visibility and under time pressure.
As inquests proceed, the police are actively seeking public input to piece together timelines and contexts for each incident. Anyone possessing details—such as sightings of individuals near the water sites prior to the recoveries or knowledge of local conditions—is encouraged to come forward. Contact can be made at the nearest police station or through the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111, where anonymity is protected for informants.
These events serve as a stark reminder of the invisible perils embedded in everyday landscapes. With Johannesburg’s mix of natural waterways and man-made features, maintaining vigilance remains a collective responsibility. Officials continue to monitor water levels and patrol vulnerable areas, but they stress that individual awareness is the first line of defense against such losses.
