Two shot dead in Mhluzi Extension 5, Middelburg
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Two people were shot dead in Mhluzi Extension 5, Middelburg, in Mpumalanga on the night of Sunday, 30 August 2026.
The incident took place after 20:00. Community members in the area reported hearing more than five gunshots. The location was near the New Money Pub.
Emergency services and police responded to the scene.
At the time of reporting, no further official details have been released regarding the identities of the deceased, the circumstances leading to the shooting, any suspects, possible motive, or arrests. Investigations by the South African Police Service are understood to be underway.
Mhluzi Extension 5 forms part of the broader Mhluzi township area on the outskirts of Middelburg. Local reports of gunfire in residential sections of the township have occurred periodically in recent years, though each incident is treated as a separate matter by authorities.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact the nearest police station, Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or use the MySAPS application.
Further updates will depend on official statements from the police once additional verified information becomes available.
Airlink Issues Statement on Low-Altitude Formation Flyby over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium Ahead of Springboks-All Blacks Test
Cape Town, 30 August 2026 – South African regional airline Airlink has responded to public concerns about a low-altitude formation flyby performed by two of its Embraer aircraft over DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, 29 August 2026. The manoeuvre took place shortly before kick-off in the second Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series between the Springboks and the New Zealand All Blacks.
The flyby involved an Embraer E190 registered ZS-YAE, painted in a special green livery, and an Embraer E195 registered ZS-YDE, painted in a special black livery. Both aircraft carried branding associated with the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, for which Airlink serves as the official domestic airline partner. The aircraft are used to transport squads, coaches, management and support staff between matches during the series.
In a statement released on 30 August 2026, Airlink noted concerns expressed on social media and online forums regarding the altitude of the formation flyby. The airline stated that the flight required careful planning and rehearsal because it involved navigating at low altitude at approximately 150 knots. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and Air Traffic Navigation Services provided guidance, approval and support to ensure the operation was conducted safely.
According to Airlink, each of the two aircraft was flown by a highly experienced crew consisting of three senior captains. These captains operated in the roles of commander, co-pilot and safety/technical officer. The airline further stated that flight data recorded by both aircraft confirmed the flights were performed within the SACAA’s approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits for the flypast.
Independent analysis of ADS-B altitude data by Flightradar24 provided additional detail on the aircraft’s height. The lowest recorded ADS-B altitude was 50 feet above mean sea level at standard pressure. After correction for the local atmospheric pressure (QNH of 1019 hPa), the estimated altitude was 205 to 210 feet above mean sea level. DHL Stadium stands near sea level, with its structure reaching approximately 164 feet in height. Based on these figures, Flightradar24 calculated the clearance over the top of the stadium at between 41 and 46 feet (approximately 12.5 to 14 metres).
The flyby formed part of pre-match activities at the stadium and was broadcast live. It continued a South African rugby tradition of aircraft flyovers at major matches that dates back to the 1995 Rugby World Cup final at Ellis Park, when a South African Airways Boeing 747 flew over the stadium before the Springboks faced the All Blacks.
Airlink is the official domestic carrier for the 2026 Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, which includes multiple Test matches between South Africa and New Zealand as well as provincial fixtures. The series schedule featured the Springboks versus All Blacks match at DHL Stadium on 29 August 2026 as the second Test. The Springboks won the match 33-26, levelling the series at 1-1. Attendance was reported at approximately 56,589 spectators.
The statement from Airlink did not indicate any changes to the planned operation as a result of the public reaction. The airline maintained that the recorded flight data and regulatory approvals confirmed compliance with the approved parameters for the stadium flypast.
No reports of any incidents, injuries or operational irregularities arising from the flyby have been issued by Airlink, the SACAA or stadium authorities in connection with the event.
27 killed in head-on collision between minibus and haulage truck near Chivhu, Zimbabwe
A head-on collision between a minibus taxi and a foreign-registered haulage truck on Friday night killed 27 people and injured seven others near Chivhu in central Zimbabwe, according to police.
The crash occurred around 8:30 p.m. local time on 28 August 2026 along the Harare-Masvingo Road, near Makumimavi Primary School, at approximately the 130- to 132-kilometre mark south of Harare. The location is about 130 to 140 kilometres south of the capital.
Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the details in a statement on Saturday. A Nissan Caravan NV350 kombi (minibus) carrying an unspecified number of passengers was involved in a head-on collision with a Volvo haulage truck that was also carrying an unknown number of passengers.
Police said the foreign-registered truck was attempting to overtake another vehicle when the collision occurred. The minibus was transporting members of the African Apostolic Church (Mwazha), a popular indigenous African Christian denomination known for its white robes. The passengers were travelling from Dema to Mvuma for a church conference.
Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Itayi Ndudzo confirmed that 23 people were pronounced dead at the scene. Four more died later from their injuries after being admitted to hospital, bringing the total death toll to 27. Seven people were injured and taken for medical treatment. The bodies of the deceased were taken to the mortuary at Chivhu Hospital. Police stated that the names of the victims would be released once identified by next of kin.
Footage and images shared by the state broadcaster ZBC and local media showed the minibus severely damaged and reduced to a charred shell after it caught fire following the impact. The truck came to rest on the opposite side of the road. The crash took place on a flat, remote stretch of highway with low vegetation along the roadside.
Both vehicles were reported to have been carrying an unspecified or unknown number of passengers at the time. Investigations into the exact circumstances are continuing, with police indicating that further details would be provided as the probe progresses.
Road traffic accidents remain a significant issue in Zimbabwe. Authorities have previously attributed a high proportion of crashes to human factors, alongside challenges with road conditions on major routes. Minibus taxis, known locally as kombis, form a primary mode of public transport for many people.
This account is based on official police statements and reports from multiple outlets citing those statements and provincial authorities. No further verified details on the specific identities of drivers or additional passenger counts had been released at the time of reporting.
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