Oudtshoorn, Western Cape – A 75-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman have been arrested and charged following the circulation of a viral video showing the alleged assault of three street children in Oudtshoorn.
The incident occurred on Friday, 13 February 2026, at the intersection of Van der Riet Street and Kruid Street. Video footage, which spread rapidly on social media, depicts a woman striking the children with what appears to be a plastic pipe. The children, described as street children, are seen crying during the altercation. Additional allegations indicate that one of the children was shot at with a paintball gun.
Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that Oudtshoorn police opened a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm shortly after the video surfaced. The charges were later escalated to attempted murder due to the severity of the allegations, including the use of the paintball gun.
The suspects, identified as Johan Scholtz, 75, and Gerda Tait, 52, were arrested over the weekend. Scholtz was taken into custody on the day of the incident, while Tait was arrested on Sunday, 15 February. Both appeared in the Oudtshoorn Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 16 February 2026.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila stated that the pair faced three counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The charge sheet details that the children were allegedly hit with a plastic pipe, with one sustaining a paintball gunshot to the body. The case was postponed to 23 February for a bail application.
The video sparked widespread outrage across South Africa, with many expressing shock at the treatment of the children. Community members and social media users called for swift justice, while some local residents noted prior complaints about the behaviour of street children in the area.
The matter has also been escalated to the South African Human Rights Commission for further investigation, amid concerns over child protection and public violence.
Police have appealed to the public for any additional information that could assist the investigation. Authorities emphasised that the case remains active and that the legal process must be allowed to unfold without interference.
This incident has highlighted broader issues around the safety and welfare of vulnerable children in South African communities, particularly in smaller towns like Oudtshoorn.
The suspects remain in custody pending the next court appearance.
Three Suspects Remanded as Bolt Driver Murder Case Postponed for Further Probe
Pretoria – The murder case linked to the killing of a young Nigerian e-hailing driver took a procedural step forward on Monday when three suspects briefly appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.
Dikeledi Tears Phela, Gositsiane Machidi and McClaren Mushwana are accused of murder and carjacking in the death of 22-year-old Isaac Satlat, who was attacked while on duty for Bolt in Pretoria West.
The matter was postponed to 23 February 2026 to allow police more time to complete their investigation. All three remain in custody. The two men are being held at the SAPS Pretoria North Police Station, while Phela is detained at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre.
The attack happened on the evening of 11 February 2026. Satlat, who was working what would be his final trip of the day, responded to a ride request in the Pretoria West area. Dashcam footage from his vehicle later showed three passengers — two men and a woman — turning on him inside the car.
According to accounts pieced together from the video and police reports, the woman in the front passenger seat searched the driver while one of the men in the back grabbed him by the neck and strangled him. The second woman allegedly helped restrain Satlat until he stopped moving. The suspects then moved his body to the rear seat, with one of them taking the wheel.
The hijacked Bolt vehicle and Satlat’s body were found later that same night in the Mshongoville area of Atteridgeville, several kilometres from where the trip began.
Satlat was a Nigerian national living in South Africa. He was an automotive mechanical engineering intern based in Centurion and was due to graduate in March. Family members described him as a warm, generous young man passionate about engineering, fashion and his faith. He had been making plans to continue his studies in Canada.
His relatives have rejected suggestions that the killing was motivated by xenophobia, insisting it was a random criminal act that could have happened to anyone. They are now appealing for public support to help repatriate his body to Nigeria for burial.
Bolt, the ride-hailing platform Satlat worked for, issued a statement expressing deep sadness over the incident. The company said it is cooperating fully with the police and has launched an internal review to strengthen safety measures for drivers on its platform.
Gauteng police, through spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo, confirmed the arrests came after a joint operation involving multiple units and information from the community. The first suspect, a 25-year-old woman, was detained shortly after the killing. Two more men, aged 26 and 30, were arrested over the weekend.
While three suspects are now before the court, police have indicated that investigations are continuing and have not ruled out further arrests.
The case has drawn widespread attention, largely because of the graphic dashcam video that circulated online. Authorities have urged the public not to share the footage, describing it as traumatic and counterproductive to the ongoing probe.
Monday’s court appearance was brief, as is common at this early stage. The next hearing on 23 February is expected to provide more clarity on the direction of the investigation.
Police Seek 28-Year-Old in Connection with Philippi East Shebeen Massacre
Cape Town – Western Cape Serious and Violent Crime detectives are appealing for public assistance to locate 28-year-old Lonwabo Steven Dyasi, who is wanted in connection with the murders of nine people and the attempted murder of one more in a shooting at a shebeen in Philippi East.
A warrant for Dyasi’s arrest has been issued following the incident at an unlicensed drinking spot in the Marikana informal settlement.
The attack took place in the early hours of 17 January 2026 when three armed men entered the premises shortly after midnight and opened fire on people inside.
Six victims died at the scene. Three others later succumbed to their injuries in hospital, bringing the death toll to nine. At least one person was seriously wounded but survived.
While Dyasi remains at large, police have arrested a 19-year-old suspect in Worcester. He faces nine counts of murder and one count of attempted murder and has appeared in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court.
Anyone with information that could lead to Dyasi’s arrest is urged to contact Detective Constable Sibusiso Manqindi on 072 980 2764 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
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- Tragic Two-Vehicle Collision Shuts Down N1 at Capricorn Toll Plaza in Limpopo
- Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle at Tzaneen Police Station
Fatal Rear-End Truck Collision Under Cradock Railway Bridge on N10 Claims One Life
Cradock, Eastern Cape – 16 February 2026
A rear-end collision between two heavy trucks on the N10 national road beneath the railway bridge in Cradock resulted in one fatality on the evening of Sunday, 15 February 2026.
The incident took place on the section of the N10 heading towards Middelburg. One truck struck the rear of the vehicle ahead while both were travelling under the railway overpass. The force of the impact caused one of the trucks to catch fire shortly afterwards, with thick smoke filling the area beneath the bridge.
Emergency services responded to the scene, where firefighters worked to contain the blaze amid the wreckage of the two articulated trucks. One person was confirmed dead as a result of the collision.
Traffic authorities reported that the road remained open in the immediate aftermath, though one lane was obstructed by the vehicles and debris. By early Monday morning, 16 February, updates confirmed that the N10 would be fully closed at the site to allow for thorough cleanup operations and the safe recovery of the trucks.
Motorists travelling in the Cradock area, particularly those using the route between Cradock and Middelburg, were advised to make use of alternative roads to avoid congestion and delays during the closure.
The N10 is a key national route through the Eastern Cape, frequently used by heavy freight vehicles. The railway bridge in Cradock serves as a prominent landmark along this corridor.
No further details on the identities of those involved or the precise circumstances leading to the collision have been released at this stage. Investigations by the relevant authorities are ongoing.
This article is based exclusively on verified reports from traffic services, emergency updates, and on-scene observations.
Three Trucks Collide on N3 Near Pietermaritzburg, Driver Freed from Wreckage
A collision involving three trucks took place on the N3 highway near Lynnfield Park in Pietermaritzburg on Monday, 16 February 2026, just after 8am.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find four people injured. One driver was trapped inside one of the trucks.
Firefighters and rescue teams used the Jaws of Life to free the entrapped driver. Advanced life support was provided on site, after which the driver was taken to hospital.
The other three injured people were treated at the scene and did not need hospital transport.
Paramedics also assisted a separate patient experiencing seizures, who was stabilised and transported to hospital.
Traffic on the N3 remains backed up in the area as a result of the crash.
