Phalaborwa, South Africa – A 39-year-old woman has been arrested and charged with attempted murder following a violent stabbing incident at a Shoprite store in Namakgale. The attack targeted a 40-year-old pregnant employee, who sustained multiple stab wounds during her shift.
The incident occurred on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at approximately 8:50 a.m. According to police reports, the victim was en route to work when she received a phone call from a coworker informing her that a woman was at the store asking for her. Upon arriving, the victim proceeded to the storeroom to retrieve merchandise and began stocking shelves in the main area.
As she worked, the 39-year-old suspect approached her, and the two exchanged brief greetings. Without warning, the suspect pulled out a knife and began stabbing the victim repeatedly, inflicting several wounds across her body.
Store security personnel intervened promptly, subduing the suspect and aiding the injured victim. Authorities and Emergency Medical Services were immediately notified and responded to the scene. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, while the suspect was taken into custody on-site. Police also confiscated the knife used in the assault.
Initial investigations indicate that the suspect entered the store with intent to harm the victim. She reportedly disguised her actions by placing groceries, including a set of knives, into a shopping trolley. She then selected one knife in preparation for the attack before confronting the victim.
While the exact motive remains under investigation, a source familiar with the case suggested that the incident may stem from both women being romantically involved with the same man.
The suspect made her first court appearance at the Namakgale Magistrate’s Court on Monday, February 2, 2026, where she faced formal charges of attempted murder. The case is ongoing, with further details expected as the investigation progresses.
Former South African President Jacob Zuma Referenced in Newly Released Epstein Documents
Johannesburg, February 1, 2026 – Former South African President Jacob Zuma has been named in a batch of documents released by the United States Department of Justice related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The files, unsealed on January 23, 2026, include over 3 million pages of records from Epstein’s estate and associated legal proceedings.
The references to Zuma appear in a series of emails dated March 2010, during his official state visit to the United Kingdom. Zuma served as South Africa’s president from 2009 to 2018 and undertook the three-day visit from March 3 to March 5, 2010, at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II. The emails detail arrangements for a private dinner held at the Ritz Hotel in London on the evening of March 5, 2010.
One email, sent on March 4, 2010, by Mark Lloyd, who is identified in the correspondence as an associate assisting Epstein, states: “I have been asked to help arrange a small dinner tomorrow night for President Jacob Zuma of South Africa at the Ritz Hotel at 7pm.” The message was addressed to a woman named Vera, and subsequent communications discuss inviting a Russian model to the event to “add glamour.” A follow-up email describes the model’s positive impression on the attendees, including Zuma.
The dinner attendees included Zuma, his wife at the time, Thobeka Madiba-Zuma, the Russian model, and other individuals connected to Epstein’s circle. The event took place on the final day of Zuma’s state visit, which involved official engagements such as meetings at Buckingham Palace. By 2010, Epstein had already been convicted in 2008 on charges related to procuring a minor for prostitution in Florida, serving 13 months in custody under a plea deal.
The documents do not contain any allegations of criminal activity, misconduct, or wrongdoing on Zuma’s part. Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, was known for his connections to high-profile figures in politics, business, and entertainment. The latest release of files stems from ongoing civil litigation linked to Epstein’s network, including lawsuits involving his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 on sex trafficking charges.
In response to the reports, the Jacob Zuma Foundation issued a statement denouncing the references as an “attempt to smear” the former president’s reputation. The foundation emphasized that it would not tolerate such efforts and declined to engage further on the matter. Zuma, now 83, has faced various legal challenges in South Africa, including corruption trials related to arms deals from the 1990s, but none connected to the Epstein documents.
The release of these files has prompted discussions in South African media and online platforms, with some noting the timing coincides with other domestic political developments. However, the emails remain the sole point of reference to Zuma in the disclosed materials. The US Department of Justice has indicated that portions of the files were redacted to exclude sensitive content, including images depicting death, physical abuse, or injury.
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Tragic N2 Collision Results in Six Fatalities in Mtubatuba
MTUBATUBA, South Africa – A collision on the N2 highway in the Inkosi Mtubatuba local municipality claimed the lives of six members of the Mnyango family on Friday night. The incident involved a Corsa vehicle and a truck.
The deceased have been identified as Mama Nokuphakama Mnyango, also known as MaMdletshe, aged 85; Mama Makhosi kaMnyango Mthembu, aged 52; Mvuyani Gcaleka, aged 43; Senamile Buthelezi, aged 29; Banzi Buthelezi, aged 6; and Ayanda Pearl Mthembu. One young girl initially survived the crash with serious injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment, but she later died from those injuries.
The circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation by authorities. Emergency response teams, including the disaster team from the Inkosi Mtubatuba local municipality, emergency health services, the Road Traffic Inspectorate, and the South African Police Service (SAPS), attended the scene despite challenging conditions.
KwaZulu-Natal transport and human settlements MEC Siboniso Duma confirmed the details of the incident. A team from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and human settlements office, along with departmental religious leaders, is scheduled to visit the Mnyango family on Monday at 1 p.m. to offer support and assistance with funeral arrangements. The delegation will be accompanied by local councillor Prosper Gumbi from the Umfolozi local municipality.
In a statement, Duma noted that the department had hoped the injured girl would recover, but she did not. He also acknowledged the efforts of the disaster team, emergency health services, Road Traffic Inspectorate, and SAPS in handling the response.
