SAPS takes action against alleged corrupt police official

Posted on June 8, 2026June 8, 2026 by

The South African Police Service (SAPS) management in Gauteng has noted a video circulating on social media platforms, particularly Facebook, depicting a police official in full uniform allegedly returning money to a member of the public following an alleged bribery incident.

The police officer featured in the video has been identified, and immediate disciplinary processes have been instituted. A departmental investigation has also been launched to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

SAPS maintains a zero-tolerance approach to corruption. The acceptance, solicitation or facilitation of a bribe constitutes a criminal offence and a serious violation of the SAPS Code of Conduct.

The Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, has strongly condemned the alleged conduct."The South African Police Service will not tolerate corruption in any form. Members who abuse their authority, compromise their integrity, or betray the trust placed in them by the public will be dealt with decisively. We are committed to ensuring that every allegation of corruption is thoroughly investigated and that appropriate disciplinary and criminal action is taken where warranted.

Our communities deserve professional, ethical and accountable policing, and we remain steadfast in protecting the integrity of the organisation," said Lieutenant General Mthombeni.

All SAPS members are expected to conduct themselves with integrity and professionalism, in compliance with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, the SAPS Code of Conduct, and all applicable legislative and policy frameworks.

Members of the public are urged not to offer bribes and to report any allegations of corruption or extortion involving SAPS members through the following channels:

* SAPS Anti-Corruption Hotline: 0800 701 701
* SAPS National Complaints Service Centre: 0800 333 177
* Corruption Watch WhatsApp Line: 072 013 5569
* Gauteng Service Complaints Standby: 082 442 2000
* Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID)

SAPS remains committed to rooting out corruption within its ranks and ensuring accountability, professionalism and public trust in policing.

Western Cape still leads on jobs, with the strongest business confidence in SA

Posted on June 5, 2026June 5, 2026 by

Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, has responded to a parliamentary question from Member N D Nkondlo on the province’s latest employment figures. The quarterly employment contraction observed in Q1 2026 should be interpreted within the broader context of ongoing national economic pressures.

It is also important to note that quarterly labour market indicators are inherently volatile and susceptible to short-term fluctuations.

As such, quarter-on-quarter declines in employment should be treated with caution, as they may reflect transitory disruptions rather than a sustained downturn. Despite this seasonal decline, it is noteworthy that this year, the Western Cape’s employment was 2 883 000, its highest ever recorded employment for the first quarter of any year previously.

The Western Cape continues to outperform all other provinces, by a significant margin, maintaining the lowest unemployment rate in the country. The province recorded a net increase of 22 000 jobs between Q1 2025 and Q1 2026. The provincial unemployment rate also remained stable at 19.6% over this period.

“While we acknowledge the quarterly decline in employment, it is important to emphasise that this forms part of a broader national contraction, with South Africa losing 345 000 jobs over the same period,” said Minister Meyer.

Drivers of job losses are national and structural

Minister Meyer explained that the recent increase in unemployment is driven by a combination of factors rather than a province-specific shock.

These include:

-Global factors and a national economic slowdown, affecting labour demand across all provinces,
-Seasonal employment effects, as temporary festive-season jobs unwind in the first quarter,
-Broad-based job losses across both formal and informal sectors.
-Sector-specific declines, particularly in community and social services, construction, and transport.

In particular, the community and social services sector experienced significant job losses, partly linked to reduced donor and public funding, including global funding constraints affecting healthcare and research programmes.

“These trends point to a challenging labour market environment in which both demand for labour and job sustainability have weakened. Importantly, these dynamics are not unique to the Western Cape,” Meyer said.

Western Cape still leads on recovery trajectory

Despite quarterly volatility, the Western Cape remains the best-performing province in key labour market indicators.
“We remain focused on enabling economic growth and creating an environment where businesses can invest, grow, and create jobs,” Meyer said.

Stronger business confidence underscores provincial resilience

The second quarter 2026 RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) further reinforces the relative strength of the Western Cape economy.
-The Western Cape BCI increased by 5 points to 55, remaining above the neutral 50 mark,
-By contrast, national business confidence declined sharply to 39,
-The Western Cape is currently the only province above the neutral threshold.

“This improvement in business confidence, even amid a difficult national environment, global challenges and the recent floods, reflects continued investor trust in the Western Cape’s economic fundamentals and governance environment,” Meyer added.

Committed to lowering unemployment

While acknowledging that “there is still much more ground to cover,” Minister Meyer reaffirmed the Western Cape Government’s commitment to its growth strategy.

“As unemployment remains one of South Africa’s most pressing challenges, the Western Cape will continue to implement proven, evidence-based interventions to drive inclusive growth and create more dignified jobs for our residents,” he said.

World Environment Day: Call for SA to be part of climate change response

Posted on June 5, 2026June 5, 2026 by

As South Africa joins the international community to celebrate World Environment Day, government has called on every South African to be part of the climate response.

“Businesses must accelerate cleaner and more sustainable practices. Communities must protect local ecosystems and reduce environmental harm. Civil society, youth, women, traditional leaders and local institutions must continue to lead practical action where they live and work,” the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said on Friday.

The department said government will continue to strengthen partnerships that protect people, nature and the economy.

World Environment Day is being celebrated under the theme: “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future”.

“This year’s theme serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for governments, businesses, communities and individuals to work together in taking meaningful action to protect the environment and address the impacts of climate change.

“For decades, the world has heard the climate story through scientific warnings, global agreements, targets and distant deadlines. Too often, the response has been slowed by delay, distraction and denial,” the department said.

The effects of climate change are visible in the lives of people whose homes, livelihoods, infrastructure and local economies are increasingly affected by climate-related disasters.

“Rising temperatures, destructive floods, prolonged droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, melting glaciers and rising seas are clear signals that the planet is under increasing pressure,” the department said.

In South Africa, recent flooding and severe weather events have affected several provinces, including Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

This has caused a tragic loss of lives, damage to homes and public infrastructure, disruption to livelihoods, and increased pressure on municipalities that are often the first line of response during climate disasters.

“As climate-related disasters increase in frequency and intensity, government’s response must move beyond recovery after disaster strikes. It must strengthen prevention, preparedness, adaptation and resilience at the local level, where the impacts of climate change are felt most directly,” the department said.

It said it continues to work with provinces, municipalities and other organs of state to support climate change adaptation planning, risk and vulnerability assessments, climate response strategies, disaster risk reduction and the integration of climate considerations into local development planning.

This includes supporting municipalities to better understand their climate risks, strengthen early warning and preparedness measures, identify adaptation priorities, and implement nature-based solutions such as wetland rehabilitation, catchment restoration, urban greening and ecosystem protection.

“These interventions are critical because local government is at the frontline of climate impacts. When floods wash away roads, when heatwaves affect vulnerable households, when drought places pressure on water systems, and when storms damage public infrastructure, municipalities are often the first responders.

“Supporting local government is therefore not an administrative function. It is central to protecting lives, livelihoods and public infrastructure,” the department emphasised.

NCC recalls over 6,500 Toyota and Lexus Vehicles Over Rear-View Camera Fault

Posted on June 5, 2026June 5, 2026 by

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has alerted consumers to safety recalls issued by Toyota South Africa Motors (Pty) Ltd and Lexus South Africa Motors (Pty) Ltd, affecting a total of 6,525 vehicles sold nationwide.

The recall includes 4,858 Toyota vehicles and 1,667 Lexus vehicles, all fitted with a Parking Assist Electronic Control Unit (ECU) linked to the Panoramic View Monitor system.

Toyota models affected

The Toyota recall covers the Crown, Land Cruiser 300 (LC300), Land Cruiser Prado, RAV4 and bZ4X models, sold between 2022 and 2025.

According to the supplier, a software issue in the Parking Assist ECU may cause the rear-view camera image to freeze briefly when reverse gear is selected shortly after starting the vehicle. In some cases, the image may fail to display entirely.

Lexus models affected

The Lexus recall includes the ES, GX, LC500, LX500/700, LX600/500d, NX, RX, RZ, and LUX models sold between 2021 and 2025.

The same software fault may cause the rear-view image to freeze or fail when reversing, potentially limiting the driver’s rear visibility and increasing the risk of a collision.

Consumer advisory

The NCC has urged affected vehicle owners to visit any authorised Toyota or Lexus dealership for inspection. A software update or repair will be performed free of charge.

The commission says the recall is a precautionary safety measure to ensure all affected vehicles operate as intended.

Launch of Lenacapavir a game-changer

Posted on June 5, 2026June 5, 2026 by

It is often said that health is wealth and South Africa’s launch of the game changing Lenacapavir injectable today, Friday, 5 June 2026, provides a shot in the arm that will boost South Africa’s fight against HIV and AIDS.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, will launch the injectable at the Lilian Ngoyi Stadium at Secunda, in Mpumalanga.

Making the HIV prevention medicine available to South Africans was one of the commitments the Presdent made in the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in February.

At the time, President Ramaphosa said: “In support of our programme to prevent and ultimately, eliminate HIV, we will be undertaking a massive rollout of Lenacapavir, a six-monthly injection that has proven highly effective in preventing transmission of HIV.”

In an advisory ahead of the launch of the drug, the Presidency said the groundbreaking initiative marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s ongoing efforts to fight against HIV/AIDS and aims to enhance prevention of new HIV infections.

“Lenacapavir is a twice-yearly long-acting injectable option for HIV prevention, and the rollout highlights the collaboration between the government, civil society, and private sector, and development partners amongst the stakeholders committed to ending HIV as a public health threat in South Africa,” it said.

The launch of the medicine comes a few days after the anniversary of the passing of the HIV/AIDS activist Nkosi Johnson on 1 June 2001. Johnson passed away at the age of 12.

The launch is evidence that the country which launched the world’s biggest HIV counselling, testing and treatment campaign in 2010, is making headway in the fight against the disease.

Since the launch of the campaign, the Department of Health (DoH) in its 2026 Budget Vote said that the country has increased life expectancy to 66.9 years, by 2025 from a low of 54 years in 2010 and reduced maternal mortality to 89 deaths per 100 000 live births by 2020, from a high of 240 deaths per 100 000 live births in 2010.

According to Statistics South Africa’s (Stats SA) Mid-Year Population Estimates 2025, an estimated 8.15 million people in South Africa were living with HIV, accounting for approximately 12.9% of the total population. Among adults aged 15 to 49 - the most affected group — the HIV prevalence rate stood at an estimated 18.1%.

“Despite these numbers, South Africa has made progress in reducing deaths linked to HIV and AIDS, thanks to expanded access to treatment and care,” the report which stated that the country’s population stood at an estimated at 63,1 million,”Stats SA noted.

In his Budget Vote delivered last month, Minister Motsoaledi said that stocks of the medicine were being delivered to depots and health facilities ahead of the launch. Government would start with 360 health facilities in “the high burden districts of the country.”

According to the Budget Vote, government has prioritised adolescent girls and young women up to the age 24 years, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, female sex workers, men-having- sex-with-men, transgender people and injecting drug users in distributing the injectable.

This as the first batch of the 37 920 doses of the medicine, which is a new, long-acting antiretroviral drug - specifically an HIV-1 capsid inhibitor arrived in the country in early April 2026.

New chapter

The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) which in April welcomed the arrival of the drug, this week said the launch signals a “new chapter in HIV prevention.”

The DoH has previously described the injectable as a preventive medicine, not a vaccine. The medicine has the potential to overcome many of the barriers South Africa has experienced with daily oral PrEP.

This as it offers greater discretion, convenience, and likely better adherence for users, especially for people who struggle with taking a pill every day or making frequent clinic visits.

The launch also comes at a time when the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is set to hold a High-Level Meeting on AIDS from 22-23 June 2026 in New York.

According to the UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS), the meeting, which is held every five years since 2001, reinforces the role of the UN as the primary political mechanism for accountability and commitment in the global HIV response.

“This meeting will review progress against HIV since the 2021 High-Level Meeting and produce a new UN Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS. UN Member States will negotiate the text of the 2026 Political Declaration and consider its adoption.”

South Africa is a Member State of the of UN.

Ahead of the launch, UNAIDS South Africa in a post on social media platform, X, said it is “excited” to join President Ramaphosa, the Department of Health and SANAC and other stakeholders for the launch of the drug.

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) become the first African regulatory authority to approve Lenacapavir on 27 October 2025.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Guidelines on Lenacapavir for HIV prevention, the organisation recommends offering the injectable as an additional HIV prevention choice.

Among the benefits of the drug is that it need not be discontinued during pregnancy and breastfeeding for HIV-negative women with a high likelihood of exposure to HIV, said the WHO.

Other work done by government to fight HIV/AIDS includes the February 2025 launch of the Close the Gap campaign in partnership with the WHO, UNAIDS and other stakeholders.

“The Close the Gap campaign is a focused, multi-pronged initiative aimed at accelerating South Africa’s response to the HIV epidemic by targeting high-burden districts, communities, and health facilities. The campaign pays special attention to underserved and vulnerable sub-populations, including men, youth, children, and key populations, to improve HIV-related outcomes and close existing service gaps,” SANAC said of the campaign.

The Minister said the country is in a position “where we dare say we can eliminate HIV/AIDS as a public health threat.”

“All we have to do is to work hard and work hard together as South Africans motivated and bound together by a common destiny,” said the Minister.

South Africans are keeping their cars longer – but are they maintaining them properly?

Posted on June 5, 2026June 5, 2026 by

South Africans are holding onto their vehicles for longer than ever before and, in today’s difficult economic climate, replacing a vehicle is simply not an option for many households. According to research by the Automobile Association (AA), more than 90% of South Africans say economic pressures are forcing them to keep their vehicles longer, with many cars remaining on the road well beyond the 10-year mark. This stat was confirmed by We Buy Cars who also confirmed the majority of the cars sold are 10 years and older.

For the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), this trend highlights a growing need for motorists to become far more proactive about vehicle maintenance and safety.

“Modern vehicles are built to last much longer than in the past, but longevity is entirely dependent on proper maintenance,” says Dewald Ranft, National Chairman of MIWA. “The reality is that many South Africans are delaying servicing or ignoring minor issues because of financial pressure, but postponing maintenance often leads to far more expensive repairs later on.”

Ranft says the international trend of consumers keeping vehicles for longer is equally relevant in South Africa, where rising living costs, high interest rates, fuel prices and increased insurance costs continue to place pressure on household budgets.

International reports have shown that with proper care and regular servicing, modern vehicles can comfortably exceed 200 000 km and remain reliable for well over a decade. However, this requires motorists to stay disciplined when it comes to preventative maintenance.

“There is a huge difference between ‘keeping a car longer’ and ‘maintaining a car properly for longer’,” says Ranft. “Skipping oil changes, ignoring warning lights or postponing tyre replacements may save money temporarily, but the long-term financial consequences can be severe.”

Ranft says one of the biggest mistakes motorists make is waiting for something to break before taking action.

“Your vehicle gives you warning signs long before a major failure occurs. Strange noises, vibrations, fluid leaks, excessive smoke, poor fuel consumption or dashboard warning lights should never be ignored.”

He says regular servicing remains the single most effective way to extend a vehicle’s lifespan and preserve its resale value.

“Preventative maintenance is always cheaper than major repairs. A relatively inexpensive service can identify wear-and-tear issues early before they become catastrophic failures.”

MIWA advises motorists to focus on several critical maintenance areas if they want to keep their vehicles reliable for longer:
• Stick to the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule
• Replace oil and filters regularly
• Check tyre pressure and wheel alignment frequently
• Monitor brake wear and suspension components
• Pay attention to cooling systems and battery condition
• Attend to warning lights immediately
• Use quality parts, oils and fluids
• Have the vehicle inspected regularly by a reputable accredited workshop

Ranft says road conditions in South Africa are adding further strain to aging vehicles.

“Poor road surfaces, potholes and increasing traffic congestion are accelerating wear and tear on suspension systems, tyres, steering components and brakes. This makes routine inspections even more important.”

He also warns against using inferior replacement parts purely to reduce costs.

“Quality components fitted by qualified technicians ultimately saves money over the longer term.”

Another growing concern is that many motorists no longer have maintenance plans once their vehicles are out of warranty.
“Many vehicle owners are now paying out of pocket for repairs and servicing, which makes budgeting for maintenance critically important,” says Ranft. “Your car should be viewed as a long-term asset that requires ongoing care and planning.”

Ranft says motorists should also not underestimate the safety implications of neglected maintenance.

“A poorly maintained vehicle places not only the driver at risk, but also passengers and other road users. Worn brakes, damaged tyres or neglected suspension components can have deadly consequences, particularly during long-distance travel or adverse weather conditions.”

He says accredited workshops play an increasingly important role in helping motorists manage the longer ownership cycle.

“A good workshop should partner with the customer and help them prioritise maintenance requirements. Not every repair needs to happen immediately, but motorists need honest guidance on what is urgent, what can wait and how to plan financially.”

Ultimately, says Ranft, keeping a vehicle longer is entirely achievable but only if maintenance becomes a priority rather than an afterthought.

Western Cape maintains strong 2024/25 municipal audit performance

Posted on June 4, 2026June 4, 2026 by

The Western Cape Government (WCG) welcomes the 2024/25 municipal audit outcomes confirming that 25 of the province’s 30 municipalities achieved unqualified audit outcomes; the gold standard of audit outcomes directly supporting reliable service delivery, infrastructure investment, and responsible use of public funds. This outcome confirms that the financial statements are presented fairly and are free from material misstatements.

Of these, 20 municipalities achieved clean audit opinions and a further five received unqualified opinions with findings. These outcomes mean that residents in the majority of the province’s municipalities can expect greater financial stability, reduced irregular expenditure, and more consistent basic services.

Western Cape Minister of Finance, Deidré Baartman, said, “Unqualified audits are not just technical achievements. They mean that every rand of public money is accounted for, that services can be delivered without disruption, and that residents can trust their local government. The Western Cape Treasury has worked alongside municipalities to strengthen financial controls, and these results show that partnership works.”

The WCG notes improvements in two municipalities. Beaufort West Municipality achieved an unqualified audit with findings for the first time since 2016. This marks a meaningful step forward after years of challenges and demonstrates that recovery is possible where there is accountability, cooperation and stable leadership. And Cederberg Municipality improved from an unqualified audit opinion with findings to a clean audit for the first time since 2022.

Five municipalities remain in distress. Bitou Municipality and Prince Albert Municipality have regressed to qualified audit outcomes, while Theewaterskloof Municipality maintained its qualified opinion. More serious concerns persist in Kannaland Municipality, which received a disclaimer audit opinion in two consecutive years, and Laingsburg Municipality, which remains at an adverse audit outcome.

Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Anton Bredell, said, “Where municipalities struggle, we do not stand back. The Department of Local Government and Provincial Treasury are now providing intensified hands-on support to these five municipalities - including financial recovery plans, capacity deployment, and monthly compliance reviews. Our goal is not to criticise, but to stabilise and rebuild.”

Audit outcomes remain one of the clearest indicators of how well municipalities manage public funds. Unqualified audits confirm that financial statements are credible, that municipalities comply with relevant legislation, and that resources are used for their intended purpose, namely the delivery of reliable services to communities.

Premier Alan Winde said, “When municipalities manage public finances responsibly, it creates the foundation for growth, reliable service delivery and infrastructure investment. The fact that 25 municipalities have achieved positive audit outcomes is encouraging, but more needs to be done. We want to see continued improvement across every municipality in our province. Our residents deserve nothing less.”

Used car prices hold above 2025 levels as Chinese brands reshape market value

Posted on June 4, 2026June 4, 2026 by

AutoTrader data shows average used-car prices remained higher year-on-year from January to April, notwithstanding that Chinese-brand vehicles added more lower-mileage stock to key SUV and crossover segments.

South Africa’s used-car market is showing signs of recalibration rather than broad-based price decline, with new data showing that average prices remained higher year-on-year in each of the first four months of 2026.

The figures point to a more segmented pricing environment, where pressure in some vehicle bands does not necessarily reflect the broader used-car market. While more affordable new vehicles and the growth of Chinese brands are influencing price expectations in key SUV and crossover segments, the data shows that the market is not moving in a single downward direction.

AutoTrader reports that average used car prices were higher year-on-year in each month from January to April 2026. The average price rose from R415,770 to R430,165 in January, from R426,836 to R439,663 in February, from R428,253 to R439,614 in March, and from R430,373 to R433,318 in April.

George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader, said the data showed a market that was recalibrating rather than one in broad pricing decline. “Pricing pressure in some parts of the market is not the same as a broad decline in used-car values,” said Mienie.

“The data shows that average used-car prices are still higher year-on-year, but the market is becoming more competitive. What is changing is the mix of vehicles, the value buyers are responding to, and the way dealers need to position stock.”

One of the clearest shifts is the growing role of Chinese brands in the used car market. AutoTrader data shows that Chinese-brand vehicles are becoming a larger part of the used car supply and demand, while also changing the price comparison in popular SUV and crossover segments.

In several high-volume segments, Chinese models are being compared directly with established rivals on price, age, mileage, and specification. This is changing how buyers assess value in the used-car market, particularly where newer Chinese models are priced below or close to comparable non-Chinese alternatives. This does not necessarily mean that consumers are spending less; consumer spending is holding while they are getting more value out of higher-specced Chinese vehicles.

The Haval Jolion, for example, recorded an average used price of R302,782 in April 2026, compared with R393,328 for the Toyota Corolla Cross. The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro recorded an average price of R267,234 in April, compared with R317,779 for the Kia Sonet, while the Omoda C5 averaged R345,966 compared with R363,667 for the Mazda CX-30.

However, the data also shows that this is not simply a case of Chinese vehicles undercutting the used car market. In many cases, these vehicles are newer or have lower mileage than established rivals, meaning buyers are weighing price against age, mileage, specification, and perceived value.

In April, the average Chinese-brand used vehicle on AutoTrader had an average registration year of 2024 and average mileage of 28,970 km, compared with an average registration year of 2020 and average mileage of 72,624 km for non-Chinese vehicles.

Over the same month, the average Chinese-brand used vehicle price was R382,78, compared with R437,172 for non-Chinese vehicles.

Mienie said this showed why used car pricing could not be understood as a single market-wide trend.

“The used car market is not one uniform market,” he said. “A nearly-new SUV, an older entry-level hatchback and a high-mileage family car will all respond differently to current market conditions. Chinese brands are adding more choice in important segments, and that is changing how consumers assess value.”

The shift is also reflected in demand and sales activity. Chinese-brand used vehicle sales on AutoTrader rose from 6,314 units in the first four months of 2025 to 10,295 units in the same period in 2026. Their share of total used car sales increased from 4.9% to 7.2%, while listings, leads and impressions also rose.

Among popular Chinese models, the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, Haval H6, Haval Jolion and Omoda C5 recorded combined used sales of 3,686 units between January and April 2026, compared with 2,459 units over the same period in 2025.

Mienie added that the growth of these Chinese brands should not be seen only as pressure on the used car market. “More affordable new vehicles can change the pricing equation in certain segments, especially where nearly-new used vehicles are competing for the same buyer,” he said. “But those vehicles also become part of the future used car market once they begin changing hands. That adds stock, choice and competition, which can benefit consumers.”

AutoTrader’s broader used car sales data also points to continued market activity. Used sales on the platform increased from 128,309 units in the first four months of 2025 to 142,663 units in the same period this year, with year-on-year growth recorded in each month from January to April.

The data suggests that South Africa’s used car market is recalibrating rather than retreating. Average prices remain higher year-on-year, demand remains active, and Chinese brands are becoming a more visible part of the pricing conversation as buyers compare newer, lower-mileage options against established rivals.

For consumers, this means the used-car market is becoming more competitive, but not uniformly cheaper. Average prices remain higher year-on-year, demand remains active, and value comparisons are becoming more dependent on vehicle type, age, mileage, brand, specification and segment-level demand.

As Chinese-brand vehicles continue entering the second-hand market, AutoTrader’s data suggests they are reshaping price-to-value expectations in specific segments rather than weakening the category or its average pricing as a whole. The broader picture is one of a market adapting to new sources of value, not one defined by broad-based price decline.

Hlabisa urges caution amid severe weather warnings

Posted on June 3, 2026June 3, 2026 by

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has urged communities to exercise extra caution following severe weather warnings issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) in parts of the Eastern Cape and Western Cape.

According to SAWS, the weather system is expected to bring widespread bitterly cold, wet and windy conditions across several provinces, with flooding anticipated in parts of the Eastern and Western Cape from 3 to 4 June 2026.

Light snowfall is also anticipated over the higher-lying mountains of the cape provinces and the Drakensberg mountain range.

In response to the warning, the Minister said the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) is working closely with provincial and local disaster management centres to monitor the situation and coordinate response measures where necessary.

To strengthen preparedness and ensure a coordinated response, the following measures have been implemented:

• Provincial Disaster Management Joint Operations Centres (JOCs) have been activated in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape.
• Municipal Disaster Management JOCs have been activated in affected districts and metropolitan municipalities.
• South African Search and Rescue teams have been placed on standby.
• The National Joint Flood Coordinating Committee (NJFCC), including the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), has been activated to ensure intergovernmental coordination.
• Temporary Mass Care Centres have been identified to accommodate affected residents should the need arise.

The NDMC will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as the situation evolves.

“Members of the public are strongly encouraged to regularly monitor official weather forecasts and warnings issued by SAWS, as these will be updated continuously based on changing weather conditions and potential impacts.

“The public is also advised to remain vigilant against unauthorised or unverified information and to refrain from sharing such content,” Hlabisa said.

The public is therefore advised to:
• Monitor official weather updates and warnings issued by the South African Weather Service.
• Avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rainfall and flooding.
• Never attempt to cross flooded roads, bridges, or swollen rivers.
• Secure loose outdoor objects that may be displaced by strong winds.
• Exercise extreme caution along coastal areas and avoid fishing or recreational activities at sea during the warning period.
• Ensure adequate shelter, warmth, food, and protection for livestock and pets.

Hlabisa emphasised that preparedness and vigilance remain critical in reducing the impact of severe weather events and safeguarding lives, property, and livelihoods.

Two arrested in Mozambique for murder of Mossel Bay couple in Kruger National Park

Posted on June 3, 2026June 3, 2026 by

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, has confirmed the arrest of two suspects in Mozambique in connection with the brutal murder of two South African tourists.

The bodies of Dina and Ernst Marais were discovered nearly two weeks ago near a river area in the northern section of the Kruger National Park after a search operation was launched when the couple failed to return to their camp.

The suspects reportedly confessed to the crimes, and the vehicle belonging to Mr and Mrs Marais has been recovered.

“South Africa will now start the formal extradition process to get the suspects to South Africa to stand trial for this heinous crime,” the Minister said on Wednesday.

Aucamp has called on law enforcement to ensure the suspects are brought back to the country to account for their crimes.

“I have engaged with my colleagues in the Departments of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and Justice to emphasise the importance of securing the suspects’ return to South Africa to face the full might of the law. We said that these criminals would be apprehended, and that is exactly what has happened,” he said.

Aucamp expressed his appreciation to the dedicated personnel at the South African National Parks (SANParks), South African Police Service (SAPS), Mozambican authorities, and conservation partners for their exceptional commitment and cooperation, which were instrumental in achieving this outcome.

The arrests are the result of effective cross-border cooperation between the following entities:
-Serviço Nacional de Investigação Criminal (SERNIC), Mozambique’s agency responsible for investigating serious and organised crime;
-The Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC); and
-Kruger National Park Ranger Services, led by the Regional Ranger for the Nxanatseni (Far North) Region, together with rangers from the Pafuri Section.

The Minister reiterated that criminal activity will not be tolerated in South Africa’s national parks and called on communities and law enforcement agencies to continue working together to safeguard these protected areas.

“While the Marais family has suffered a devastating loss, I hope that these arrests will provide some measure of comfort to them as they continue to navigate this difficult journey,” Aucamp said.