News – Page 3 – eRadio SA – Live from the Garden Route

SA Reality TV personality Peet Viljoen arrested at OR Tambo

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Reality TV personality and disbarred lawyer, Peet Viljoen is due to appear in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 18 June after being arrested by the Hawks at OR Tambo International Airport last night.

The 57-year-old faces charges including fraud, theft, forgery and corruption linked to the alleged fraudulent sale of Johannesburg Property Company properties in 2010.

The properties were reportedly sold to unsuspecting buyers, but the company never received payment, resulting in significant financial losses. Investigations are continuing.

Viljoen and his wife, Mel, have been in the news a lot lately since their arrest for alleged theft from a supermarket in America and subsequent deportation by ICE.

SA increases pledge in response to Ebola outbreak

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that South Africa will increase its financial contribution to the Ebola response effort to US$13.5 million, reaffirming the country's commitment to supporting African nations affected by the outbreak.

President Ramaphosa, in his capacity as the African Union Champion for Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention and Response, made the announcement on Tuesday during a High-Level Virtual Meeting of Heads of State, Government and Partners on the Ebola outbreak.

The meeting was convened by the President of the Republic of Burundi and Chairperson of the African Union, Evariste Ndayishimiye.

It aims to mobilise African and international solidarity to contain the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, while strengthening preparedness in countries at risk of regional transmission.

The President called on leaders to maintain or increase their pledges and urged those who made commitments at the previous meeting to convert them in full into cash, medical countermeasures or technical assistance.

“With no vaccine or antiviral, every day that transmission continues unchecked, the human cost rises. The West Africa Ebola epidemic demonstrated that delayed action can transform a localised outbreak into a regional and global crisis. This is why our response must focus on breaking the transmission and stopping Ebola at its source,” he said.

However, President Ramaphosa cautioned that public health measures are being undermined by the volatile environment in which the response is being carried out.

“As political leaders, we can help by creating safe corridors for the passage of goods and services. We must seek a ceasefire to allow the Ebola response to proceed unhindered.

“We must continue to strengthen cross-border collaboration. We must expand rapid diagnostic testing, contact tracing and community awareness.

“We should be concerned that we have no biotechnology in our arsenal against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola,” the President said.

While welcoming and fully supporting the efforts of GAVI, CEPI and others, President Ramaphosa stressed that Africa cannot depend indefinitely on external markets and production systems during health emergencies.

“The response to Ebola therefore cannot end when this outbreak ends. This moment must become a turning point.

“As African leaders, we must accelerate investment in local manufacturing, strengthen the African Medicines Agency and operationalise the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism,” Ramaphosa said.

He added that African manufacturers need predictable markets, while African countries must have reliable access to lifesaving products during emergencies.

“We must all take heed of Africa’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) stance against imposing blanket and unsubstantiated travel bans.

“I call upon African financial institutions, development banks, philanthropies and the African private sector to join governments in this effort.

“I call upon our international partners to continue to stand with Africa in a spirit of solidarity and mutual responsibility,” the President concluded.

Windy, unsettled weather across parts of South Africa

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The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has forecast that a cut-off low, associated with a surface high-pressure system, will bring windy, cooler and unsettled weather to parts of South Africa from Tuesday afternoon until Saturday.

"As the system moves eastwards, it is expected to spread these conditions to the Free State and the western half of the Eastern Cape. By Friday and Saturday, it may begin to affect the North West, Gauteng and neighbouring provinces," the weather service said.

SAWS will continue to monitor the weather outlook closely and issue updates and warnings as necessary.

“Take extra care on the roads - strong winds may cause dangerous driving conditions,” the weather service warned.
Strong to fresh winds over the western interior may enhance the risk of veld fires.

Gerda Steyn Smashes Comrades Up-Run Record to Claim Fifth Title

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South African ultra-distance star Gerda Steyn delivered another historic performance at the 2026 Comrades Marathon, storming to victory in the women's race from Durban to Pietermaritzburg on Sunday.

Steyn crossed the finish line in a remarkable time of 5:44:53, setting a new up-run course record and further cementing her status as one of the greatest athletes in the history of the Ultimate Human Race.

The victory marked Steyn's fourth consecutive Comrades title and her fifth overall triumph in the prestigious event. Her latest achievement earned her prize money of R2.3 million.

Running with her trademark determination and strength, Steyn dominated the gruelling route, conquering the relentless climbs and lifting the tape in Pietermaritzburg with her characteristic smile. Her performance embodied the spirit of this year's Comrades theme, Ska Fela Moya – never lose hope, never give up.

Steyn's record-breaking run has once again placed South Africa's "Queen of Comrades" in the history books, earning admiration from supporters across the country and around the world.

Arrest of third suspect in Kruger Park murder case welcomed

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The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, has commended the swift arrest of a third suspect in connection with the murder of a Mossel Bay couple in the northern region of the Kruger National Park last month.

The suspect was arrested on Friday, 12 June 2026, in Zimbabwe through cross border cooperation between South African, Mozambican and Zimbabwean law enforcement agencies.

“This arrest demonstrates that our commitment to tracking down and apprehending every individual involved in this tragic crime was unwavering and resolute,” Aucamp said on Saturday.

The Minister also commended the effective and efficient collaborative efforts of the South African Police Service (SAPS), SANParks Rangers, Mozambique's Criminal Investigation Directorate, and the Gonarezhou National Parks Rangers, who effected the arrest of the third suspect and later handed him to the Zimbabwe police.

The arrest follows the apprehension of the first two suspects in Mozambique in early June, while the third suspect initially evaded capture. Through the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies, he was subsequently tracked down and arrested in Zimbabwe.

Like his co-accused, the third suspect will now be processed in accordance with the applicable legal procedures, including the applicable extradition proceedings.

The Minister hailed the arrests as a significant step towards justice and highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration in combating crime.

“I’ve said it before: we can achieve so much more if we pool our resources, collaborate and cooperate in fighting cross-border crime,” the Minister said.

Aucamp, together with SANParks management, emphasised that these arrests should serve as a clear warning to anyone contemplating criminal activity within the Kruger National Park that such actions will be met with the full force of the law and that those responsible will be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice.

He extended his condolences to the Marais family and reaffirmed government's commitment to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.

“We will do everything in our power to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again.”

Cape Town Marathon earns historic World Major status for Africa

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Africa has secured a historic place on marathon running's biggest stage, with the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon officially confirmed as the first Abbott World Marathon Major to be hosted on the continent.

Following the successful staging of the 2026 race on 24 May, the event passed the second and final phase of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) assessment process, earning its place as the eighth member of the elite global series.

Cape Town now joins an exclusive group of host cities that includes Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago and New York.

The achievement marks a significant milestone for African road running, bringing one of the sport's most prestigious accolades to a continent that has long produced many of the world's greatest distance runners.

For decades, African athletes have dominated long-distance running, producing around 80% of the world's top 50 elite marathon runners. Yet despite the continent's unrivalled success in the sport, Africa had never hosted one of the world's premier marathon events.

The achievement follows a five-year journey that began in 2021 when the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon was announced as an Abbott World Marathon Majors Candidate Race.

The formal evaluation process started in 2022, with the race undergoing detailed annual assessments against the organisation's rigorous standards for operations, organisation and athlete experience.

A major breakthrough came in 2024 when the event attracted a record 20 000 marathon entries and produced course records in both the men's and women's races. South African athlete Glenrose Xaba also set a new national marathon record of 2:22:22, helping the race successfully complete the first stage of the candidacy process.

The Major’s bid faced an unexpected challenge in 2025 when the race was cancelled. However, organisers said the decision reinforced the event's commitment to prioritising safety and human life above all else.

Rather than derailing the campaign, the move strengthened confidence in the marathon's governance and integrity, prompting Abbott World Marathon Majors to extend the evaluation period.

Everything hinged on the successful staging of the 2026 race on 24 May.

The event delivered on expectations, attracting global attention with the participation of marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge in his first official marathon on African soil. The race subsequently passed the second and final stage of its assessment, securing its place among the world's most celebrated marathons.

Organisers estimate that the event could contribute about R800 million to the economy, while also creating opportunities for tourism, investment and sports development.

Importantly, the organisers have committed two-thirds of race entries to African participants, ensuring that the continent's runners have greater access to one of the sport's most sought-after events.

The first official Abbott World Marathon Major on African soil is scheduled to take place in Cape Town on 23 May 2027.

For South Africa, home to the Comrades Marathon and now Africa's first World Marathon Major, the achievement represents another landmark moment in the country's rich distance-running history and further cements its reputation as a leading destination for global road running.

SAPS warns against buying or selling goods through online platforms

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The South African Police Service (SAPS) has warned community members to be vigilant when buying or selling goods through online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and other online trading sites.

The warning follows a carjacking and armed robbery incident reported in Motherwell on Wednesday, at approximately 07:00.

According to reports, a complainant and two friends travelled to Mdundu Street, NU6, Motherwell, after responding to a Facebook Marketplace advertisement for a vehicle.

Upon arriving at the address, the person who had allegedly communicated with the complainant via Facebook informed them that the vehicle was parked inside the yard.

“As the victims entered the premises to inspect the vehicle, they were confronted by armed suspects who allegedly assaulted them, robbed them of cash and cellular phones and fled with the complainant's white Kia Sportage,” the police said in a statement.

Criminals are increasingly using online marketplaces to target unsuspecting buyers and sellers by advertising non-existent goods or arranging meetings in secluded areas where victims can be robbed.

The SAPS urges the public to take the following precautions when conducting transactions through online marketplaces:

• Meet in public places with high visibility and pedestrian traffic.
• Avoid travelling to unfamiliar areas or private residences to view or purchase items.
• Never carry large amounts of cash to a transaction.
• Consider meeting at a police station or another secure public venue.
• Do not enter homes, garages, yards or secluded locations to inspect items.
• Inform a family member or friend of your destination and expected return time.
• Verify the identity and contact details of the person you are meeting.
• Be wary of deals that appear significantly cheaper than market value.
• When selling items, avoid inviting strangers to your home and rather arrange meetings in safe public locations.
• Trust your instincts and leave immediately if a situation appears suspicious.

The SAPS appeals to community members to remain alert and report suspicious activity or criminal incidents to their nearest police station or the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111.

“The safety of our communities remains a priority, and members of the public are encouraged to take proactive steps to protect themselves when conducting online transactions,” the police said.

Heartbreak for Bafana Bafana

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Heartbreak was the order of the day for Bafana Bafana who went down 2-0 to Mexico at the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening match, last night.

The loss took place at the iconic Estadio Azteca, following the 9pm kick off, which saw Captain Ronwen Williams lead his teammates onto the pitch in Mexico City.

Stepping onto the pitch has been a journey of four years of hard work in a game that saw many hold on to the edge of their seat.

While it ended in disappointment for South Africa in the Group A Stage, Thursday’s match marked exactly 16 years since South Africa, as host nation, opened the first World Cup on African soil against Mexico in Johannesburg.

This year’s FIFA World Cup is being hosted by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026.

Western Cape Government Cabinet receives preliminary assessment of weather-related disaster costs

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On Thursday, 11 June 2026, Premier Alan Winde chaired a Special Western Cape Government Cabinet meeting to deliberate on the magnitude and cost of impact of the severe weather systems that affected the entire province in May 2026.

Major consecutive weather events occurred in a short space of time, causing loss of life, severely damaging infrastructure and significantly disrupting the lives of communities across the affected areas.

“Our province has had to endure many disasters. But the last two weather events were the worst in recent memory. While our government and other stakeholders have been working incredibly hard in responding to this disaster, we have a lot of hard work still ahead of us,” the Premier said in his opening remarks.

Cabinet noted that the damage sustained as a result of the weather incidents was severe and will have a significant impact on the provincial and broader economy.

Cabinet noted that the overall cost of the damage at this stage is R9 099 211 941. The province’s agriculture sector sustained damages of more than R5.2 billion, while damage to transport infrastructure currently stands at just under R2 billion.

These are preliminary and unverified figures.

While Eskom’s electricity restoration efforts are making progress, with 95% of affected areas reconnected, many residents in the hardest hit regions are still without power. Cabinet apologised to affected communities for the significant inconvenience caused by the severe weather.

The overall impact on communities has been vast:

-231 029 people were affected in one way or another
-22 890 houses were damaged
-Over 230 roads were affected: many roads and other infrastructure sustained significant damage requiring repairs and reconstruction.
-11 fatalities were reported, with one person still missing

The scale of the damage exceeds provincial departments’ budgets and delivery capacity. Additional funding will have to be sought from national government.

The Premier stated, “Incredibly difficult decisions will have to be made going forward. National government will not be able to provide us with all the necessary funding. The Western Cape Government’s budget will have to be reprioritised to fund damage repairs. What is vitally important is that we must build back stronger, in anticipation of future climate-related disasters and this will cost more. We must, therefore, impress upon national government and other entities the need to budget differently to adequately respond to the impact of such disasters.”

The following process is now being undertaken:

-The Western Cape Department of Local Department is coordinating a consolidated submission to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and National Disaster Management Centre
-The provincial Minister of Local Government is corresponding with his national counterpart
-The Premier will correspond with the President
-Impacted provincial Departments are corresponding with their national counterparts

Well wishes for Bafana Bafana

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With just hours to go to the opening match of the FIFA World Cup, Gauteng MEC of Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile has wished Bafana Bafana well for the tournament.

“Tonight, the hopes and dreams of millions of South Africans will travel across the Atlantic to Mexico City, where our beloved Bafana Bafana will take on the host nation, Mexico, at the iconic Estadio Azteca, with kickoff scheduled for 9pm South African time.
“As Gauteng and the entire country rally behind our national team, we wish Coach Hugo Broos and his squad strength, courage and success as they begin their journey on the world’s biggest football stage,” the MEC said.

He added that the quality and resilience of the squad is a testament to the strength of South African football. Thursday’s game marks exactly 16 years since South Africa, as host nation, opened the first World Cup on African soil against Mexico in Johannesburg.

The MEC paid tribute to the Premier Soccer League, whose professionalism and competitiveness continue to produce world-class talent as well as the countless township football coaches, volunteers and community football structures that identified, trained, nurtured and inspired many of the players who now proudly wear the green and gold of the nation.

“As they step onto the famous turf of Estadio Azteca, our players must remember that they carry more than a football badge on their chests - they carry the history, hopes and aspirations of a nation. They follow in the footsteps of the heroes of 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, whose triumph helped unite South Africans in the early years of our democracy and demonstrated the power of sport to bring our people together.”

He added that the tournament comes in the month that South Africa marks the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto Uprising where the country unites to honour the courageous generation which changed the course of history.

“The youth of 1976 ignited a new consciousness in the struggle for freedom and justice. Bafana Bafana has an opportunity to honour their legacy by displaying the same determination, bravery and patriotism that defined that historic generation.

“I have every confidence that our national team possesses the talent, discipline and fighting spirit required to overcome any challenge. Let them play with pride, belief and the knowledge that an entire nation stands firmly behind them.

“Go out there, make South Africa proud, and begin this World Cup with a victory worthy of our history and our future,” he said.

Government has called on the nation to rally behind the senior men’s team as they chase World Cup glory. In addition, Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), Peace Mabe, in partnership with Honor, will join fans and attend the first world cup watch party event at the Mall of Africa tonight.