Ramaphosa was delivering the Inaugural Nokuthula Simelane Memorial Lecture at the University of Mpumalanga on Thursday, 3 September 2026.

Simelane, 23, was a student and Umkhonto we Sizwe courier who was lured to Johannesburg, abducted by apartheid security police, tortured and murdered in 1983. More than 40 years later, her remains have never been found.
“For more than four decades, the Simelane family has not been permitted the basic dignity of laying their daughter to rest,” Ramaphosa said.

The President told the Simelane family, led by her sister, Minister Thembi Simelane, that their pain is the nation’s pain. He said the State owes the family the truth about where she is buried, after former Security Branch officers admitted to her capture, but gave conflicting accounts of her murder.

The lecture also launched the Nokuthula Simelane Foundation and the Centre for Gender and Intersectional Studies at UMP.
Ramaphosa described Simelane as young, but purposeful, who rejected apartheid at a young age and risked her life carrying messages between Swaziland and South Africa.

“She would not surrender to fear of arrest, of torture or of death,” he said. He said her legacy challenges young people today to find purpose, to vote, and to build the non-racial, equal South Africa she died for.

On justice, Ramaphosa rejected the notion that the work of the TRC brought the country’s transitional justice process to an end.

“There is a view that has taken root in parts of our national life- that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission concluded this business and that it is time to move on. We must resist this view. Without justice, there can never be lasting peace. We owe the Simelane family and every family still waiting for a grave to visit, nothing less than the whole truth,” he said.

The post Ramaphosa honours Nokuthula Simelane: “We will not rest until she is laid to rest” appeared first on MP Mirror Online.

The gesture formed part of the association’s activities, which also included donating sanitary towels to young women at local schools.

Muzi Sibeko, chairman of the drivers’ committee under the association, said the decision was aimed at showing appreciation while taking a stand against gender-based violence (GBV).

READ | Pienaar taxi operators wrap up Women’s Month in style

“We felt it was important to celebrate women in a unique way because we know that many women are facing gender-based violence. When women speak about being abused by men, we want them to know that we do not support such behaviour. We are saying, ‘Not in our name,” said Sibeko.

He said the association also sought to address the challenges faced by young women in the community who cannot afford sanitary products.

READ MORE | Female-only law enforcement roadblock in honour of women

“We also donated sanitary towels to young girls at local schools because we knew that some could not afford these essential products, which could make it difficult for them to attend school,” he said.

Another driver, Lucky Dlamini, called on men to protect women and children and take a stand against violence. “As we wrap up Women’s Month, we are calling on men to protect our women and children. We are saying no to gender-based violence,” he said.

The association hopes the initiative will have a lasting impact and encourage more men to protect and support women and children.

The post Taxi operators pull off gender switch to honour women appeared first on MP Mirror Online.

The opening marks a significant investment by the provincial government in expanding access to information, promoting lifelong learning, and supporting community development in one of Steve Tshwete Local Municipality’s fastest-growing settlements.

A hub for 8 000 residents

Situated in the Newtown area of Mhluzi Township, the state-of-the-art library was designed to serve more than 8 000 community members. The facility offers free access to books, digital resources, study areas, and recreational materials aimed at learners, students, job seekers and families.

“Libraries remain at the heart of community empowerment. This facility will ensure that children, youth and adults in Newtown have access to the tools they need to improve their education and livelihoods,” MEC Mabuza said during the opening.

She added that the library forms part of government’s broader commitment to decentralize services and bring development closer to communities.

Leaders welcome the development

Mabuza was joined by Executive Mayor Mhlonishwa Masilela, Council Speaker, Joseph Ngubeni, Inkosi TB Mthethwa from the Mpumalanga House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, ward councillors and hundreds of local residents.Mayor Masilela described the library as “a beacon of hope” for young people in the area.

“This library will help our children to dream bigger. Access to books and information will open doors that were previously closed,” Masilela said.

Inkosi Mthethwa also applauded the department, saying traditional leadership supports initiatives that uplift rural and township communities through education.

More than just books

Beyond lending books, the Newtown Library is expected to host literacy programs, homework support, digital skills training and community meetings. Officials said the facility was built to accommodate future technology upgrades to bridge the digital divide in underserved areas.

Community members welcomed the opening, with many learners saying they previously had to travel long distances to access a library.The department urged residents to take ownership of the facility and use it to build skills, read, and participate in community programs.

The post “A Beacon of Hope”: Newtown Library opens its doors to Mhluzi community appeared first on MP Mirror Online.

Macie made the commitment during a stakeholder engagement last Friday, where residents voiced their frustrations over escalating crime in the area and called for immediate intervention. Addressing the gathering, he said the situation in the township could no longer be ignored and required urgent, coordinated action from both government and the community.

“We have gathered here because the crime situation confronting the people of Pienaar demands urgent, coordinated and decisive action. This is not a ceremonial meeting and it cannot become another talk show. It must mark the beginning of a disciplined partnership between government and the people to reclaim this community from violence, fear and criminal control,” he said.

The intervention comes as Pienaar Police Station has been identified as one of Mpumalanga’s top 30 police stations for community-reported serious crimes. Macie said the station would be prioritised under the Police Ministry’s Reset Agenda to strengthen police visibility, crime intelligence, detective services and operations against organised crime.

For many residents, however, the high crime rate has already had a devastating impact on their lives, with sexual violence emerging as one of the community’s greatest concerns.

A 29-year-old mother told Mpumalanga Mirror that her two-year-old daughter was sexually assaulted in 2022, but the case has still not been resolved, leaving her with unanswered questions.
“It’s heartbreaking because, to this day, the perpetrator is still walking freely in our community. I just want justice for my child,” she said.

READ | Rape cases-most problematic in the province

Her experience echoed concerns raised by Mduduzi Mnisi, chairperson of the Zone B Safety Stakeholders, who said residents continued to grapple with housebreakings, car hijackings, gangsterism, extortion and other violent crimes. Resident, Micha Nhleko, welcomed the government’s intervention, but said the community wanted to see action rather than hear promises.

“We are grateful that they came to listen to our concerns, but we need more police visibility,” he said.
Some residents also claimed they had lost trust in the police, alleging that certain officers were working with criminals. Macie said the allegations would be investigated and dealt with decisively.

“An officer who abandons the constitution and assists criminals, ceases to be a protector and becomes part of the criminal threat,” he said. The MEC urged residents to report crime, refuse to harbour offenders and work with the police to reclaim their community.

The post MEC Macie vows to reclaim Pienaar from criminals appeared first on MP Mirror Online.

Preliminary assessments by the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA) as of Thursday, 13 August 2026, recorded mortalities of more than 320 cattle, 40 goats and 10 sheep. Officials say the number is likely to rise as assessments continue.

The affected animals succumbed to hypothermia after prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures, wind and wet conditions. MEC, Khethiwe Moeketsi, said the department was saddened by the losses.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of livestock, which are a critical asset for our farmers and rural communities. These losses impact directly on livelihoods and food security,” Moeketsi said.

“Government remains committed to working with our farming communities during this period. We encourage cooperation with our officials on the ground to ensure timely support.”

The department has urged farmers to take the following precautionary measures:

Provide shelter: Erect windbreaks or corrugated sheets on the side where wind and rain are coming from

Keep animals dry: Move livestock to higher ground to avoid waterlogging

Insulate kraals: Put down dry grass, straw or kraal manure to protect animals from the cold ground

Increase feed: Provide more roughage and energy blocks/licks to help animals generate body heat

Ensure clean water: Remove ice and clean water troughs regularly

Monitor vulnerable stock: Pay close attention to calves, pregnant and weak animals

Group animals: Allow livestock to huddle together for warmth

Livestock farmers are encouraged to contact extension and veterinary officials at their nearest DARDLEA office for advice on supplementary feeding, shelter, and management of vulnerable animals during extreme weather.

The post Cold snap kills several livestock appeared first on MP Mirror Online.

Wet and icy conditions on tarred roads make them slippery and difficult to drive on. Visibility is greatly affected, especially at night, making road users vulnerable to avoidable crashes.

As a result, excessive speed must be avoided and switch on lights to be visible to other road users. Drivers should also increase their following distance and, wherever possible, delay or postpone their journeys.

Motorists are further advised to avoid driving through low-lying bridges and flooded areas. Snowfall has been reported on the N11 towards Volksrust and on the N3 in the province towards KwaZulu-Natal.

READ | Extreme caution urged as winter hits SA roads

Other hazardous conditions include misty conditions on some roads during the night and early morning.

No major crashes have been reported so far. However, traffic law enforcement officers and emergency personnel remain on high alert and are closely monitoring the situation.

“Let us be on high alert and adjust our driving in line with these adverse conditions to stay out of danger. We must monitor conditions and remain updated, especially when travelling,” the MEC stated.

The post Motorists warned to drive cautiously amid wet weather appeared first on MP Mirror Online.

Government urges members of the public to remain vigilant and exercise extreme caution as severe winter weather, including heavy snowfall, freezing conditions, rain and strong winds, affect several parts of the country.

The weather has already resulted in a number of road closures and disruptions across several provinces.The SAWS has issued an Orange Level 6 warning for disruptive snow, with parts of the Eastern Cape and Free State among the hardest hit, with snowfall affecting a number of major routes and mountain passes.

Other areas, including parts of Mpumalanga and the Western Cape, are also experiencing adverse winter weather, with some routes affected by snowfall, icy conditions and strong winds.

A Yellow Level 2 warning for disruptive winds has also been issued for parts of the Northern Cape and Western Cape. Strong winds may result in localised impacts, including hazardous travelling conditions, reduced visibility and disruption to transport.

READ | PHOTOS | Heavy rains flood Nkomazi region

Government, through the National Disaster Management Centre, provincial and local disaster management structures, traffic authorities, emergency services and other relevant stakeholders, continues to monitor the situation and coordinate response measures in affected areas.

Authorities are assessing road conditions, managing closures where necessary and working to keep affected routes safe and accessible where conditions permit. Government further appeals to motorists to exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and emergency officials. Road closures are implemented to protect lives, and motorists should not attempt to bypass barriers or access roads that have been declared unsafe

Members of the public are reminded that weather and road conditions can change rapidly. Roads that are currently open may subsequently be closed if conditions deteriorate, while previously closed routes may be reopened once they have been assessed and cleared by the relevant authorities.

The public is urged to rely on official updates from the South African Weather Service, provincial traffic authorities, road agencies, disaster management structures and emergency services for the latest information.

Government will continue to closely monitor the weather system and its impacts across the country and will coordinate with relevant authorities to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to protect communities and road users.

Government urges the public to take the following precautions:

• Avoid unnecessary travel to areas affected by heavy snowfall, ice, strong winds, flooding or other hazardous weather conditions.
• Do not attempt to drive on roads that have been closed by traffic or emergency authorities.
• Motorists travelling on roads that remain open should reduce their speed, maintain a safe following distance and exercise extreme caution, particularly on mountain passes.
• Follow the instructions and guidance of traffic officials, emergency services and disaster management authorities.
• Check the latest weather and road conditions from verified sources before undertaking long-distance journeys.
• Where possible, postpone travel until conditions have improved and affected routes have been assessed and declared safe.
• Avoid sharing unverified information about road closures and weather conditions, as this may cause confusion and place motorists and communities at greater risk.
• Take precautions to protect children, older people and other vulnerable people from extreme cold.
• Farmers and livestock owners are encouraged to ensure that livestock and other animals are kept in safe, warm and adequately sheltered areas during periods of severe cold and snowfall.

Government urges all members of the public to remain vigilant, exercise caution and prioritise their safety as winter weather conditions continue to evolve.

The post Extreme caution urged as winter hits SA roads appeared first on MP Mirror Online.

The City of Mbombela announced that a technical fault required repairs to the system and indicated that the work would be carried out between 07:00 and 17:00.

However, the anticipated restoration time was exceeded, with electricity only being restored in most areas at around 21:30. Residents endured an entire day without electricity, while water supply was severely affected as electric pumps could not operate without power.

The community has continued to experience poor water and electricity supply from Monday through Wednesday. Residents awoke to yet another power outage, although high-mast lights remained operational throughout the period. Electrical appliances could not be used, and learners were unable to study, negatively affecting teaching and learning.

READ | COMMUNITY WARNING NOTICE: Potential impact on water supply due to illegal mining activities

These outages occurred while political representatives in the area remained largely silent on the challenges facing the community. During this difficult period, a community WhatsApp group, which includes a Democratic Alliance councillor, served as an important communication platform for residents. The City of Mbombela Municipality also failed to engage directly with affected communities to keep them informed of developments and provide updates on the ongoing service delivery challenges.

Residents subsequently directed several questions to the Democratic Alliance councillor, following which the following statement was issued:

“The Municipality wishes to inform all residents and stakeholders that operations at the water treatment plant have resumed following a significant improvement in the quality of raw water at the intake point.
“Plant operations had previously been temporarily suspended due to poor raw water quality, which affected the treatment process. Continuous monitoring has confirmed that the raw water quality has improved to acceptable levels, allowing the treatment process to resume safely and effectively. “Water production has recommenced, and treated water will gradually be restored throughout the distribution network. Consumers may experience temporary low pressure or intermittent supply while reservoirs refill and the system stabilises.

READ MORE | Mahlobo commends progress to resolve water and sanitation challenges in Lekwa

“The Municipality appreciates the patience, understanding, and cooperation of all residents during this period. Water quality and plant performance will continue to be closely monitored to ensure that the water supplied complies with the required drinking water quality standards. “The law enforcements is doing their utmost to protect the nation key point.
For further information or to report water supply issues, please contact the Municipal Water Services Department.”
Issued by: City of Mbombela
Please note: since the system was dry, we will implement the following operational plan tonight to restore supply across all affected areas:

• Instead of the usual overnight outlet closures, outlets will remain open to allow reservoirs and pipelines to fill the lower and middle areas throughout the night. Tomorrow morning, we will assess system recovery, close supply to the lower areas, and direct water to the upper areas for the remainder of the day. Normal rationing operations are expected to resume tomorrow night.
• The General Hospital will receive supply as soon as the reservoir begins receiving water.
• Dikbas, the CBD, and surrounding areas will gradually regain supply once water reaches the reservoir.
• Residents in the Rimers and Burger Street areas may experience a longer delay; however, normal supply is anticipated by tomorrow morning.

The post Barberton’s water issues resolved for now appeared first on MP Mirror Online.

The victims were in a vehicle that was riddled with nearly 40 bullets. The deceased were identified as Remember “Zuzu” Sedibe (29), Alice Mahlangu (19), Xolani Mona (30) and Fana Fana Ngobe.

During his visit to the aggrieved families on Tuesday, July 14, Macie faced a community too afraid to speak out. However, he assured residents that national intervention would help.

VIDEO:

Police have confirmed that 37 murders have been reported in the area since January 2026.

The post WATCH: MEC Promises breakthrough after Mkhuhlu bloodbath appeared first on MP Mirror Online.

According to preliminary reports, the collision occurred between an articulated truck travelling from Standerton and a sedan travelling from Perdekop.

Four occupants of the sedan, the driver and three passengers were declared dead on the scene. One passenger sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Standerton Provincial Hospital for medical attention.

READ | Five killed in Ngodwana accident

The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation. However, preliminary indications suggest that dangerous overtaking may have been a contributing factor.

The MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, said the number of fatal crashes on the R23 is a huge concern to the province.

READ MORE | Accident claims four lives on R23

“This stretch of road is becoming another death trap, and it means we must do more to enforce the law on the R23 and other problematic routes. Motorists must also play their part by driving safely and obeying the rules of the road,” said MEC Macie.

The post Four killed in R23 head-on collision appeared first on MP Mirror Online.