It is alleged that a truck travelling on the D799 Kaapsehoop Road failed to stop at an intersection and collided with three vehicles that were travelling on the N4.The vehicles struck by the truck were two light delivery vehicles (LDVs) and a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

The driver and a passenger from the United Kingdom who were travelling in the SUV, as well as the driver of one of the LDVs, died on impact.The drivers of both the truck and the other LDV were rushed to Kiaat Hospital with serious injuries.

READ | Three die on D799 near Kaapsehoop crash

Emergency services are currently on the scene and an investigation is underway.The road is partially closed and motorists are urged to approach with caution as traffic is moving slowly.

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According to the South African Weather Service’s Seasonal Climate Watch dated 31 August 2026, El Niño will continue through the summer, bringing below-normal rainfall and high temperatures.

The department said winter rainfall areas have already experienced shortages, which could worsen as summer approaches.

In the agricultural sector, El Niño typically leads to dry conditions, heat stress, crop failure and livestock mortalities, especially where risk reduction measures are not in place. Low rainfall may also trigger water restrictions for irrigation farmers and increase pests and diseases.

While the 2025/26 season saw above-normal rainfall that improved dam levels and soil moisture in summer rainfall areas, farmers are now urged to conserve water and practise climate-smart agriculture.

Recommendations include:

• Using conservation agriculture implements to preserve soil moisture and prevent erosion
• Not expanding production unnecessarily and planting suitable, drought-tolerant cultivars listed in the National Varietal List
• Using water sparingly through water harvesting and drip irrigation, and irrigating in the morning or evening
• Keeping livestock numbers within the carrying capacity of the veld, practising rotational grazing and providing additional feed and water
• Regular scouting for pests and diseases, vet visits and vaccinations

The department said it will continue monitoring conditions and issuing monthly advisories and daily extreme weather warnings through SAWS.

Farmers are urged to comply with local water restrictions and follow early warning information for disaster risk mitigation.

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Parents have accused the school of gross human rights violations, saying female learners from Grades 7 to 12 were subjected to mass pregnancy screening without parental consent after a directive from the Bohlabela District for teenage pregnancy statistics.

According to a whistleblower who asked to remain anonymous, the testing was allegedly conducted without medical supervision, leaving learners as young as 12 to handle test kits themselves. One learner who allegedly tested positive was reportedly exposed to ridicule, instead of being referred for counselling and child protection support.

The crisis escalated this week when the school’s principal, Mr GL Montle, allegedly suspended a group of boarders via a parents’ WhatsApp group for arriving on Monday morning instead of Sunday afternoon. The learners were told to stay away until 6 September, 2026.

READ | 43 teenagers give birth on Christmas and New Year’s Day

This coincided with the Grade 12 September assessments. On Tuesday morning, a notice from the principal circulating on the school’s platform warned that a 22-seater taxi at the gate was disrupting the Life Orientation national paper.

“Take note that there is a 22-seater from yesterday that came back to disrupt the Matric exam. The paper cannot be delivered on time because of the security threat… Believe you me, our learners will write the paper today,” the notice read.

Mpumalanga Mirror understands the alleged suspensions directly prevented learners from writing the Life Orientation Common Assessment Task scheduled for today, 1 September.

The Mpumalanga Department of Education says it was not aware of the allegations but is taking them seriously.

In a response, spokesperson Gerald Sambo said the allegations of this nature which touch on the dignity, privacy and right to basic education are viewed in an extremely serious light. We have a zero-tolerance approach to any practice that violates the Constitution.”

The department confirmed it will deploy a team from the Bohlabela District to investigate.The department’s absolute priority is that no learner is prejudiced academically. Arrangements are being made to ensure that all Grade 12 learners scheduled to write are given unhindered access,” Sambo said.

The department added that if non-consensual testing is confirmed, psychosocial support will be provided and mandatory referrals made to Social Development and health authorities. It also reminded schools that suspensions must follow Section 9 of the South African Schools Act and that publishing minors’ information violates POPIA.

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The Commission urges all political parties and candidates who intend to participate in the elections to ensure that their candidate nomination details and all required information are completed and submitted well ahead of the deadline. This will enable a seamless transition to post-nomination processes.

The Commission advises that the stipulated date and times are based on the Election timetable which cannot be changed nor be negotiated. After 17h00 on Friday, no changes will be permitted. This means the Online Candidate Nomination System (OCNS), will not be available for submissions beyond the cutoff time.

READ | IEC investigates by-elections fraud in Nkomazi

Similarly, no political party or independent candidate will be allowed to enter the IEC Offices after 17h00 with the intention to submit candidate lists. The Commission encourages prospective independent candidates and political parties to visit the IEC website at www.elections.org.za or contact the Contact Centre at info@elections.org.za or on 0800 11 8000 for more
information.

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According to preliminary reports, the truck driver seemingly lost control, swerved into the oncoming lane, and collided with another minibus taxi travelling from the direction of Mbombela.

Three of the deceased were occupants of the minibus taxi travelling from Mbombela. They were burnt beyond recognition after the minibus caught fire on impact.

The fourth victim was found on the road, and it is not yet clear in which vehicle the person was travelling in. It is suspected he may have flung out of the involved vehicles on impact. No further injuries have been reported at this stage.

The truck was travelling from Johannesburg towards Mbombela. An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway.

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The deceased were declared dead at the scene by paramedics who responded to the crash.

It is alleged that an articulated truck travelling from Middelburg towards Emalahleni on the R555 lost control and collided with one of the vehicles. Several other vehicles then collided with each other and further crashed into steel that had fallen from the truck.

A total of five people sustained serious injuries, while three others suffered slight injuries. The injured are receiving medical treatment at nearby hospitals. The articulated truck caught fire on impact.

The crash involved nine vehicles, including an articulated truck, four light delivery vehicles (LDVs), one SUV and other motor vehicles.

The investigation into the cause of the crash is underway.

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This was confirmed by Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato on Wednesday, June 3.

Of the 933 individuals processed, 349 originated from the Lindela Holding Facility and were transported by the Department of Home Affairs through its deportation programme. The remaining 584 individuals travelled from Mossel Bay through arrangements facilitated by the Mozambican High Commission.

The BMA says travellers underwent the required immigration processing, including identity verification, biometric checks and immigration status assessments, in accordance with South African immigration legislation and border management procedures.

Among those processed were individuals who did not possess valid travel documentation and others whose immigration status required further verification. In addition, 17 individuals who had previously entered South Africa legally were found to have overstayed their authorised period of stay. These cases were processed in accordance with the Immigration Act and applicable regulations.

About 38 minors formed part of the group and were processed with the assistance of the Department of Social Development to ensure compliance with all applicable child protection and cross-border movement requirements.

As part of the BMA’s mandate, all persons were screened and processed in accordance with health, security and immigration protocols before being permitted to proceed through the Port of Entry.At the conclusion of the operation, 926 individuals successfully departed South Africa for Mozambique.

Seven individuals were not permitted to depart following immigration processing and verification. These cases included individuals who did not meet the prescribed requirements for cross-border movement. Appropriate arrangements were made for all affected individuals in accordance with legal and administrative requirements.

READ | Immigration officials arrested at Lebombo Port of Entry

Commissioner Masiapato stated that the management of cross-border movement must be conducted in a manner that is lawful, orderly and consistent with South Africa’s immigration framework.

The BMA remains committed to facilitating legitimate travel while ensuring compliance with immigration legislation and safeguarding the integrity of our ports of entry. We will continue to work closely with our regional counterparts to promote safe, orderly and regular migration, while protecting the security interests of South Africa and the region,” he said.

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The NPA says to this end, the prosecutor will be suspended pending the institution of appropriate disciplinary action.

“This follows a court appearance of the accused persons in the matter of State versus Madoda Johannes Sibanyoni and others, wherein the accused face charges of Extortion and money laundering,” reads a statement.

According to the statement, the prosecutor failed to arrive in court for the continuation of the bail application, and that resulted in the matter being struck off the court roll and a warrant of arrest was authorised against him. The implications of this turn of events mean that it can only be reinstated upon a written authorisation by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mpumalanga Division.

READ | Defence slams ‘unreasonable’ delays in Mathabela’s murder case

While the magistrate is within his or her prerogative to invoke the relevant section of the Criminal Procedure Act, the NPA says will reflect on the order and determine if it is the best legally available mechanism to deal with the matter.

The National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Adv Andy Mothibi, has expressed his shock and dismay at this turn of events and appeals to the public to exercise patience while we deal with the matter internally through appropriate disciplinary action and externally with the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The Director of Public Prosecutions is engaging with the investigating officer with a view to facilitating the re-enrolment of the case.

“While this is disappointing, it is not a setback as we are within our right and authority to reinstate the case once there is compliance with the legal provisions governing matters removed from the court roll in this manner. There is no room for impunity as we remain resolute in our constitutional obligation to hold those accused of criminality accountable,” said Adv Mothibi.

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Among the hardest hit was a butchery along the R570, opposite Schoemansdal Plaza, where the roof was completely blown off by strong winds. The storm also affected key infrastructure, raising concerns about access to basic services and safe transport routes, particularly for learners. Community leader, Selby Magagula described the situation as devastating, saying residents woke up to scenes of destruction.

“We woke up to disaster, with buildings and roads severely damaged. This is one of the biggest disasters, with homes and infrastructure affected. One of the local schools was also damaged, and we are appealing to the provincial government for assistance,” said Magagula.

Residents say the damage has left many families vulnerable, with growing calls for urgent intervention to assist affected communities and begin recovery efforts. Motorists travelling along the route have been urged to exercise extreme caution due to debris scattered across the road and potential structural hazards in the area.

Community members have also been encouraged to remain vigilant, report emergencies, and assist where possible while prioritising their safety.

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The matter arose after Nyoni challenged the conclusion of his fixed-term employment contract in the Office of the Premier, which came to an end on 28 February 2026. He sought urgent court intervention to suspend the decision confirming the expiry of his contract and to compel continued compliance with the terms of his employment agreement.

Following the expiry of the contract in February, Nyoni lodged an urgent application at the high court in March 2026. The application was in two fold. In Part A, the applicant lodged the application as an urgent matter, while in Part B, he was challenging the legality of employment contract.

The court found amongst other matters the following:
-The application did not meet the legal threshold for urgency and was therefore improperly
brought on an urgent basis.
-The applicant ought to have been aware well in advance that his fixed-term contract would
expire on 28 February 2026.
-The letter issued by the Director-General on 4 March 2026 did not terminate the contract but
merely confirmed its expiry.
-There was no automatic right to permanent employment arising from the contract, as key
conditions for such an outcome were not met.
-The court further emphasised that even if the letter confirming the expiry were set aside, it
would not revive a contract that had already lapsed by operation of time.

The court ordered that the application be struck from the roll due to lack of urgency and the applicant, Nyoni to pay the legal costs of the respondents the Director General and the Premier, including the costs of two counsel.

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