Nine suspects, linked to a double murder, kidnapping and robbery, and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, were arrested during a sting operation in Chatsworth.

KwaZulu-Natal led spaza shop funding approvals after municipalities verified business licences faster than those in other provinces, Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams told Parliament

Lions captain Francke Horn returns from injury to lead the side in their United Rugby Championship (URC) match against Edinburgh at the DAM Health Stadium in Scotland on Friday night (kick-off 8:45pm), after a very emotional week. The shocking sudden loss of Lions lock Hyron Andrews, who passed away at the team hotel last Friday before their first ever Champions Cup match against La Rochelle on Saturday, will have put many of the players in a very emotionally vulnerable place. But they chose to play that game in his honour, and have had to immediately continue their overseas tour, with two matches in Scotland as they face Glasgow Warriors next week, before finally being able to return home. Horn missed the brave loss against La Rochelle with an Achilles niggle, but slots straight back into the starting team at eighthman, which sees a shuffle in the loose trio as rising young talent Batho Hlekani also comes and will partner Sikhumuzo Notshe, who shifts from the back to the side of the scrum. Springbok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg gets a well deserved break, after a busy couple of months with the Boks and now the Lions, with Nico Steyn starting at nine and young Zian Cilliers will provide cover off the bench. Rest of team The rest of the starting team remains the same from last week, while hooker PJ Botha comes into the match 23 and will look to provide impact off the bench, along with exciting loose forward Siba Mahashe. Speaking ahead of the match Lions scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys admitted that the team were navigating uncharted waters, and were hoping to pull together and continue honouring Andrews through their play. “To say it was a rough week is probably an understatement, but the support we received from almost everyone was huge,” said Redelinghuys. “The sorrow everyone felt, and the way it was handled, felt authentic. The way it was handled – locally, abroad, our leadership, coaches and management and players, felt really respectful and that gave us, to a big extent, some closure.” Lions starting 15 Quan Horn, Kelly Mpeku, Henco van Wyk, Bronson Mills, Erich Cronje, Chris Smith, Nico Steyn, Francke Horn, Batho Hlekani, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Ruan Delport, Etienne Oosthuizen, Conraad van Vuuren, Morne Brandon, Boan Venter Bench: PJ Botha, SJ Kotze, RF Schoeman, Dylan Sjoblom, Siba Mahashe, Ziaan Cilliers, Richard Kriel, Boeta Chamberlain

Tributes have been pouring in for the woman who was killed by a reckless driver in a shopping mall parking lot on Monday. Confirmed to be South African Police Service (Saps) warrant officer Eunice Nortman, the 53-year-old has been described as an honest, real, and remarkable woman. Saps confirmed that 23-year-old Akilesh Gupta appeared before the Lichtenburg Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday and is set to return on 27 October. “[Nortman] was on duty during the incident and was transported to hospital by emergency medical services for medical treatment. Sadly, she succumbed to her injuries later that evening. “A case of murder is being investigated, while further charges relating to an alleged contravention of immigration legislation are also being pursued,” North West Saps spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh stated. Graphic CCTV footage A widely-circulated video shows the harrowing moment when Nortman is hit by the reckless motorist. Nortman is seen walking away from her red sedan, after which she reaches a humped pedestrian crossing. She reaches the intersection at the same time as a white SUV, and after both parties stop, Nortman begins crossing the road as the vehicle begins to wildly accelerate. The vehicle continues to speed up, crashing over a small island before colliding with large traffic cones and a small white hatchback. What appears to be a bearded man in a black tracksuit exits the vehicle, looking around bemused as bystanders rush the area to check on the victim. While Nortman lies motionless on the bricked surface, the man in the tracksuit begins strolling towards the shops before another man chases him. ‘Deserved to get home safely’ Police portfolio committee Ian Cameron joined the chorus of condolences on Thursday, stating he was “absolutely horrified” by what was depicted on the CCTV footage It is heartbreaking, and I struggle to comprehend how her life could end like this. She was a person with loved ones, a life and a future. She deserved to get home safely,” stated Cameron. The committee chair described the act that took Nortman’s life as “evil”, adding that the perpetrator must be prosecuted with urgency. “The driver must face the full consequences of whatever the investigation establishes. Bail must also be opposed at all costs. “To Eunice’s family, loved ones and colleagues: my heartfelt condolences. What you are going through is unimaginable. Her life mattered. Her death must receive the urgency and seriousness it deserves,” Cameron concluded.

The Orlando Pirates confirmation ends what was a week of speculation regarding Ncikazi’s future. “Orlando Pirates Football Club confirms that Assistant Coach Mandla Ncikazi will be leaving the Club to take up the Head Coach position at a team in the Premier Soccer League,” the club said. MANDLA NCIKAZI LEAVES ORLANDO PIRATES The decision follows discussions with the club’s management on Thursday morning, during which Ncikazi made it clear that he wanted to pursue an opportunity to lead a team again. Pirates have given the experienced coach their blessing to take the next step in his career. Ncikazi leaves the Buccaneers with nine trophies won during his time on the club’s technical team. He served predominantly as assistant coach, including a brief spell as co-coach in 2025. Pirates chairman Dr Irvin Khoza thanked Ncikazi for his contribution and backed his decision to pursue a new challenge. “Mandla leaves with our gratitude and our blessing. His contribution to Orlando Pirates has been evident throughout his time with us,” Khoza said. “We respect his wish to pursue this new opportunity and wish him success as he takes on a new responsibility,” he added. Ncikazi’s departure marks the end of a trophy-laden spell at the Soweto giants, with the coach now looking to return to a leading role in the dugout. The coach is also expected to acknowledge those he worked alongside during his time at Pirates as he begins the next chapter of his coaching career. Meanwhile, Ncikazi is rumoured to be on his way to Golden Arrows. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS MOVE? Share your thoughts by clicking on the red comments block below.

Pensioners have voiced their frustration over the tax burden they carry in retirement. The reactions came in the form of comments on The South African’s Facebook page. Many older South Africans live on fixed incomes, such as a SASSA Older Person’s Grant or a private pension. They say everyday costs leave little room for paying taxes on top of their basic needs. Pensioners say costs are out of hand One commenter, Rita Botha, did not mince her words. “No pensioner must pay VAT and TAX !!” she wrote. Her comment drew support from others who feel older South Africans deserve a break after years of working and contributing to the economy. Imelda Sue Carpyde was ready to take the matter further. “Where’s the petition let’s sign it,” she said. Pensioners want to know which stores help Rina Cox praised businesses that offer relief to older shoppers. “Thanks to stores that do it. Give us names please if stores,” she said. Replying to her, Rendy Green offered a short but telling answer. “none,” he wrote. The exchange highlights how many pensioners feel they must search for small savings wherever they can find them. What pensioners pay in tax Pensioners already receive some relief from SARS. For the 2026/27 tax year, South Africans aged 65 to 74 pay income tax only if they earn more than R153 250 a year, while those aged 75 and older pay income tax if they earn more than R171 300. By comparison, the threshold for people under 65 is R99 000. These higher thresholds stem from a secondary rebate of R9 765 for people aged 65 and older and a tertiary rebate of R3 249 for those aged 75 and older. As a result, many pensioners who rely only on a SASSA grant do not pay income tax at all. VAT is a different matter. It applies to most goods and services that pensioners buy, regardless of their age or income. A small number of basic food items are zero-rated. Even so, pensioners still pay VAT on many everyday essentials. For older South Africans on tight budgets, every rand counts. Their comments suggest that many feel the current relief does not go far enough. Win R2 000 in the South African SASSA grant survey If you receive a SASSA grant and want to share your story, we want to hear from you. Take part in our survey and stand a chance to win R2 000. Your responses help us tell the stories that matter.

A home affairs credential could spare South Africans repeat payment onboarding, says DIDx's Lohan Spies.

South Africa's big financial firms call artificial intelligence a growth driver, yet benefits are rarely tracked properly.