Daily news update: Stage 3 load shedding, Boksburg explosion and Australia vs Proteas

Here’s your morning news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way.

Daily news update: 5 January

Boksburg tanker explosion death toll rises to 37

The death toll of the gas tanker explosion on Christmas Eve in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni has now risen to 37, the Gauteng government has confirmed.

The latest update brings the total number of Tambo Memorial Hospital staff deaths to 12.

“The provincial government confirms that the number of staff members who were injured during the incident is 35, and not 13, as previously communicated. The 35 injuries are inclusive of those that demised. Majority of the staff have been treated and discharged,” the provincial government said in a statement on Wednesday.

Stage 3 load shedding back on Wednesday, until further notice

Eskom says it will ramp up load shedding from stage 2 to stage 3 from 4pm on Wednesday afternoon.

According to the embattled power utility, the rolling blackouts were increased to stage 3 due to the breakdown of two generating units and the delay in returning to service of three generating units from planned maintenance.

Eskom said stage 3 power cuts will be implemented until further notice.

‘Investigation continues’: Police looking for farm owner after gun linked to Melville shooting recovered

Police are still investigating the New Year’s Eve drive-by shooting in Melville, Johannesburg three years after the incident occurred.

The owner of a farm in Kliprivier, where a firearm used in the shooting was found buried in a shallow grave in 2020, has been identified.

According to South African Police Service (Saps) national spokesperson Athlenda Mathe, the gun was positively linked to the shooting through ballistics testing.

Two men accused of racial attack in Pretoria East granted bail

Two men accused of assaulting a man in Pretoria East in an alleged racial attack have been granted bail of R8 000 each.

Karel Prinsloo and Johannes Stassen on Wednesday were granted bail in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court, following their arrest last month for allegedly assaulting 30-year-old Thato Lepinka.

The pair faces charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, malicious damage to property and crimen injuria.

WATCH: ‘Get out of the water’ – Baby seal attacks swimmers at Clifton 4th beach

Usually when the words ‘Get out of the water’ are shouted from the beach, one presumes there is a shark on the prowl. Imagine beach goers at the Clifton 4^th beach’s surprise when they realised it wasn’t a shark, but a baby seal attacking youngsters frolicking in the waves.

The video clip, shared by Twitter user Dylan Moore on Wednesday morning, is quickly gaining momentum on social media as South Africans debate why the seal went into attack mode.

According to the blog AZ Animals, seals are generally not poisonous or dangerous to humans as they are not very aggressive animals, with the exception of the leopard seal. The leopard seal has a record of being aggressive towards humans.

Australia v Proteas, third Test: Disallowed catch, bad light the talking points

The TV umpire’s decision to disallow a slip catch by Simon Harmer and the onfield umpires’ handling of bad light were the main talking points after an abbreviated opening day of the third Test between Australia and South Africa at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday.

Only 47 overs were bowled on the first day, Australia reaching 147/2. The second of those wickets was the dismissal of Marnus Labuschagne for 79, edging a phenomenal delivery with pace, bounce and nip away from Anrich Nortje that defied the sluggishness of the pitch.