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Here’s your daily news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.
Picture: iStock / The Citizen / Cheryl Kahla
News today includes Mpumalanga police investigating a case in which a group of young people were allegedly tortured and kept in a facility that appears to be a boot camp in Evander near Secunda.
Meanwhile, Water and Sanitation Minister Pamela Majodina says the government will not be held responsible for property damage suffered by residents who had built structures too close to the Bloemhof Dam floodline.
Furthermore, the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (Psira) has clarified its stance on proposed industry regulations.
Weather tomorrow: 12 April 2025
The weather service hasn’t issued severe weather warnings but expect fog, isolated showers, and partly cloudy skies in several provinces this Saturday. Warm conditions will dominate most regions. Full weather forecast here.
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Alleged torture at discipline ‘boot camp’ in Mpumalanga exposed
Mpumalanga police are investigating a case in which a group of young people were allegedly tortured and kept in a facility that appears to be a boot camp in Evander near Secunda in Mpumalanga.
According to the police, a number of young people were assaulted as if they were being punished.
“A case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm is under investigation by the police, with the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit handling the case,” said Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lt-Col Jabu Ndubane.
Ndubane said one of the victims was reportedly forced to swim in a muddy dam, cover his head in mud and endure physical assaults with a sjambok and pick handle.
CONTINUE READING: Alleged torture at discipline ‘boot camp’ in Mpumalanga exposed
Government won’t compensate residents near dams for flood damage, says Majodina
Minister of Water and Sanitation Pamela Majodina visited the Bloemhof Dam on Friday to assess the infrastructure amid heavy water inflows and high releases that have caused downstream flooding.
During her visit, Majodina made it clear that the government would not be held responsible for property damage suffered by residents who had built structures too close to the water.
“The communities that are complaining have encroached the floodline and no government is going to be responsible for their loss of property,” Majodina stated during an interview with Newzroom Afrika.
“In fact, I want to come and tell them without mixing my words that they must move away from the floodline because they are going to be washed away by this water.”
CONTINUE READING: Government won’t compensate residents near dams for flood damage, says Majodina
Clarity given on private security industry’s proposed ‘firearms ban’
The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (Psira) has clarified its stance on proposed industry regulations.
Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu gazetted a draft amendment to the Private Security Industry Regulation Act last month, on 28 March.
Psira clarified that armed response and asset transit officers would still be permitted to use firearms but stopped short at other areas.
CONTINUE READING: Clarity given on private security industry’s proposed ‘firearms ban’
Mchunu says ‘no beef’ with KZN police official Mkhwanazi after Ipid decision
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu says he continues to maintain positive relationships with senior police officials, including KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who was recently cleared of any wrongdoing.
Speaking during a media briefing on the outcomes of the three-day police summit, Mchunu said he had not received any official communication regarding the Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s (Ipid) decision to withdraw its investigation into Mkhwanazi.
The investigation related to allegations of interference in the 2023 arrest of a senior Department of Correctional Services official.
CONTINUE READING: Mchunu says ‘no beef’ with KZN police official Mkhwanazi after Ipid decision
‘Most are excited about the Shaka guy in theatre… I’m a different guy’ – Calvin Ratladi after winning award
The tension between theatre and television has existed as long as TV has been around.
When actor Calvin Ratladi’s name was announced as the recipient of the Standard Bank Young Artist Award (SBYA) for theatre, the room filled with artists was filled with loud cheers.
“I think most of them are excited about the ‘Shaka’ guy, and in theatre I’m a different guy,” Ratladi told The Citizen.
The 34-year-old sharpened his skill as an actor in theatre, and his portrayal of Goloza on Shaka iLembe introduced him to most South African TV viewers.
CONTINUE READING: ‘Most are excited about the Shaka guy in theatre… I’m a different guy’ – Calvin Ratladi after winning award
Here are five more stories of the day:
- Multimillion-rand boxing tournaments reported to Public Protector
- ‘No respite’ in US tariff pause for South Africa
- ‘Awards are never the goal, but serve as a reminder’ — Chef Moses Moloi on his wins
- Joshlin Smith trial: ‘He put a black bag over my head’ – Appollis recounts assault in court
- ‘Suddenly I’m getting offers’: Roderick Jaftha on bouncing back after financial struggles
Yesterday’s News recap
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