News

Top 10 stories of the day: Fire at Tembisa Hospital | Man awarded R850k after horrific wrongful arrest | Walter Sisulu University evictions blocked

Here’s your daily news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories for 19 April 2025.

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Compiled by Gareth Cotterell

News today includes patients being evacuated after a fire broke out at Tembisa Hospital’s emergency Unit on Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, a man who was wrongfully detained for five months under inhumane conditions has been awarded R850 000 in damages.

Then, the Eastern Cape High Court stopped Walter Sisulu University (WSU) from evicting students from their residences on campus.

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Top 10 stories

Patients evacuated as fire breaks out at Tembisa Hospital

A fire broke out at Tembisa Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit on Saturday evening, prompting local firefighters and medical personnel to respond.

Picture: iStock

According to the Department of Health’s Head of Communication, Motalatale Modiba, the incident occurred just before 6pm on Saturday.

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All patients in the affected unit were safely evacuated to other parts of the hospital, Modiba confirmed.

CONTINUE READING: Patients evacuated as fire breaks out at Tembisa Hospital’s emergency unit


Man awarded R850k in damages after horrific ordeal of wrongful arrest, detention

A 39-year-old man who endured a harrowing five-month detention under inhumane conditions after being wrongfully arrested by police has been awarded R850 000 in damages.

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Public Order Police (POPs) members at the Tshwane Police Training Academy on 15 June 2024. Picture: Gallo Images/Frennie Shivambu

The North West High Court in Mahikeng handed down its ruling this week, finding in favour of Serame Petrus Tikoe in his case against the Minister of Police.

Although the minister admitted to the unlawful nature of the arrest and detention in a settlement agreement, the compensation amount was left for the court to decide.

CONTINUE READING: Potchefstroom man awarded R850k in damages after horrific ordeal of wrongful arrest, detention

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Court blocks Walter Sisulu University student evictions

The Eastern Cape High Court in Mthatha has stopped Walter Sisulu University (WSU) from evicting students from their residences on campus.

Walter Sisulu University gate at Butterworth Campus in East London on 22 January 2020. Picture: Gallo Images / Sino Majangaza

The ruling was handed down on Friday night, after the university’s management had issued an instruction for all students to vacate the premises by the end of business that same day.

The university’s student representative council (SRC) urgently approached the court to challenge the eviction, which was prompted by escalating unrest on campus.

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CONTINUE READING: Court blocks Walter Sisulu University student evictions


SA’s politicians should carry out more water shutdowns – but ‘then they’re admitting to failure’

Water expert Prof. Mike Muller says poorly managed cities will always lead to “a lot of water problems”.

Picture: iStock

“I think what we’re finding in South Africa is that our local government isn’t up to the job,” he said.

He said that South Africa’s water crisis needs to be better managed.

CONTINUE READING: SA’s politicians should carry out more water shutdowns – but ‘then they’re admitting to failure’


Trio nabbed after body discovered in bushes in Hartbeespoort Dam

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the alleged robbery and murder of a 34-year-old man whose body was discovered in the bushes near Xanadu Estate in Hartbeespoort Dam earlier this week.

Picture: iStock

The trio has been charged with murder and robbery and is expected to appear before the Brits Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 22 April 2025.

Captain Mpho Manyoa said that investigations led police to the Brazaville Section in Atteridgeville, where two men and a woman aged 22 and 35 were arrested.

CONTINUE READING: Trio nabbed after dead man’s body discovered in bushes in Hartbeespoort Dam



Yesterday’s news recap:

READ HERE: Schreiber on revoking Afrikaner farmers’ citizenship | News anchor claims road rage video was edited | Tragic start to Easter weekend

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Published by
Compiled by Gareth Cotterell
Read more on these topics: Top 10 stories of the day