24 hours in pictures, 29 July 2025
Through the lens: The Citizen's Picture Editors select the best news photographs from South Africa and around the world.
A reveller performs a fire-breathing stunt as he takes part in a religious procession during the 'Kanwar Yatra' pilgrimage in the sacred month of Shravan, in Ajmer on July 29, 2025. (Photo by HIMANSHU SHARMA / AFP)
Tiffany Meek appears at Roodepoort Magistrate's Court for bail hearing in the murder case of her son Jayden-Lee Meek (11), on July 29, 2025 in Roodepoort, South Africa. It is reported that Jayden-Lee Meek (11) was found dead, half-naked with multiple bruises on his body outside his home in Fleurhof on 14 May. (Photo by Gallo Images/Luba Lesolle) A firefighting airplane tries to extinguish a wildfire on Ymittos mountain, east of Athens, Greece, 28 July 2025. The wildfire burning scrub and low vegetation is in remission, according to an update by the Fire Department. Picture: EPA/ALEXANDROS VLACHOS South Africa rugby player Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu during the team's practice at the Johannesburg Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, 29 July 2025. South Africa play Australia in a 2025 Rugby Championship on 16 August. Picture: EPA/KIM LUDBROOK Sizophila Solontsi during the South African national women's team training session at UCT Rugby Fields on July 29, 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images) Eight former nuns of the order of the Poor Clares of Belorado, who were excomunicated by the Vatican after separating from the Catholic church, sit behind a grille which separates the nuns from visitors as they give a press conference following a trial hearing in their eviction lawsuit, at the Santa Clara Monastery in Beldorado, northern Spain, on July 29, 2025. (Photo by Cesar Manso / AFP) Businessman Katiso 'KT' Molefe appears at Alexandra Magistrate's Court in connection with the murder of DJ Sumbody on July 29, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The suspects are facing charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and possession of unlicensed firearms. Oupa Sefoka, popularly known as DJ Sumbody was shot and killed in Woodmead in November 2022. (Photo by Gallo Images/Sharon Seretlo) A group of pilgrims from New Zealand, dressed in folk costumes, poses for a photograph during the Jubilee of Youth, in Rome, Italy, 28 July 2025. Around 500,000 young people are expected in Rome to celebrate their Jubilee from 28 July to 03 August 2025. Picture: EPA/MASSIMO PERCOSSI An Israeli army infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) leaves a cloud of dust as it moves at a position along the border with the Gaza Strip and southern Israel on July 29, 2025. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP) Artists dressed in tiger costumes pose for a photograph during an awareness campaign marking 'International Tiger Day' and promoting tiger conservation in Bengaluru on July 29, 2025. (Photo by Idrees MOHAMMED / AFP) This aerial view shows the Lorraine American Cemetery and the memorial (background) in Saint-Avold, northeastern France, on July 29, 2025. Lorraine American Cemetery is the largest World War II American cemetery in Europe with a total of 10 481 burials. (Photo by Jean-Christophe VERHAEGEN / AFP) Fans cheers as the England women's national football team homecoming victory parade passes them on the Mall outside Buckingham Palace in London on July 29, 2025 to celebrate the team winning Euro 2025. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) Fishermen sit by breakwaters in Alexandria, Egypt, 27 July 2025 (issued 28 July 2025). The Egyptian prime minister announced new coastal protection projects in Alexandria, aimed at preventing the city from flooding and erosion sinking due to rising sea levels. These projects include the construction of seawalls and breakwaters along the Alexandria Corniche, as well as initiatives to reinforce the coastline and protect vital infrastructure. Picture: EPA/Mohamed Hossam A humanoid robot by Digit is seen during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) at the Shanghai World Expo and Convention Center in Shanghai on July 29, 2025. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP) This aerial picture shows a flooded area in Miyun district, northern Beijing on July 29, 2025, following heavy rains. Heavy rain in Beijing killed 30 people and forced authorities to evacuate tens of thousands as swathes of northern China were lashed by torrential downpours that sparked deadly landslides, state media said on July 29. (Photo by ADEK BERRY / AFP) People who fled their homes near the border between Cambodia and Thailand gather to get temporary aid at an evacuation centre in Cambodia's Preah Vihear province on July 29, 2025. A shaky ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia appeared to be holding on July 29, as military commanders met despite Bangkok's allegations the truce had been breached with overnight skirmishes. (Photo by Chor Sokunthea / AFP)
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IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
Mass abduction in Nigeria as armed 'bandits' kidnap over 50 people
Gangs preying on rural communities that have long had little or no government presence. Image: Kola Sulaimon / AFP Gunmen kidnapped more than 50 people in northwest Nigeria in a mass abduction, according to a private conflict monitoring report created for the United Nations and seen by AFP on Sunday. "Armed bandits" targeted the village of Sabon Garin Damri in Zamfara state Friday, the report said, the latest attack in a region where residents in rural hinterlands have long suffered from gangs who kidnap for ransom, loot villages and demand taxes. The report said this was the first "mass capture" incident in the Bakura local government area this year, "the recent trend of mass captures in Zamfara has been concerning," noting "a shift in bandit strategy toward more large-scale attacks in northern Zamfara." A Zamfara police spokesman did not respond to a request for comment. Nigeria's "banditry" crisis originated in conflict over land and water rights between herders and farmers but has morphed into organised crime, with gangs preying on rural communities that have long had little or no government presence. The conflict is worsening a malnutrition crisis in the northwest as attacks drive people away from their farms, in a situation that has been complicated by climate change and western aid cuts. Last month, bandits in Zamfara killed 33 people they had kidnapped in February despite receiving a $33,700 (R594,000) ransom, while three babies died in captivity, officials and residents told AFP. Bandit-jihadist cooperation Since 2011, as arms trafficking increased and the wider Sahel fell into turmoil, organised armed gangs formed in northwest Nigeria, with cattle rustling and kidnapping becoming huge moneymakers in the largely impoverished countryside. Groups also levy taxes on farmers and artisanal miners. Violence has spread in recent years from the northwest into north-central Nigeria. Two weeks ago, Nigerian troops killed at least 95 members of an armed gang in a shootout and airstrikes in the northwest state of Niger. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading But the military is overstretched. While improved cooperation between the army and air force has aided the fight, analysts say, airstrikes have also killed hundreds of civilians over the years. Bandits, who are primarily motivated by money, have also increased their cooperation with Nigeria's jihadist groups, who are waging a separate, 16-year-old armed insurrection in the northeast. The recent emergence of the Lakurawa jihadist group in the northwest has worsened violence in the region. Governments of affected states have been forced to recruit anti-jihadist militias fighting the militants in the northeast to assist in countering the bandits. AFP
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
R446,000 cash and Toyota Fortuner forfeited as driver fails to explain money's origins
Jonisayi Maromo | Published 5 hours ago The High Court in Limpopo has granted a forfeiture order for a cash amount of R446,000 and a Toyota Fortuner sport utility vehicle, which were seized by police. The Hawks' asset forfeiture investigation unit and the National Prosecuting Authority's asset forfeiture unit (AFU) worked tirelessly to ensure the forfeiture of the money and the vehicle. 'This emanates from the arrest conducted by members of the South African Police Service attached to Musina in 2024. On 4 July 2024, police conducted a stop and search operation along the N1 road in Musina,' said Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks in Limpopo. During the operation, the police officers stopped the Toyota Fortuner which was driven by a foreign national. 'During a search, police found a plastic bag that contained South African bank notes underneath blankets inside the boot. Police interviewed the driver, and he failed to give a clear explanation for carrying the large amount of money inside the vehicle,' said Mmuroa. The driver was immediately arrested and the money was seized. The Hawks' asset forfeiture investigation unit was consulted for asset investigation. 'After completion of the investigations, the Hawks referred the matter to the National Prosecuting Authority's asset forfeiture unit for further handling. Following court processes, the High Court in Limpopo granted a preservation order for the Toyota Fortuner and the money in February, before the forfeiture order was granted last week. 'The cash was deposited into the criminal asset recovery account on 29 July. The forfeited Toyota Fortuner is about to be sold on auction,' said Mmuroa. Earlier this year, IOL reported that a 49-year-old man was arrested on charges of money laundering after being found in possession of about R1.2 million in cash. At the time, provincial police spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, said the arrested man had allegedly tried to bribe police officers after the money was found. 'This achievement is the result of the dedication by members deployed for Operation Vala Umgodi, and the man was nabbed on 16 March 2025 at Tonga near Komatipoort,' said Ndubane. She said police officers received a tip-off about a man who was allegedly in possession of an unlicenced firearm. 'They then responded swiftly and followed the information, and upon arrival at Tonga View, they found the owner of the house and conducted a search and it was during that time when they discovered the large sum of money hidden under the bed as well as inside the wardrobe,' said Ndubane. 'The astute members continued searching in other rooms where they further found a bag full of money. It was during the process when the man tried his luck to bribe the police officials with R50,000, but his attempts failed dismally.' Ndubane said the money amounted to R1.2 million in banknotes and coins, while there was also Mozambican currency. [email protected] IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
The South African
4 hours ago
- The South African
Man sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment for murder of partner
A man was sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment for the murder of his partner at the Victoria West Regional Court, Northern Cape. The 37-year-old Jan Jonkers brutally murdered Charlene Tieties (31) at their residence in Kimberley. Jonkers assaulted and stabbed Tieties with a knife and she was immediately rushed to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. According to a police statement, Jonkers fled the scene after the incident but was later captured on the same day. He applied for bail but was denied and sentenced. In another similar incident in Kimberley, a 35-year-old man was given a double life sentence for the rape and murder of 21-year-old Thobeka Bosman. Selby George raped and strangled Bosman. The deceased's half-naked body was found under a bridge on Snyman Street in the same area. George was arrested shortly after and was sentenced at the Kimberley High Court on Thursday, 1 August 2025. Four suspects were arrested for the murder of a mother (34) and her 2-year-old daughter, who went missing in May this year. Following an intensive search, SAPS Thohoyandou intervention Team, Thohoyandou Detectives and the Provincial Missing Person Team discovered the decapitated bodies of the two victims. The South African reached out to Colonel Malesela Ledwaba about the location where the bodies were discovered, but has not received a response yet. Additionally, one of the victims is alleged to be the partner of the deceased mother. The motive behind the murder is unknown. The first two suspects, Tshilidzi Phalandwa(43)and Balangani Sedzani Tshivhombedze (32), appeared before the Vuwani Magistrate's Court on Friday, 1 August 2025 and were remanded in custody as the case was postponed to 12 August 2025. The two other suspects, a 55-year-old man and a traditional healer (38), were arrested a few days later. Police discovered the missing heads of the two victims at the traditional healer's residence. Both suspects will appear before the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on Monday, 4 August 2025, over murder charges. In addition, a charge of possession of human tissue will be handed over against the traditional healer. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
