logo
Simola Hillclimb rocked by tragic death of seasoned competitor

Simola Hillclimb rocked by tragic death of seasoned competitor

Knysna Speed Festival, the organisers of the Simola Hillclimb, have confirmed seasoned competitor Pieter Joubert sadly passed away in an accident on Saturday.
Joubert was out on his first run on day two of King of the Hill when he lost control of his Lotus on the fast uphill straight and veered off the course, after it appeared that something broke on the car.
The scene was immediately attended to by the event's on-site medical, fire and emergency crews, but sadly Joubert was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Authorities are following all of the required protocols for an incident of this nature.
The family, who is in attendance at the event, are being supported by the organisers.
'We are exceptionally saddened by this incident, and our thoughts and condolences are with Pieter's family, team and friends,' says Ian Shrosbree, MD of Knysna Speed Festival.
'Pieter's brothers Dawie and Charl, who have also been competing, have expressed their wishes that we continue with the event.'
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.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Loaded for Bear: African Parks has disgracefully sent more SA rhinos to repressive Rwanda
Loaded for Bear: African Parks has disgracefully sent more SA rhinos to repressive Rwanda

Daily Maverick

timean hour ago

  • Daily Maverick

Loaded for Bear: African Parks has disgracefully sent more SA rhinos to repressive Rwanda

Much of Africa's wildlife lies within the borders of states with questionable governance or human rights records. But some lines can be drawn in the sand. The Kigali regime stands out for the sheer scale of its repression and the regional instability it has unleashed. Many conservation groups in Africa have a human rights problem. Pointedly, they often stand accused of being more concerned about the plight of Africa's animals than that of its people. This perception has been further entrenched by African Parks' announcement this week that it has just translocated another 70 white rhinos from South Africa to Rwanda – a sinister state that has been credibly linked to the killing of dissidents on South African soil. When African Parks, a Johannesburg-based NGO, announced in 2021 that it had relocated 30 white rhinos to Rwanda's Akagera National Park, I criticised it at the time in this publication, noting that those rhinos would be safer than the country's dissidents. That observation still holds and, if anything, Rwanda under the autocratic rule of Paul Kagame has become even more of a pariah state with its documented support for the M23 rebels in neighbouring DRC. The diabolical nature of the Rwandan regime under Kagame has been clinically dissected in veteran journalist Michela Wrong's troubling 2021 book, Do Not Disturb: The Story of a Political Murder and an African Regime Gone Bad. 'Do Not Disturb' was the sign placed on the room door at the posh Sandton Hotel where Patrick Karegeya, once Rwanda's head of external intelligence, was found murdered more than a decade ago. But what's the murder of a dissident or two or three – or a dozen for that matter – between friends? African Parks sees no issue with shaking hands with the devil if it advances its conservation agenda – which is disturbing. 'In 2021, African Parks moved 30 southern white rhinos to Akagera National Park. This initial population has increased to 41 animals today. Building on this success, the additional 70 animals will now play a crucial role in ensuring the presence of meta-populations across the continent, presenting opportunities for future range expansion,' African Parks said. It's all about the animals! It's like African Parks is living in a bubble, completely disconnected from the odious nature of the state it has chosen as a conservation partner. But that's perhaps not surprising, given the NGO's track record elsewhere in Africa. Last month it acknowledged that some of its eco-rangers had committed human rights abuses against the Baka community in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of Congo, based on the findings of an independent investigation it had commissioned to probe the allegations. 'African Parks acknowledges that, in some incidents, human rights abuses have occurred, and we deeply regret the pain and suffering caused to the victims. There is no place for any form of abuse in the name of conservation,' it said. There may be 'no place' for this kind of abuse 'in the name of conservation'. But if the state you have chosen to host a rhino conservation project is a serial human rights abuser, there is nothing to see here, folks. The rhinos will be fine! What will grab the headlines is that this is the largest translocation of its kind. African Parks has also been involved in a previous megafauna translocation which was billed as the 'largest of its kind'. In July 2022, 263 elephants were moved from Liwonde National Park in southern Malawi to Kasungu National Park, which borders Zambia along a frontier which has no fence. African Parks has since distanced itself from this project, but it certainly claimed some of the credit at the time. As I reported from the Zambian side of the park in 2024, this misconceived translocation has transformed the landscape into one of fear and loathing for the poor rural people who live there. Human-wildlife conflict is raging there, with a mounting death toll among both people and elephants. The big critters that have just been moved to Rwanda come from the 2,000-strong herd that African Parks bought in 2023 from rhino tycoon John Hume. Largely because of the efforts of the private sector, South Africa has enough rhinos for 'rewilding' efforts elsewhere, which broadly aim to restore wildlife populations to former ranges. Rwanda, by the way, is not a former white rhino range state. It is indeed the case that much of Africa's wildlife lies within the borders of states with questionable governance or human rights records. I recently covered first-hand the translocation of South African cheetahs to Mozambique, where last year's elections were hotly disputed, sparking nationwide protests. And let's face it, the ruling Frelimo party has followed other African liberation movements down the well-trodden path of corruption and misrule. But some lines can be drawn in the sand. Mountain gorillas, for example, are only found in Rwanda and neighbouring Uganda and the DRC, and so conservation efforts for this species need to be focused in those countries, regardless of the governments in power. That is not the case with white rhinos. There are plenty of other African countries where they can be translocated to and protected. The Kigali government stands out for the sheer scale of its repression and the regional instability it has unleashed. And Kagame has an instinctive understanding of what is important to the West. The rhino project comes with the prestige he craves, adding another layer of legitimacy to his regime – which does keep the streets of Kigali clean. Kagame got 99% of the vote in Rwanda's 2024 elections and unlike in Mozambique, no one was going to raise an eyebrow about that result, let alone lead a protest in the streets.

Influencer facing animal charges after mocking SPCA's dog rescue
Influencer facing animal charges after mocking SPCA's dog rescue

The South African

timean hour ago

  • The South African

Influencer facing animal charges after mocking SPCA's dog rescue

The influencer whose TikTok video featured an emaciated dog is facing animal cruelty charges from the SPCA. Johannesburg content creator Sasha Tshiamo is accused of mocking the NGO's plight to rescue the animal, who has been affectionately nicknamed 'Bobby.' This week, a starving Bobby was rescued and removed from her home by investigators after South Africans – and the SPCA – were moved by her shocking living conditions. She is now on the path to recovery. According to reports, influencer Sasha Tshiamo has been accused of mocking the dog featured in her viral TikTok video. The content creator also made light of a national search and reward for the dog's location. Under her posts, Sasha laughed off comments calling for 'Justice for Bobby.' She also reposted a skit from another content creator who was amused by the viral incident. 'Now, she will be facing charges in terms of the Animal Protection Act, while Bobby walked out victorious against her cruelty,' the SPCA told the media. In a follow-up TikTok video, Sasha claimed that Bobby is not her dog, and 'not my responsibility'. She also claimed that social media users had 'done me dirty' in their criticism of her. The dog's owners will also face animal cruelty charges. @ ♬ original sound – ayeecannytmalume While TikTok claims that the dog did not belong to her and was hence not her 'responsibility,' others have claimed that this is a poor excuse. @tashiri_g: 'This is not a defence, it's a deflection from the fact that you did not care to help or report her abuse'. @myrnalouw: 'How can you dance while a dog is starving in the background…sies!' @duckduckgoose: 'It doesn't have to be your dog in order for you to show human decency and kindness '. @ I'm not the owner please. ♬ original sound – It can't be Sasha Meanwhile, the SPCA shared the heartbreaking story of Bobby's rescue. In a social media post, a member of the Special Projects Unit was able to remove Bobby from her home. The post read: 'She is the most lovable dog, handing out kisses to everyone since the moment she arrived! Forced to eat plastic to survive, Bobby was found severely malnourished, suffering from fly strike, and covered in ticks and fleas'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NSPCA (@ The good news is that Bobby is now in safe hands and will be well-fed. The SPCA continued: 'She's on a long road to recovery, but once healthy, she'll be sterilised and available to the loving and caring home she deserves'. DO YOU BELIEVE THE CONTENT CREATOR DESERVED TO FACE ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGES? Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 .

Man sentenced to 222 years for rape and robbery
Man sentenced to 222 years for rape and robbery

The South African

timean hour ago

  • The South African

Man sentenced to 222 years for rape and robbery

Notorious rapist and sexual offender, Lesley Morwamashobe Mohlala, has been handed a heavy sentence of 222 years imprisonment for rape and robbery. Mohlala has long terrorised communities across Nebo and Hlogotlou policing areas in Sekhukhune District. In the areas, he targeted government buildings, clinics, traffic stations, public works offices and various other public facilities. In March 2018, the 33-year-old Mohlala was arrested at Hlogotlou SAPS for rape and his bail application was rejected. A few months down the line, in October in the same year, Mohlala escaped from lawful custody while being transported to Witbank Prison. During his escape, Mohlala committed various crimes, including robbing security officers of their firearms and cell phones and stealing money and valuables from other victims. In April 2023, he was re-arrested by the Nebo Jane Furse tracking team at a Jane Furse hiding place and charged with eight robberies. Additionally, DNA evidence linked him to 2 additional rape cases that occurred while he was an unknown suspect. The Polokwane High Court found Mohlala guilty on 23 counts and sentenced him to a total of 222 years' imprisonment. 'The court ordered that 10 years imprisonment on count 1 does not run concurrently with counts 2 to 25, with a minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment on counts 2 to 25,' read the police statement. The police arrested a 47-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man for allegedly abusing their two daughters, aged two and eight, in Bloubergstrand, Western Cape, on Tuesday, 10 June 2025. According to Arrive Alive, the suspects are facing multiple charges which include child pornography, rape, sexual assault, and sexual grooming. A multidisciplinary team comprising members of the National and Western Cape Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Units, officials from the Department of Social Development (DSD), supported by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), located the suspects at a residence identified through joint investigative efforts. The two victims were rescued and placed in a place of safety. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store