News you should know tonight: Top 5 stories you may have missed on June 13, 2025
SAPS has announced the deployment of additional detectives to the 30 highest contact crime stations across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape.
Good evening, IOL News family!
It's Friday, June 13, 2025, and it's time for a wrap of the biggest headlines making waves in South Africa and beyond. Don't forget to join the IOL WhatsApp Channel to stay in tune, informed, and in the know.
'This is our new reality': Ramaphosa links deadly Eastern Cape floods to climate crisis
President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised the government's commitment to providing urgent support to affected communities and addressing the growing threat of climate change. To read on, click here.
Is Friday the 13th truly cursed, or do you have paraskevidekatriaphobia?
It's Friday the 13th and you will either be holding on to your lucky charm or having a Friday the 13th movie marathon. But did you know there is a word for people who are scared of the date. To read on, click here.
NPA heads to the Supreme Court of Appeal over Cholota ruling appeal
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is set to petition the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) following a controversial dismissal by Judge Loubser of their application for leave to appeal. To read on, click here.
Taxi violence signals systemic failure, says Cape Chamber
The Cape Chamber of Commerce has condemned the growing violence in the taxi industry, calling for calm following a wave of deadly shootings in the Western Cape. To read on, click here.
More detectives and forensic experts deployed by SAPS to combat serious crime
SAPS has announced the deployment of additional detectives to the 30 highest contact crime stations across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape. To read on, click here.
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The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Eastern Cape flood death toll rises
Search and Rescue teams are still on the ground recovering more bodies. The Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, has confirmed that the number of the deceased from the Eastern Cape floods has risen to 86. The number of people rescued is 38. Search and Rescue teams are still on the ground recovering more bodies. Mchunu and the National Commissioner of Saps, General Fannie Masemola, are in Mthatha today to assess police response and relief efforts to the floods. While there, the minister appreciated the Saps members for assisting victims of the floods. 'On behalf of the department of police and the South African government, if it wasn't for this tragedy and the deaths, we would have said we are very proud of us for the work that you have done and the way in which you performed your duties. 'We can only say thank you very much and please continue to assist where you are called upon to assist. It is this that makes the government appear to people, lending a hand in their hour of need.' The delegation will receive a briefing from the Acting Provincial Commissioner of Eastern Cape, Major General Kupiso and thereafter proceed on a walkabout to various sites affected by the devastating floods.
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Addressing youth crime: The critical role of social services in South Africa
Between April 2024 and March 2025, official police records show that nearly 273 children under 18 were murdered, averaging almost three deaths every day. Image: SAPS South Africa continues to grapple with high levels of violence targeting children and youth, with recent statistics painting a grim picture of the risks facing young people across the country. Between April 2024 and March 2025, official police records show that nearly 273 children under 18 were murdered, averaging almost three deaths every day. Additionally, thousands of young victims suffered attempted murders and serious assaults, with girls disproportionately targeted for sexual violence and abuse. This alarming trend has highlighted the urgent need for effective crime prevention strategies that go beyond law enforcement to address the underlying social and economic conditions that place children at risk. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Experts from the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and civil society groups say social service delivery by the departments of Education, Health, and Social Development is key to preventing youth crime and victimisation. 'Our children are not safe. The systems designed to support and protect them are failing. We cannot police our way out of this crisis; it begins with care, access to services, and restoring dignity,' said Cheryl Franks, a senior researcher at the ISS. She warned that service delivery gaps across these departments were leaving children exposed to the very conditions that breed violence, poverty, poor schooling, unsafe housing, abuse, and neglect. 'Social crime prevention isn't just about interventions after a crime has happened. It's about disrupting the root causes before they escalate,' she said. According to the ISS, the Department of Education reaches the largest number of children through public schooling, early childhood development (Grade R), and its primary school nutrition programme. It also houses a school safety sub-directorate and provides HIV/Aids policies and learner support. The Department of Health offers child and adolescent health services, including mental health support and immunisations. The Department of Social Development is mandated to provide child protection services, family support, and early intervention for at-risk children. But Franks noted: 'There is very little coordination across departments, and where services exist, they are under-resourced or poorly monitored.' In many communities, particularly in the Western Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal, children live in high-risk environments of violence, and access to care is limited. Between April 2024 and March 2025, over 4,500 children were victims of sexual offences nationwide. This year marks 49 years since the Soweto Uprising. Image: File The majority were girls, with cases often delayed or stalled due to forensic backlogs and police inefficiencies. Moira Kloppers, spokesperson for Action Society, said their organisation frequently assists children in communities where police presence is minimal and justice is slow. 'There is no real safety net for children. We have cases where young girls wait more than a year for DNA results. These delays retraumatise victims and send a message to perpetrators that they can act with impunity,' Kloppers said. She believes more targeted government intervention is urgently needed: 'We are calling for specialised gender-based violence units within SAPS, increased investment in forensic labs, and better training of frontline police officers to deal with child victims.' According to youth crime researcher Dr Simon Howell, from the Centre of Criminology at the University of Cape Town, prevention efforts must also address socio-economic exclusion. 'Youth are disproportionately affected by poverty, unemployment, and broken family structures. These are not just developmental concerns; they are direct risk factors for crime,' Howell explained. He cited international research showing that risk factors for youth offending and victimisation include family disruption, violence, poor parenting, school dropout, peer pressure, and lack of opportunity. 'You can't separate these from South Africa's inequality. When children are raised in violent homes, attend failing schools, and have no prospects, they are far more likely to engage in high-risk behaviour, or be targeted themselves,' he said. Howell believes that community-based programmes offering alternatives to gang life, such as sport, skills training, and mentorship, must be prioritised. 'Police may be the frontline, but social services are the foundation,' he said. Franks echoed this, warning that youth violence must not be treated as a policing issue alone. 'Children need more than protection from crime; they need nurturing, food, safe spaces, and opportunities to grow. Crime prevention must begin with restoring those basic rights,' she said.
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
20 vehicles recovered at Kosi Bay border; latest incident linked to insurance fraud
The recovered vehicles were stolen in and around Durban Central, Durban North, Westville, Chatsworth, Pinetown and Umhlali. Police in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) have arrested five smugglers and recovered 20 vehicles of different makes in the past few weeks. According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, the recovered vehicles include 11 bakkies, seven SUVs, a minibus and a sedan. The recovered vehicles were stolen in and around Durban Central, Durban North, Westville, Chatsworth, Pinetown and Umhlali. ALSO READ: Foreign national nabbed after trying to smuggle R2m BMW into Zimbabwe In the latest takedown, the team followed up on information they received about a vehicle destined to cross the Kosi Bay border. It was successfully intercepted on Monday and a suspect found in possession of various fraudulent documents to cross the border was arrested. A preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect may be linked to vehicle insurance fraud. Investigations are ongoing. 'A national intervention was established involving Saps members from various disciplines that include crime intelligence, proactive and reactive policing units, and detectives to prevent and combat cross-border crimes along the northern border of KZN,' Van Wyk said. ALSO READ: SA border crisis: Police commissioner had to 'beg' for return of 70 stolen cars in another country 'The task team deployed in Emanguzi continues to deal decisively with those involved in cross-border crimes in the north of KwaZulu-Natal.' These identified cross-border crimes include theft of motor vehicles, house robberies, business robberies, hijacking of vehicles, murder and attempted murder. Vehicle theft In another incident, three men were arrested for possession of a suspected stolen vehicle in Mpumalanga on Thursday. The suspects, aged 20 to 23, were intercepted on the R575 road between Middelburg and Witbank while driving a white Ford Figo fitted with Mpumalanga registration plates. ALSO READ: Going nowhere slowly: Notorious hijacker, cross-border vehicle smuggler sentenced Upon verification, it was confirmed that the vehicle valued at R60 000 had been reported stolen to Middelburg SAPS. The suspects were immediately taken into police custody and charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle. They are expected to appear in the Middelburg Magistrate's Court on 17 June 2025. Police investigations into the matter are ongoing. On Wednesday, police in Mpumalanga recovered a hijacked truck and arrested a 36-year-old suspect at the Machado toll plaza on the N4 road. The vehicle had been significantly altered, fitted with Mozambique registration number plates and both the VIN and engine numbers had been tampered with. However, using verification and tracking systems, the truck was positively identified as the one reported to have been hijacked. The suspect was immediately arrested and charged with possession of a hijacked vehicle. READ NEXT: Lesufi links vehicles to crime as Gauteng launches new number plate system
