Latest news with #Vereeniging
SowetanLIVE
6 days ago
- SowetanLIVE
Police find missing toddler Kutlwano Shalaba's body after sangoma tells all
The body of two-year-old Kutlwano Shalaba, who went missing in November last year, has been recovered. A police source confirmed to Sowetan that the child's body was found in a shallow grave at an abandoned mine near Randfontein, west of Joburg. The source said a 50-year-old sangoma who operated at the Vereeniging taxi rank has been arrested. 'The traditional healer took officers to where the body was. A postmortem will be conducted at the Carletonville mortuary, but we believe the child died on November 10,' said the source. Kutlwano, from Boipatong in the Vaal, was reported missing on November 13. His mother, Keneilwe Shalaba, had reported that Kutlwano was snatched from her by unknown men in a silver-grey vehicle. However, she was later arrested and charged with human trafficking, conspiracy to commit an offence and making a false statement to the police. The state alleged that Shalaba sold baby Kutlwano for R75,000, an amount she admitted receiving on the same day her son went missing, though she could not say where it came from. Shalaba previously alleged she went to Durban with Kutlwano on November 10 to buy clothes to sell. But police Sgt George Motloung, who testified during her bail application in February, said the child never made it to Durban, adding that he had obtained statements and affidavits from a group of women Shalaba travelled with to KwaZulu-Natal. He was told that Shalaba had asked those she travelled with to lie, if questioned by police, and say she was with Kutlwano in Durban. Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed the police made the gruesome discovery in Waterpan Road, near the R28 in Bekkersdal. 'The remains are suspected to be of Kutlwano but a DNA analysis will be performed to determine the identity of the corpse,' she said. Sibeko said Shalaba and the traditional healer will appear before the Vanderbiljpark magistrate's court on Monday June 2 to face charges of murder and human trafficking. SowetanLIVE
IOL News
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
WeBuyCars Holdings reports significant growth in sales and expansion plans
WeBuyCars Holdings undertook significant capacity and efficiency enhancements in the six months to March 31 and also paid a 30 cent a share interim dividend. Image: Supplied WeBuyCars Holdings management said they had made significant increases and enhancements to their buying and selling capacity during the six months to March 31. The motor industry sales uptick in the first few months of 2025 signals an improvement in consumer confidence and a resilient appetite for mobility, despite broader economic pressures, management said at the release of the interim results on Monday. The group, which listed on the JSE on April 11, 2024, said it would pay a 30 cents a share interim dividend. Core headline earnings increased by 26.4% to R508.2 million after the number of used units sold increased 12.9% to 92 339, while the number of units bought increased 13.5% to 91 392. Management said they expect that enhancements to their internal finance application system and the lower interest rate environment in South Africa should positively impact sales volumes – particularly in the finance sales channel. In the six months under review, 10 new buying pods were added, bringing the group's national footprint to 93, thereby enhancing customer convenience across the country. The Pietermaritzburg supermarket was relocated to a larger site with 300 parking bays. Capacity was also expanded at the George, Polokwane, the Dome, Johannesburg South, Riverhorse Valley, and Gqeberha facilities. 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 ✕ The Rustenburg supermarket was opened on October 1, 2024, as planned – with capacity for 300 vehicles, expanding the group's reach to the North West Province. The Vereeniging supermarket will accommodate 550 vehicles for sale - the group anticipates trading from this facility from August 1. The development of the 30 400 square metre Lansdowne supermarket in Cape Town was progressing well, and trading was expected to start there in December 2025. This supermarket will have the capacity for 1 300 vehicles for sale. Construction of the 17 450 square metre Montana supermarket in Pretoria North was progressing to plan. Trading was expected from this new facility in December 2025. This supermarket will hold 1 300 vehicles for sale. These developments were being funded through existing cash reserves and available debt facilities. 'Against this backdrop, WeBuyCars will continue to focus on what it does best: simplifying the vehicle buying and selling processes, enhancing its digital platforms, refining its lead management systems, and leveraging its growing data insights to drive smarter, faster pricing decisions,' the group's management said. They said the key drivers of growth in core headline earnings in the past six months were higher volumes, higher average unit selling prices, improved margins, and cost efficiencies driven by economies of scale. They said ongoing investment and enhancements to the technology platform, particularly in the prioritisation/qualification of buy leads, had resulted in operational efficiencies and margin improvements during the interim period. 'The number of vehicles bought and sold continued to grow, with sales volumes surpassing 15 000 units in four of the last six months and reaching an all-time monthly record for WeBuyCars of 16 294 units in November 2024.' WeBuyCars' balance sheet was conservatively geared, with R284.1m in net cash at the end of the period. The group said it was making meaningful progress toward its goal of buying and selling 23 000 vehicles per month by the 2028 financial year. The share price inched up 0.1% to R46.45 on Monday afternoon, a price that is about double the R23.25 that it traded at a year ago. Visit:
The Citizen
06-05-2025
- The Citizen
Vaal Wine Route 2025: Book now for the popular Wine Expo on May 31
The Vaal Triangle region has lots to offer, and once a year there's a splendid opportunity to showcase the area widely – all thanks to the Vaal River Meander Wine Route! This ever-popular annual Wine Route is back for its 22nd edition. From June 7 until July 27 locals and visitors alike can share in the pleasure of this well-priced wine and foodie treat that's sure to beat the winter blues! This year's Wine Route launches on Saturday, May 31, with a vibrant Wine Expo from 12:00 to 17:00 at Stonehaven-on-Vaal. Tickets for this popular Expo are available now. The cost is R300 per person and includes tasting of over 200 different wines, a tasting glass to take home, a 35 minute Vaal River Cruise, live entertainment and access to food stalls and a restaurant. Tickets are limited and usually sell out fast, so hurry to get yours! Visit to book your Wine Expo tickets or call (016) 982 2951/2. Alternatively, send an email to info@ or WhatsApp to 060 804 1495. Please note that no tickets will be sold on the day at the gates. The Wine Expo is followed by the Wine Route, spanning eight weeks from June 7 to July 27. The Route incorporates a diversity of local venues on and around the banks of the Vaal River. The Wine Route is a relaxing way to enjoy the best of South Africa's wine, and a feel-good way to spend a lazy winter Saturday and Sunday (from midday to 18:00 every weekend). Come on your own or get a bunch of friends together to enjoy the tastings! R80 per person is all it costs to enjoy sampling eight different wines at each venue. All of the venues on the Wine Route showcase different Estates. This means one can go from venue to venue, discovering a new selection of excellent wines. You might even find your 'new favourite' along the way. This is also a great opportunity for companies to entertain their clients or staff with well-priced wine tasting experiences, with or without food pairing – every experience having a distinctive edge. Should you want to organize a corporate or private group outing during the eight Wine Route weeks, there are a number of packages to choose from. Personalized packages can be put together – tailored for individual, corporate or private needs. This year's participating venues are: Stonehaven-on-Vaal, Waterfront Country Lodge & Spa, Rio Sol Portuguese Restaurant (Vereeniging), Riviera on Vaal Resort, The Vaal River Lodge, Emerald Resort & Casino, John Dorys (Three Rivers), River Venue & Café, The Iron Restaurant, The Anchorage, Villa Verde, Pont De Val and Riverside Sun. Wine lovers can make the most of their journey by visiting all these venues during the Wine Route weeks – in any order of their choice. Visit to book your Wine Expo tickets, or call (016) 982 2951/2. Alternatively, send an email to info@ or WhatsApp to 060 804 1495 At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
