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News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day.
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Multiple murder accused Rachel Kutumela (right), her elder sister, Anna Shokane (centre), and Kutumela’s daughter, Flora Shokane (left), appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court in 2024 in connection with allegations related to a R10 million insurance murder-for-payout scheme.
Six arrested for R10m insurance murder scheme linked to ex-cop, more on the way
- Limpopo police arrested six suspects, including close relatives of multiple murder accused Rachel Kutumela, in connection with 10 insurance-related murders.
- The total number of suspects has also risen to 10, while the 11th suspect remains at large.
- The suspects allegedly benefitted from more than R10 million in insurance payouts between 2017 and 2024 by unlawfully taking out life insurance policies in victims’ names and subsequently murdering them.
IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo announces June voter registration weekend ahead of local government elections.
IEC announces voter registration weekend for local elections
- The IEC will hold a voter registration weekend on 20 and 21 June for the local government elections.
- The IEC anticipates that the election date will be proclaimed after the voter registration weekend.
- South Africans will know the exact election date in June.
The 7 000 m² property spans two erven in the popular seaside town in Hermanus.
Markus Jooste’s Hermanus mega-mansion sold for R105m
- Markus Jooste’s Hermanus property, a 7 000m² double plot where he lived for two decades, has been sold for R105 million.
- The property, located in Voëlklip, includes a main residence, a heritage cottage, a flatlet, extensive gardens and ample parking.
- The unnamed investors who purchased the property view it as a “long-term strategic investment” and are considering future plans for the estate.
Former chancellors of Stellenbosch University, Edwin Cameron and Johann Rupert, oppose Nicky Newton-King’s re-election to council, citing governance lapses and breaches of trust during her tenure.
Freddie Mavunda/Gallo Images
Edwin Cameron and Johann Rupert oppose re-election of Newton-King to SU council
- Former Stellenbosch University chancellors Edwin Cameron and Johann Rupert oppose Nicky Newton-King’s re-election to the council, citing governance failures and breaches of trust.
- The Kriegler report found Newton-King guilty of non-disclosure and improper amendments to a report on the Wilgenhof residence, damaging trust in the council and university.
- Newton-King stated she would not seek re-election as a donor representative due to some donors preferring alternative representation but indicated interest in re-election through another pathway.
By the end of the week, 17 bank branches in South Africa will enable South Africans to apply for Smart IDs on their premises through the new digital partnership model developed with Home Affairs. Applications will be paperless, and take approximately five to ten minutes, according to Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber.
Lubabalo Lesolle/Gallo Images
These 17 bank branches will now offer fast ID applications
- By the end of the week, 17 bank branches in South Africa will allow clients of Capitec and Standard Bank to apply for Smart IDs in minutes via a new digital partnership with home affairs.
- The partnership uses an API-based digital gateway, enabling bank clients to apply for Smart IDs at participating branches without additional documents or paperwork, with the process expected to take 5–10 minutes.
- The service is initially available to citizens and permanent residents converting green ID books or reissuing Smart IDs, with plans to expand to passport applications and home delivery, aiming for 1 000 participating bank branches by 2029.
Stormers flyhalf and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu kicks in the URC clash against the Sharks in Durban on 31 January 2026.
Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
Why the vitriol? Dobson defends Sacha over criticism: ‘He’s the David Beckham of SA rugby’
- Stormers boss John Dobson has defended fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu against criticism, calling him an “X factor” player with a promising future.
- Dobson admits the Stormers may have rushed Feinberg-Mngomezulu into the captaincy role but believes he will be an exceptional captain in the future.
- Springbok attack guru Tony Brown suggests Feinberg-Mngomezulu may be trying to do too much on his own and should utilise his teammates more.
Barbadian singer and actress Rihanna attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on 12 March 2023.
Woman held over shots fired at Rihanna’s LA mansion
- A woman, Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, was arrested for allegedly firing an AR-15-style rifle at Rihanna’s Los Angeles home.
- The shooting occurred in broad daylight, with Rihanna, A$AP Rocky and their children reportedly inside the mansion.
- Ortiz is being held on suspicion of attempted murder, with bail set at over $10 million.
*These summaries were written with the support of Gemini Pro AI.
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