Stories from South Africa

Police in Naisna have opened an inquest docket after the body of a 37-year-old woman was recovered from a vehicle on Main Street. Emergency services were dispatched around 8:10 AM today after the vehicle was found under a tree directly in front of the police station.

The Democratic Alliance has claimed that 800 rape cases were closed because survivors were missing.

The Democratic Alliance stated in Parliament that over 800 rape cases were closed because the South African Police Service could not locate the survivors. The party noted a general discrepancy in the numbers reported to Parliament.

Heavy flooding is currently affecting the Nissen area following overnight rains. The rainfall has caused multiple roads to flood.

The Eastern Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism will host the Eastern Cape Digital Economy Summit 2026. The event is scheduled to take place from May 7 to May 8 at the IDZ Conference Centre.

A British national being treated in South Africa has tested positive for Hantavirus. Tests by the South African National Institute for Communicable Diseases revealed the Andes strain caused infections in two passengers. A Dutch woman died in Johannesburg following the infection. A British man remains hospitalized after falling ill while aboard the ship. South African authorities have identified the Hantavirus strain as the Andy strain. Confusion remains regarding the necessary medical facilities required to treat passengers on a ship potentially exposed to the virus. The patient is receiving intensive care. The virus is transmitted by rodents, and different types can cause severe diseases, including Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome, which has a high mortality rate. The virus belongs to the Bunyaviridae family.

A level 8 storm has made landfall in the Little Karoo region. Between 100 and 200 millimeters of rain are predicted for today alongside gale-force winds and high sea swells.

South African authorities are leading efforts to identify the specific strain of the Hunter virus affecting passengers on the MV Hondius. The World Health Organization is attempting to trace passengers from a flight between St. Helena and Johannesburg on April 25.

The World Health Organization is attempting to locate over 80 passengers who shared a flight with a 69-year-old Dutch woman infected with hantavirus. Celine Gaudre. Argentine researchers suggest a couple from the Netherlands may have been the source of infection after engaging in bird watching. Several seriously ill passengers from the ship Condius have been transported to the Netherlands for treatment. A ship's doctor was among those evacuated and was reported to be in serious condition before showing improvement. Patients on a ship in Brazil are being evaluated for potential Hantavirus cases, with a long incubation period meaning symptoms could appear later. Brazil has recorded 2,000 Hantavirus cases in the last 20 years. Passengers will undergo monitoring and contact tracing after disembarking from the ship starting Sunday.

Japan's Minister of Foreign Affairs met with South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. South Africa and Japan confirmed cooperation to strengthen supply chains, particularly concerning resources like platinum and vanadium.