Latest news with #TheWitness
The Citizen
4 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Watch: Heartwarming SANDF reunion video melts hearts online
A video posted by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) of a learner being reunited with his mother, who was deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has gone viral on social media. According to The Witness, comments under the video praised the reunion, calling it heartwarming. The mother was one of 257 SANDF members who returned to South Africa on Sunday, with another group arriving on Monday afternoon. The troops were returning from a Southern African Development Community mission in the DRC. They were on the frontline of a conflict between the Congolese army and M23 rebel fighters, which raged for three years in the east of that country until a ceasefire was called in April. SANDF chief of joint operations Siphiwe Sangweni last week announced that several flights carrying troops will land in South Africa over the next few weeks. 'With bigger aircrafts, it will now be nine trips bringing our soldiers back to South Africa. The frequency of those aircraft moving will be almost every second day.' Watch the heartwarming reunion: WATCH || The moment is filled with joy as the school child is unexpectedly reunited with their mother, who has been deployed in the #DRC. The child's emotional response is a testament to the strong bond between parent and child, and the reunion brings happiness to all.#SANDF — SA National Defence Force 🇿🇦 (@SANDF_ZA) June 18, 2025 Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Former teacher arrested for operating fraudulent Matric school
More than 100 completed matric examination papers were found in the suspect's possession. A Northdale man has been arrested on charges of fraud, forgery and uttering, and theft by false pretences after allegedly operating a bogus finishing school that scammed adult students seeking matric qualifications. The students who fell for the scam were unaware that the school was illegal. According to the Mi7 National Group, the arrest, which took place on Friday, 13 June, was the result of a multi-intelligence-led operation. The operation was reportedly conducted by Pietermaritzburg Police in collaboration with Mi7 Crime Intelligence & Investigations, the uMgungundlovu District Crime Intelligence unit, Mountain Rise Visible Policing, and the KZN Department of Education. ALSO READ: Education department clears the air on school calendar 'changes' Matric makeshift classroom discovery When the combined investigative team arrived at the Innes Avenue address, they discovered what appeared to be a legitimate educational setup. A residential room had been transformed into a classroom complete with desks and a whiteboard where lessons were being conducted. 'They found a group of pupils, aged between 23 and 50, writing their matric examinations. Unbeknownst to them, the papers they were writing were fraudulent,' said Mi7 National group director Colin David. The suspect, believed to be a former educator, though this has not been immediately verified, had been charging admission and examination fees to approximately three dozen students who trusted him to provide legitimate matric education services. ALSO READ: 'Looting using matric papers': Why did NW printing job price jump by around R100m? Matric fraud evidence seized During the search of the premises, investigators uncovered extensive evidence of the fraudulent operation. 'In his possession, the team found more than 100 matric exam papers already completed, fraudulent letters of admission containing falsified details and signatures, falsified documents, and a receipt book for payments from pupils – among others,' David revealed. The team also discovered various fraudulent documents and a receipt book documenting payments collected from unsuspecting students who believed they were investing in their legitimate educational advancement. David praised the coordinated effort that led to the successful arrest. 'We commend the extensive effort by all role players which led to the arrest,' he said. Students left in limbo The Citizen's sister paper, The Witness, reported that the scammed learners had been writing their last exam paper, a Business Studies paper. According to information given to The Witness, the police halted the make-shift exam and collected the pupils' exam material as evidence. One student reportedly revealed that their relative was also a former student who received their matric certificate from this school, which led them to assume it was legitimate. Furthermore, the students reportedly stated that they were given Department of Education examination numbers, textbooks, past exam papers, and other study materials. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Constable Theniswa Ngcobo confirmed that Mountain Rise police have arrested the 45-year-old. 'The suspect will appear before the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate's Court soon,' said Ngcobo. READ NEXT: Bela Act guidelines issued, minister accused of 'worthless' delays
The Citizen
14-06-2025
- The Citizen
Another Pietermaritzburg learner hailed a hero after saving boy from drowning
Another Pietermaritzburg school learner has saved a fellow learner from drowning — the second such incident reported in the city in recent weeks. The Witness reports that in the latest case, a 13-year-old learner from Gateway Christian School in the city centre, acting on pure instinct and pushing aside his fear, dived into the deep end of a swimming pool to rescue an eight-year-old boy. Award for bravery Seluleko Dlamini, a Grade 7 learner, was presented with an award for his bravery and heroic actions last Thursday by the school, along with a cash prize. The incident occurred during a school excursion to Mountain View Entertainment Centre in Bishopstowe, which coincidentally was also hosting another school at the time. According to Seluleko, he had been swimming in the shallow end of the pool, as instructed by staff and teachers, before climbing out and heading to the tuck shop for a drink. On his way, he noticed a boy struggling in the deep end. 'I just couldn't not help' 'I noticed a boy, maybe seven or eight years old, drowning in the deep end. I'm a good swimmer, but had anxiety that I would also drown if I helped him. I just couldn't not help. I counted to three and jumped in.' He said the boy felt light as he carried him, which helped him push the child out of the pool. Seluleko said he also hurt his leg, though he only realised this later. He said all he could feel was a rush of adrenaline and panic until the boy was given the all-clear. In that moment, Seluleko said: 'I felt like I did a good thing.' 'He helped on his own' Mosiea, a Grade 7 teacher for isiZulu and creative arts, said teachers were alerted by learners screaming. By the time they reached the pool, Seluleko had already helped the boy, who was crying and in shock. 'What amazes me is his instinct to help, because other learners screamed. Seluleko didn't try to report what was happening, he helped on his own. 'Without his intervention, the child may have drowned. It was scary. While we had learners from Grades 4 to 7, the other school seemed to have much younger grades,' she said, adding that a rope had been used to prevent learners from entering the deep end, but it appeared the child may have slipped in. Gateway Christian School principal Leon du Casse said Seluleko's actions had turned a 'dangerous situation into a powerful testimony of hope and heroism'. Similar incident in May In May, The Witness reported on eight-year-old Lucia Els, from Ridge Junior Primary, who was hailed a hero after she saved her three-year-old cousin from drowning in a swimming pool during a family gathering. The children had been playing on a trampoline at the bottom of the yard when Lucia's three-year-old epileptic cousin, Freya Bezuidenhout, wandered off and fell into the pool. Lucia's mother, Liesl, said that from their position on the deck, the family was in no position to act quickly. However, Lucia, who was with the other children closer to the pool, immediately recognised the danger and acted decisively. She was awarded a certificate and a medal by the school for her efforts. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
12-06-2025
- The Citizen
KZN child (4) left alone dies in Cinderella Park shack fire
A Cinderella Park, KZN, family is struggling to come to terms with the tragic death of their four-year-old boy Ayabonga Tsoeali, who perished in a devastating shack fire over the weekend. The blaze, believed to have been sparked by a candle left burning in the Umzungulu Road shack where Ayabonga was sleeping on Saturday night, left the child burnt beyond recognition. Speaking to The Witness, grieving family member Jabulani Dlamini recounted how they had attended a children's party at a neighbour's home earlier that evening. 'We took the children to the party. 'I was sitting by the gate when my grandson kept coming to show me his bag of sweets. 'Later, I went to visit another neighbour,' says a distraught Dlamini. He described how they drank on the veranda while Ayabonga, tired from the festivities, fell asleep on his lap. 'I carried him home and put him to bed. 'I then went to call his grandmother to watch him, but couldn't find her. 'I searched for another trusted woman in the neighbourhood, but she wasn't around either,' Dlamini says, his voice heavy with guilt. 'On my way back, someone shouted about a shack fire. 'My heart stopped — this would be the third time our home caught fire. 'By the time I arrived, the flames were unstoppable. 'I can't bear this loss. 'He was such a bright, affectionate boy who loved cuddles.' Ward councillor Ram Roy urges greater community vigilance during this high-risk period for shack fires. 'It is sad for this family as they have lost their four-year-old boy. 'I sympathise with them and pray that God be with them,' he says. Roy adds that the construction of these shacks made them vulnerable to fast-spreading fires. 'They are not as tight as a house. 'It causes the fire to escalate. 'Most of these shacks are covered by plastic,' he says. uMgungundlovu District SAPS acting spokesperson Warrant Officer Pancheal Singh says an inquest docket had been opened. 'According to Ayabonga's mother, her son told her that he was tired and wanted to sleep. 'Her father-in-law [Dlamini] took the child to his residence and placed him on the bed in his one-room shack opposite the venue where the party was. 'He then lit a candle, placed it on the chair and left to go back to the house party,' says Singh. He adds that Ayabonga's remains were taken to the Fort Napier Mortuary. 'The fire department is conducting a preliminary investigation to determine the cause of the fire,' he says. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
11-06-2025
- The Citizen
KZN plane crash exposes dangers of AI deepfake images in news reports
The shocking use of an AI-generated deepfake image by several online news sites needs to attract far more attention than it has. Ladysmith Gazette reports that three people died in a plane crash on Sunday. In the clamour to break the news and use a hard-hitting image, several news sites grabbed an image that was circulating online. Many even added their own photo credit logos to the image, making it appear more legitimate. The problem with the image was that it could easily have been identified as fake, even at a glance. Consider the following: The crash took place in a forest, yet there are no trees in the image. One of the accident scene workers has three legs. The plane is the wrong colour, and the registration code is white instead of black. What is truly baffling is that someone went to extraordinary lengths to fake the image. This was not merely the incorrect use of a photo — the plane's actual registration code was even used in the AI-generated image. Some of the online sites that used the image are household names. What are deepfake images? 'Deepfake' usually refers to highly realistic but fake images, videos or audio, often generated using AI tools. Deepfakes have existed long before generative AI tools became popular, with software like Photoshop historically used for manipulation. Tips for identifying AI-generated images: Look for missing or extra hands or feet. Look at faces — they are often distorted. Look for misspelt or foreign-looking text in the image. Look for inconsistent reflections, colours or shadows. Tributes pour in for pilot killed in crash The Witness reports that tributes are pouring in for Nqobile Biyela, the young female pilot who died in the crash. Biyela (22), along with two other pilots — all from Eagle Air Flight School — left Virginia Airport in Durban for their base in Pretoria. They attempted a refuelling stop at Ladysmith airstrip but were unable to refuel there. The group was diverted to the nearby Greytown airstrip, but disaster struck en route. Their light aircraft crashed in a eucalyptus plantation owned by Sappi at Sevenoaks, just outside Mooi River. The wreckage was discovered by a plantation worker on Monday morning. Three aircraft from the same aviation school were involved in the trip between Pretoria and Durban. One crash-landed in sugarcane fields near Greytown, with both pilots sustaining minor injuries, while the third landed safely. Eagle Air Flight School general manager Matthew, who declined to give his surname, confirmed that all those on board were qualified pilots. He said the matter is now in the hands of the police and declined to comment further. Condolences shared online Those who knew Biyela took to social media to share heartfelt messages of condolence with her family. Mndeni Mlaba wrote: 'There is no pain greater than burying your child, and it must be excruciating when the child has grown this far. Condolences to the family, and may God be with you during this time of mourning.' Sandile Nota said: 'The death of such a young person with such a skill is very painful. Condolences to the family and friends.' 'Such a young and beautiful girl… may God heal her mother and all family members and friends of the three families. May their souls rest in peace,' wrote Dephefost Motau. The KZN Department of Transport had yet to identify the other two deceased at the time of publishing. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
