From a desperate fight for survival to a major wildlife seizure and fresh questions over Jacob Zuma’s health, these are the stories that made headlines this week.

Teen fights for his life after dog attack on Western Cape farm

A 14-year-old boy from Sir Lowry’s Pass was hospitalised in critical condition after being attacked by two Rottweilers on a farm near Somerset West on 7 October. Christiano Jansen was reportedly playing with friends near a dam at Broadlands Manor when the dogs chased the group and attacked him. The farm owner, Willie van der Westhuizen, said he managed to pull the dogs away from the boy before seeking help. Emergency crews treated Christiano at the scene before transporting him to hospital.

Upington mother fights for her life after crash claims husband

Sunica Müller, 31, remains in critical condition in a Kimberley hospital after a crash near Olifantshoek claimed the life of her husband, Lehan, 33. The couple’s three young children were not in the vehicle when it collided with an oncoming truck on 6 October.

Sunica suffered severe injuries, including head trauma, a punctured lung and multiple fractures, and remains under sedation. With the family facing mounting medical costs and no medical aid cover, a BackaBuddy fundraiser has been launched to help pay for her treatment, specialist care and related expenses.

Four masked men rob 88-year-old woman at West Coast home

An 88-year-old woman was tied up and robbed at her home in the Jakkalsfontein Nature Reserve near Yzerfontein on Sunday night, 4 October. The four masked men allegedly threatened her with a knife and demanded money before fleeing with R50,000 in cash and jewellery reportedly worth R2.05 million.

The woman managed to alert her neighbours for help and sustained minor marks to her face and mouth, police said. A search involving police, tracking teams, neighbourhood watch members and private security companies was called off early on Monday after the suspects fled on foot over difficult terrain.

Western Cape learner transport suspended as diesel costs soar

Thousands of learners across the Western Cape face disruption after learner transport operators suspended services over rising diesel prices and a lack of agreement on financial relief. The South African National Small Bus Operators Council, Western Cape (SANSBOC-WC), announced the suspension on 5 October after saying the Western Cape Education Department had missed a deadline to respond to contractors’ concerns.

Western Cape Education Minister Jaco Londt said the department had requested more time and was engaging with the organisation to find a solution. The department warned that the disruption poses a safety risk, particularly for vulnerable learners and matriculants preparing for their final examinations.

Government targets cash scrap sales as cable theft cripples communities

Government is proposing a ban on cash payments for scrap metal as South Africa steps up efforts to combat cable theft, infrastructure vandalism and the illicit metal trade. Draft amendments to the Second-Hand Goods Act would require scrap dealers and recyclers to use traceable electronic payments and keep verified records of sellers.

The proposals come amid mounting concern over the cost of infrastructure theft. Eskom reportedly loses between R5 billion and R7 billion annually to copper theft, while the wider economic damage from cable theft is estimated at R45 billion a year.

Public drinking leads to major crayfish seizure in Cape Town

A 69-year-old Hout Bay man was arrested after City of Cape Town law enforcement officers allegedly found 1,848 West Coast rock lobster tails and R17,600 in cash in his vehicle during a patrol near Victoria Hospital. Officers from the Marine Unit were responding to reports of people drinking in public on 7 June when they searched a white Mitsubishi and discovered the haul. The arrest formed part of a busy week for City enforcement agencies, which made 406 arrests.

Rugby mourns former Varsity Cup star Dewald Naudé

The South African rugby community is mourning former outside back Dewald Naudé, whose speed, footwork and attacking flair made him a standout performer in school, university and provincial rugby. Naudé’s reported passing prompted tributes from former teammates, coaches and supporters, with Paarl Boys’ High Old Boys’ Union expressing its condolences to his family and the class of 2013.

Naudé played for UP-Tuks and the Vodacom Blue Bulls before joining Maties and later representing Hong Kong’s HKU Sandy Bay RFC. Remembered for his talent and humble nature, Naudé leaves a lasting impression on those who knew him and watched him play.

El Niño could become one of the strongest on record, UN warns

El Niño is intensifying rapidly and could become one of the strongest events recorded since 1950, with its peak expected in December 2026, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned. The weather phenomenon is forecast to push sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific to record levels, potentially reaching 3.7°C above normal.

El Niño alters global weather patterns, increasing the risk of droughts and floods while contributing to above-average temperatures. WMO chief Celeste Saulo warned that the event would compound the effects of human-driven climate change.

Conflicting reports emerge over Jacob Zuma’s health

Conflicting accounts have emerged over former president Jacob Zuma’s reported hospitalisation, with the MK Party saying he attended a routine medical check-up while his brother claims he remains unwell in hospital.

The 84-year-old reportedly became ill at a campaign event in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday and was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Pietermaritzburg, according to media reports. The MK Party has maintained that Zuma is in good health and that his campaign will continue as planned.

However, his brother, Khanya Zuma, told News24 that the former president remained hospitalised, saying the family was praying for his recovery. Neither the party nor the family has disclosed details of any diagnosis or treatment, and no official medical bulletin has been released.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor receives £302,000 after giving up Royal Lodge

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has received £302,000 (about R6.6 million) in compensation for ending his lease on Royal Lodge at Windsor, the Crown Estate has confirmed. The former Duke of York surrendered the lease and vacated the mansion after being forced to leave the property last year. The Crown Estate deducted the compensation from the £1.8 million he owed for outstanding repairs, leaving him to pay a net £1.5 million.

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