THE year is nearly over, and such the Highway Mail editorial team got together to review the most memorable events of 2018.

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was one of the positive highlights of the year – and not surprisingly one of Google’s top searches.

On a more local front one of the most shocking moments of the year was when former president Jacob Zuma resigned on 14 February. The nation was glued to their television sets in anticipation of his announcement. Some celebrated his decision and others mourned his departure.

The conclusion of the #VanBreda murders was also something that we will carry with us for many, many years. Henri van Breda’s cold and apathetic nature during his murder trial was disconcerting to say the least. On 7 June he was sentenced to three life sentences for the murder of three of his family members (mother, Theresa, father, Martin and brother, Rudi), 15 years for the attempted murder of his sister (Marli), and one year for obstructing the course of justice.

As a nation we were left shocked and outraged as the brutal murder cases of little #CourtneyPieters and Stellenbosch University student, #HannahCornelius unfolded. Video footage released in the two cases sent chills down our spine. Life sentences were handed down in both cases.

On 27 January  in 2015 Henri attacked his family with an axe at their De Zalze Estate home in Stellenbosch. The motive behind the brutal killing remains a frustrating mystery, but up until his conviction he maintained that a hooded intruder was responsible for the massacre.

Closer to home, the murder of Durban North woman, Siam Lee also rocked the nation. Her image went viral when she disappeared on 4 January on Margaret Maytom Avenue, with various neighbourhood watches, private security and members of the public assisting in the search.

Tragically, her body was found a week later, burned beyond recognition, in a sugarcane field in New Hanover (DNA tests would later confirmed her death).

A few days later an Assagay man was arrested by private investigator, Brad Nathanson and his team.

The murder trial has been a roller coaster of events. With the accused claiming that he was assaulted and tortured by Nathanson and his team as well as police.

In May the state alleged they could link the suspect to Lee’s murder via satellite tracking in his vehicle.

After spending five months behind bars – with 11 postmonements in the case – the accused was finally granted bail in June.

The accused cannot be named due to the rape charge.

The murders of Malvern father, Desmond Roberts  and Crinckley Bottom manager, Adriaan Van Wyk also left their respective communities reeling in shock. Both cases are still being investigated.

Pinetown saw two dramatic high speed chases unfold on the M13 during 2018, one of which an Uber driver was arrested. After the suspect crashed his car, he attempted to flee the scene. However, police dogs caught him (this happened in November).

Earlier in the year, five men were killed during a shoot-out with police, after the suspects allegedly robbed a house in Kloof.