February is a month of love and affection, but this year was filled with tragedy and criminality.

• In the wake of February 6, in a surprising turn of events, the acting High Court judge presiding over the case involving four men accused of brutally murdering two others, ordered a renewal of their bail application.
Steyn, Masilela, Luthuli, and Wilson are accused of the premeditated murder, kidnapping, and assault of Thembeni Mnguni (29) and Wanda Mahlangu (21).

They also allegedly set Mnguni’s car on fire.
The High Court identified procedural irregularities in the handling of affidavits and said no evidence under oath was submitted, making it impossible to assess the merits of the application.

Read more here: Mpumalanga High Court orders bail reconsideration

• On February 7, the community learnt of a businessman who was assassinated in Mhluzi. Mashoza Malaza was the latest victim of violent attacks on businessmen amid fierce competition for mining contracts in Mpumalanga. He was gunned down in full view of a crowd on Sunday evening in Phumula, Mhluzi, at around 22:10.

Read more here: Prominent businessman assassinated in suspected multi-million rand mining contract

• Highway spiking woes became the talk of the town again on February 22, when four vehicles were spiked on the N12 at the eMalahleni conveyor crossing close to the Phola off-ramp between 23:50 and 03:45. A man fell victim while driving his Amarok, and was led into nearby bushes by his attackers where he was robbed of his cellphone, laptop, wallet, and wedding ring.

Read more here: Four vehicles damaged as highway spiking gang strikes again