Part two of our 2022 news round-up explores the most-read stories published across Caxton Local Media’s 62 news sites from May to August.

The stories are ranked according to the amount of interest they attracted in their communities.

Fuel protest in Mbombela

The constant rising fuel price has most of us pulling out our hair. However, at the beginning of July, protest action in Mpumalanga resulted in shopping centres and roads being closed in Mbombela and Hazyview. The protest action took place on the day 93 ULP petrol prices increased to R26.31 (inland) and R25.66 (coastal) – the highest it had been all year.

Scrapyard in Vaal hides biggest illegal copper haul in SA

In August, police in Vanderbijlpark pounced on a scrapyard and seized what was said to be the most illegal copper found in a single operation. An estimated nine tons of stolen copper cable were recovered and a 43-year-old man was arrested.

R55 road users in Centurion warned about rock trap criminals

In May, a security company found a car on the side of the R55 near the Zwartkops race track in Centurion, after it ran over a large rock believed to have been placed there by criminals to force motorists to come to a stop.

Streets to be affected by Cosatu march on Wednesday

The Congress of South African Trade Unions in August marched to the Union Buildings to pressure government to deal with the high unemployment rate and cost of living. Several streets in Pretoria were affected.

Marabastad fruit and vegetable market shut down

A fruit and vegetable market in Marabastad, Midrand, was forcefully shut down in August after the Department of Employment and Labour found it to be ‘dirty, unhealthy and hazardous’.

Crocodiles captured at Zimbali beach

The removal of two crocodiles from Zimbali beach in KZN left residents and visitors in awe in May. The two crocs (3.3m and 2.9m, respectively) were safely removed by the Zema Environmental team and sent to Crocodile Creek.

SA Weather issues level 10 red warning for KZN coast

In May, the South African Weather Service issued its highest possible weather warning – level 10 – and said that more than 200mm of rain was expected in some parts of the KZN coastline.

Armed robbery at Menlyn Maine

An armed robbery at an electronics store in the Menlyn Maine shopping centre in May was big news. According to Tshwane police spokesperson Captain Augustinah Selepe, eight male and two female suspects are alleged to have been involved in the robbery. The suspects fled with a number of laptops and cellphones after exchanging fire with the police and members of multiple security companies.

Shocking! Pretoria teachers caught on camera beating toddlers at crèche

Horrific videos surfaced in May that allegedly show two teachers, a mother and her daughter, manhandling and beating toddlers at Darwin’s Educational Playground Aftercare crèche in Pretoria Gardens. The videos were taken by a teacher at the school who tried to warn parents.

Pretoria musicians shattered as music venue shuts its doors

The Weiveld live music venue operated in the east of Pretoria for the past seven years but was in May permanently closed due to ‘complaints about noise’ from a neighbour. Several musicians shared their dismay with Pretoria Rekord.

Also read: The best of 2022 part 1: Big local news stories of the year