From stories that made communities weep, to those that made us jump for joy, 2023 was filled with news stories that drew the attention of South Africans.

Here are some of the online news articles that were the most read this year.

1. New crime trend sweeping South Africa

Zululand Observer reported on a crime trend that emerged in South Africa: Banking app kidnappings. It involves criminals holding people to ransom for access to their banking apps.

Read the full story here.

2. New hijacking trend in South Africa

Another crime trend that reared its head was hijackings in drive-through queues at fast food outlets. Read Zululand Observer’s article here.

3. Matrieks van Driehoek in gru-ongeluk

The Vaalweekblad reported on a horror accident in which matric learners from Hoërskool Driehoek were badly injured on their last day of school.

You can read the article here.

4. Ex-police officer ordered to pay back the money

A former police officer pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and had to pay back the money she took, in addition to a hefty fine. Read Vaalweekblad’s article here.

5. Man caught red-handed stealing copper cables from traffic light

Pretoria Rekord covered the story of a man who was caught in the act of stealing copper cables and vandalising a traffic light on a busy street. Read more here.

6. N4 closed due to cash-in-transit heist

A cash-in-transit heist closed one of the busiest highways in the country: The N4 between Mbombela and Mozambique. Read Lowvelder’s report on the incident here.

7. New vehicle number plates for KZN from December

News of new number plates for KZN quickly made its way around the country. Read Zululand Observer’s article about this here.

8. World Rugby reportedly deems Cheslin Kolbe’s block illegal

The Rugby World Cup kept South Africans on the edge of their seats, and many of them were amazed at Cheslin Kolbe’s performance during the quarter-final match between the Springboks and France. However, did he start running too soon? Read more here.

9. ‘Nugget’ delivered in KFC bathroom by EMS head

Staff at a KFC store in Middelburg went into overdrive when a woman went into labour in the restaurant’s bathroom. Luckily, there was a hero who stepped in to help. Read the article on Middelburg Observer.

10. Retired plumber ends water interruption in uMhlanga, Durban North

A local hero came to the rescue when he restored water supply to parts of uMhlanga after communities were left without water for four days. Read the story here.