Catch up on the biggest stories of Thursday, 12 March 2026 that you may have missed, in our simple daily news update.
Peet and Melany Viljoen. Picture: Facebook reel.
In the news today, Real Housewives of Pretoria star Mel Viljoen and her husband, Peet, were reportedly arrested in the US for theft.
Meanwhile, suspended organised crime head Major-General Richard Shibiri has told the Madlanga commission that only he can decide how he spends his money.
Furthermore, several areas across Johannesburg are facing water outages in the next few days.
Weather tomorrow: 13 March 2026
The South African Weather Service has warned that disruptive rain could lead to flooding in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, while extreme heat and fire danger warnings hit parts of the Cape. Full weather forecast here.
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Peet and Melany Viljoen ‘arrested for shoplifting in America’
Real Housewives of Pretoria star Mel Viljoen and her husband Peet were reportedly arrested in the United States of America earlier this week after allegedly confessing to stealing for survival.
The Viljoen couple first came under the spotlight for complaints about their Tammy Taylor nail brand and franchisees in South Africa, who claimed to have lost millions while doing business with the couple.
The Viljoens fled South Africa for the US in July last year with fraud accusations and a disbarment hanging over their heads. The police’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, are investigating the pair over their Tammy Taylor beauty franchises.
According to US publication Local10.com, the Viljoen allegedly confessed to a crime spree in Palm Beach County, Florida.
CONTINUE READING: Peet and Melany Viljoen ‘arrested for shoplifting in America’
Heated exchange as Shibiri tells Madlanga commission: ‘I’m not sorry’
Suspended organised crime head Major-General Richard Shibiri has told the Madlanga commission that only he can decide how he spends his money.
Shibiri returned to the commission on Thursday, where a heated exchange arose over the loan he took from murder-accused Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala.
Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga said there was no need for Shibiri to take a loan from Matlala to fix his son’s car. The commission chair argued that Shibiri had sufficient funds in his bank account.
Shibiri lost his patience with the commission chair, arguing that taking a loan from Matlala simplified issues for him. He said he needed to use the money in his account for other things.
CONTINUE READING: Heated exchange as Shibiri tells Madlanga commission: ‘I’m not sorry’
No water this weekend in these Joburg areas … and a week-long outage next week too
Several areas across Johannesburg are facing water outages in the next few days, with some lasting 12 hours and others up to a week.
This comes as Johannesburg Water embarks on a series of planned maintenance operations affecting multiple regions across the city.
Inner-city residents and businesses in Region F should brace for a lengthy disruption beginning on Friday.
CONTINUE READING: No water this weekend in these Joburg areas … and a week-long outage next week too
Mandisi Tshingana raises over R48K for the learner who was left without a pie and juice in the viral classroom video
Influencer Mandisi Tshingana has raised more than R48 000 for a pupil after a video taken at Thembalethu Primary School in George went viral on social media.
The incident occurred during a school pie and juice day as part of a fundraising initiative.
In the video, a teacher filmed a classroom where pupils were eating pies and drinking juice. One was seen sitting without a pie or drink and appeared to hide his face while the recording continued.
The Western Cape education department confirmed that the teacher who recorded the video has been suspended pending an investigation.
CONTINUE READING: Mandisi Tshingana raises over R48K for the learner who was left without a pie and juice in the viral classroom video
‘Parliament is an embarrassment’: Heated clash erupts as MPs walk out of ad hoc committee
Proceedings of parliament’s ad hoc committee turned contentious on Thursday, 12 March 2026, as DA members walked out over concerns about testimony from a controversial witness.
Tenderpreneur Kishene Chetty appeared before the committee in Cape Town as part of its inquiry into allegations of corruption, criminal activity, and political interference within South Africa’s justice system.
Chetty is one of 18 accused individuals – including South African Police Service (Saps) members – facing charges of fraud, corruption, forgery and theft linked to the alleged misuse of funds from irregular personal protective equipment (PPE) contracts valued at about R8 million.
During his testimony, Chetty confirmed he was currently waiting for a judge to be assigned to hear the review application. He also accused certain prosecutorial officials of disregarding court procedures.
CONTINUE READING: ‘Parliament is an embarrassment’: Heated clash erupts as MPs walk out of ad hoc committee
Yesterday’s News recap
READ HERE: In case you missed it: One loaf, one vote? | Ex-Gauteng CFO paid to dip? | Fuel price hikes expected
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