Catch up on the biggest stories of Saturday, 13 December 2025 that you may have missed, in our simple daily news update.
In the news today, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean MacPherson has confirmed that the death toll has risen following the collapse of a temple under construction in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
Meanwhile, Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi’s policy direction allowing foreign satellite operators to use equity equivalents instead of traditional Black Economic Empowerment ownership requirements has triggered fierce opposition from both the EFF and ANC, who accuse him of illegally circumventing Parliament.
Furthermore, the Limpopo ANC Norman Mashabane’s special regional council has pleaded with branches to elect its regional chairperson, Pule “Frelimo” Shayi, to one of the top five positions at the crucial upcoming Limpopo ANC provincial elective conference.
Weather tomorrow: 14 December 2025
Sunday will be marked by severe thunderstorms, with scattered showers and potentially dangerous weather conditions affecting large parts of South Africa’s northern interior.
The weather service issued a yellow level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms expected over the eastern parts of North West, southern parts of Limpopo, as well as the northern parts of both Gauteng and Mpumalanga. Full weather forecast here.
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Death toll rises after temple collapse in Verulam, Macpherson confirms
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean MacPherson has confirmed that the death toll has risen following the collapse of a temple under construction in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
The four-storey structure at the New Ahobilam Temple of Protection in Redcliff, north of Durban, collapsed on Friday afternoon.
Authorities initially confirmed one fatality, but the number has since increased as rescue operations continue.
CONTINUE READING: Death toll rises after temple collapse in Verulam, Macpherson confirms
Political parties condemn Malatsi’s gazette as unlawful bypass of Parliament
Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi’s policy direction allowing foreign satellite operators to use equity equivalents instead of traditional Black Economic Empowerment ownership requirements has triggered fierce opposition from both the EFF and ANC, who accuse him of illegally circumventing Parliament.
The controversy erupted after Malatsi announced that the final policy direction had been gazetted on Friday, 12 December 2025, following a draft published in May.
The directive permits companies like SpaceX’s Starlink to bypass the 30% local ownership requirement through alternative compliance mechanisms.
The EFF issued a scathing statement condemning what it described as Malatsi’s attempt to subvert South African laws to benefit Elon Musk’s Starlink operation.
CONTINUE READING: Political parties condemn Malatsi’s gazette as unlawful bypass of Parliament
Hike in GBVF incidents scare in Limpopo
The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety is concerned about the recent increase of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) incidents amid the festive season.
Departmental MEC, Violet Mathye said during a media interview with The Citizen on Thursday that it was needles to remind the province and the entire country that there have been horrifying GBV incidents throughout the whole year.
CONTINUE READING: Hike in GBVF incidents scare in Limpopo
Limpopo ANC’s biggest region makes special plea ahead of conference
The Limpopo ANC Norman Mashabane’ special regional council has pleaded with branches for its regional chairperson, Pule “Frelimo” Shayi to be elected among the top five positions at the crucial upcoming Limpopo ANC provincial elective conference.
Not only is Norman Mashabane most powerful and influential, the region is also the biggest in the province in terms of membership numbers.
The province has five regions.
CONTINUE READING: Limpopo ANC’s biggest region makes special plea ahead of conference
Higher education minister moves to cancel registration of three private institutions
Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela on Friday issued a notice of intent to cancel the registrations of three prominent private higher education institutions.
He said the decision followed sustained regulatory breaches.
The institutions at risk of deregistration are City Varsity, Damelin, and ICESA City Campus.
CONTINUE READING: Higher education minister moves to cancel registration of three private institutions
Yesterday’s News recap
READ HERE: In case you missed it: IR loses matric results bid | 1 dead in KZN temple collapse | Malema gives Ramaphosa his flowers
