Here’s your daily news update for Monday, 18 August 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.
News today includes the case against the Eldorado Park parents accused of abusing their four-year-old daughter has been postponed after they chose not to pursue bail.
Meanwhile, Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has dismissed allegations of nepotism and signing off on millions in payments at the Mogalakwena Local Municipality.
Furthermore, he may have surrendered his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight title this past weekend, but South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis will receive a small silver lining in the way of a bloated bank account.
Weather tomorrow: 19 August 2025
Extremely high fire danger conditions are expected in parts of the Northern Cape and the Free State, with mostly fine to partly cloudy and cool to warm conditions forecast across provinces. Full weather forecast here.
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Eldorado Park parents abandon bail bid in child abuse case
The case against the Eldorado Park parents accused of abusing their four-year-old daughter has been postponed after they chose not to pursue bail.
The pair appeared at the Protea Magistrates’ Court in Soweto on Monday, where they had been expected to apply for bail.
The father faces five charges, including murder, rape, compelled rape, child abuse and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
CONTINUE READING: Eldorado Park parents abandon bail bid in child abuse case
AfriForum questions why no costs disclosed for new Gauteng licence plate system
AfriForum is pressuring the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT) on the cost and effectiveness of their new vehicle licence plate programme.
Last week, AfriForum launched an internal appeal with the department after their Promotion of Access to Information Act application was ignored.
The GDRT recently launched the new system which will be piloted on government vehicles until the end of 2025.
CONTINUE READING: AfriForum questions why no costs disclosed for new Gauteng licence plate system
Ramathuba responds to allegations of millions in payments and nepotism at Limpopo municipality
Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has dismissed allegations of nepotism and signing off on millions in payments at the Mogalakwena Local Municipality.
The allegations have circulated on social media since the beginning of August.
“In response to these defamatory claims, the premier has escalated the matter to law enforcement agencies to investigate the origins of these baseless allegations,” said her office on Monday.
CONTINUE READING: Ramathuba responds to allegations of millions in payments and nepotism at Limpopo municipality
Man murdered along N1 after breakdown
A man was killed on Saturday night after his vehicle broke down along the N1 in Limpopo.
Police are searching for two suspects who were driving a Toyota Fortuner that initially stopped to offer assistance.
The victim had three passengers who witnessed the murder, but who were fortunate to escape the incident unharmed.
CONTINUE READING: Man murdered along N1 after breakdown
How much money Dricus du Plessis won ‘by laying on the ground for 25 minutes’
He may have surrendered his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight title this past weekend, but South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis will receive a small silver lining in the way of a bloated bank account.
Du Plessis had no answers for undefeated Russian Khamzat Chimaev’s wrestling as he succumbed to a unanimous decision defeat at UFC 319 in Chicago on Sunday.
Various reports online have estimated the South African will receive approximately $3 million (nearly R59 million) for essentially laying on the ground for almost 25 minutes.
CONTINUE READING: How much money Dricus du Plessis won ‘by laying on the ground for 25 minutes’
Here are five more stories of the day:
- ‘I’m not getting any younger,’ says judge as VBS Bank case delayed again
- Gayton McKenzie ‘intends’ to meet with SAHRC over K-word tweets
- If I were Ramaphosa, I would dismiss ‘spineless’ Motshekga – Zibi
- Emotional Mapisa-Nqakula might apply to have charges withdrawn as corruption case postponed
- Greyhound buses destroyed in fire at Jet Park depot, Boksburg
Yesterday’s News recap
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