Top 10 stories of the day: Mongale murder suspect shot dead | Trump’s pastor: No white genocide | Spar bleeds billions

Here’s your daily news update for Friday, 30 May 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.

Photo: iStock / The Citizen / Cheryl Kahla

News today includes police have confirmed that one of the main suspects in the murder of Olorato Mongale has been shot and killed in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

Meanwhile, the founder of The NOW Television Network has debunked United States (US) President Donald Trump’s claims of a “white genocide” in South Africa after meeting with white farmers in the country.

Furthermore, one of South Africa’s biggest grocery retailers, Spar, has been navigating a challenging economic climate for some time.

Weather tomorrow: 31 May 2025

Damaging waves are expected between Saldanha Bay and Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape, otherwise May will end on a fine and cool note. Full weather forecast here.

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Main suspect in murder of Olorato Mongale shot dead in KZN

Police have confirmed that one of the main suspects in the murder of Olorato Mongale has been shot and killed in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

It is understood that the man, who has not yet been named, was killed early on Friday morning.

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda told The Citizen the man was hiding at a flat in Amanzimtoti.

CONTINUE READING: Big change to Lotto operations: Will tickets be on sale next week?

It’s math! Here’s why you’re struggling to win the Lotto

According to the National Lottery, there are 20 358 520 different combinations that Lotto and Powerball players can play when choosing six out of 52 numbers. The order in which the numbers are matched does not matter in relation to how they are selected.

There is also a 1 in 42 375 200 chance of matching all six numbers to win the maximum jackpot. While some argue that winning the lottery is a matter of luck, a mathematician claims that players can increase their chances of being the lucky one by selecting numbers strategically.

According to mathematician Dr Nathan Reed, Powerball players may be unknowingly reducing their chances of winning by selecting predictable number combinations.

CONTINUE READING: It’s math! Here’s why you’re struggling to win the Lotto

‘There is no white genocide happening here,’ says Trump’s top pastor after SA visit

The founder of The NOW Television Network has debunked United States (US) President Donald Trump’s claims of a “white genocide” in South Africa after meeting with white farmers in the country.

Trump’s claims have been dismissed by Pastor Mark Burns, who, according to his X profile, has been labelled by Time Magazine as “Trump’s Top Pastor”.

Burns’ post was shared by South Africa’s head of public diplomacy, Clayson Monyela.

“A Whitehouse insider and President Trump’s “Top Pastor” visited South Africa to get the actual truth. He engaged white farmers. Here’s an eyewitness account,” Monyela said.

CONTINUE READING: ‘There is no white genocide happening here,’ says Trump’s top pastor after SA visit

Police officers charged with serious crimes remain on active duty

The South African Police Service (Saps) faces mounting pressure to remove officers accused of serious criminal offences from active duty, with Parliament’s portfolio committee on police demanding urgent Section 34 inquiries to determine fitness for service.

The crisis has exposed deep systemic issues in Saps, where officers charged with rape, attempted murder and drug trafficking continue serving in frontline roles while public trust erodes.

Criminology expert Willem Els warns that allowing accused officers to remain in uniform sends a dangerous message to communities.

CONTINUE READING: Police officers charged with serious crimes remain on active duty

Spar bleeds billions: can the retailer be saved?

One of South Africa’s biggest grocery retailers, Spar, has been navigating a challenging economic climate for some time.

It began with closing stores because consumers were not buying enough food. But now the retailer is taking bigger steps, as it offloads its Spar Switzerland and Appleby Westward Group (AWG) business.

“Shareholders are advised that, following this strategic review, the group is exploring divestment options for Spar Switzerland and AWG,” said the retailer in its SENS announcement on Thursday.

CONTINUE READING: Spar bleeds billions: can the retailer be saved?

Here are five more stories of the day:

Yesterday’s News recap

READ HERE: Joshlin Smith’s mother sentenced | Olorato suspects linked to other cases | Repo rate cut