• Springs top cop shot and killed in shoot-out
Captain Wynand Du Toit, a Springs-based officer, was gunned down in a shoot-out in Geduld on February 16. In September, Du Toit was honoured alongside three other SAPS members, two men and one woman, for their bravery and dedication. Heartfelt condolences flooded the Springs Advertiser’s Facebook page with many residents saying Du Toit will always be remembered for being a community hero.

• Slovo Park hit by unexpected explosion
On July 4, an explosion in Slovo Park damaged residents’ homes. The community rallied behind those affected by donating food, clothes and building equipment. One of the residents, Isaac Khumalo is still homeless. He received building equipment donations, but the reconstruction of his home has not started yet.

• Cable theft a cause for concern
Residents from Nuffield, Selection Park, Daggafontein and Selcourt voiced their frustration and also raised concerns over the lack of community support in confronting the cable theft problem affecting local areas. Private security companies resorted to patrol the high-risk areas to prevent cable theft with many suspects arrested.

• Eleven-year-old boy shot
Waldo Verwey (11) was shot at his home. Waldo had been on life support at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital before succumbing to his injuries. The story made national headlines with readers sending their condolences to the family.

• Springs hit by hailstorm
In a more recent incident, Springs and surrounding areas were hit by a destructive hailstorm in November which wreacked havoc in the town. Residents reported shattered windows, collapsed shade nets, damaged ceilings and roofs, and gardens completely destroyed.