A sneak peek into this year’s most-read stories

The top five list includes stories on accidents, theft, and dirt in eMalahleni.

December 26, 2025

Lindokuhle Ndhlovu 2 minutes read

Photo used for illustration purposes only.

As we gear up to get into the new year, let’s recap on this year’s most-read stories.

Below are the top five most-read English stories from December 2024 to November 2025:

The year started on a sad note with an accident in which a young mom was seriously injured

The most read article for the year 2025 is a story published on January 3, in which Judy Scheepers, a 24-year-old mother of two, was fighting for her life in Witbank Hospital after a devastating car accident on Mandela Street. She sustained severe injuries, including brain bleeding, lung and abdominal hemorrhaging, and multiple broken bones. She had been put on a ventilator and was sedated, with her family seeking help to transfer her to a private hospital.

Read the full story here: https://tinyurl.com/txuexhte

Father and baby die in fatal accident

In second place is an article published on August 16, which reported on a head-on collision between a Ford Fiesta and a BMW on the R555, which claimed two lives, including a baby, in which the Ford Fiesta’s driver allegedly attempted to overtake a bakkie and lost control. The BMW driver sat motionless and watched as emergency responders attended to the injured passenger from the Ford Fiesta.

Read the full story here: https://tinyurl.com/yyce5cyf

Fog causes havoc on N12

The R555 head-on collision is followed by another accident reported on August 9, in which a thick fog on the N12 led to a multi-vehicle pileup, involving cars and trucks, prompting the highway’s closure due to reduced visibility. Emergency services attended the scene, with eyewitnesses describing the scene of utter devastation, and called it ‘a nightmare’. There were multiple injuries reported.

Read the full story here: https://tinyurl.com/4kwfnamt

Thieves stealing tyres caught on camera

On June 20, we reported about a family in Die Heuwel who woke up to find their car tyres and rims stolen from their property, with neighbours’ CCTV footage showing the thieves carrying the stolen items on their heads. The incident led the family to urge neighbours to be vigilant, with a case opened to allow investigations into the matter to take place.

Read more here: https: https://tinyurl.com/2rrx7kbd

Klipfontein Dam – a lost treasure

On February 1, we reported on the Klipfontein Dam, a once-popular recreational spot, which had been left to deteriorate and was then a dumping ground, sparking outrage among community members who were calling for the municipality to take action. Years of neglect had reportedly led to damaged facilities, overgrown grass, and litter, pushing locals to demand that the area be cleaned up and restored to its former glory as a safe space for families.