Police raided a guesthouse in Umhlanga which was allegedly converted into a fully operational call centre.

- A telephonic banking scam operating from a rented Umhlanga guesthouse was raided, leading to the arrest of 24 suspects, including the alleged kingpin.

- The syndicate allegedly contacted victims, posing as bank representatives, and tricked them into transferring money to fraudulent accounts.

- Forensic expert Steven Powell warns of a rise in similar high-tech fraud syndicates nationwide and urges landlords to conduct thorough due diligence on potential tenants.

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Karen Kennedy standing along Blouberg Beach’s shoreline before completing her quadruple swim to Robben Island.

- Karen Kennedy, 59, became the first woman to complete a quadruple swim from Blouberg to Robben Island in “skins,” a goal she set before turning 60.

- Kennedy credits rooibos tea for helping her endure tough swims, providing warmth, hydration, and energy.

- Beyond her achievements, Kennedy coaches adult swimmers in Cape Town, emphasising learning, understanding the environment, and building confidence.

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Chris Pappas says he will not stand for re-election as uMngeni mayor in November but will remain a DA member.

- Chris Pappas, the DA mayor of uMngeni, will not seek re-election at the end of his term in November, despite leading the party to its first victory in a KwaZulu-Natal municipality in 2021.

- Pappas cited several offers from the private and public sectors as reasons for his decision, but affirmed his commitment to the DA and bringing good governance to South Africa.

- The DA has reopened the mayoral selection process and acknowledges the financial constraints of the position, as Pappas previously received a salary top-up to compensate for the difference between his mayoral salary and what he would have earned as an MPL.

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EFF leader Julius Malema waved at Magistrate Twanet Olivier as sentencing and appeal proceedings adjourned.

- Julius Malema was sentenced to an effective five years in prison for unlawful firearm possession and related charges stemming from a 2018 incident.

- Malema’s defence team immediately applied for leave to appeal, citing insufficient evidence, lack of intent to harm, and alleged bias in the judgment.

- The magistrate granted Malema leave to appeal the sentence but not the conviction, and his bail was extended.

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Expanding the existing Biovac facility in Pinelands, Cape Town will cost a total of $180 million (R3 billion).

- The Biovac Institute secured funding from the EIB and IFC to expand its vaccine facility in Cape Town, set to be Africa’s largest.

- The $180 million plant, expected to be completed by 2028, will produce more than 400 million doses of multiple vaccines annually.

- The facility aims to reduce Africa’s reliance on vaccine imports and will initially produce oral cholera vaccines, later expanding to polio, meningitis, and pneumonia inoculations.

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General view of runners during the Two Oceans Marathon.

- Two men ran the Two Oceans half-marathon using women’s bibs, finishing in the top 10 and displacing legitimate female runners.

- Officials disqualified the men and will ban them and the women who provided the bibs for two years.

- The incident caused emotional distress for affected runners, including one who temporarily lost her top-10 finish.

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Natasha in the Vineyard in her parents' garden.

- A young winemaker in Noordhoek gained a following by planting 1 400 vines in her parents’ garden during the Covid-19 lockdown.

- She prioritises texture, food-friendliness, and experimentation, sourcing grapes from small parcels across the Cape, including a unique Noordhoek field blend.

- Her work highlights Noordhoek’s potential as a distinct wine ward, with her own vineyard serving as a personal expression of her winemaking style.

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