Celani Sikhakhane brings you KwaZulu-Natal’s latest news.
Inanda: The African National Congress (ANC) task team in KwaZulu-Natal remembered the life and legacy of the party’s first President, John Langalibalele Dube, in 1912. The ANC, led by its coordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu, along with the Dube family, visited the grave of JL Dube at Ohlange High School in Inanda, north of KZN.
JL Dube was also the founder of Ohlange High School and the Zulu newspaper, Ilanga laseNatali.
Newcastle: The Newcastle Magistrate’s Court has sentenced a 20-year-old man to two terms of life imprisonment after the court found him guilty of raping his two nieces at their home in Springboklaagte in the Dannhauser policing precinct. The sentence was handed down on 5 February 2026.
In July 2023, the now convicted rapist raped his 10-year-old niece on three occasions, threatening to kill her if she told anyone. After the third rape ordeal, the young girl gathered the confidence to tell her elders, who reported the matter to the police. Investigations also uncovered that the same uncle was a suspect in another rape case in which he raped his 12-year-old niece at the same place. On the evening of 3 March 2024, the 12-year-old girl was inside the house when the uncle entered and forced himself on her. She was taken to a medical facility, where rape was confirmed.
Ixopo: The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has expressed condolences to the family of Shonaphi Phikisile Mhlongo (66), who was killed in a lightning strike yesterday in the Springvale area, Ward 9, near Ixopo within the Johannes Phungula Local Municipality.
Ms Mhlongo succumbed to injuries sustained during the strike, bringing the district’s death toll to three since Saturday. As disaster teams work to repair damage to houses and public infrastructure from this past weekend’s storms, this new loss underscores the ongoing risk posed by current weather conditions to communities.
This fatality follows two other deaths recorded on Saturday, 7 February 2026, as a result of lightning strikes:
- Thembisile Khumalo (45): A resident of Ngwaqa Village, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Municipality.
- Mayford Khanyisani Zulu (36): A resident of Ward 11, KaNokweja, in the Johannes Phungula Local Municipality.
Pictured above: The family of JL Dube and ANC leadership laying wreaths at the grave of John Langalibalele Dube on Wednesday.
Image source:Supplied
