Celani Sikhakhane brings you KwaZulu-Natal’s latest news.

Mfolozi – The MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Reverend Musa Zondi, has called on police to protect taxi rank street vendors from criminals, saying they are more vulnerable than other businesses. Zondi said the vendors play a key role in fighting high unemployment, yet face constant threats. He spoke at KwaMbonambi near Richards Bay, where he joined Mfolozi Mayor Xolani Bhengu to open the new KwaMbonambi Market Stalls for street vendors — most of them women. Zondi said criminals often target women vendors because they seem like easy prey compared to big businesses. Mayor Bhengu called on the provincial government to build a shopping mall in the area, saying even the poorer rural uMsinga has a mall of its own.

Durban – Police in KwaZulu-Natal arrested 13,579 suspects in April 2025 for various crimes and recovered 313 firearms, including 26 rifles. Officers also seized 3,806 rounds of ammunition. The arrests followed what police described as tireless work to catch lawbreakers. Among those arrested, 3,336 were caught for contact crimes. That includes 1,540 people accused of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. A total of 194 suspects were arrested for robbery and 178 for rape.

Nkandla – The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, along with Nkandla Mayor Nonhlanhla Nzuza, has launched preparations for a multimillion-rand disaster management centre. They visited the site as part of the Nkandla Integrated Service Delivery Programme. Nkandla and the nearby areas face constant threats from fires due to dense forests and bush. Locals, especially those in farming and forestry, have suffered massive losses over the years.

Pictured above: Taxi rank vendors with EDTEA MEC Reverend Musa Zondi and Mfolozi Mayor Xolani Bhengu during the handover of eight stores and shelters for KwaMbonambi street vendors.

Image source: Mfolozi Local Municipality