
N2 closed due to snow; Comrades runner's family speaks: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes
Graphic: Sharlene Rood
News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature.
Family of missing Comrades runner recounts hours of searching
- A Comrades Marathon runner, Moira Harding, went missing after finishing the race and was found in critical condition nearly 15 hours later.
- Harding is being treated for dehydration and hypothermia in the ICU, with her family unsure how she ended up 7km from the finish line.
- Police are investigating the circumstances of her disappearance, while the family has cited disorganisation at the finish line and Harding's disoriented state as possible factors.
Supplied/SPAR
'Not an easy decision': SPAR's SA CEO quits to join McDonald's
- Max Oliva, SPAR South Africa CEO, is stepping down after three decades to become the new CEO of McDonald's South African operations, effective 1 July.
- Oliva replaces Greg Solomon, who stepped down in February after 15 years as McDonald's SA CEO, following a search for a leader to guide the business through transformation.
- SPAR has acknowledged Oliva's 'remarkable legacy' and leadership through challenging times, while Oliva has said leaving SPAR was not easy, as the company continues to recover from supply chain issues and market share losses.
Phando Jikelo/RSA Parliament
'Deliberate and orchestrated': Ghost workers haunting govt not merely payroll paranormal activity
- DA MP Jan de Villiers says ghost workers are likely present in every government department, costing taxpayers millions.
- The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has initiated an in-person verification process to eliminate ghost workers and reduce costs.
- De Villiers is advocating for a mandatory biometric identification system and criminal charges against those involved in ghost worker schemes.
Photo by Gallo Images/Beeld/Deaan Vivier
The Tycoons: Diamond flogger Louis Liebenberg and the businessman with presidents as friends
- The article contrasts Louis Liebenberg, accused of running a R4 billion Ponzi scheme involving fake diamonds, with Christopher Kimber, a diamond mining boss with political connections.
- Both Liebenberg and Kimber face legal challenges: Liebenberg for fraud and money laundering, and Kimber for fraudulent misrepresentation in a business deal with Arron Banks.
- Liebenberg's failed community artisanal mining project devastated Namaqualand, while Kimber's mine faces potential closure, highlighting the precarious state of the region's diamond industry and its impact on local communities.
N2 highway closed 'to save lives' amid snowfall in KZN, Eastern Cape
- Parts of the N2 highway in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape have been closed due to heavy snowfall and icy conditions.
- Several other roads in both provinces are affected, with traffic moving slowly or restricted to certain vehicle types.
- Weather warnings are in place for disruptive snowfall and rain in various districts of both provinces.Proteas confirm team for World Test Championship final at Lord's
- The Proteas have announced their team for the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia, with Wiaan Mulder at No 3 and Lungi Ngidi included in the bowling attack.
- Tony de Zorzi and Dane Paterson will miss out on the starting XI.
- The match is scheduled to begin at Lord's on Wednesday at 11:30 SA time.
Show Comments ()
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


CBS News
11 minutes ago
- CBS News
North Carolina woman found alive months after car found near Death Valley
A missing North Carolina woman was found alive in Colorado more than eight months after her disappearance. Kelsey Pittman's family last spoke to her in November 2024, the Inyo County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. Inyo County is home to California's Death Valley National Park. Pittman was 33 at the time. Pittman was last seen in St. George, Utah, on Dec. 2, 2024, according to her profile in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, or NAMUS. On Feb. 5, 2025, deputies from the Inyo County Sheriff's Office and the National Park Service were called to a remote area of Death Valley after receiving a report of an abandoned car on private property, the sheriff's office said on social media. Death Valley is about 260 miles from St. George. The area where the car was located is commonly used by campers during the winter months, the sheriff's office said. Officials confirmed the car, a 2009 Chevrolet HHR with North Carolina plates, was registered to Pittman. Law enforcement searched the vehicle and surrounding area, but found no sign of Pittman. The sheriff's office began a missing person investigation and for months "coordinated with multiple law enforcement agencies, drone teams, cadaver dog handlers, and volunteer search and rescue crews" to search for Pittman. There was no additional physical evidence found near the site where the car was found, the sheriff's office said. Pittman's case was listed on NAMUS in May 2025. Her mother assisted with the investigation and told law enforcement that her daughter may have used aliases including "Infinity Jane" and "Jane Jones," the sheriff's office said in a social media post on July 2. The sheriff's office said on July 22 that Pittman had been found alive in Colorado. They did not specify where in Colorado. No information was given about Pittman's condition. The Inyo County Sheriff's Office said that no further details will be provided "out of respect for" Pittman's privacy and her family. CBS News reached out to the sheriff's office for comment. "We thank our ICSO investigative team, along with the many law enforcement partners, search and rescue volunteers, and community members who assisted in this case and helped share information," the sheriff's office said.


News24
an hour ago
- News24
Hawks raid City Power HQ; Desiree Ellis coy on Banyana future: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day. News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature. Anelisa Khubeka/News24 'Put the heat on black okes': Witness testifies in July unrest Phoenix murder trial - A witness testified that tavern owner Trevor Gopal incited violence against black individuals before the assault on taxi driver Jabulani Dlamini during the July 2021 Phoenix unrest. - Dlamini was allegedly attacked with various weapons and set alight, later dying in the hospital, while four accused face charges including murder and incitement. - The witness, Anard Chetty, described the brutal assault on Dlamini and claimed Gopal instructed that Dlamini and his friends be burnt along with the taxi. Supplied 'She cried with me': How FW de Klerk's widow and Cradock 4 family found reconciliation - Elita de Klerk, widow of FW de Klerk, has been supporting the Cradock 4 families in their quest for truth about the 1985 murders of anti-apartheid activists, despite believing her late husband was not involved. - Elita met with Fort Calata's widow, Nomonde, and family, leading to emotional discussions and a developing friendship despite differing beliefs about De Klerk's role in the killings. - The Calata family appreciates Elita's willingness to engage and listen, viewing her actions as a step towards reconciliation and honoring the sacrifices of the Cradock 4. 9 LIVES: 'Cat' Matlala to face charges for botched hits on taxi boss 'Joe Ferrari', DJ Vettys - Vusimusi 'Cat' Matlala will face charges for botched hits on taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni and DJ Vettys, with ballistic analysis linking seized guns to at least 10 high-profile killings. - Matlala's alleged connections to top cops and politicians, including former Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, led to a judicial commission of inquiry and Mchunu being placed on special leave. - Despite being under investigation for procurement fraud, Matlala's company scored R50 million from a police health services contract, highlighting his access to state procurement. Hawks raid City Power Joburg HQ in R500m corruption investigation - The Hawks raided City Power's headquarters in Johannesburg, investigating alleged fraud and corruption exceeding R500 million. - City Power CEO Tshifularo Mashava is the main target of the investigation, which focuses on tender-related graft. - The investigation documents detail alleged price inflation and payments to contractors for incomplete work. Cut civil service by 50%, repeal BEE to grow SA, says Moeletsi Mbeki - Moeletsi Mbeki argues South Africa's economic stagnation stems from prioritising mineral exports with unskilled labour over human capital and innovation. - He proposes halving the public sector to redirect savings into infrastructure and skills development, criticising the current government and BEE for hindering economic growth. - Professor William Gumede suggests replacing the current BEE with initiatives that support small businesses, skills development, and infrastructure projects, while also focusing on merit-based appointments and corruption reduction in key state entities. Desiree Ellis coy about her Banyana future: 'We will sit down to look at a way forward' - Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis was evasive about her future with the team ahead of their WAFCON third-place play-off against Ghana. - The match against Ghana will be Jermaine Seoposenwe's last for Banyana Banyana, marking the end of her international career after over 100 caps. - Ellis emphasised the importance of winning the bronze medal for Seoposenwe and injured Gabriela Salgado, while also highlighting the need for younger players to step up and take on leadership roles. Oupa Bopape/Gallo Images 'South Africans will resonate with this movie': Anele Mdoda's high hopes for Embeth Davidtz-directed film - 'Don't Let's Go to The Dogs Tonight,' a film executive produced by Anele Mdoda, Trevor Noah, and Frankie du Toit, premiered after its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival on 30 August 2024. - The film, directed by Embeth Davidtz and based on Alexandra Fuller's memoir, explores a child's coming-of-age during the Rhodesian Bush War, with themes of war, family, and racial dynamics. - Anele Mdoda emphasises the film's resonance with South Africans and encourages artists to own their intellectual property and create their own stories for a global audience. Show Comments ()
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Brand Engagement Network Partners on AI Mental Health Program for South African Students
Brand Engagement Network Inc. (NASDAQ:BNAI) is one of the best penny stocks under $1 to buy now. Earlier in June, a collaborative effort was announced between the University of KwaZulu-Natal/UKZN, Valio Technologies, and Brand Engagement Network/BEN to launch an inclusive and AI-powered mental health program. The initiative provides private, 24/7 mental health support to students in South Africa, particularly in underserved communities where access to traditional care is limited. The program will initially roll out at UKZN, and insights gained from this implementation will help guide its expansion across the region. A technician assembling complex device solutions in a factory setting, illustrating the company's manufacturing capabilities. The core of this program is BEN's proprietary iSKYE platform, which is an AI-powered system designed to offer personalized mental health support. Brand Engagement Network Inc. (NASDAQ:BNAI) is a technology company that provides conversational AI assistants. While we acknowledge the potential of BNAI as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the . READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.