Stay informed in just a few minutes with News Bite, your fast, reliable update on South Africa’s top stories.
In today’s episode, a mother in Jeffreys Bay is preparing to take her two-year-old daughter home after what doctors are calling a New Year’s miracle. The toddler survived being stabbed 15 times, allegedly by her babysitter. In an emotional interview, her mother, Alicia Nkuthu, speaks about the trauma of the attack and the painful question she will one day have to answer: how to explain what happened to her child.
Medical claims watchdog MediCheck has stepped in on behalf of Discovery Medical Aid members who are being asked to repay thousands of rand following a pharmacy billing error. The watchdog says liability must rest with the scheme, not members who unknowingly received benefits they were never entitled to.
KwaZulu-Natal police have shot and killed five wanted suspects during a shootout in Inanda, north of Durban. The men were being sought in connection with murder, attempted murder and armed robbery, as violent crime continues to plague the province.
Firefighters in the Western Cape are battling multiple blazes as strong winds fuel the Pearly Beach fire near Gansbaai, forcing road closures along the R43. In Mossel Bay, at least 30 structures have been damaged, with emergency teams on high alert as hot weather persists.
The Department of Basic Education has confirmed that the 2025 matric results will be released on 13 January. At the same time, universities including UWC and UCT say they are overwhelmed by first-year applications, warning that demand far exceeds available spaces.
We’re also keeping an eye on:
• Search efforts at Pennington Beach in KwaZulu-Natal, where two young men remain missing after a drowning incident, with DNA tests under way on recovered remains.
• The ANC marking its 114th anniversary, with President Cyril Ramaphosa leading celebrations in Rustenburg ahead of Saturday’s January 8 Statement.
SPORTS
Australia have wrapped up the Ashes with a dominant 4–1 series win. In the SA20, the Pretoria Capitals boosted their playoff hopes by beating the Durban Super Giants, with Lungi Ngidi claiming the first hat-trick in the tournament’s history. In the Premier League, Erling Haaland scored his 150th goal for Manchester City in a draw with Brighton, while Manchester United were held by Burnley under interim manager Darren Fletcher.
That is your News Bite for 8 January 2026. For developments on these stories and more, visit enca.com or watch us on DStv Channel 403.