Here’s your daily news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.
News today includes the Western Cape High Court, sitting in Saldanha Bay, ruling that the confession statements made by the two accused in the Joshlin Smith trial are admissible.
Meanwhile, victims and witnesses in the high-profile rape case involving Timothy Omotoso broke their silence on Wednesday, expressing heartbreak over the recent court ruling that saw the Nigerian pastor walk free.
Furthermore, charges of assault have been laid against Newzroom Afrika anchor Aldrin Sampear following a road rage incident in Randburg earlier on Thursday.
Weather tomorrow: 18 April 2025
The weather service has only warned of extreme fire danger in some Western Cape municipalities, but otherwise, Good Friday weather will be cloudy and cool for most provinces. Full weather forecast here.
Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way.
Joshlin Smith trial: Judge rules accused’s confessions admitted as evidence
The Western Cape High Court, sitting in Saldanha Bay, has ruled that the confession statements made by the two accused in the Joshlin Smith trial are admissible.
A trial-within-trial came to an end at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville on Friday, after Judge Nathan Erasmus heard final arguments on the admissibility of the confession statements by Van Rhyn and his co-accused Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis.
The two men alleged that they were assaulted and forced into making statements to the police in connection with Joshlin’s disappearance on 19 February 2024.
CONTINUE READING: Joshlin Smith trial: Judge rules accused’s confessions admitted as evidence
‘The system has failed us’: Omotoso victims speak out following acquittal
Victims and witnesses in the high-profile rape case involving Timothy Omotoso broke their silence on Wednesday, expressing heartbreak over the recent court ruling that saw the Nigerian pastor walk free.
Omotoso, the leader of Jesus Dominion International, was acquitted on 63 charges, including rape and human trafficking, by the Gqeberha High Court last week.
Despite the legal outcome, the women who stood against Omotoso said they are not backing down.
“We will not stop using our voices. We are disappointed. We are upset. The system has failed us. But we know that whatever the outcome was, we spoke our truth, and we will continue standing by it,” one of the women said at a media briefing hosted by the CRL Rights Commission.
CONTINUE READING: ‘The system has failed us’: Omotoso victims speak out following acquittal
TV news anchor Aldrin Sampear charged with assault after road rage incident (VIDEO)
Charges of assault have been laid against Newzroom Afrika anchor Aldrin Sampear following a road rage incident in Randburg earlier on Thursday.
The alleged victim, 20-year-old Johannesburg resident Laricia Augusto, said she was travelling to university on Jan Smuts Avenue at the time of the incident.
Augusto said as she changed lanes in front of Sampear, he started to accelerate.
“He practically glued himself to my bumper, hooting aggressively. I had no idea what his issue was, but to avoid any drama, I moved back into the left lane to let him pass. That’s when things turned nasty.”
CONTINUE READING: TV news anchor Aldrin Sampear charged with assault after road rage incident (VIDEO)
MK party claims victory over DA to secure first major metro win
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has claimed its first victory in a ward previously held by the Democratic Alliance (DA).
The party notched up another ward victory in one of two by-elections held on 16 April.
It has had multiple successes in ward by-elections since late 2024, but its success had been limited to wards previously held by the ANC.
Ward 110 in the eThekwini municipality was contested by seven candidates, with MK party’s Mandla Biyela defeating nearest rival, the DA’s Rowena Bosman. The victory in eThekwini marks the MK party’s first in a major metropolitan municipality.
CONTINUE READING: MK party claims victory over DA to secure first major metro win
Search for Kruger National Park lions continuing into Easter weekend
The search for escaped lions near the Kruger National Park is continuing into the Easter weekend.
Multiple communities bordering the park have reported possible lion sightings after four of the predators were believed to have escaped the park.
Areas near Bushbuckridge and Hazyview have reported lion sightings and officials say they will continue searching until the park confirms their return.
CONTINUE READING: Search for Kruger National Park lions continuing into Easter weekend
Here are five more stories of the day:
Yesterday’s News recap
READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: RIP Don Mlangeni Nawa | Hospital sued over ‘xenophobic’ refusal | US missionary rescued
