The National Institute for Communicable Diseases has urged the public to get vaccinated against the influenza virus as flu season in South Africa has arrived earlier than usual.

The NICD says the 2026 influenza season started in the week of 9 March. The flu season is declared when the rate from the Institute’s sentinel surveillance exceeds the defined level for the season to start and is sustained for two consecutive weeks.

While this year’s season has started earlier than in recent years, it is similar to 2025, when the season started in the week of 24 March.

The 2026 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season also started in the week of 9 March 2026.

“The fact that both the flu and RSV seasons are starting at the same time means clinicians could potentially see a high burden of patients with respiratory illness in medical facilities in the coming weeks.”

Influenza A(H3N2), A(H1N1)pdm09 and influenza B are common seasonal influenza strains in humans.

A new strain of influenza A, specifically a novel variant of subclade K of the A(H3N2) virus, which caused severe, early-onset activity in the Northern Hemisphere in late 2025, is expected to continue circulating in the Southern Hemisphere’s winter season.

The majority of people with influenza present with mild illness, which usually resolves within three to seven days. However, influenza may cause severe illness, leading to hospitalisation or possibly death, especially among those at risk of severe illness or complications.

Influenza vaccination is recommended to protect against infection and severe illness.

The NICD says the vaccine should be administered before the start of the influenza season, as it takes about two weeks for an adequate immune response to develop following vaccination.

However, it is not too late to vaccinate once the season has begun.

The vaccine is now available in pharmacies.

“The early start to the season means that this year, the vaccine is only becoming available as the season is getting started, so members of the public who fall into groups at high risk for severe influenza are urged to get their vaccines as soon as possible.”

High-risk groups include:

• Pregnant women
• Individuals living with HIV
• Those with chronic conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, tuberculosis, heart disease, renal disease, and obesity
• Individuals older than 65
• Children under two years old (the flu vaccine can only be given to children from 6 months of age)

These groups should be encouraged to seek medical help early if they develop respiratory symptoms which are not resolving.

RSV is the leading cause of bronchiolitis and lower respiratory tract infections in young children and can lead to severe illness in infants. It is highly contagious, primarily spreading through respiratory droplets.

The RSV season typically begins in mid-February, with the onset ranging from late January to late February, usually preceding the influenza season. This year, the RSV season has started later than usual.

The flu vaccine does not protect against RSV.

To reduce the spread of flu and RSV in your community, remember to:

• Wash your hands often
• Cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay home if you are feeling unwell.

The long-distance bus company, Intercape, believes police have only just started to uncover years-long extortion in the industry, following the recent arrest of seven alleged extortionists.  

The woman and six men who were arrested in various parts of the country, including Cape Town, over the weekend, also face charges of intimidation and money laundering – for allegedly orchestrating illicit activities for financial gain in the long-distance transport industry.  

READ MORE:  Seven arrested in crackdown on long-distance bus service extortion – Smile 90.4FM

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that Bonke Makalala, Simphiwe Matshala, Mzuvukile Mbiyo, Siyanda Dyanti, Gwendoline Mazele, Siphelele Kwaza and Simphiwe Gxumayo appeared at Cape Town Magistrates Court on Monday. 

“The seven accused are charged with, inter alia, racketeering under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), multiple counts of extortion and attempted extortion, intimidation, kidnapping, interference with essential infrastructure, and money laundering. They will also face charges under the Tax Administration Act,” said Ntabazalila. 

The State alleges that the group, between 2021 and 2023, threatened bus operators and demanded payments in exchange for so-called protection.  

The case was postponed to 7 April 2026 for bail information; meanwhile, authorities say more charges could follow as investigations continue into what is believed to be a broader criminal enterprise. 

According to Daily Maverick, one of the accused, Makalala, was previously arrested in December 2023 on charges including murder and attempted murder and is linked to the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association. 

Intercape said its company has been affected by extortion for years, having reported 220 such cases since 2020. CEO Johann Ferreira, in a statement, also remembered the murder of one of its drivers, Bangikhaya Machana, outside an Intercape depot in Cape Town in 2022.  

READ MORE:  Intercape says it has recorded more than 80 attacks on its buses in 2022 alone – Smile 90.4FM

“Bus drivers have been shot at and stoned while driving through the Eastern Cape – the epicenter of the violence – as well as other provinces. Passengers have been forcibly removed from buses, harassed, threatened and assaulted by elements of the minibus taxi industry who believe they are above the law. These criminal acts have deprived citizens of their constitutional rights to freedom of movement and the right to choose their preferred mode of transport,” said Ferreira. 

The company further called on President Cyril Ramaphosa and other organs of the state to exercise the constitutional duties in this regard. Ferreira said he had written to the President on at least four occasions, as well as to the Ministers of Transport and Police, requesting intervention, but said there has been little to no movement in that regard. He most 

“Not a single one of these four letters have received a substantive response. Similarly, correspondence addressed to the offices of the Ministers of Police and Transport -including the incumbents Firoz Cachalia and Barbara Creecy – over several years requesting urgent meetings have gone unanswered.” 

While he welcomed the arrests, Ferreira said this “must serve as a catalyst for further action”. 

“The arrests of the seven suspects has opened a window into the dangerous and pervasive world of organised crime networks centred around the minibus taxi industry in South Africa. It can no longer be ignored or swept under the carpet.” 

A 39-year-old man has been sentenced to 15 years’ direct imprisonment for drug dealing by the Plettenberg Bay Regional Court.

The court handed down the sentence to Victor Sithole yesterday, bringing to a close a case that began more than four years ago. Sithole had been found guilty in February and was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani says the conviction stems from his arrest in January 2022 during a joint law enforcement operation on the N1 near Beaufort West.

The arrest unfolded during a high-intensity, multi-agency operation. Law enforcement officers, working through the night at a vehicle checkpoint, stopped what appeared to be an ordinary white truck.

“Upon searching the vehicle, members discovered five new ATM machines and two brown boxes. The K9 reacted to the boxes, leading to the discovery of drugs concealed inside, Hani added.”

Authorities uncovered 20,000 Mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R1.2 million.

Sithole was arrested on the scene and remained in custody throughout several court appearances leading up to his conviction and sentencing.