The South African Police Service (SAPS) is requesting anyone with information that could help identify the remains of a male in Knysna to come forward.

Police spokesperson Christopher Spies says the body was retrieved from the water at Coney Glen, near the Knysna Heads on Tuesday afternoon.

“Police were summoned to the scene where a member of the public noticed a body floating in the water. Police divers were dispatched to the sea, and the body was retrieved.”

Spies says the only information currently available is that the deceased is believed to be in his mid-sixties.

“Anyone with information that could assist in tracing the next of kin is requested to contact the investigation officer, Sergeant Denzil Cook, at 044 302 6652 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.”

An inquest docket has since been opened for further police investigation.

Following a unanimous decision, the South African Reserve Bank has announced that it will leave the repo rate unchanged at 6.75% and the prime lending rate at 10.25%.

Governor Lesetja Kganyago stated that it is in the best interest of South Africans not to make any changes at this time, as tensions in the Middle East continue to pose economic uncertainty.

“In previous meetings we warned of elevated risks, and we have been proceeding cautiously in our rate settings. Now a crisis has hit. This prudent approach is proving appropriate.”

Kganyago signaled that interest rates could increase in the near future if geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate.

The Governor highlighted that ongoing uncertainty in global markets, driven by potential disruptions to oil supply and broader economic instability, could have a knock-on effect on inflation and the domestic economy.

“Since our last meeting, the key event has been the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East. Prices for commodities like oil, gas, and fertiliser have moved sharply higher, while equity, bond, and currency markets have experienced broad losses, with only a few safe havens. We are just a few weeks into this shock, and conditions remain extremely uncertain. Global inflation is likely to rise in the near term, while growth will probably suffer from supply-chain disruptions and rising costs. But the longer-term outlook is less clear.”

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is leading an investigation following a shooting incident in Site C, Khayelitsha, last night, in which four unknown men were shot and killed.

The South African Police Service spokesperson (SAPS), Novela Potelwa, says members responded to a suspected case of extortion in the area when the suspects opened fire on them.

“Police reports indicate that Provincial Combat team members were following information about suspects involved in the extortion of businesses in the area when a vehicle with occupants fitting the description was spotted. It was followed, and members attempted to pull the vehicle over on Japhta K. Masemola Road. The occupants of the vehicle pulled out firearms and pointed at the police.”

Acting in self-defense, police members returned fire, which led to the deaths of the unidentified suspects.

“Three firearms that belong to the deceased persons were confiscated on the scene.”

The parent of a learner implicated in an alleged “revenge list” at a Cape Town primary school has moved to clarify the situation, noting that the child was not a threat and instead the victim of bullying. 

SmileFM has seen a report by an educational psychologist with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), who investigated the matter. The report was shared by the parent. 

This report, dated 17 March, describes the child’s response as being based on “limited coping strategies, rather than deliberate aggressive intent”.  

“The ‘revenge list’ identified at school appears to reflect reactive anger associated with experiences of peer rejection and perceived victimization, rather than premeditated intent to harm. This response is best understood within the context of emotional dysregulation and limited coping strategies, rather than deliberate aggressive intent,” read an excerpt from the report.  

The parent said this follows a history of “unaddressed” bullying directed at the learner. 

In correspondence with SmileFM, the parent stressed that rumours on the circumstances of the incident, covered in previous reports by other media outlets, were unfounded. This, the parent said, was confirmed by the school’s principal in a newsletter shared on Wednesday.  

“These were malicious rumors spread by a single “concerned” individual that have unfortunately created a ‘witch hunt’ in our community,” the parent said.  

The parent further noted that the child is facing serious mental health challenges, describing the situation as “a profound medical crisis”, with a diagnosis of severe depression and suicidal ideation. 

Previous reporting by SmileFM highlighted that counselling support had been offered at the school after concerns emerged earlier this month about an alleged list naming other learners as targets. The WCED confirmed at the time that an internal investigation was underway and that the learner was not attending school. 

READ MORE:  Cape Town learner allegedly names other learners on “hit list” – Smile 90.4FM

The office of the Provincial Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile says detectives are currently in Saldanha Bay to investigate recent claims made by a community member regarding the alleged whereabouts of Joshlin Smith.

The nature of the information has not been disclosed, with some reports indicating that a community member found bloodied clothes.

A convoy of police vehicles, which a K9 unit, descended on the Diazville dunes on Thursday.

Police say that at this stage, no tangible evidence linked to Joshlin has been found.

However, the police have reiterated that all information received is treated with seriousness and thoroughly investigated.

Captain Andre Traut says that since her disappearance on 19 February 2024 from her home in Middelpos, SAPS has pursued numerous leads provided by the public and the circumstances surrounding her case.

“All information is rigorously assessed for credibility and evidential value, but unfortunately, none has yielded a breakthrough.”

He says the investigation into Joshlin’s disappearance remains open and active, despite the sentencing of three accused in May 2024.

“Detectives continue to follow up on all information, with extensive efforts undertaken both locally and abroad.”

Traut says any new information is welcome, and he has assured the public that all leads will be thoroughly investigated.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS.