A case of culpable homicide is under investigation after a woman was struck by a taxi earlier this morning in Halt Street, Elsies River.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Ndakhe Gwala says the woman was crossing the road when she was hit by the vehicle.

“She was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel. Police registered a case of culpable homicide for further investigation.”

According to reports, the woman was allegedly running away from robbers when she ran in front of the taxi, however SAPS has not confirmed these claims.

In a dramatic turn of events, the taxi was set alight by unknown bystanders. Luckily, no one else was hurt in the incident.

Gwala added that no formal case has been registered regarding the fire.

“The vehicle that was involved in the accident was set alight by unknown bystanders. The owner of the motor vehicle has not opened a case yet.“

The City of Cape Town says it has helped over 200 Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres become compliant, ensuring young children can thrive in safe, legal spaces.

Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham, stressed the importance of supporting ECDs, and ensuring they can formally register with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), as they play a fundamental role during the most formative years of development.

“ECDs provide essential care and early learning opportunities for thousands of children across our City. Ensuring that these facilities are compliant is important because it helps protect the safety and well-being of children, while also enabling ECDs to access registration and funding support that allows them to grow and improve their services.”

She further revealed that several ECDs face immense challenges with complex municipal requirements, including land use, building safety, fire protection, and environmental health.

“The City’s role is to help navigate these processes, remove obstacles where possible, and provide the guidance and support needed to move centres towards compliance.”

Higham explained that through its Community, Arts and Culture Development Department (CACD), the City provides hands-on support, coordinating with multiple departments and offering practical guidance.

“Since July last year, CACD has engaged 56 ECD forums, facilitated compliance for five centres, and helped 212 centres progress toward meeting regulations.”

To simplify the process, CACD launched the ECD Modernisation Tool, an online system that helps operators with registration, building approvals, health compliance, and fire safety inspections, keeping them updated via SMS and email. Officials also provide training for caregivers, practitioners, and parents.

More information on how to register an ECD centre and the compliance requirements is available here: https://bit.ly/47DjCCB

The mother accused of killing her son, 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, is expected to enter a plea later this month, after her legal team indicated she plans to plead guilty to some of the charges against her.

32-year-old Tiffany Meek appeared in the High Court sitting at Palm Ridge in Ekurhuleni on Tuesday. Her case was postponed to 25 March, when she is expected to formally plead to the charges.

Meek faces counts of murder, obstructing the administration of justice, and attempting to defeat the administration of justice in connection with the death of her son in Fleurhof, Johannesburg.

According to the NPA in Gauteng, investigations indicate that Jayden-Lee returned home from school on 13 May 2025 and was allegedly killed inside the apartment where he lived with his mother. It is further alleged that the scene was later staged in an attempt to mislead authorities.

Jayden-Lee’s body was discovered the following morning near a stairway at the Swazi’s Place complex, where the pair lived.

The case shocked the country when police announced in July 2025 that a close family member had been arrested for the boy’s murder. Meek, who had publicly appealed for justice in the days after her son was reported missing, was arrested and made her first appearance in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on 14 July 2025, where she wept uncontrollably in the dock.

Court documents presented during earlier proceedings revealed that Jayden-Lee died after being struck on the head with an unknown hard object. Blood was also reportedly found on his bed and schoolbooks inside the apartment.

During her bail application in July last year, Meek denied all the charges and claimed she had been framed. In an affidavit read to the court, she insisted the evidence against her was circumstantial and suggested police had mishandled the investigation.

She also said she was the family’s breadwinner and asked to be released on R5,000 bail while she prepared to clear her name at trial.

However, testimony from the investigating officer, Sergeant Nceba Diko, raised serious questions about Meek’s movements in the hours before the boy’s body was found.

The court heard that a security guard at the complex reported seeing Meek return to the building at around 04:00 on 14 May and leave again shortly after 05:30. Residents who had left the complex earlier that morning said they had not seen a child on the stairs.

Shortly after Meek left the building, another resident alerted the guard that a child was lying on the staircase. Jayden-Lee was found in his underwear and showed no signs of life.

Prosecutors alleged that the boy was killed inside the apartment on the night of 13 May and that his body was kept there before being moved to the stairwell in the early hours of the next morning.

On 29 July 2025, Magistrate Anneline Africa denied Meek bail, finding that she had failed to convince the court that her release would be in the interests of justice.

In her ruling, Africa said Meek had shown the potential to obstruct the investigation, noting that she had accused multiple witnesses, including the school transport driver and a security guard, of lying, and had suggested someone else placed her child’s body on the stairs.

The magistrate also warned that releasing her could undermine public confidence in the justice system and pose a risk that she might interfere with the case or evade trial.

Meek has remained in custody since then.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has called for the expulsion of United States (US) Ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell, declaring him persona non grata following his comments at the BizNews Conference.

Bozell has called on the government to take stronger action on rural safety and to denounce rhetoric that glorifies violence, specifically the “Kill the Boer” chant.

At the conference, Bozell stressed that the US has become frustrated with South Africa for not adhering to requests on land expropriation, Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE), the protection of white farmers, and other issues.

Bozell stated that he does not care what South African courts rule, insisting that the “Kill the Boer” chant constitutes hate speech.

“We may not get clarity on the “Kill the boer” chant that we believe is hate speech, I’m sorry I don’t care what your courts say, it’s hate speech. We believe that here is clarity on the expropriation but the South African government has to step up to the plate.”

The EFF says the US has no authority over South Africa’s domestic or foreign policy and argues the ambassador’s statements show contempt for the country and its judiciary, making his expulsion necessary.

“The EFF therefore takes this opportunity to inform Bozell that the US has no say in what constitutes South Africa’s domestic and foreign policy agenda, and his displeasure along with that of his President is worthless. In our view, his comments warrant expulsion as an ambassador to South Africa, as he has expressed contempt for our country, the President of South African, the legislation and our judiciary.”

Last year, the Constitutional Court dismissed AfriForum’s appeal, upholding the Supreme Court of Appeal’s earlier ruling that the chant does not constitute hate speech.