A search is underway for five Nigerian nationals missing at sea after their ship sank off Mossel Bay on Saturday night.  

Their vessel, the MW Leo, owned by Lagos-based Magnet Energy Limited, was making its way from Durban to Nigeria when it fell into distress.  

According to the National Department of Transport, the vessel sent out a distress signal when it was at about 80 nautical miles south of Mossel Bay. 

“The MW Leo, registered under the Comoros flag, transmitted a distress signal reporting uncontrolled water ingress,” read the department’s statement.  

The department noted that the situation escalated rapidly, forcing the 18 Nigerian crew members to evacuate.  

“The crew reportedly abandoned ship onto the vessel’s liferafts, and the vessel subsequently sank in the early hours of 01 March 2026,” the department confirmed.

Of all the crew on board, 12 crew members have been rescued alive, one death was recorded after a body was recovered, and five crew members remain missing at sea. 

The department added that the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Cape Town is coordinating the response, while the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) investigates. 

A statement noted that the Minister of Transport, Ms Barbara Creecy, and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa have expressed their condolences to the affected families and to the Nigerian High Commissioner, HE Tope Ajayi. 

“Creecy and Hlengwa have expressed their pain and condolences to High Commissioner Ajayi who is grappling with this maritime incident, and emphasized the urgent need to find the missing crew members.. They have also expressed messages of support to the families whose loved ones are still missing at sea,” the statement read.

Seven suspects were arrested in Klerksdorp, North West, this morning, after their plan to bomb an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) backfired.

The Directorate for Priority Crime (Hawks) spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale, says a joint operation led to the arrests of the suspects after authorities received a tip off and acted on the information.

“Members of the Special Task Force (STF), Hawks’ Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) and other role-players arrested the suspects aged between 30 and 58 years-old who were planning to bomb an ATM in the CBD. The members acted swiftly and arrested the suspects before committing the crime.”

Mogale says the suspects were found in possession of several items confirming their intentions to bomb the ATM.

“One rifle, one pistol and explosives were recovered. The suspects will be charged with possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, conspiracy to commit crime and possession of suspected stolen motor vehicle.”

The suspects are expected to appear in the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court soon.

Fuel prices in South Africa will rise with effect from midnight on Wednesday, mainly driven by the increased cost of Brent Crude oil amid conflict in the Middle East. 

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources confirmed on Tuesday that both grades of petrol will increase by 20 cents per litre. Diesel is also going up by between 62 and 65 cents per litre, and paraffin will cost 44 cents more per litre. 

The department announced the adjustment for March 2026. 

According to the departmental spokesperson, Robert Maake, the average Brent Crude oil price jumped from $64.08 to $69.08 during the period under review.  

Before the department confirmed this month’s fuel price adjustments, Reuters reported that prices spiked roughly 10% on Sunday alone, with fears that Brent Crude oil could climb as high as $100 (approximately R1,600) per barrel. 

“The main contributing factors are the higher shipping rates as well as the geopolitical uncertainty caused by the tension between the US and Iran, which could result in disruption of crude oil supply in the Strait of Hormuz,” read the department’s statement. 

Daily Maverick reports that this will “haunt” the South African Reserve Bank’s (Sarb) efforts to contain inflation. It noted that hopes of at least two more 25-basis-point rate cuts may be lost if a triple-digit oil price materialises.  

Two minors tragically lost their lives earlier today when sand collapsed on them in Hopefield, just outside of Malmesbury.

Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg says the boys, aged 13 and 15, were playing in the sand in Duimeveld Street when it fell on top of them.

“The two boys were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.”

Hopefield police have since launched an inquest for further investigation.

“Anyone with any information about this incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.”