For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: Cachalia says decline in serious contact crimes, but GBV a challenge; Ramaphosa honours SCA's Judge Mokgohloa with official funeral; And, Congo starts Ebola vaccinations for health workers

Cachalia says decline in serious contact crimes, but GBV a challenge

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, today announced a downward trend in several of the country’s most severe contact crimes during the release of the first-quarter crime statistics for the 2026/27 financial year.

The data highlights a consecutive quarterly drop in murders alongside substantial reductions in highly feared, organised crimes.

Murder decreased by 5.9%, from 5 770 to 5 427 cases, which is 343 fewer murders compared with the same period last year.

Carjackings saw a 18.2% decrease from 4 657 to 3811 recorded in the new quarter.

Residential robberies dropped from 5 360 to 4 416, a 17.6% decrease from the previous quarter.

Sexual offences saw a drop from 11 630 to 11 532, a 0.8% decrease.

However, Cachalia emphasised that high-density violence and gender-based violence remain critical challenges.

Ramaphosa honours SCA's Judge Mokgohloa with official funeral

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a Category 2 Special Official Funeral to honour the late Supreme Court of Appeal Judge, Justice Fikile Eunice Mokgohloa, who passed away last week at the age of 65.

The funeral service will take place tomorrow, at the Hillsong Church in Wonderboom, in Pretoria, where she will also be laid to rest.

As part of the Category 2 status, the South African Police Service will provide full ceremonial elements during the service.

Ramaphosa has also directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast at all flag stations across the country until Saturday evening.

Mokgohloa served the South African nation and its judiciary over two decades.

And, Congo starts Ebola vaccinations for health workers

Democratic Republic of Congo began vaccinating frontline health workers with a vaccine approved for a different Ebola species, as authorities seek to contain the country's largest and deadliest Ebola outbreak on record.

Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba said Congo had received more than 50 000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine and would begin vaccinations in provinces affected by the outbreak, prioritising health workers.

Ervebo is licensed against the Zaire species of Ebola and was used successfully in previous outbreaks. The current epidemic is caused by the Bundibugyo species, for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment.

Early animal studies suggest Ervebo could provide some protection against Bundibugyo, and authorities are using 20 000 of the 70 000 doses allocated to Congo in a clinical trial to assess its effectiveness in humans.

Several vaccines specifically targeting the Bundibugyo species are also under development, including candidates from the University of Oxford and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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