South Africa is being used as a base for global cybercrime gangs, with the country being labeled as Africa's cybercrime capital by Craig Pedersen, director of TCG Forensics. The strong telecoms infrastructure and sophisticated financial systems facilitate the operations of cybercriminals, including the Black Axe group, which has stolen millions through online romance scams. INTERPOL and AFRIPOL's four-month operation across 25 African countries highlighted the rise in digital insecurity, identifying over 40,000 networks and financial losses exceeding $40 million. South Africa's law enforcement struggles with technical capacity to investigate cybercrime, and there is a call for dedicated cyber-courts to address the growing issue.

The article discusses the harrowing situation in Diepsloot, a township north of Johannesburg, South Africa, where child abuse, including rape and murder, is rampant. The township, characterized by extreme poverty and overcrowding, has become a flashpoint for such crimes. Community leaders and activists like Thanjani Mangoma and Glenys van Halter describe the brutal realities faced by the children, including toddlers, who are often targeted due to the chaos and lack of adequate police resources. The article highlights the systemic issues that contribute to the abuse, such as poverty, which forces some parents to leave their children unattended or, in desperate cases, to exploit them for money. Despite the efforts of local activists and shelters, the cycle of abuse continues, with many cases going unreported or unresolved due to the victims' dependency on their abusers for survival.

Africa is set to receive more COVID-19 vaccines through a new distribution deal, with South African pharmaceutical company Aspen Pharmacare close to becoming the first on the continent to distribute them. U.S.-based Johnson & Johnson is expected to grant Aspen Pharmacare a license to package and sell their vaccine as Aspenovax. This deal aims to address vaccine shortages in Africa, where only 3% of the population is fully vaccinated, and combat the spread of the omicron variant. The World Health Organization highlights the low vaccination rates in Africa compared to high-income countries. The deal promises uniform access and equitable pricing for African nations, contributing to the African Union's goal of reducing dependency on Western vaccine supplies.

The article is part of a series on road chaos in South Africa, focusing on the issue of drunk driving and the failure of law enforcement to effectively address it. It narrates the story of a businessman, Robert van Rensburg (a pseudonym), who regularly drives under the influence of alcohol and has bribed police to avoid arrest. Despite thousands of arrests for drunk driving, the Justice Project reports that only 6 percent of suspects are convicted due to corruption, slow processing of blood-alcohol results, and backlogs at state labs. The article highlights the high number of road fatalities in South Africa, with a significant percentage involving alcohol. Van Rensburg's personal experiences with drunk driving, including causing accidents and escaping legal consequences, are detailed. The article also touches on the inadequacy of public transportation in South Africa as a contributing factor to the prevalence of drunk driving.

The article tells the story of Sihle Batyia, a South African boy with Down Syndrome who has overcome social stigma and prejudice in the rural Eastern Cape region. In these communities, mental illness and conditions like Down Syndrome are often misunderstood, attributed to curses or evil spirits. Sihle's parents, Beauty and Jam-Jam, faced community ridicule but remained loving and supportive, enrolling him in school and later finding help at Ikhaya Loxolo, a home for people with mental illnesses. At Ikhaya Loxolo, Sihle has learned basic skills and found a nurturing environment. The article highlights the challenges faced by those with intellectual disabilities in isolated areas, the cultural misconceptions surrounding them, and the potential for individuals like Sihle to lead fulfilling lives with proper care and education.