Photos | News and tragedies that shocked Mzansi in 2022

NEWS

As the year draws to a close, it is only right to pause and look back at how far we have come as a nation.

The year started on a bittersweet note with the burial of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu on January 1 after his death on December 26. This was closely followed by the fire that engulfed Parliament on January 2.

The year 2022, unfortunately, immediately seemed to be caught in a downward spiral with political instability, continued corruption and rising crime levels, the last of which included the murder Hillary Gardee and the alleged gang rape of eight women who were filming a music video near a diusused mine, among other prominent gender-based violence cases.

READ: Krugersdorp gang rape survivors re-traumatised

This year also saw Covid-induced lockdowns become a thing of the past and celebrated the rise of a new king to the Zulu throne. But this was overshadowed by the devastating floods that hit the east coast in April.

We also lost 21 teenagers at Enyobeni Tavern and buried many more after tavern shootings.

Let us examine the year that was in pictures:

People look on as two vehicles are washed away into the Kliprivier off Phakoe Road in Protea Glen after heavy rains in Gauteng in December. Photo: Tebogo Letsie/City Press

Houses and vehicles were damaged at Charlesville after a mine tailings dam burst in Jagersfontein in September, leaving residents homeless. Photo: Rosetta Msimango/City Press

A shawl was spotted at the scene of the crime at the old deserted mine dump in West Village near Krugersdorp, where eight women were allegedly attacked, robbed and raped by more than 20 men suspected to be illegal miners. Photo: Tebogo Letsie/City Press

Empty coffins displaying victims' photos during the mass funeral service for the 21 children who died at the Enyobeni Tavern in Scenery Park, East London, in June. Photo: Lulama Zenzile/Die Burger

Residents collect water after their homes were washed away by floods in Durban in April. Photo: Rosetta Msimango/City Press

Part of the Parliament building in Cape Town was destroyed by fire on January 2. Photo: ER Lombard/Gallo Images