(VIDEO) KwaMashu Boys Arrested for Murders and Hijackings

0

KwaZulu-Natal police have arrested a group of young boys who were seen in a widely circulated video brandishing firearms and firing shots at the KwaMashu hostel in Durban.

The video, which surfaced on social media a few weeks ago, caused widespread alarm and prompted swift action from law enforcement.

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that the suspects were arrested in Mandeni, where they were found in possession of firearms.

The KwaMashu Serious and Violent Crime detectives later linked the group to a series of heinous crimes committed in the area.

These include 11 cases of murder, eight counts of attempted murder, three hijackings, two truck-jackings, two house robberies, and two armed robberies.

Many of the hijackings were reported along the Dumisani Makhaye Highway, an area known for criminal activity.

The suspects are expected to make their first court appearance in the Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court, with the Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, anticipated to attend the proceedings.

The presence of the provincial police chief underscores the seriousness of the charges and the importance of tackling violent crime in the region.

This arrest follows a similar incident in August, where five men were caught on camera firing shots at the KwaMashu hostel.

In that case, police arrested the suspects along Siyanda Main Road after responding to reports of an armed robbery.

Three firearms and a hijacked vehicle were recovered during that operation.

The latest arrests mark a significant breakthrough in addressing escalating violence in KwaMashu and surrounding areas.

Police have urged the community to continue reporting criminal activities, emphasizing the role of public cooperation in ensuring safety and reducing violent crime in the province.

KwaMashu Mother Finds Pill in Child’s food

0

KwaMashu resident Nosipho Mkhize has issued a stern warning to parents after her daughter discovered a pill in a packet of chips purchased from a local spaza shop.

The incident comes amidst a growing national crisis over contaminated snacks sold at informal retailers.

Mkhize recounted that her daughter, along with a school friend, found the pill after opening the packet.

“She told me they usually share snacks. When they opened the packet, they found a pill inside,” Mkhize said.

She reported the discovery to the police, but officers were unable to open a case due to the lack of a defined charge.

A detective took the pill for testing, with results expected in three months.

Mkhize’s concerns echo nationwide fears following the deaths of 22 children in separate incidents linked to food-borne illnesses and contaminated snacks.

The majority of cases have been reported in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Free State, and Mpumalanga.

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation, detailing a government-led effort to curb the crisis. Measures include:

Door-to-door inspections of spaza shops and informal food traders, starting with Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

Mandatory registration of all spaza shops and food-handling facilities with municipalities within 21 days. Non-compliant outlets will be shut down.

Deployment of multidisciplinary teams, including police, health officials, and consumer protection bodies, to enforce food safety standards.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli emphasized the importance of public education and intensified monitoring to prevent further fatalities.

Truda Foods, a leading producer of snacks, has denied any link between its products and the food poisoning incidents.

CEO Colin van Heerden stated, “In 30 years, we’ve never had a case of food poisoning linked to our products. Claims of pills being found in packets are mischievous.”

Van Heerden revealed that several false claims had been criminally prosecuted and assured the public of the company’s stringent manufacturing practices.

As investigations continue, parents like Mkhize urge vigilance.

“Educate your children and be mindful of where they buy their snacks. This can happen to anyone,” she cautioned.

Suspect to Appear in Court for Hijacking Police Officers in Durban

0

A 34-year-old man is set to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday, charged with hijacking two off-duty Greenwood Park police officers and robbing them of their service firearms.

The incident occurred on Thursday in Avoca Hills, where the armed suspect reportedly hijacked the officers on Courtown Crescent.

In a joint operation, SAPS trio task teams from Greenwood Park, Durban North, and Newlands, along with Marshall Security Special Operations members, tracked the suspect to Newton A in Inanda.

Tyron Powell, managing director of Marshall Security, confirmed that the suspect was apprehended with the two stolen firearms and 30 rounds of ammunition.

In a coordinated operation, law enforcement teams apprehended a suspect involved in the hijacking of police officers. They also recovered stolen firearms and ammunition. | Marshall Security

A search of the premises also uncovered two additional unlicensed firearms with 12 rounds of ammunition.

The hijacked vehicle was successfully recovered during the operation.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda praised the swift and coordinated response by law enforcement, led by Greenwood Park’s Visible Policing Commander.

The suspect faces charges of robbery, hijacking, and possession of unlicensed firearms.

His court appearance on November 18, 2024, will shed further light on the case.

Rip Currents Claim Lives on KZN South Coast

0

Tragedy struck the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast over the weekend as rip currents claimed the lives of two individuals, with a third person still missing.

On Saturday afternoon, rip currents near Margate Pier swept away a man and a woman.

A heroic bystander managed to pull the woman from the water and bring her to shore, but despite extensive resuscitation efforts by the NSRI Shelly Beach crew and paramedics, she was declared dead.

The same good samaritan attempted to save the male victim but was forced to retreat due to the treacherous Spring high tide.

The man remains missing, and search efforts involving police divers, lifeguards, and K9 Search and Rescue teams are ongoing.

In a separate incident at Palm Beach, a man was found unresponsive on the shore.

Despite efforts by responders, he was declared dead on the scene.

The NSRI has cautioned beachgoers to stay vigilant, visit lifeguard-protected beaches, and familiarize themselves with tide schedules to avoid the dangers of rip currents.

Police have opened inquest dockets into both incidents.

This serves as a sobering reminder of the ocean’s power and the importance of safety precautions while enjoying the water.

Zulu King Addresses VIP Section Incident, Denies Romantic Links with Woman

0

King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has broken his silence regarding the woman who attempted to storm the VIP section during the unveiling of the King Shaka statue in Durban nearly two weeks ago.

Speaking at a Shembe church prayer gathering at Enyokeni Palace in Nongoma, the Zulu monarch dismissed rumors of a romantic relationship with the woman, identified as a Ms. Ngcobo.

King Misuzulu suggested that the woman may be a pawn in a plot orchestrated by his opponents.

He expressed concern for her well-being and vowed to reach out to offer assistance.

“I will ensure she gets the help she needs,” the King said, as he urged calm and focus amid ongoing challenges facing the royal house.

The incident had sparked widespread speculation, but the King’s comments have shed light on his perspective and intentions to address the matter.

Wife Kills Husband With Boiling Water

0

A 46-year-old man, Mokhwakhwa Machete, tragically lost his life after a domestic attack in Soshanguve, Pretoria.

On September 18, 2024, his wife, a former Gauteng crime prevention warden, allegedly poured four pots of boiling water on him during a heated altercation.

Machete sustained severe injuries and succumbed to them a week later in the hospital, on September 25, 2024.

The suspect, aged 42, was arrested and has been denied bail.

The couple shared three children, aged 22, 19, and eight, some of whom reportedly witnessed the horrifying incident.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the case, which has left the local community in shock and mourning.

Suspected Robbery Spree Ends in Arrests on M25

0

Two suspects believed to be involved in a series of armed robberies across Durban were apprehended yesterday afternoon by KwaMashu SAPS Trio Crimes Unit and Marshall Security Special Operations Team.

The arrests followed a robbery in Montclair, where workers were robbed of two grass-cutting machines.

The suspects, traveling in a white Toyota Etios, fled the scene but were pursued by security providers and vigilant community members.Durban Sun Facebook Square 2024 v1 11

While patrolling the M25 near Malandela Road, officers spotted the suspects’ vehicle, with the stolen grass-cutting machines visibly sticking out of a window.

The vehicle was intercepted at the intersection of Malandela Road and the M25, where two suspects were arrested.

Recovered Items:

  • Two grass-cutting machines (stolen in Montclair).
  • A black gas pistol found on one suspect.
  • Cellphones, bags, and personal documents linked to multiple victims.
  • Items stolen from a robbery earlier that day in Montclair and another incident on Avoca Road.Durban Sun Facebook Square 2024 v2 1

The suspects were connected to several robberies, including one on Avoca Road where a male victim was robbed of his cellphone and wallet.

Police believe the suspects are part of a broader robbery spree targeting the greater Durban area.

The suspects, stolen items, and vehicle have been handed over to KwaMashu SAPS for further investigation.

Authorities expect additional charges as investigations continue.

KwaMashu SAPS and Marshall Security reaffirm their commitment to safeguarding the Durban community through proactive collaboration and rapid response.

Man Shot in Mhlasini Home Invasion

0

A 26-year-old man was seriously injured after being shot multiple times during a home invasion in Mhlasini, KwaZulu-Natal, early on Saturday morning.

The incident occurred at around 2:08 AM while the victim and his girlfriend were asleep in their rented room.

Two armed suspects forced their way inside, robbing the couple of cash and cellphones before shooting the man three times in his left leg.

The robbers fled the scene in an unknown direction.

No photo description available.

Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) officers responded to the scene and recovered a 9mm bullet and spent cartridges.

The victim’s girlfriend was unharmed in the ordeal.

The injured man was privately transported to a hospital for medical treatment.

Authorities are investigating the case and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Passenger Found Fatally Shot in Vehicle in Verulam

0

A man in his thirties was found dead from a gunshot wound in the passenger seat of a vehicle in Verulam CBD, KwaZulu-Natal, on Saturday evening.

Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) officers were alerted at around 18:26 after a concerned member of the public reported the incident.

Upon arrival, the officers discovered the man slumped in a blue Toyota Etios sedan parked on Todd Street.

The victim had sustained a gunshot wound to the head, with both the front and rear windscreens of the car shattered.May be an image of 2 people

The vehicle’s keys were still in the ignition, and the front of the car appeared to have accident damage.

Witnesses reported seeing a man park the vehicle and walk away casually before the discovery was made.May be an image of 1 person, car and text

The identity of the deceased remains unknown at this time, and investigations are ongoing.

Authorities are appealing to anyone with information to come forward to assist in the investigation.

7 Foreign Shop Owners Arrested in KZN for Selling Expired Food

0

Authorities in northern KwaZulu-Natal have arrested seven undocumented foreign shop owners suspected of selling expired food in Mtshezi.

The arrests were part of an operation conducted on Wednesday to inspect the quality of food sold in the area.

During the raid, officials also discovered firearms and over 500 rounds of live ammunition.

Inkosi Langalibalele Municipality Mayor Mduduzi Myeza confirmed that the shops linked to the suspects have been shut down pending further investigations.

“Some shop owners managed to escape, but we could not find them.

The police will investigate the firearms to determine their legality and whether they have been used in criminal activities,” said Myeza.

The arrests come amid heightened concerns over food safety in South Africa, with President Cyril Ramaphosa expected to address the nation on the ongoing food poisoning crisis.