Crime: latest posts

The application asks the court to stop March and March protests, convoys and processions in the province. It also seeks to stop intimidation or incitement by the movement's members and leaders.

Court papers say the applicants received intelligence about a planned action against the centre in Che Guevara Road this week. The papers also cite concern about escalating violence after the recent death of a foreign national, and about retribution for that murder.

Brigadier Thamsanqa Gama made the founding affidavit for the applicants. He said: "This application concerns an immediate threat to life, to personal safety, and public order in and around Durban as well as within the province of KwaZulu-Natal".

Sandile Dube, the national spokesperson for March and March, called the application "orchestrated efforts by the government to silence the people's voices barely days before the local government elections".Share

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Jabu Ndubane said security officers reported seeing a suspect flee the property. Weideman's body was then found with multiple gunshot wounds.

The farm is near Breyten, in the Ermelo area of Mpumalanga. The court handed down the sentences on Wednesday 28 October.Share

Defence counsel Mlotshwa asked for the witness, Cartrack fleet administrator Carel Rothmann, to stand down. He said the defence needed more time with its experts. The judge, Nomfundo Sipunzi, said she would not force cross-examination if the defence was not ready.

Rothmann testified about two cars that the prosecution alleges were used in the double murder. Evidence from Cartrack, a car tracking company, is before the court. The trial resumes on Monday.

Forbes and Motsoane were shot dead outside the former Wish restaurant on Florida Road in Durban in February 2023.Share

Sifolo agreed that the listed documents can be led in public without being placed on display. He has not released other documents for open hearings. Those documents can be used to question witnesses in in-camera hearings.

The step follows a direction from the Commission to its evidence leaders. They had to check which documents Sifolo would testify on could be used in public. Some media houses had opposed a blanket in-camera hearing, and the Commission acted after that.Share

The assets include properties in Centurion and Pretoria, estate properties, bank accounts and investments. The vehicles include Ferraris, a Porsche and BMWs, according to one report.

Four people face charges of extortion and money laundering. They include Oupa Sindane, who is known as Bafana. The case is to resume in April next year.

The allegations say the group demanded payments from a businessman linked to a road project. Sibanyoni says one payment was a local content fee. NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the order helps to deprive people of the proceeds and benefits of crime.Share

Justice Nambitha Dambuza wrote the judgment, which the court handed down on Tuesday. It upheld a 2022 finding by Johannesburg High Court judge Fiona Dippenaar that the guidelines were impermissible. The adoptions of two babies, called B and L, were finalised in May 2023 and August 2023.

Dambuza said the government parties kept arguing that the adoption proceedings must start afresh because the application documents did not comply. She said their lack of insight and persistence in seeking to have the children removed from their families was gravely unsettling.

The judge said there was "no conceivable reason why they should be wrenched from their families". The High Court had referred the social workers' conduct to the South African Council for Social Service Professions. Dambuza said it was necessary to draw that conduct to the attention of the professional body.Share

Soldiers from the South African National Defence Force are deployed at the Delft Palms taxi rank. Two men were shot dead there last Thursday. On Wednesday, two people were wounded in another shooting.

Western Cape Provincial Police Commissioner Sizakhele Dyantyi said those stirring the violence will be dealt with harshly. Police said those responsible for the killings will face the full force of the law.

Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku said affected taxi ranks and routes could face further closures if the bloodshed continues. The violence involves a dispute between the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association. Areas affected include Delft, Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Epping and Bonteheuwel.Share

Centres were told to contact candidates who had not arrived and advise them of alternative centres. Education MEC Jaco Londt said candidates facing circumstances beyond their control may arrive up to an hour after the exam starts and still be admitted.

Two adult men were wounded in a shooting at the Palm taxi rank in Delft at about 7am. Delft SAPS opened two attempted murder cases and a case of discharging a firearm. Police spokesperson Thembakazi Mpendukana said no arrest had been made and the investigation continues.

The City of Cape Town temporarily closed the Delft public transport interchange. Urban mobility MMC Rob Quintas said the violence had spread to Mfuleni and Gugulethu. He said the dispute between the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association and the Congress of Democratic Taxi Associations is rooted in longstanding disputes over routes and operating rights.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the City is giving full policing support to the SAPS. He said safety camera footage is available to help investigators.Share

The Ministry is meeting provincial premiers and the MECs responsible for community safety. One virtual meeting with them took place on 26 October 2026. It is also meeting representatives of the private security industry through the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA).

The Ministry said these talks will continue before the elections. It wants to assess how ready each province is, identify possible risks and make sure the right operational plans are in place.

The Ministry said it remains committed to supporting efforts so that eligible voters can vote freely and without fear, intimidation or disruption.Share

The Police Ministry said in a statement that the memorandum will go to a Cabinet sitting at the earliest opportunity. Ministry spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi repeated this. Once Cabinet agrees, the appointment must be reported to parliament.

The post of national head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, has had no permanent holder since General Godfrey Lebeya retired in May last year. Lieutenant General Siphesihle Nkosi is now the acting national head.

The Police Ministry said: "The appointment of a National Head is important in ensuring strong leadership, strategic direction and operational effectiveness in addressing these crimes".Share

Council spokesperson Makhosandile Tumana spoke on radio on Wednesday. He said the council cannot promise that further attacks will not happen. The violence involves the rival associations CATA and CODETA.

Tumana said: "We don't want to lie currently. This thing is out of our hands." The presenter, Africa Melane, said law enforcement at taxi ranks has had very limited impact. He said this is because the incidents happen outside the ranks.

A meeting between the taxi industry and government is planned for Thursday. Tumana appealed to members to stay calm so the meeting can take place.Share

Officials found the reptiles at a shop in Observatory and a home in Woodstock during an operation in 2023. Hewett was convicted of unlawful possession and keeping of all 145 animals.

CapeNature said the case shows the environmental risks of illegal wildlife trafficking. Spokesperson Luke Folb said escaped or deliberately released alien reptiles may form invasive populations. He said they can prey on indigenous species and compete for food and habitat.

Folb said the unlawful trade and keeping of reptiles can deplete wild populations. He also said it can bring diseases and parasites to indigenous wildlife.Share

Police said the suspects allegedly robbed the driver while armed. In the footage, a woman gets into the vehicle after she requests a ride. Other people then get in and pull the handbrake.

Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi spoke about the court appearance in a statement on the arrests. She said: "All suspects are expected to appear before court soon on charges related to armed robbery and firearm offences".Share

The three co-accused include Matlala's wife, Tsakane Matlala. The court granted them bail of R20 000 each last month. Four accused persons are in the case.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the State needs to go into the financial statements of each accused individually. She said this is the reason for the postponement.

Mahanjana said: "The postponement has no bearing on the strength of the State's case."Share

The City of Tshwane placed Mnisi on precautionary suspension with pay over alleged misconduct. The matter is linked to claims of tender fraud involving former SAPS Sergeant Fannie Nkosi. The Madlanga Commission alleges that Mnisi shared confidential tender information with Nkosi.

Unnamed accusers say Mnisi has wealth he cannot explain, including a fleet of luxury vehicles and multimillion-rand properties. They say the assets do not match his salary, which is over R100,000 a month. Mnisi says he acquired the assets as part of his divorce proceedings.Share