TrendySA Online

BLOEMFONTEIN - After a meeting, which was held between the families of the late Constables Cebekhulu Linda (24), Boipelo Senoge (24), and Keamogetswe Buys (30), the Premier of the Free State, Honourable Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae and the Provincial Commissioner of Police in the Free State, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, a decision has been taken to afford and honour the members with official funerals. The official funerals will take place on separate dates between 08 and 10 May 2025. Specific details for each funeral are as follows: Constable Boipelo Senoge Date: Thursday; 08 May 2025 Time: 08:00 to 11:00 Venue: St Peter Anglican Church, Rocklands, Mangaung Cemetery: South Park Cemetery Constable Cebekhulu Linda Date: Friday, 09 May 2025 Time: 08:00 to 11:00 Venue: (to be confirmed) Cemetery: Magengenene; Mangaung Constable Keamogetswe Buys Date: Saturday; 10 May 2025 Time: 08:00 to 11:00 Venue: (to be confirmed) Cemetery: Thaba Nchu In tribute to the dedication and serv...

WESTERN CAPE - The High Court of South Africa: Western Cape Division today convicted Jacquen Rowhan Appollis, Steveno Dumaizio van Rhyn and Racquel Chantel Smith for Trafficking in Persons for the purpose of exploitation and kidnapping of Joshlin Smith. The Court found that 6-year-old, Joshlin Smith, was sold for slavery or practices similar to slavery, following an agreement reached amongst the accused. The NPA prosecution team was led by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape, Adv Zelda Swanepoel and assisted by Senior State Adv Aradhana Heeramun. The two seasoned prosecutors argued that this is a test case of utmost jurisprudential importance; as the case is the first prosecution where the victim, in this case a child, has been sold and has still not been found. In three other unreported decisions, the victims were found unharmed. The prosecution called 32 witnesses during the eight-week marathon trial. The prosecutors argued that the three accused, i...

CAPE TOWN - In efforts to solve a murder that robbed the community of Kraaifontein of a school principal where Dr Jeffrey Sigudla was shot and killed on the school premises of Ekutheleni Primary School on 23 January 2025, Western Cape police are appealing for information that could lead to the arrest and successful prosecution of the perpetrators. Attached herewith are images that could assist in identifying those involved in the crime. A monetary reward of up to R50 000 is offered to the person(s) who provide the required information. Contact should be made with Warrant Officer Bradley Davids of the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit on 082 778 7345. Alternatively Crime Stop can be contacted on 08600 10111 or the mobile application My SAPS can be used. The caller’s identity will be protected and information will be treated confidentially.

GAUTENG - The SAPS National Office has confirmed the recovery of the VW Polo which was used by the three Constables who were reported missing last week. The vehicle was recovered from the Hennops River in Centurion along the N1. FRANTIC VEHICLE SEARCH   All available resources were mobilised to the Hennops River as the search intensifies for the missing VW Polo. SAPS divers, supported by various specialist units combed the area with precision leading to the recovery of pieces of metal which were earlier linked to the missing Polo. SEARCH FOR THE MISSING OFFICERS Earlier, the bodies of the three missing SAPoliceService members were tragically recovered following a reward of R350 000. The three missing constables were 20-year-old Constable Boipelo Senoge, 24-year-old Cebekhulu Linda and 30-year-old Keamogetswe Buys. INVESTIGATION CONTINUES  While the family processes this intricate incident, police continue to probe the cause of members' death.

JOHANNESURG - The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) says it has asked the Johannesburg Mayoral Committee Member for Roads and Transport, Kenny Kunene, to urgently repair roads in Roodepoort seeing as the rainy season – which plays a significant role in the formation and expansion of potholes – has come to an end. This offers the Department a golden opportunity to repair roads, said Franco de Lange from the party. "Vehicles incur most damage on roads with a speed limit of between 80 and 100 km/hour as drivers do not have enough time to slack down when they see a pothole. "The Freedom Front Plus has already proposed to the Mayor, Dada Morero, and the Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Margaret Arnolds, that the Metro’s total capital expenditure should be increased from R7,7 billion to R8,09 billion to repair and maintain infrastructure," said de Lange. "Currently, the draft budget for the 2025/26 financial year makes provision for a decrease in capital expen...

GQEBERHA - Three juvenile suspects, linked to a hijacking in Swartkops, were arrested during Operation Bamba in the Nelson Mandela Bay District in the Eastern Cape on Monday 28 April 2025.  Investigations are ongoing to determine possible links between the suspects and other criminal cases in New Brighton, Kwazakele, and Motherwell. It is further alleged that the juveniles have been involved in multiple crimes, causing unrest in the community. The three juveniles are scheduled to appear at the Nerina House Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday 30 April 2025.

GAUTENG - The South African National Road Agency (SANRAL) has warned motorcycles bypassing toll plazas, labelling the act as  illegal and can result in fines. SANRAL also warned against speeding through the toll booths. "Plus, speeding through toll booths or dodging tolls increases the risk of accidents and non-compliance leads to legal consequences. "Respect the rules. Get your tag and ride responsibly," SANRAL advised.

PARKTOWN - The police in Gauteng have opened a case of arson and investigation is underway after Riverlea Secondary School was gutted by a fire on Sunday, 27 April 2025. A team of senior detectives, that includes Forensic Science Laboratory members, has been established to investigate the matter and to trace the person or people responsible for the burning of the school. The police are appealing to anyone who might have information that can assist in the investigation to call Captain Merinah Netshidzati on 071 675 6155 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Information can also be given anonymously via MySAPS App that can be downloaded from any smartphone.

PIETERMARITZBURG - A six-year-old child is among two killed after Water Tanker crashed into home in Edendale, Pietermaritzburg on Sunday, 27 April. Mi7’s Emergency Medical Services attended a tragic scene in Edendale yesterday evening, where a tanker truck transporting drinking water lost control, veered off the roadway, and collided with two residential homes. Upon arrival, Mi7 EMS crews found widespread devastation. Other emergency service providers had already transported five patients from the scene – including a 13-year-old child extricated from beneath the wreckage in critical condition, two adults, and a six-month-old infant. The driver of the tanker was also transported to nearby medical facilities for further care. Mi7 EMS teams remained on site to assist with continued rescue efforts. Two additional individuals were unaccounted for, prompting an extensive extrication operation led by the Pietermaritzburg Fire Department and SAPS Search and Rescue teams. Two hours ...

DURBAN - A 40-year-old female and her daughters were held at gunpoint and robbed by an E-Hailing driver they hired to transport them to Durban - KZN on Sunday, 27 April. The woman and her two daughters aged 18 and 11 arrived at Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) Headquarters requesting assistance. The Parkgate - KZN self employed woman informed RUSA Members that she summoned a ride to Durban to attend a function at Moses Mabhida Stadium. The female intended on proceeding to Central Durban after the function to purchase clothing which she exports for sale to Zimbabwe.  Upon arrival at Moses Mabida Stadium, the female was removing R300 from her bag to pay the fair. The driver noticed that she was in possession of a stack of cash. He produced a firearm and demanded she hand over the money. The driver dumped them on the side of the road and sped off with R8000 in a white Toyota (make, model & registration unknown).  The 11 year old concealed R100 in her bag. The fin...

GAUTENG - The KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has expressed shock and disbelief at the untimely passing of Imithente maskandi group co-founder, Dumisile Manana-Mthalane. Manana-Mthalane passed away in the early hours of Sunday, 27 April 2025, at Vosloorus Hospital in Gauteng. “We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Dumisile Manana-Mthalane. As one of the founding members of Imithente, she was not only a talented musician but a devoted leader who upheld the values of peace and unity championed by the late uMntwana waKwaPhindangene, Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi. She walked a long and purposeful journey with uMntwana, dedicating herself to fostering social cohesion in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa at large,” said Premier Ntuli. The Premier said as a member of Imithente, Manana-Mthalane was a cherished presence at provincial government events. The group’s unwavering patriotism often led them to perform without charge, demonstrating their commitment to the people...

BLOEMFONTEIN - The National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola will together with the Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya meet with the team involved in investigating the disappearance of three police officers on Sunday, 27 April 2025. The pair will receive an update on progress made in finding our own from both the Provincial Commissioners of Free State and Gauteng, Lieutenant General Baile Motsweenyane and Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni. General Fannie Masemola and delegation will thereafter meet with the families of the three police officers and then brief the media. Details are as follows; National Commissioner and delegation meeting with investigating team and families Time: 13:00 Venue; Park Road police station, Bloemfontein Media briefing Time: 14:30 Venue; Parkroad police station, Bloemfontein