logo
4 arrested after double murder in KZN

4 arrested after double murder in KZN

The Citizen2 days ago
Police acted quickly to arrest four men in connection with a double murder and house robbery that took place in the Maqumbi area of Maphumulo in KZN on Tuesday.
North Coast Courier reports that, according to Maphumulo SAPS, the men, aged between 23 and 30, entered a homestead in the Mzulwini area where they allegedly shot and killed a 33-year-old man and his 32-year-old girlfriend.
They also made off with cash and a cellphone belonging to one of the victims.
Police were able to trace the men to three different locations and arrested them yesterday.
The first two, aged 25 and 30, were found at a local tavern. One of them had an unlicensed shotgun with the serial number removed.
The next, aged 27, was later discovered with an unlicensed 9mm pistol and the stolen cellphone and cash. The fourth suspect, a 23-year-old man, was arrested at his home.
All four men face two counts of murder and one count of house robbery. The 30-year-old and 27-year-old suspects face additional charges for possession of unlicensed firearms.
They are expected to appear in the Maphumulo Magistrate's Court tomorrow.
Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.
Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
Read original story on www.citizen.co.za
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Roland Schoeman threatens to sue troll over 'rapist' claims
Roland Schoeman threatens to sue troll over 'rapist' claims

The South African

time29 minutes ago

  • The South African

Roland Schoeman threatens to sue troll over 'rapist' claims

Former Olympic swimmer Roland Schoeman has threatened to sue an X user who accused him of being a 'rapist' and 'paedophile'. The South African gold medallist now lives in the US and works as a qualified real estate agent. In 2022, he became a naturalised US citizen. On his X account, Roland Schoeman threatened legal action against an X user who called him a 'rapist', 'racist' and 'paedophile'. The former Olympic swimmer posted a screenshot of the defamatory post, tagging Barry Bateman, who is part of AfriForum's private prosecution department. 'I have a case I'd like to run by you, please', he posted. Schoeman also tagged the SAPS, the South African Human Rights Commission, and the Boston police in the US. In another post, Roland Schoeman responded directly to the anonymous social media user, sharing: 'You called me a racist and a rapist with zero proof. Big talk from a faceless coward hiding behind a screen. 'You want a face-to-face? Cool. Drop your name and info. Let the world see who's running their mouth. Until then, sit down. You're just another spineless troll trying to bait outrage because your life's irrelevant.' In South Africa, defamation – where a false statement is made about an individual, whether written or spoken – is a civil offence, and not a criminal one. Damages can be awarded to the complainant if the following has occurred: Reputational harm Financial loss Emotional distress Roland Schoeman has threatened legal action against a via X: @ronaldschoeman Complainants can also demand a public apology or retraction and be awarded their legal costs. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.

Facebook post by George hiker leads to poacher's arrest after wildlife sting
Facebook post by George hiker leads to poacher's arrest after wildlife sting

The Citizen

time4 hours ago

  • The Citizen

Facebook post by George hiker leads to poacher's arrest after wildlife sting

A recent incident in Denneoord, George, in which a suspected poacher was caught setting wire snares, has cast the spotlight on the often invisible threat of wildlife poaching and the cruel efficiency of wire traps. George Herald reports that, according to Leon Rossouw of the Wildlife Crime Investigation Network (WCIN), the man was apprehended after a detailed two-month investigation, sparked by a community member's Facebook post, that ended with a successful sting involving camera traps and co-ordination with local authorities. The Facebook post that triggered an investigation It all began on March 9 when a resident of George posted a photo on the Georgiete Staan Saam Facebook group of a snare he and his friend had found while hiking to Pepsi Pools. They had heard an animal screaming and, upon investigation, discovered a small buck caught in the wire trap. After freeing the animal, they removed the snare and discovered three more in the immediate area. Recognising the possible scale of the issue, Rossouw contacted the two men and visited the site. 'From experience, I knew there was a good chance more snares had been set. Many people remove snares when they find them, thinking they're helping, and they are, in the short term. But to stop it, we need to catch the poachers who are setting them,' says Rossouw. Following the trails and patterns The men led Rossouw to the original game path, where he found another freshly set snare. Instead of removing it, he disabled it by tightening the loop and recorded its location. He noted a key detail – a small stick with a notch, used to hold the snare open, and a perfectly formed noose – clear signs of a skilled poacher with a consistent method. 'As I searched further, I found several more snares of the same design. Some had musk-flavoured pink sweets placed nearby, others had been smeared with buck dung used as bait,' Rossouw says. He documented each trap, marked its location, and began working with the George CPF's operational team. Together, they installed camera traps near the sites, hoping to catch the culprit in action and build a strong legal case. Caught in the act Over the next two months, the camera traps consistently recorded the same person walking along the game trails, resetting snares and never removing them. On one occasion, Rossouw even found a walking stick near a snare and decided to wait. Minutes later, the man appeared, reset the trap, picked up the stick, and walked off – just 5m from Rossouw's hiding place. 'It takes discipline not to jump out and confront someone in that moment,' Rossouw says. 'But building a watertight case is more important than reacting emotionally.' Camera footage once again alerted Rossouw and the CPF to activity near one of the snares, and they arrived in time to catch the man resetting a trap using his knife to cut a notched stick. 'In one hand, he held fresh buck dung wrapped in leaves; in the other, the same walking stick seen in the camera footage,' says Rossouw. The man was instructed to meet them at the George Police Station, after which CapeNature was contacted and opened a formal case. The suspect was fined R10 500, which has since been paid. Snares the silent killers Snares are cheap, silent and brutally effective. 'They're often strung along game paths, at waterholes or in natural bottlenecks, places where animals instinctively pass through, making them easy targets,' says Rossouw. He explains that each snare is more of a crime scene than merely a trap. Under South Africa's National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 (Nemba) and provincial Nature Conservation Ordinances, setting or possessing a snare is illegal without permits. The way a snare is built – the material, knots, even bait – can all point to a specific poacher. What to do if you find a snare: • Do not remove it. Simply tighten the loop to disable it without disturbing the evidence. • Take detailed photos of the snare and the surrounding area – look for footprints or animal tracks. • Record the GPS location and report it to WCIN or your local conservation authority. The ripple effect of snaring The damage caused by snares stretches far beyond a single animal. Many die slow, painful deaths. Non-target species, including endangered predators and birds of prey, are often caught unintentionally. Over time, this method destabilises entire ecosystems and threatens biodiversity. Snaring also has human consequences. Hidden traps have injured hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, and the loss of wildlife impacts eco-tourism and community heritage. Fighting back with knowledge and vigilance Rossouw says public awareness is key. 'To stop snaring, we must understand it. Every wire tells a story – and with the right approach, that story can end in justice. The WCIN continues to advocate for stronger surveillance, improved legislation and public involvement. Tools like camera traps are essential, but it's often an alert citizen who makes the biggest breakthrough. Report wildlife crime Anyone who sees suspicious activity, snares or injured animals is urged to report it immediately. Contact WCIN on 079 643 9556 via WhatsApp or phone, or email [email protected]. All reports will be treated confidentially. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on

Watch: Over 1 000 arrested in Barberton illegal mining crackdown, including minors
Watch: Over 1 000 arrested in Barberton illegal mining crackdown, including minors

The Citizen

time6 hours ago

  • The Citizen

Watch: Over 1 000 arrested in Barberton illegal mining crackdown, including minors

Police in Mpumalanga yesterday arrested more than 1 000 people suspected of involvement in illegal mining in Barberton, Mpumalanga. Lowvelder reports that the arrests followed a crackdown launched on Monday, July 28, under the banner of Operation Vala Umgodi. Many of those taken into custody are reportedly young children. According to provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the arrests were the result of a joint effort by the National Roving Team, K9 Unit, Vukalanga Security and members of the Combat and Proactive team. 'The operation was co-ordinated and carried out successfully. Pressure from law enforcement agencies disrupted the illegal mining activities and forced the suspects to resurface,' he said. Foreign nationals without valid documentation Mdhluli added that initial investigations indicate many of the suspects are foreign nationals without valid documentation, and a significant number appear to be underage. Ongoing investigations are being carried out in collaboration with officials of the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, the National Prosecuting Authority and other law enforcement agencies. Mdhluli said the nationalities of those arrested are still being confirmed. The suspects are expected to be charged with contravening the Immigration Act 13 of 2002, as well as offences related to illegal mining and trespassing. Additional charges may follow as investigations continue. Arrests welcomed The arrests were welcomed by Mpumalanga's MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, who said the operation highlights government's commitment to fighting crime. According to Macie, the unauthorised entry of people into the country negatively affects the safety and security of communities. He added that investigating crimes involving undocumented foreign nationals presents significant challenges. 'The movement of illegal immigrants contributes to a rise in undetected crime. I acknowledge the devastating impact of illegal mining and its long-term effects on the environment,' he said. 'We welcome the efforts of the police and all roleplayers involved in Friday's operation. However, we also urge police to go after those directing illegal mining operations. Communities should refrain from harbouring zama zamas and report them to the police,' he concluded. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store