Latest news with #DurbanMagistrate'sCourt
IOL News
7 days ago
- IOL News
Former road traffic superintendent in dock for allegedly intimidating women drivers
Vincent Botha Image: Nadia Khan A FORMER road traffic superintendent, who allegedly intimidated two women and kidnapped one after they were stopped for apparently not having their number plates properly secured, made his first appearance in the Durban Magistrate's Court last Wednesday. Vincent Botha, 55, was charged with intimidation, kidnapping, assault, and failure to lock away a firearm in a prescribed safe. He was arrested by members of the Hawks Provincial Tracking Team last Sunday. At the time of the alleged incidents, Botha was employed by the Road Traffic Management Corporation in the National Traffic Police division. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ According to the charge sheet, it is alleged that Botha had stopped one of the complainants who was travelling in the Durban central area on October 19, 2022. He allegedly intimidated the woman by demanding that she pay the traffic fine or 'there could be consequences'. According to the charge sheet, the second complainant was stopped while driving along Meridian Drive in uMhlanga on October 21, 2022. Botha allegedly shouted that he was going to use excessive force on her. He is also alleged to have handcuffed her and placed her into his vehicle, and thereafter shoved her handbag onto her. Botha is also accused of failing to lock away a firearm, a 9mm semi-automatic pistol on July 14, 2025. The State, represented by prosecutor Calvin Govender, asked for an adjournment for a formal bail application this week. Botha was remanded into police custody. THE POST
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- The Citizen
Alleged Islamophobic attack: Murder accused ‘unfit to stand trial'
The prosecution in a Glenmore, Durban, murder case has asked for more time to review a mental assessment report submitted to the Durban Magistrate's Court yesterday. The report states that Grayson Beare is unfit to stand trial for the killing of Halima Hoosen-Preston in June 2024. Berea Mail reports that during brief proceedings before Magistrate Ashwin Singh, state prosecutor Calvin Govender said he would submit the report to the director of prosecutions for review and requested that the matter be transferred to the regional court. According to the report, following Beare's admission to Fort Napier Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, the accused underwent 'psychiatric interviews, physical and neurological examinations and multi-drug screening'. The report further stated that Beare was diagnosed with an 'unspecified psychiatric disorder'. On his fitness to stand trial, 'the accused would not be able to follow court proceedings and instruct his attorney. He is not fit to stand trial'. On the alleged mental state, 'from the available information, the accused was unable to appreciate the wrongfulness of his actions at the time of the alleged offence'. Beare stands accused of killing Hoosen-Preston and attempting to murder her son and husband on June 2, 2024. It is alleged that he fatally stabbed Hoosen-Preston at her Glenmore home after she voiced her support for Palestine. Her 14-year-old son and husband were also repeatedly stabbed in the attack. Members of United for Palestine who were in court said they will not back down in pursuing justice for Hoosen-Preston. A provisional date to return to court was set for August 15. 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 At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
15-07-2025
- IOL News
Durban man declared unfit to stand trial for alleged murder of pro-Palestine woman
Murder accused Grayson James Beare has been declared unfit to stand trial. Image: Supplied / NPA The Durban Magistrate's Court on Tuesday learned that 45-year-old Grayson James Beare, charged with killing a Durban woman and attempting to kill her entire family for allegedly being pro-Palestine, has been diagnosed with a psychotic disorder and declared unfit to stand trial. Beare allegedly stabbed Halima Hoosen-Preston to death. He also faces two counts of attempted murder against Hoosen-Preston's husband, Shaun, and their 18-year-old son, Adam. On June 2, 2024, he allegedly stormed into the Preston home and attacked Halima, stabbing her 15 times in front of her family in the Glenmore area. Hoosen-Preston's 13-year-old daughter was not physically harmed during the attack. The Hoosen-Preston and Beare families resided in the building and were acquainted with each other. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading As Beare made a brief appearance in court, State senior prosecutor, Calvin Govender, told the court that a medical report from Fort Napier Psychiatric Hospital said Beare would not be able to follow court proceedings and instruct his attorney. Govender added that Beare had been declared unfit to stand trial. He said he would be discussing the report with the Director of Public Prosecutions. Additionally, Govender requested that the matter be referred to the regional court for an inquiry. 'From the available information, the accused was unable to appreciate the wrongfulness of his actions at the time of the alleged offence,' read the report. According to the report, Beare was admitted to this hospital on March 15, 2025, for mental evaluation. He was examined by two State psychiatrists, Dr S Shain and Dr S. V Moodley. During his stay at Fort Napier, Beare had psychiatric interviews, physical and neurological examinations, and a urine multi-drug screening. 'Throughout he was under constant observation by the psychiatric nursing staff,' the report stated. Additionally, the report also revealed that Beare has a tertiary degree and is divorced. Beare has been in custody since his arrest in 2024 and has not applied for bail as he has been waiting for his mental evaluation. His mental state became a point of contention following a State district surgeon's finding that he was fit to stand trial. At the time, his defence challenged this report in an application made in the court, on the basis that the accused had been a psychiatric patient for more than five years, adding that he was not fit to stand trial. The matter was postponed to August 15.
IOL News
11-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Defence claims Khanyile's remarks were political statements, not incitement
Former president Jacob Zuma and July unrest alleged instigator Bonginkosi Khanyile at the Durban Magistrate's Court on Friday. Image: Nomonde Zondi The defence in the July unrest trial of alleged instigator, Bonginkosi Khanyile, said that when Khanyile told people in 2021 to continue burning the country until former president Jacob Zuma is released from prison, he was making a political statement. This proposition was put to State witness, Brigadier Campbell Msizi Nyuswa, by Khanyile's attorney, Sizwe Cele. Brigadier Nyuswa stated that Khanyile incited violence with those words. Khanyile is alleged to be the instigator of the July unrest, which resulted in the burning of a mall in Pietermaritzburg, the burning of cars, looting, and approximately 354 deaths. The economy suffered a loss of more than R50 billion. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Additionally, in the video played in court, Khanyile was calling for the release of Zuma, who had started serving his sentence for contempt of court for failing to appear before the State Capture Commission. During cross-examination, Brigadier Nyuswa told the court that the investigating officer in the matter, Warrant Officer Nzuza, showed him a video of Khanyile. He concluded that Khanyile incited violence after viewing the video and assessing the situation in the country. He said trucks in Mooi River and a mall in Pietermaritzburg had been burnt. 'I asked Nzuza to register the case and for it to be taken to the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions),' he added. Brigadier Nyuswa added that if there was no prima facie case against Khanyile, the prosecution would not have opened a case. After explaining that Nzuza had shown him the video, Nyuswa stated he was unable to reply when Cele asked him if he knew when it was taken. He added that the relevant individuals would respond to that. 'I put to you that the accused will come and testify that the video was not taken on July 14 (2021),' Cele said. Nyuswa said he never spoke about a date, so he cannot comment. Cele asked him if he knew when Zuma was released from prison, Nyuswa said he did not know it was not in his scope. 'Do you agree with me that the demand for the release of the former head of State went beyond July 17?' Cele asked. Nyuswa agreed. Cele also put it to Nyuswa that the South African Human Rights Commission found that the July unrest was not related to Zuma's incarceration. Nyuswa said he cannot comment on that, as it is beyond his scope. As Cele kept on pressing him about this, he said he was not invited to the commission, so he could not comment. The matter was postponed to September 29. As the court adjourned, Khanyile stood up and told Magistrate Sharon Marks that she should clap for him because he came to court early.
The Citizen
09-07-2025
- The Citizen
Man wanted for Montclair house robbery arrested in Umlazi
ONE of the three suspects wanted in connection with a house robbery in Montclair last month was arrested in Umlazi over the weekend. According to the police, the suspect was among the men who robbed 14 learners during a party at a house in Montclair. Also read: Southlands Sun 11 July 2025 Sergeant Bhekumuzi Dlamini of the Montclair police station said the suspects were armed with firearms when they stormed the house and demanded cellphones and valuables from the victims. 'Eight cellphones, a jacket and pair of sandals were taken. The suspects fled the scene shortly afterward. Learners whose cellphones were not taken managed to report the incident at the Montclair police station. 'We utilised our police intelligence resources to track down the suspects. The investigation led officers to a home in Umlazi where the arrested suspect was found wearing a jacket that had been stolen from the learners. He was charged for house robbery,' said Dlamini. Police are still searching for the two remaining suspects. The suspect appeared at the Durban Magistrate's Court on July 8. The matter was adjourned to next week for the accused to apply for bail. For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
