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The Citizen
05-06-2025
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Kids hurt in jumping castle accident
Here's your daily news update for Thursday, 5 June 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. News today includes two young children sustained serious injuries last weekend when a jumping castle was swept into the air during a school festival in Krugersdorp. Meanwhile, South Africa's largest beef producer, Karan Beef, has reassured consumers that its meat remains safe despite an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) at its Heidelberg feedlot in Gauteng. Furthermore, Varsity Cup player Ntokozo Makhaza is one of nine uncapped players selected for Rassie Erasmus' Springbok training squad for the opening stages of the international season, which kicks off on 28 June against the Barbarians, followed by the Castle Lager Incoming Series. Weather tomorrow: 6 June 2025 Saws has warned of very cold, wet and windy conditions in the three Capes, as well as possible snowfall in parts of the Western Cape. Damaging winds are also expected to affect some small Western Cape harbours and ports. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. WATCH: Children fall from airborne jumping castle Two young children sustained serious injuries last weekend when a jumping castle was swept into the air during a school festival in Krugersdorp. The inflatable structure, allegedly unsecured, was lifted by a gust of wind while two junior jumpers were still inside. Both children fell from the airborne castle as it tumbled above the school grounds. Airborne jumping castles can be lethal. Picture: Supplied. The incident occurred at Protearif Laerskool's Protea Fees (festival), an event hosted on the school premises. CONTINUE READING: WATCH: Children fall from airborne jumping castle These are Gauteng's hotspots for murder, rape, kidnapping, carjacking and house robbery Between January 2025 and March 2025, Gauteng recorded an increase in kidnappings, said Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni on Thursday. Through the National Anti–Kidnapping Unit, the province arrested 88 suspects linked to 62 cases of kidnapping and rescued 77 victims of kidnapping during the period under review. Picture: iStock 'We are working together with our stakeholders to combat the kidnapping syndicates operating in this province. We are thankful to Business Against Crime South Africa for our partnership through the Eyes and Ears Initiative and are able to deploy their technological resources and utilise security officers as force multipliers when conducting take-down operations,' said Mthombeni. CONTINUE READING: These are Gauteng's hotspots for murder, rape, kidnapping, carjacking and house robbery Will SA run out of beef and chicken? Animal disease hits SA's top producer — what it means for consumers South Africa's largest beef producer, Karan Beef, has reassured consumers that its meat remains safe despite an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) at its Heidelberg feedlot in Gauteng. The beef producer confirmed the news of the outbreak earlier this week. Gauteng is one of the provinces in the country with the FMD cases. The others include Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. For illustrative purposes. Picture: iStock The outbreak comes at a time when the poultry industry is divided over the ban on chicken imports from Brazil. Most chicken consumed in the country is imported from Brazil. Some say the ban will cause a shortage in the country, while others argue that South Africa can produce enough chicken. CONTINUE READING: Will SA run out of beef and chicken? Animal disease hits SA's top producer — what it means for consumers Cape Town is on the up, here's why Cape Town's global appeal as a film destination is driving a significant economic upswing in the city's hospitality industry. However, in May, US President Donald Trump proposed imposing a 100% tariff on all foreign-produced content. Cape Town's global appeal as a film destination is driving a major economic upswing in the city's hospitality industry. Picture:If enacted, this tariff could affect locally made films, including productions filmed in Cape Town, and series sold to the US market. CONTINUE READING: Cape Town is on the up, here's why Surprises in Rassie's first Bok squad of 2025, nine uncapped players included Varsity Cup player Ntokozo Makhaza is one of nine uncapped players selected for Rassie Erasmus' Springbok training squad for the opening stages of the international season, which kicks off on 28 June against the Barbarians, followed by the Castle Lager Incoming Series. The Springbok boss named the same 54 players who attended the squad's second national alignment camp in Cape Town, including 31 Rugby World Cup players. Thirty forwards and 24 backs are in the mix. Bok boss Rassie Erasmus. Picture: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images The nine uncapped players are Marnus van der Merwe, Neethling Fouche, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Cobus Wiese, Renzo du Plessis, Vincent Tshituka, Juarno Augustus, Ethan Hooker, and Makhaza. CONTINUE READING: Surprises in Rassie's first Bok squad of 2025, nine uncapped players included Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Counterfeit alcohol in SA | Icasa seizes Starlink equipment | Malema on Shivambu
The Citizen
05-06-2025
- The Citizen
These are Gauteng's hotspots for murder, rape, kidnapping, carjacking and house robbery
Arguments, misunderstandings, road rage and provocation remain the highest number of incidents. Between January 2025 and March 2025, Gauteng recorded an increase in kidnappings, said Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni on Thursday. Through the National Anti–Kidnapping Unit, the province arrested 88 suspects linked to 62 cases of kidnapping and rescued 77 victims of kidnapping during the period under review. 'We are working together with our stakeholders to combat the kidnapping syndicates operating in this province. We are thankful to Business Against Crime South Africa for our partnership through the Eyes and Ears Initiative and are able to deploy their technological resources and utilise security officers as force multipliers when conducting take-down operations,' said Mthombeni. ALSO READ: Crime stats: SA records decrease in murders but increase in rapes However, the Gauteng top cop acknowledged that more still needed to be done. 'We acknowledge that there is still much work to be done, and as we move forward, we will continue to foster collaboration with our stakeholders in ensuring that we improve the safety and security of our communities.' Multiple murders are also a challenge for the province, with 75 dockets having been opened for 191 victims. The province recorded two incidents where seven victims were murdered on the same crime scene, said Mthombeni. The crime statistics he presented showed a decrease in murder, with 1 439 cases recorded compared to 1 614 cases recorded during the same period last year. ALSO READ: 110 women murdered in KwaZulu-Natal since October – Mchunu Arguments, misunderstandings, road rage and provocation remain the highest number of incidents, with 122 cases, followed by vigilantism and mob justice with 69 cases, and taxi-related murders with 45 cases. You're most likely to be murdered in a public place, where 706 cases were recorded — followed by private residences of either the victim or perpetrator, with 306 cases, and liquor outlets, where 50 murders occurred. Gauteng hotspots The crime statistics showed that there are no-go areas in Gauteng, where you're likely to experience murder, rape, carjacking, house robbery and kidnapping. The top 10 police stations for murder in Gauteng are Ivory Park (42 cases), Jeppe (38), Orange Farm (37), Lenasia (33), Hillbrow (32), Ennerdale (31), Eldorado Park (30), Kagiso (28), JHB Central (28), and Daveyton (26). The top 40 stations for rape include Roodepoort (60 cases), Orange Farm (54), Alexandra (45), Diepsloot (43), Ivory Park (38), Atteridgeville (36), Temba (34), Rietgat (34), Tembisa (34), Mamelodi East (34). ALSO READ: GBV, femicide receiving 'priority attention', says Gauteng police commissioner Here is where you're more likely to lose your car in Gauteng: Ivory Park (67 cases), Mamelodi East (65), Akasia (58), Jabulani (57), Moroka (51), Olievenhoutbosch (51), Sandringham -(45), Ennerdale (43), Vosloorus (42), Pretoria West (42). The top 10 police stations where cases of robbery at residential premises were recorded: Loate (64 cases), Mabopane (51), Tembisa (43), Roodepoort (43), Mamelodi East (39), Silverton (38), Moffatview (38), Mondeor (36), Putfontein (33), Lenasia (33), Ivory Park (33). These are the hotspots for kidnapping: JHB Central (63 cases), Vosloorus (63), Moroka (53), Ivory Park (51), Roodepoort (48), Jabulani (47), Midrand (47), Orange Farm (45), Tembisa (44), Sandringham (39). According to the crime statistics, Ivory Park appeared in the top 10 stations list for all the crimes mentioned, while Orange Farm is a hotspot for murder, rape and kidnapping. Roodepoort features in the top 10 police stations for rape, house robbery and kidnapping, while Tembisa featured for rape, house robbery and kidnapping. In Mamelodi East, rape, carjacking and house robbery were the most common crimes, while Jabulani, Moroka and Sandringham have a carjacking and kidnapping problem. READ NEXT: Justice department's poor record-keeping delays protection orders for GBV victims – AG
IOL News
05-06-2025
- IOL News
Gauteng's crime crisis deepens despite decline in sexual offences
Gauteng Police Commissioner, Tommy Mthombeni, revealed a mixed bag of crime statistics on Thursday, showing a 2.1% reduction in sexual offences. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers Despite a 2.1% reduction in sexual offences, reduced incidents of robbery with aggravating circumstances, cash-in-transit robberies, kidnappings, human trafficking, and truck hijackings continue to remain high in Gauteng. This was revealed by Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni, who on Thursday briefed the Gauteng Provincial Legislature Committee on Public Safety on the 4th Quarter Crime Stats for the 2024/25 financial year. Mthombeni's address comes hot on the heels of the recent murder of Olorato Mongale, the mutilation and murder of 14-year-old Likhona Fose, and the gruesome discovery of an unknown woman in Braamfischerville, Soweto, on Wednesday. He indicated that the police are concerned by the number of kidnappings and other types of crimes that continue to wreak havoc in the lives of Gauteng citizens. Mthombeni said the reduction was due to the efforts of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit having maintained a strong approach to this type of crime. The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences maintains a comprehensive approach to address sexual offenses, from enforcement to education and community engagement. For the period under review, they have arrested 1,112 sexual offenders, presented 1,356 cases in court, and secured convictions for 102 offenders, resulting in 28 life terms and an additional 900 years' imprisonment. "The efforts undertaken extend beyond law enforcement, with 127 awareness campaigns reaching 12,300 individuals, including 4,250 adults and 8,050 children. These campaigns focus on strengthening partnerships with stakeholders and promoting the importance of reporting sexual offenses and gender-based violence, and femicide," he said. According to the provincial commissioner, for the three months under review, Gauteng recorded a 15.8% increase in kidnappings, with a sample size of 2,341 cases analysed. Mthombeni indicated that to curb this increase, the police are working with the provincial government and other stakeholders. "Through the National Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the province has arrested 88 suspects linked to 62 cases of kidnapping and rescued 77 victims of kidnapping during the period under review. We are working together with our stakeholders to combat the kidnapping syndicates operating in this province. "We are thankful to Business Against Crime South Africa for our partnership through the Eyes and Ears Initiative. We are able to deploy their technological resources and utilise security officers as force multipliers when conducting take-down operations," he added.
IOL News
24-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
How technology can combat South Africa's crime crisis
Professor Johan Burger supports the idea of bringing technology, such as drones, to fight crime. Image: Independent Media Archives Hot on the heels of the release of the quarterly crime stats, which showed a drop in the murder rate, crime experts are debating how technology can be used to put a further dent in the crime rate. This debate has heated up following President Cyril Ramaphosa's meeting with US President Donald Trump, where South Africa's crime scourge was paraded for the whole world to see. In the international media briefing, attended by Ramaphosa, Trump, government officials on both sides and South African golfers, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen as well as billionaires Johan Rupert and Elon Musk, the crime situation in the country was put in the international spotlight. Rupert pleaded with Trump to assist the country with technology to bring crime under control. He went as far as to say that US-based Musk's Starlink, which is a satellite constellation system designed to provide internet coverage, could also help South Africa deal with the problem. The former chief executive officer of the Institute for Security Studies, Professor Johan Burger said this week technology is important in preventing and combating crime, but also said job creation was most important. Burger made an example of drones, which are fitted with a crime detection system, saying they could reach places where police could find it difficult to go with vehicles or on foot. 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 ✕ 'If there are no access roads, the drones go and identify where there are firearms. The system can pick up where the shooting took place and immediately relay that information back to the operation rooms,' he said. He also made another example of the Eyes and Ears Initiative (E2), the Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system, which he said had already made an impact. 'It was an initiative between the police and business, and it uses advanced cameras with a special recognition system. 'It is very good to be used in rural areas and farming communities because those cameras are linked to the police's operation rooms, and police can immediately follow up whether it is a farm attack or stock theft, as they can identify where the thieves are fleeing using vehicles. 'These are just a few examples of how technology can help the police in terms of crime prevention and combating,' he said. In his media briefing when he released the crime stats, police minister Senzo Mchunu, said that for the fourth quarter there were only six attacks on rural communities. He said of the six, two farm owners were killed, two farm dwellers were killed, one farm dweller was killed, one farm employee was killed and two farm managers. He said the majority of those killed were black. Burger said South Africa needed more technology because 'the more technology you have, the better you can address the crime issues'. 'Yes, technology is certainly something that needs to be used in the fight against crime,' he said. When asked if Starlink can assist in the war, Burger said he knew it as a system that Musk's company wants to bring to South Africa to access the local market, but 'precisely how it works, I don't know, as I am not an expert in that area'. Ramaphosa and Congress of South African Trade Unions president Zingiswa Losi were more emphatic in saying US investment and job creation in South Africa would help bring down crime. Burger said employment opportunities and using technology were the remedy for the fight against crime. 'But we need to improve law enforcement capability much more than we have at this time, but at the same time, we need technology, although it can never replace law enforcement agents. 'We need boots on the ground and we need them better trained,' Burger said. Rupert told Trump that crime was not affecting white farmers only, but was across the board, and that the country needed technological help. 'We need Starlink at every little police station, we need drones.I got drones donated for the peace parks to stop elephant and rhino poaching, and his (Ramaphosa) predecessor stopped the importation because he said the United States would spy on us. 'We need your help to stop the awful killing,' said Rupert. Rupert said illegal immigrants and unemployment were the main causes of the crime, adding that if businesses were to leave, the country would experience more crime. 'If we don't get our economy to grow, the culture of dependency and lawlessness will increase,' he said. Political analyst Imraan Buccus said both technology and creating job opportunities were important in bringing down crime. 'I don't think it is one or the other. I think in a country as unequal as ours, with an unemployment bloodbath that affects especially young people, obviously, investment would help. 'We have a very low economic growth rate, and to have any chance to address the unemployment bloodbath, you need a growth rate of about 8%, 9%, or 10%. 'The investment would help, but I don't think it is one or the other, as technology or whatever is available can help to curb crime,' said Buccus. Free State Agriculture (FSA) Security risk analyst Dr Jane Buys welcomed the use of technology to fight crime. She said many farmers in the province were already using high-technology cameras and cellphones to protect themselves. 'However, load shedding has affected farmers badly because if there is no electricity, we don't have data, and cameras do not work. 'But we welcome the idea of bringing more technology into the fight against crime,' said Buys.
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Cloned - Can drones and job creation combat South Africa's crime crisis?
Professor Johan Burger supports the idea of bringing technology, such as drones, to fight crime. Image: Independent Media Archives While South Africa needs more boots on the ground and well-trained and equipped police officers in the fight against crime, technology such as drones will come in handy, said independent crime expert Professor Johan Burger. The former chief executive officer of the Institute for Security Studies weighed in on the importance of technology in preventing and combating crime, but also said job creation was most important. This followed a heated debate during President Donald Trump and President Cyril Ramaphosa's media briefing at the United States White House on Wednesday evening. The briefing, which was followed by a closed-door meeting between the two leaders, ended with a focus on the issue of crime in South Africa and the killing of Afrikaner farmer owners, which Ramaphosa and some in his team said was affecting everyone in the country, irrespective of race. 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 ✕ During the briefing, South African wealthy businessman Johann Rupert pleaded with Trump to assist the country with technology to bring crime under control. He went as far as to say that US-based South African businessman Elon Musk's Starlink, which is a satellite constellation system designed to provide internet coverage, would also help South Africa deal with the problem. Burger made an example of drones, which are fitted with a crime detection system, saying they could reach places where police could find it difficult to go with vehicles or on foot. 'If there are no access roads, the drones go and identify where there are firearms. 'The system can pick up where the shooting took place and immediately relay that information back to the operation rooms,' he said. He also made another example of the Eyes and Ears Initiative (E2), the Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system, which he said had already made an impact. 'It was an initiative between the police and business, and it uses advanced cameras with a special recognition system. 'It is very good to be used in rural areas and farming communities because those cameras are linked to the police's operation rooms, and police can immediately follow up whether it is a farm attack or stock theft, as they can identify where the thieves are fleeing using vehicles. 'These are just a few examples of how technology can help the police in terms of crime prevention and combating,' he said. Burger said South Africa needed more technology because 'the more technology you have, the better you can address the crime issues'. 'Yes, technology is certainly something that needs to be used in the fight against crime,' he said. When asked if Starlink can assist in the war, Burger said he knew it as a system that Musk's company wants to bring to South Africa to access the local market, but 'precisely how it works, I don't know, as I am not an expert in that area'. Ramaphosa and Congress of South African Trade Unions president Zingiswa Losi were more emphatic in saying US investment and job creation in South Africa would help bring down crime. Burger said employment opportunities and using technology were the remedy for the fight against crime. 'But we need to improve law enforcement capability much more than we have at this time, but at the same time, we need technology, although it can never replace law enforcement agents. 'We need boots on the ground and we need them better trained,' Burger said. Rupert told Trump that crime was not affecting white farmers only, but was across the board, and that the country needed technological help. 'We need Starlink at every little police station, we need drones. 'I got drones donated for the peace parks to stop elephant and rhino poaching, and his predecessor stopped the importation because he said the United States would spy on us. 'We need your help to stop the awful killing,' said Rupert. Rupert said illegal immigrants and unemployment were the main causes of the crime, adding that if businesses were to leave, the country would experience more crime. 'If we don't get our economy to grow, the culture of dependency and lawlessness will increase,' he said. Political analyst Imraan Buccus said both technology and creating job opportunities were important in bringing down crime. 'I don't think it is one or the other. I think in a country as unequal as ours, with an unemployment bloodbath that affects especially young people, obviously, investment would help. 'We have a very low economic growth rate, and to have any chance to address the unemployment bloodbath, you need a growth rate of about 8%, 9%, or 10%. 'The investment would help, but I don't think it is one or the other, as technology or whatever is available can help to curb crime,' said Buccus. Free State Agriculture (FSA) Security risk analyst Dr Jane Buys welcomed the use of technology to fight crime. She said many farmers in the province were already using high-technology cameras and cellphones to protect themselves. 'However, load shedding has affected farmers badly because if there is no electricity, we don't have data, and cameras do not work. 'But we welcome the idea of bringing more technology into the fight against crime,' said Buys. University of KwaZulu-Natal political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu said that although South Africa needs every mechanism to deal with 'out of control crime', he was not sure if choosing Starlink to help with this, without putting on a tender for other companies to bid, would be a good idea. 'It is a good idea to have something that would help fight crime, as we know that crime is out of control in South Africa. 'Having Starlink, I am not sure about that. Maybe we need to put a tender out and see if there can be another company that might compete with Starlink. 'But I think at this point, there is not much competition and therefore we don't have much of a choice but to have Starlink,' said Ndlovu.
