Latest news with #Gqeberha
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- The Citizen
Police rescue kidnapped man in Germiston, two arrested
The victim's vehicle was found abandoned in Dawn Park. The South African Police Service's (Saps') Anti-Kidnapping Task Team has rescued a 30-year-old man and arrested two kidnappers during an operation east of Johannesburg. The man was rescued in Germiston on Friday evening. Rescue Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said the victim's vehicle was found abandoned in Dawn Park. 'Further investigation revealed that the owner of the vehicle had been kidnapped and was being held against his will. 'Within 24 hours, intelligence directed the task team to an identified address in Germiston. With support from a tactical unit, the team entered the premises and successfully rescued the victim,' Van Wyk said. BREAKING: KIDNAPPING VICTIM RESCUED by ANTI-KIDNAPPING UNIT SUCCESS On 27 June 2025, a white BMW abandoned in Dawnpark was found with blood in the car. 🔍 Investigations revealed the vehicle belonged to a man kidnapped and shot the day before. 🎯 Intelligence led teams to… June 27, 2025 ALSO READ: Kidnapped Gqeberha woman Lindsay Knowlden reunited with family Arrests Van Wyk added that two suspects were arrested at the scene, while others managed to flee during a shootout with police. 'The rescued victim confirmed he had been kidnapped on Thursday, 26 June 2025. 'Just last week, police traced a Mozambican kidnapping kingpin to an apartment block in Fourways, Johannesburg. The suspect, linked to several kidnappings, was fatally wounded in a shootout with police,' Van Wyk said. Van Wyk said Saps remains resolute in its commitment to dismantling kidnapping syndicates and bringing perpetrators to justice. Kamogelo Baukudi On Friday, Saps made a major breakthrough and confirmed that the kidnapped 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi had been found alive. The grade 11 pupil from Martie du Plessis Special Needs School was found alive early on Friday morning, six weeks after he went missing. Police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said they were relieved that Baukudi had been found. 'After weeks of intensive investigation, Kamogelo was safely located and rescued in Wepener in the early hours of this morning, 27 June 2025. During an intelligence-driven operation, five African males aged between 20 and 29 were arrested. 'Three suspects were apprehended at a house in Kanana Location, Wepener, while two others were caught on the road between Kwetla Location and Wepener town with the victim,' Makhele said. Kidnapping Makhele added that this brings the total number of arrests in the case to six. A police task team was established to search for Baukudi who was abducted on Thursday, 5 June 2025, while driving home from school in Vereeniging Drive, Bloemfontein. ALSO READ: Gauteng family pleads for safe return of their little daughter
The Herald
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald
School's out, but you don't need to pull your hair out — here's why
School's out, moms get a break from packing lunch boxes, and the long-awaited June-July holidays are officially here! While the kids are planning how to spend every second of their hard-earned break, parents might be scrambling to fill those calendar blocks with more than just screen time and snack raids. Fear not — there's a treasure trove of fun, creative and even entrepreneurial activities lined up for the little legends of Gqeberha. Encouraging entrepreneurial skills in children, a pop up market for the kids — by the kids — will take place every Friday from 4-8pm at Col's Family Cafe at Moffett on Main Lifestyle Centre. The eatery with a large play area is calling on all young CEOs to join the kids' entrepreneur market where big ideas start small. Support the Gqeberha community's youngest business minds as they showcase their creativity while getting down to the hustle. Limited stands are available at a R50 booking fee. Email danielle@ to book your little business guru's spot. You can also get the creative juices flowing by bringing your kids along this Saturday for some painting fun at Sollertia Arts and Crafts at Brookes on the Bay for an all-inclusive workshop that starts at 10am. Bookings are essential, via 084-809-1228. While the kids might be on a three-week sugar rush-filled break from school, many parents might be tearing their hair out wondering what to do with their children while they are at the office or stuck behind a laptop. Luckily, there are a variety of educational and safe options around with various holiday club offerings. Ignite the love of sport in the little ones from a young age at Pewees holiday camp between June 30 to July 6, from 8am to 12 midday weekdays. Boys in grade 00 to grade 4 are welcome. A range of activities will take place at Grey Junior School, including tag rugby, soccer, cricket, dodge ball and much more. The cost is R150 per day. To sign your son up, WhatsApp his name, grade and school to Mike Howe on 078-800-0725. The Harvest Christian Church holiday club will run between July 1 and 4. Visit their website for further details. Hosted by Ebenezer International in Algoa Park, the 'Mission Impossible' themed holiday club is a fun-filled, educational, and uplifting week designed for children in the area. It will be held from July 8 to 11, and is open to all primary school-aged children. 'We annually host children from our church, the Algoa Park area, as well as children from underprivileged communities such as Missionvale, extension 6, and many more,' children's ministry leader Amy Taylor Joggom said. 'This has become an important and necessary service to families who may struggle with child care during the holiday.' She said 2025's programme would include dynamic lessons, creative crafts, energetic games, community involvement, and interactive career day sessions featuring local professionals. 'Our goal is not only to entertain children during their school break but to also empower them with positive values and a sense of purpose.' For the outdoorsy child, saddle up for a day of fun at the Pegasus Equestrian Centre in Theescombe. There will be pony rides, grooming and horse care, educational games and activities, a treasure hunt and more. Activities, price and age groups vary on each day. Contact 082-770-5914 to book your spot. You can also build your perfect holiday at Young Engineers in Walmer with a holiday club designed for curious minds aged between four and 16. Children can immerse themselves in exciting engineering projects, creative building challenges, fun Stem experiments, Lego robotics and more between July 7 and 18. There are one-hour (R140) and two-hour (R240) sessions available. Space is limited so book your spot by calling Louise on 063-782-8688. From chocolate cookies to brownies, pizza and chicken doughnuts, children can be whisked away to a warm kitchen with fun and laughter at the Pikanini Chefs winter holiday club in Walmer. The activities and prices vary on each day so visit the Pikanini Chefs PE Facebook page for further details. The Herald
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- The Citizen
Zimbabwean national sentenced to 50 years in jail for kidnapping
Nxinxi Tshabalala appeared in the Booysens Magistrates' Court where the sentence was handed down. A 30-year-old Zimbabwean man has been handed a lengthy prison sentence for hijacking, robbery, kidnapping and possession of a firearm and ammunition Nxinxi Tshabalala appeared in the Booysens Magistrates' Court on Friday, where the sentence was handed down. Robbery Tshabalala's victims reported the incident, prompting an investigation led by Sergeant Billy Letsoalo from the Johannesburg Trio Crimes Unit. The court heard that when they arrived in the house, the complainant's wife, 16-year-old son, 12-year-old son, and four-year-old daughter were inside the house, when the Tshabalala demanded money from the family whilst pointing the gun at the four-year-old child. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said Tshabalala was told there is no money. 'Four cellphones were then stolen. After the robbery, the complainant went to a nearby shop to track his stolen cellphone, and the police assisted him. The tracking led the police to an address where the accused was found in possession of the stolen cellphones'. ALSO READ: Kidnapped Kamogelo Baukudi found alive Sentence Mjonondwane said regional court prosecutor, Licel Hlungwane, argued for a harsher sentence to deter similar crimes, while the defence requested leniency due to the accused's personal circumstances. 'The court ultimately sentenced Tshabalala to a total of 50 years in prison, 20 years for robbery, 10 years for kidnapping, 15 years for possession of a firearm and five years for possession of ammunition. 'The NPA daily prosecutes hundreds of such matters that affect the safety and well-being of our communities and ensures justice for victims of crime. Well done to the prosecutor, Licel Hlungwane,' Mjonondwane said. Sangoma abandons bail Earlier this week, a 50-year-old undocumented Lesotho national and sangoma facing a slew of charges abandoned his bail bid. Sangoma, Sebokoana Khounyana, appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court on Wednesday. Khounyana is facing charges of premeditated murder, human trafficking of a 2-year-old baby, Kutlwano Shalaba and being illegal in the country. His co-accused, the mother of the child, 32-year-old Kuneuwe Portia Shalaba, is facing charges of premeditated murder, human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery and making a false statement to the police. It is alleged that on 10 November 2024, Shalaba's mother, Keneuwe, took the two-year-old to Khounyane and requested him to kill her child because she was not happy with the child's gender and was tired of hiding it from her family that the child was a girl. ALSO READ: Kidnapped Gqeberha woman Lindsay Knowlden reunited with family
News24
19 hours ago
- News24
‘My job as a hostage and suicide negotiator is fulfilling but also soul-crushing'
Growing up in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha) in the Eastern Cape, Tramaine Fredericks (34) always dreamt of serving her country. After high school she applied to study law but wasn't accepted, so she pursued a degree in human resources at Nelson Mandela University. During her internship at Humewood police station in 2012, a captain encouraged her to join the SAPS – which she did. Six years into her service with the Rapid Rail unit, Tramaine challenged herself by training as a hostage and suicide negotiator. Now, with nerves of steel and a calm demeanour, she coaxes those on the brink of ending their lives or contends with hostage situations as one of the Eastern Cape's youngest hostage and suicide negotiators. This is her story. 'I was very hesitant at first to join the SAPS, but when a post became available a few months later, I applied. I then went to Bisho Academy to do my basic training. A year later, in 2013, I was placed at New Brighton police station for my probation. This is when my love for working in the force started because I began working a lot with the community. I loved that I could assist. In 2014 I had my final placement in the Rapid Rail Unit. Back then we worked at the Shosholoza Mail – the trains that travelled from Gqeberha to Johannesburg. I had been in the SAPS for six years in 2020 when I decided I needed to upgrade my skills – I believe you shouldn't be complacent at work. So I set my sights on the basic hostage and suicide negotiator course. Before enrolling I spoke to other negotiators who told me it was a very male-dominated and dangerous field, but I've always loved a challenge. READ MORE| MY STORY | 'My world came crashing down when I lost my leg in a mining accident' For three weeks I underwent an intense process that included interviews, psychometric tests and training. After completing the programme I continued working in the Rail Rapid Department, but I'm now also on call every three weeks as a hostage and suicide negotiator. Since joining the negotiating team I've responded to many calls, but two specific ones come to mind. One incident took place in 2020, a few weeks after completing the course. I was called to attend to a woman who wanted to slit her wrists and end her life. I remember getting to her home and sitting on the ground next to her. As I was speaking to her, she was nodding, and I eventually managed to talk her out of it. It was the most rewarding experience because it was one of my first incidents. To this day, when I see her in the neighbourhood, she tells me I made her realise there is more to live for and that she's never had suicidal thoughts again. The Eastern Cape is known as one of the highest kidnapping provinces, so I have worked on a few high-profile kidnapping cases. There was one in April when a Chinese national was kidnapped while travelling to his business in Kariega. I worked on this case for a week, dealing with the family and trying to keep them calm during the ordeal. Fortunately we found the victim after a few days of negotiating for the ransom to be dropped. Although I love what I do, it's not always easy. I'm human, and I have emotions. READ MORE| MY STORY | 'How my gap year inspired an app that connects people with causes that matter' To decompress, we are offered therapy, but I usually enjoy going hiking to clear my mind, or I take short trips. My other function in the SAPS is as a trainer. I help train new students who join the academy, teaching them about using firearms, legal principles and tactical movements. In my 13 years in the SAPS, being a negotiator has been one of the best decisions I've made, but it can also be soul-crushing.'
The Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- The Herald
Madibaz netballers ready to ‘embrace the moment' at home USSA tournament
The Madibaz women's netball team will feed off the energy of home support to lighten the weight of expectation at the University Sports SA tournament that gets under way in Gqeberha on Monday. The annual student event, which will be played on the indoor and outdoor courts of Mandela University's South and North campuses, features 35 women's and 20 men's teams. The host institution's women will compete in the Super and the men in the Premier section of Division A. Women's coach Jeanie Steyn said it was the first time since 2014 that the university would host the tournament and that there was a sense of expectation in the camp. Their 'wide network of supporters' did not often get the opportunity to watch them and they are 'thrilled' to be able to do so, the former Protea said. While there was usually pressure on the hosts to perform, Steyn said they viewed it as an opportunity instead. 'We're ready to embrace the moment.' Herself a former USSA player, she highlighted the benefits of competing in familiar surroundings. 'There's comfort in knowing the surface, the venue and the weather. 'It removes the uncertainty and allows the players to focus fully on their own game, the team and their performance.' Despite these advantages, she is under no illusion about the tough week ahead as the women are grouped with the top six teams in the country. The NWU Eagles will be more familiar with the local conditions than most, as they have competed in the Madibaz Netball Tournament for the past three years. 'That's one of the matchups our players are especially looking forward to,' Steyn said. By all accounts, the preparation of the Madibaz squads have been smooth sailing. With six of the university's 12 players involved in the Telkom National League, it has afforded the coaching staff the freedom to develop the more junior members of the team. In addition, they have the luxury of being able to field a variety of combinations for different styles of play. 'This is a huge benefit from a coaching perspective,' Steyn admitted. Seven of the current squad have USSA experience. 'Our senior players have really stepped up, setting the standard while guiding and encouraging the younger ones to raise their game. 'What the newcomers may lack in experience, they more than make up for in enthusiasm and eagerness to grow,' Steyn explained. 'It's an absolute pleasure to coach them.' She described the event as a 'fantastic opportunity for our players and netball fans in the region'. 'We don't often get to host elite university teams in Gqeberha,' Steyn said. Kaylin Coetzer's swansong will be one of the emotional highlights of the week. 'It will be a special occasion for her, playing her last USSA tournament in front of family and friends. We're hoping to make it one to remember.' — Full Stop Communications
