Latest news with #Magwaza
The Herald
3 days ago
- The Herald
Three nabbed after armed robbery and rhino killed at Paulpietersburg game reserve
'While busy with their criminal activity, they were distracted by the sound of an alarm which had been activated. They fled the scene, leaving behind the shotgun next to the rhino carcass,' said Magwaza. He said police were alerted to the incident and responded swiftly. 'Upon their arrival at the scene, the suspects had already fled the game reserve. Police members, together with private security personnel, worked tirelessly throughout the day looking for the suspects. With assistance from community members, the suspects were eventually arrested as they took refuge in the bush.' said Magwaza. Police seized an R5 rifle, a 303 rifle and a rhino horn. The suspects' vehicle was also seized. The suspects were charged with armed robbery, rhino poaching and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. They will appear at the Vryheid magistrate's court on Monday. TimesLIVE
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Three suspected rhino poachers arrested in Paulpietersburg, KZN
The poachers were found in possession of two unlicensed rifles and a rhino horn. Police have arrested three suspected rhino poachers in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The rhino poachers, aged 34 and 50 years old, were handcuffed in Paulpietersburg in the early hours of Saturday morning, 26 July 2025. Rhino poaching Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza said the poachers were found in possession of two unlicensed rifles and a rhino horn. 'It is reported that in the early hours of Friday morning, the three suspects, who were wearing face-concealing masks, entered a game reserve, and accosted two security guards, tied them up and robbed them of a shotgun, an R5 assault rifle, as well as their cellphones. 'They then proceeded to shoot a rhino and remove its horn. Whilst busy with their criminal activity, they were distracted by the sound of an alarm which had been activated. They fled the scene, leaving behind the shotgun next to the rhino carcass,' Magwaza said. Picture: Saps ALSO READ: Foreign nationals sentenced for rhino poaching conspiracy in SA Arrest Magwaza said officers were alerted of the incident, and they responded swiftly. 'Upon their arrival at the scene, the suspects had already fled the game reserve. Police members, together with private security personnel, worked tirelessly throughout the day looking for the suspects. With assistance from community members, the suspects were eventually arrested as they took refuge in the bush. 'In their possession was an R5 rifle, a 303 rifle, and a rhino horn. The vehicle in which they were travelling was seized by the police. The suspects were charged with armed robbery, rhino poaching, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition,' Magwaza said. The rhino poachers are expected to appear at the Vryheid Magistrates' Court on Monday, 28 July 2025. 'The Last Ranger' Meanwhile, an Oscar-nominated short film 'The Last Ranger' has highlighted the scourge surrounding endangered rhinos and South Africa's poaching crisis while exploring the emotional and ecological realities of rhino poaching in the country. Based on true events and told largely in isiXhosa, The Last Ranger follows Khuselwa, a committed game ranger in the Eastern Cape, and Litha, a curious young Xhosa girl who becomes her apprentice. Together, they represent two generations grappling with the dangers of poaching and the cultural weight of protecting one of the world's most endangered animals, the rhino. 'This isn't just a film; it's a window into a world many of us rarely see,' said Maluṱa Netshaulu, head of social impact portfolio development at Nedbank, who spoke at the premiere. ALSO READ: SA is in the forefront of saving rhinos from poaching
The Citizen
22-07-2025
- The Citizen
Wanted attempted murder suspect killed in police shootout
A SUSPECT wanted for the attempted murder of SAPS members was fatally wounded in a shootout with police in the early hours of this morning in Cato Manor. KZN SAPS spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza, said that the suspect was in hiding after opening fire at police officers on Dunbar Road, Cato Manor, on Sunday. One police officer was injured during that incident when a bullet struck him on the arm. Magwaza said that just after midnight, on Tuesday, July 22, members of eThekwini District Tracing Team traced the suspect to a residence at Wiggins Road in Cato Manor where he was cornered and allegedly greeted the police officers with gunfire. 'He opened fire towards the police through the window,' said Magwaza. 'Police returned fire and during the resultant shootout, the suspect was shot and fatally wounded.' Also Read: Suspects killed in Cato Crest's police-suspect shoot-out It is alleged that the deceased suspect was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. 'The suspect was wanted for a case of attempted murder of police officers after he fired shots at police on July 19 on Dunbar Road in Cato Manor, an incident which left one police officer injured,' confirmed Magwaza. He said no officer was injured in the incident. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
09-07-2025
- The Citizen
Highway, Berea car theft spike leads police to uMlazi chop shop
THE SAPS have discovered a chop shop in uMlazi where Volkswagen vehicle parts were found. Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza said the discovery of the chop shop at N Section in uMlazi came as a result of SAPS crime intelligence officers 'working hard to source information regarding a number of Volkswagen vehicles which were either stolen or hijacked in Durban and surrounding areas such as Sydenham, Berea, Umbilo, Hillcrest and Pinetown'. Magwaza said the discovery of the chop shop on Tuesday, July 8, followed an intelligence-driven operation at uMlazi N Section conducted by the eThekwini District Task Team. 'The many hours of hard work put in by members proved fruitful as information received of a chop shop at Umlazi 'N' section was verified and certified to be truthful. Also read: Polo Pinetown's prime target 'The intelligence received was then operationalised and members pounced at the targeted address at uMlazi. Initial investigation at the premises revealed that the property is rented out to tenants. The individual who was the subject of interest for the police during this operation was not in his rented room when police pounced. 'Upon the subsequent search, police found a large amount of suspected stolen vehicle parts, including door panels for VW Polos, dashboards, suspensions, bumpers, pedals, steering wheels, side and rear mirrors. 'Further search led to the recovery of an engine which belonged to a vehicle which was reported stolen in Pinetown during the month of November in 2024. Other vehicle engines checked during this operation were found to have been tampered with. A set of number plates in the premises also came up as belonging to a vehicle stolen in the Berea policing precinct in September of 2024. 'On-scene investigations pointed to the possibility that the suspected person in this matter was conducting vehicle parts sales in the rented premises. All the suspected vehicle parts were seized for further investigations and the search for the suspect is underway,' said Magwaza. For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Herald
25-06-2025
- The Herald
Life sentences for killers of ANC ward chairperson over tenders
On January 29 2020 Makhanya visited his sister in Verulam, north of Durban. It was at this time he befriended Hadebe. The court heard how the two, who were nabbed through a political task team, were linked through cellphone records. They pleaded not guilty to the charge. Though Hadebe had no previous convictions Makhanya, a grade 4 primary school dropout, was previously convicted of an attempted murder charge. He was a taxi conductor based at a Port Shepstone rank at the time of the murder. Balton said there were no compelling and exceptional circumstances which permitted her to deviate from the prescribed minimum life sentence. She found the pair were ruthless and had no regard for a human life. She said Hadebe was Magwaza's close friend but wanted to get a tender at all costs. Balton said the court could also not ignore submissions from the state on how a dying Magwaza had allegedly called out Hadebe to rescue him, not knowing he was the one behind his murder. He visited the Magwaza family to offer condolences. 'Magwaza's family trusted him, ' she said. Balton said the victim impact statement of Amahle Masikane, Magwaza's niece, demonstrated how her uncle's death disrupted her studies and forced her get a job at a call centre. She said the statement also portrayed the shock, grief and destruction the family endured after the murder. 'She [Masikane ] was shocked at seeing her uncle lying in a pool of blood.' The sentencing was not without drama as Hadebe told his lawyer Manoj Hardeo he wanted the proceedings postponed as he wanted to retain a new lawyer. Balton told Hadebe the matter was completed as he had been convicted. She advised Hadebe he should for apply for leave to appeal after sentencing. TimesLIVE
