Latest news with #Mmusi
IOL News
15-06-2025
- IOL News
Driver fleeing cops in Toyota Corolla released on R1,000 police bail after deadly crash
The Toyota Corolla driver has been released on police bail, after he was arrested for refusing to stop when signalled by law enforcement officers, and went on to crash into a Toyota multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) and a heavy truck. Image: Supplied The Toyota Corolla driver who was fleeing from law enforcement agents when he was involved in the horrific multiple-vehicle crash on the N2 Road between Ermelo and Mkhondo (formerly Piet Retief) near Ngwempisi in Mpumalanga, has been granted bail by police. IOL reported on Saturday that five people travelling in a Toyota multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) were killed when the driver of a speeding Toyota Corolla sedan crashed while fleeing from law enforcement agents. In an update, spokesperson for the Mpumalanga department of community safety, security and liaison, Moeti Mmusi told IOL that the unidentified driver has been released at the Ermelo police station in Mpumalanga. "He was released on a R1,000 bail by the police. His main charge is failure to stop when directed by officials, reckless and negligent driving, inconsiderate driving, and also driving under the influence of alcohol," Mmusi told IOL. On Saturday, Mmusi told IOL that the horrific crash that happened on the N2 Road on Friday involved multiple vehicles, including the Toyota Corolla, a seven-seater Toyota MPV, a taxi pulling a trailer, and a heavy truck. 'Indications are that the driver of the Toyota Corolla sedan was allegedly driving over 170 kilometers per hour," said Mmusi. 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 "He apparently had failed to stop when he was signaled by law enforcement officers, and subsequently he collided with another vehicle, a seven-seater Toyota multi-purpose vehicle that was loaded with eight people on the same road," he said. Authorities said the Toyota Corolla crashed into the seven-seater Toyota MPV multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), which was loaded with eight people, and five people from the Toyota MPV died at the scene. The Toyota Corolla crashed into a seven-seater Toyota multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) which was loaded with eight people, and five people from the Toyota MPV died at the scene. Image: Supplied Mmusi said the speeding driver of the Toyota Corolla sedan, who was alone in the vehicle, seemingly lost control before colliding with the other vehicles, including the truck. He was not injured in the crash and was arrested at the scene. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 'Five people, including the driver of the Toyota MPV, lost their lives, and three survivors were rushed to the hospital," said Mmusi. "The other driver of the Toyota Corolla sedan, who was alone in the vehicle at the time of the crash, was arrested and charged with excessive speeding, failure to stop when ordered to stop by law enforcers, and for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol." The investigation into the collision is already underway. Meanwhile, Mpumalanga's MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie has appealed to motorists to be responsible on the roads, in a bid to curb 'needless loss of lives'. Macie has also cautioned motorists to respect the rules of the road, and the rights of other road users. "Too many tears have been shed already and too many families have been left devastated by inconsiderate, reckless and negligent driver behaviour, and this needs to stop. All road users must play their part by obeying the rules to make our roads safer," said the MEC. Macie has extended condolences to the bereaved families. IOL News
IOL News
14-06-2025
- IOL News
'He was fleeing from police at 170km/h': Five people killed as speeding Toyota Corolla crashes
The Toyota Corolla driver has been arrested after he refused to stop when signalled by law enforcement officers, and went on to crash into a Toyota multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) and a heavy truck. Image: Supplied Five people were killed in a horrific multiple-vehicle crash on the N2 Road between Ermelo and Mkhondo (formerly Piet Retief) near Ngwempisi in Mpumalanga, when a driver of a Toyota Corolla sedan crashed while fleeing from law enforcement agents. The provincial department of community safety, security and liaison said two sedans, a taxi pulling a trailer and a truck were involved in the collision on Friday. 'Indications are that the driver of the Toyota Corolla sedan was allegedly driving over 170 kilometers per hour," Moeti Mmusi, spokesperson for the Mpumalanga department of community safety, security and liaison spoke to IOL. "He apparently had failed to stop when he was signaled by law enforcement officers, and subsequently he collided with another vehicle, a seven-seater Toyota multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) that was loaded with eight people on the same road." 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 The Toyota Corolla crashed into a seven-seater Toyota multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) which was loaded with eight people, and five people from the Toyota MPV died at the scene. Image: Supplied Mmusi said the speeding driver of the Toyota Corolla sedan, who was alone in the vehicle, seemingly lost control before colliding with the other vehicles, including the truck. He was not injured in the crash and was arrested at the scene. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 'Five people including the driver of the Toyota MPV, lost their lives and three survivors were rushed to the hospital," said Mmusi. "The other driver of the Toyota Corolla sedan, who was alone in the vehicle at the time of the crash, was arrested and charged with excessive speeding, failure to stop when ordered to stop by law enforcers, and for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol." The investigation into the collision is already underway. Meanwhile, Mpumalanga's MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie has appealed to motorists to be responsible on the roads, in a bid to curb 'needless loss of lives'. Macie has also cautioned motorists to respect the rules of the road, and the rights of other road users. "Too many tears have been shed already and too many families have been left devastated by inconsiderate, reckless and negligent driver behaviour, and this needs to stop. All road users must play their part by obeying the rules to make our roads safer," said the MEC. Macie has extended condolences to the bereaved families. IOL News
The Citizen
10-06-2025
- The Citizen
Six people arrested for selling drugs to learners in Masoyi
Six people were arrested on June 3 and 4 by Masoyi police for allegedly selling drugs to learners in schools around the Masoyi area. The suspects were arrested during an operation by multi-sectoral stakeholders that included the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL) and the Department of Education, who conducted a School Safety Programme. According to the DCSSL spokesperson, Moeti Mmusi, the two-day programme was conducted at six schools in the Masoyi policing precinct. ALSO READ: Poachers' assets to be handed over to SANParks' anti-poaching unit The initiative was also supported by the Department of Correctional Services, the Department of Social Development, the SAPS and the City of Mbombela. 'Six identified schools were visited, and several learners were found in possession of narcotics. Upon interrogation by the police, they pointed out the people outside the schools who were allegedly supplying them with the drugs.' The multidisciplinary teams also found unwanted objects such as knives and other sharp objects on the schools' premises. Mmusi said the search and seizures are part of efforts to create safer school environments for effective learning and teaching. The programme is part of the Integrated School Safety Strategy and it is implemented across the three regions of the province. ALSO READ: Tensions erupt: Magistrate and litigant clash in White River court 'The proliferation of drugs in schools needs to be tackled because once learners are intoxicated, they are dangerous to themselves, their fellow learners, and educators. It is in this regard that parents and guardians are called upon to ensure that they observe the conduct of their children so that they are able to detect any untoward behaviour and seek help before things get out of hand,' Mmusi said. He added that the influence of criminals or gangs on learning remains a challenge. Government will continue to work with various stakeholders to enhance effective learning and teaching without any interference from criminals outside the school. Communities must also report any suspicious activities or people to the police. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
IOL News
22-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Westpark Cemetery's impending closure sparks a shift towards cremation in Johannesburg
Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg is expected to reach capacity for new burials by August 2025. Image: Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo As the Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg faces imminent closure as it nears full capacity, some African families who previously did not believe in cremation are now seeing it as the way to go. At least 38 of the 42 cemeteries operated by the Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) in Gauteng are at full capacity. This leaves the City of Gold with the Olifantsvlei Cemetery in the far south of Johannesburg, the Waterval Cemetery in Midrand, the Diepsloot Cemetery in the northern part of Johannesburg, and the Hamberg Cemetery in Roodepoort, which is set to be reactivated in June 2025, after previously being dormant. The JCPZ has assured residents that there is sufficient burial space to meet the city's needs for the next 30 to 40 years, and this excludes future expansions and the activation of currently dormant cemeteries. Westpark Cemetery, located in Randburg, will officially close at the end of August 2025, and it has been operational since 1942. 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 ✕ Debbie Mmusi, a Johannesburg resident, expressed her disappointment with the break-ins at cemeteries and now prepares to build a memorial wall in the backyard of her family home where they will deposit their ashes. Mmusi said that she had initially wanted to buy four empty tombs at Westpark Cemetery, because she wanted all of her family members to be buried in the same site when they die. However, after seeing the desecration of ash walls at the Braamfontein Cemetery and the vandalism of tombstones in other cemeteries, she asked her family members about their thoughts on cremation, and they all didn't have a problem with it. At that time, the JCPZ said an investigation found that over 4,000 ash walls, some over 50 years old, were either damaged due to fallen branches or deliberately desecrated and ransacked. Mmusi said: 'I am going to build a wall of remembrance at the back of the family property; it will have pigeonholes the size of a brick to fit whatever we put the ashes in. Then we will seal it off and put a family name, the names of all the descendants of the family member, and a picture of the deceased loved one. In case we decide to sell the property later, we will move with our ashes.' She added that putting the ashes in the remembrance wall in the backyard will ensure that the loved ones remain there with dignity, and the wall will be taken care of. Mmusi encouraged other families to consider cremation. Her deceased loved ones are buried in at least five different cemeteries, she said. 'The thing is, at the cemeteries right now, tombstones are being destroyed, tombstones are left unattended, and people instantly forget where their relatives are buried,' she said. However, the JCPZ said all cemeteries, including dormant and inactive sites, are supported by dedicated maintenance, security, and administrative teams. 'The JCPZ also collaborates with law enforcement and community safety partners to safeguard these spaces against vandalism and neglect.' Muzi Hlengwa, spokesperson for the Unification Task Team of the Funeral Industry of South Africa (UTT), said the closure of cemeteries has dire consequences for the undertakers and pushes up the funeral expenses. 'Currently, there is a huge traffic jam at the cemeteries, and tombs are too close together. Even when the undertaker is done with the funeral, they struggle to get out of the cemetery due to the space limitations. You find that instead of spending 30 minutes at the gravesite, you end up staying for three hours because the exit is blocked by traffic from other family funerals. You lose time trying to enter, and also lose time trying to exit the cemetery,' Hlengwa said. In a normal situation, he said, undertakers could use the same hearse to deliver the body for family A and return and deliver for family B, but now, because of the shortage of space resulting in traffic jams at the cemetery, undertakers cannot double-book the hearse anymore. 'Now, as the undertaking business, we have to have more fleet than we were supposed to. This leads to an increase in funeral expenses. If an undertaker is able to do two funerals with one hearse on the same day, the costs can be split between two families, resulting in lower expenses. Whereas, if it is one hearse for one funeral per day, the cost becomes high,' he said. Jenny Moodley, spokesperson for the JCPZ, said a comprehensive, multi-faceted strategy is being implemented to address long-term burial space availability. Interventions include phased out reduction of burials at Westpark Cemetery, reactivation of dormant cemeteries, promotion of alternative burial options, and the development of new cemeteries, she said. Moodley added that the JCPZ is engaging traditional leaders, interfaith forums, funeral directors, and community organisations to ensure inclusive planning and culturally sensitive solutions. There are also public awareness campaigns and family support services. 'Families affected by the gradual closure of Westpark are being supported by cemetery staff, who assist with referrals to alternative cemeteries and advise on options such as reopening family-held graves for additional burials. 'JCPZ recognises the deeply personal and cultural importance of burial practices. We remain committed to delivering dignified, respectful, and sustainable end-of-life services for all Johannesburg residents. Our goal is to balance current demands with responsible long-term planning for future generations,' she said. The annual average demand for burial space in Johannesburg currently ranges between 14,000 and 15,000 burials per year. She said the burials at Westpark are being gradually reduced, with the cemetery expected to reach capacity for new burials by August 2025. According to her, the JCPZ is exploring unused land in dormant cemeteries such as Hamberg and identifying infill opportunities within other dormant cemeteries, to be developed as funding allows. 'We have seen a growing number of residents, across faiths, opting for cremation or reopening existing graves; practices that promote sustainable use of cemetery land. Additionally, cemeteries such as Avalon, Westpark, and Alexandra are seeing increasing use of family grave reopenings, a positive trend in efficient land use,' Moodley said.
The Citizen
29-04-2025
- The Citizen
Four killed in R23 accident in Balfour
A devastating head-on collision claimed four lives on the R23 between Balfour and Greylingstad on Monday night, April 28. The accident involved two sedans and a double cab Ford Ranger. The sedan that collided with the bakkie was towing the other sedan. The spokesperson of the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Moeti Mmusi, said the sedan that was being towed was not damaged and its driver was unharmed. Four men, two drivers and two passengers, died while another passenger in the bakkie was slightly injured. 'He received medical treatment at Suikerbosrand Life Care Hospital in Heidelberg before being discharged,' Mmusi said. ALSO READ: UPDATE: Truck driver's leg nearly amputated in 8-hour rescue mission on N4 in Mbombela He added that the circumstances surrounding the crash are still unclear, but an investigation to determine the cause is in progress. The MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Jackie Macie, extended his condolences to the bereaved families. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
