Latest news with #Xhosa-speaking
The South African
08-07-2025
- The South African
Foreign national linked to the mass Umlazi killings arrested
KwaZulu-Natal police have arrested a 28-year-old foreign national in connection with the mass murder of six men at an informal settlement in Umlazi, shedding light on what investigators believe was a revenge-fuelled attack. The killings took place on the night of 17 August 2024 in V/6 Section, Umlazi, when a group of six men and three women were socialising and consuming alcohol. Two men approached the group, asking to buy cigarettes, but were told no one was selling. Moments later, the men returned armed and instructed the women to lie down before opening fire on the men. All six victims were declared dead at the scene. Police later determined the shooting was likely revenge-motivated. 'Investigations uncovered that the killings were revenge-motivated,' police said. The deceased, who were reportedly Xhosa-speaking, had allegedly clashed with Swati foreign nationals living in the same area before the incident. After months of intensive investigation, detectives from the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit traced one of the suspects to Krugersdorp in Gauteng. The suspect, identified as Melusi Dlamini, a 28-year-old Swati foreign national, was arrested on 4 July. The foreign national now faces six counts of murder, along with charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. Dlamini appeared in the Umlazi Magistrate's Court on 7 July. He abandoned his bail application, and the court remanded his case to 14 August. While police welcomed the arrest of the foreign national, the manhunt continues for the second suspect involved in the massacre. 'Investigations are underway in search of the second suspect,' police confirmed. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
08-07-2025
- The Citizen
Swati man arrested for Umlazi mass murder
Police said the Umlazi murders were revenge-motivated, with the Xhosa-speaking victims having previously been involved in altercations with Eswatini nationals. The man arrested in connection with the mass shooting in Umlazi is expected to make his first court appearance in the Umlazi Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. Picture: iStock A 28-year-old foreign national has been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of six men who were gunned down at an informal settlement in Umlazi's V/6 Section on 17 August 2024. His arrest follows extensive investigations by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit detectives. Melusi Dlamini, an Eswatini national, was arrested in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, on Friday, 4 July 2025. Dlamini faces six counts of murder along with charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. Night of Umlazi mass murder The deadly incident unfolded when six men were socialising and consuming alcohol with three women at the informal settlement. According to police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the evening took a tragic turn when two unknown men approached the group claiming they wanted to purchase cigarettes. The attackers had initially been turned away when they were told that no one was selling cigarettes, but their return proved fatal for the six victims. 'The two men left, only to return moments later and instructed the three women to lie down as they fired shots [at] the male victims. 'Six men were shot and declared dead at the scene,' Netshiunda explained. ALSO READ: Man arrested for Gugulethu mass shooting, another wanted Umlazi mass murder revenge motive uncovered Investigations revealed that the mass shooting was motivated by revenge, stemming from earlier conflicts within the community. Netshiunda indicated that the killings were revenge-motivated, with the deceased victims having allegedly been involved in altercations with Eswatini nationals residing in the same area. The six men who lost their lives were all Xhosa-speaking, and their deaths appeared to be the culmination of tensions between different ethnic groups within the settlement. ALSO READ: Shootings plague Cape Town after another five people gunned down Court proceedings and ongoing investigation Dlamini made his first appearance at the Umlazi Magistrate's Court on Monday, 7 July 2025. During court proceedings, he chose to abandon his bail application. His case has been remanded to 14 August 2025 for further proceedings. 'Investigations are underway in search of the second suspect,' Netshiunda confirmed. READ NEXT: Outrage after seven people killed in mass shooting in Gugulethu
IOL News
08-07-2025
- IOL News
eSwatini national arrested for August 2024 'revenge' murders of six men in uMlazi
A year-long investigation culminates in the arrest of a Swati national linked to the tragic murder of six men in uMlazi, as police continue to seek a second suspect involved in the brutal attack. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives A year-long investigation into a mass shooting in uMlazi has led to the arrest of a 28-year-old foreign national believed to be one of the gunmen involved in the brutal murder of six men at an informal settlement in V/6 Section on 17 August 2024. According to a statement issued by the Office of the Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in KwaZulu-Natal, the suspect, Melusi Dlamini, was arrested in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, on Friday, 4 July 2025. 'Relentless investigation by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit detectives has resulted in the arrest of a 28-year-old foreign national for the murder of six people,' said SAPS spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda. On the night of the killings, six men were drinking alcohol with three women when they were approached by two men claiming to be looking for cigarettes. After being told that no one was selling, the men left, only to return moments later. 'They instructed the three women to lie down as they fired shots at the male victims. Six men were shot and declared dead at the scene,' the statement read. Investigations later revealed that the attack was reportedly motivated by revenge. It is believed the deceased, all Xhosa-speaking men, had previously been involved in a physical altercation with Swati nationals in the same area. 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 ✕ Dlamini, identified as a Swati national, was charged with six counts of murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. He appeared in the uMlazi Magistrate's Court on Monday, 7 July 2025, where he abandoned his bail application. The matter was remanded to 14 August 2025. Police say they are still searching for the second suspect involved in the shooting. 'Investigations are underway in search of the second suspect,' said Netshiunda. The SAPS has called on members of the public who may have information about the second suspect to come forward. THE MERCURY
Express Tribune
16-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Josh Sullivan, kidnapped US pastor, rescued in deadly South Africa shootout
An American preacher kidnapped while delivering a sermon in a South African township has been rescued following a gun battle between police and his captors, local authorities said Wednesday. Josh Sullivan, 45, was abducted last Thursday during an evening church service in Motherwell, a township in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape province, according to the Fellowship Baptist Church. The South African Police Service launched a rescue mission after receiving intelligence indicating Sullivan was being held in a house in KwaMagxaki, another township in the city. Officers arriving at the location encountered gunfire from the suspects, who attempted to flee in a vehicle. A police statement described a 'high-intensity shootout' that left three unidentified suspects dead. 'As officers approached the house, they observed a vehicle on the premises. The suspects inside the vehicle upon seeing law enforcement allegedly attempted to flee and opened fire on the team,' the statement read. Sullivan, a native of Tennessee, was found inside the vehicle and was 'miraculously unharmed,' police confirmed. He is currently in 'excellent condition,' according to the statement. Tom Hatley, who Sullivan identified on his website as his mentor, confirmed the rescue in a Facebook post. 'Josh has been released,' Hatley wrote alongside a photograph of Sullivan with his family. He urged the public to respect the family's privacy, adding, 'A lot of folks love The Sullivans and they love you back, but give them some time.' Sullivan describes himself as a 'church planting missionary' and wrote on his website that he arrived in South Africa in 2018 with the aim of completing language school and establishing a church for Xhosa-speaking communities. The case highlights the growing problem of kidnapping in South Africa, where authorities reported an average of 51 abductions per day in 2023. The country also struggles with violent crime, including mass shootings and a high murder rate. Sullivan's abduction followed the killing of Islamic cleric Muhsin Hendricks, who was shot dead in Bethelsdorp, also in Eastern Cape, in February.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
US pastor kidnapped during church service in South Africa
An American pastor has been kidnapped by armed men after they stormed his church service in South Africa, local authorities say. Josh Sullivan had been conducting a service at Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, a township in Gqeberra in the Eastern Cape, on Thursday evening when "four armed and masked male suspects entered", police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge told the BBC. The men stole two phones before fleeing the church in the 45-year-old pastor's silver Toyota Fortuner. Police later found the vehicle abandoned, but there was no trace of Mr Sullivan. A spokesperson from the US State Department told the BBC that they were aware of the kidnapping of a US citizen in South Africa. They said there was no "greater priority than the safety and security of US citizens abroad". Capt Beetge told the BBC the case had been handed to South Africa's elite police unit, known as the Hawks, which investigates serious organised and commercial crimes and high-level corruption. "The police is currently following all possible leads to locate the victim and apprehend the perpetrators," said Hawks spokesman Lt Col Avele Fumba. Jeremy Hall, the Sullivan family's spokesman, told local newspaper TimesLive that he was at the church with his wife and their children when the incident took place. "They knew his name," he said. Mr Sullivan's mother, Tonya Morton Rinker, wrote on Facebook that she was heartbroken over the news. She added: "Our congressman and American embassy are working on finding him." No ransom has been requested, according to the privately-owned News24. Mr Sullivan describes himself as "a church planting missionary" on his personal website. On it, he says he moved to South Africa with his wife and children in 2018 to establish a church for Xhosa-speaking people. Over the past decade, there has been 264% increase in kidnappings in South Africa, according to police statistics. Just a few days ago, a Chinese national was kidnapped in Gqberra. South Africa's deadly love affair with guns 'I survived a kidnapping but part of me died that day' Can South Africa solve its kidnapping problem?
