Category: English

Three alleged police killers are expected to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrates Court today on charges of murder, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms, possession of ammunition, and possession of suspected stolen property.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) said the trio were arrested on Monday night in Berea, Selby and Eloff Extension. The arrests are in connection with the murder, attempted murder and armed robbery that occurred on 8 September 2025 in Benrose.

“On the day of the incident, it was reported that the deceased warrant officer Jabulani Mabuza’s girlfriend had a vehicle mechanical failure as she drove up the Benrose west on-ramp. The complainant then called the Warrant for assistance, and he came through. Just as the tow truck driver arrived to assist with the vehicle, they were accosted by unknown suspects who pointed them with a firearm as they disarmed the tow truck driver and shot warrant officer Mabuza. They went to the other side and pulled out Mabuza.  

“As they [did] do so, the tow truck driver managed to flee to his truck and drive to Jeppe police station for assistance,” said the Hawks.

Mabuza and his girlfriend managed to cross the freeway and were taken to Brenthurst Hospital for medical attention where he succumbed to his injuries.  

“Last night, 13 October 2025 an integrated multi-disciplinary team composed of the members of the Hawks’ Tactical Operational Management Section, Serious Organised Crime Investigation based in Johannesburg, Head Office Crime Intelligence’s Modus Operandi Centre, DPCI’s National Priority Violent Crime Investigation based in Head Office, BadBoyz Security and Vision Tactical Security acting on information, executed warrants of arrest at three addresses in the Johannesburg area. 

“The operation resulted in all three wanted suspects being arrested. The team also recovered three unlicensed 9mm firearms (two Barrett pistols with serial numbers and a Norinco pistol with its serial number filed off), ammunition for the pistols, a laptop, a cellphone and a silver grey BMW suspected to have been used in the commission of crime,” said the Hawks. – SAnews.gov.za 
 

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will see the United Kingdom provide expertise and capacity support worth nearly R10 million to South Africa’s infrastructure development efforts.

This as Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson and the United Kingdom (UK) Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade, Chris Bryant signed the MoU for infrastructure collaboration in London.

Monday’s signing follows the announcement of collaboration by Macpherson and UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves in Durban earlier this year to capacitate the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) as it works towards using public assets for the public good and turning South Africa into a construction site.

The partnership will see the United Kingdom provide expertise and capacity support worth nearly R10 million across three focus areas:
•    Project Capstone, which will support the effective operationalisation of the DPWI’s Special and Strategic Delivery Unit (SSDU). This unit will accelerate infrastructure delivery by focusing on high-impact, high-priority projects and addressing systemic process inefficiencies that hinder effective implementation.
•    Project Speed, which will enhance the management of public assets through more effective and efficient public sector asset management, including improved resource efficiency.
•    Infrastructure South Africa’s Adopt-a-Municipality Programme, which will strengthen infrastructure delivery at a municipal level in selected focus municipalities.

Minister Macpherson said the partnership demonstrates how international collaboration can help unlock South Africa’s infrastructure potential and improve the state’s capacity to deliver. He said this will help to realise his vision of using public assets for the public good and turning South Africa into a construction site.

“The MoU marks an important step forward in our efforts to turn South Africa into a construction site and ensure that public assets are used for the public good. By partnering with the United Kingdom, we are creating a foundation for stronger project preparation, improved delivery, and the upskilling of our public sector teams.

“This MoU shows that we are delivering on reform within the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, ensuring that every project we undertake contributes meaningfully to job creation, local economic development, and the building of modern, resilient public infrastructure. 

“Our aim is to turn previously derelict buildings into assets for communities and ensure that construction projects are delivered on time and within budget. By working with all partners, we are well on our way to building a better South Africa,” said the Minister.

READ | SA to sign MoU on infrastructure collaboration
– SAnews.gov.za

Western Cape MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, has condemned the murder of an off-duty Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officer whose body was discovered at the weekend.

According to preliminary reports, the 26-year-old officer, Yonke Pakade and his 30-year-old female colleague were allegedly hijacked in Browns Farm on Saturday evening. 

The female officer managed to escape and alerted authorities. However, the body of her colleague was later found with stab wounds to the chest in the early hours of Sunday, 12 October 2025. The discovery was made at the Marikana informal settlement in Philippi East.

“I am angered by this senseless act of violence that has claimed the life of a young officer who served our communities with dedication. The loss of any law enforcement officer is not only a personal tragedy, but also a significant setback in our ongoing fight against crime. My heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of officer Yonke Pakade,” said Marais on Monday.

The MEC has commended the swift response by LEAP officers, which led to the initial arrest of a 22-year-old suspect believed to be linked to the incident. 

A team consisting of the City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Systems Management Unit, along with the South African Police Service Organised Crime, LEAP and the Khayelitsha Tactical Response Team managed to arrest three more suspects linked to the incident.

“I thank all law enforcement officers for their collaborative efforts in arresting the suspects. I call on the SAPS to ensure that no effort is spared in bringing the perpetrators to justice.”

Marais has urged the public to come forward with any information that may assist the police in their investigation. 
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111, make use of the MySAPS app or call the City of Cape Town`s tipoff line on 0800 1100 77. 

All information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. – SAnews.gov.za

A newly acquired helicopter of the South African Police Service (SAPS) has helped to locate two bodies that were found floating in the Swartkops River in Gqeberha.

The bodies were found when the crew of the Airbus H125 helicopter, based at the Air Wing in Gqeberha, was familiarising itself with the new aircraft and were called to provide aerial support in an ongoing search and recovery operation on Monday.

This as the search and recovery effort to find a 17-year-old boy had begun on Friday.

“The allegation is that on Friday, 10 October 2025 [at] around 10am, friends were swimming in the Swartkops River, when Curtis Samson (17), got into trouble and disappeared into the water. “

The SAPS Search and Rescue team from K9 Unit was activated and other stakeholders assisted in the operation.

“The operation continued over the weekend, with scheduled stops during sunset.Moments, after the activation of the chopper, the crew spotted two bodies floating in separate areas of the river. The first body was identified as Curtis Samson.  The second body was an African male and is yet to be identified. Police divers retrieved the two bodies,” said Eastern Cape police.

The police have opened two separate inquest dockets for further investigation. –SAnews.govza

Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, is today hosting a G20 dialogue with students at the Motheo TVET College in the Free State.

Tuesday’s dialogue in Bloemfontein, forms part of the year-long G20 awareness outreach programme implemented by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) in partnership with different stakeholders across the country.

“This programme will kick-start with an information exhibition wherein identified Government and non-government organisations will provide services and information to the students at the Motheo TVET College,” said the Presidency.

Last month the Deputy Minister addressed students at the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. At that session, the Deputy Minister said South Africa will use its Presidency of the G20 to build a more inclusive and prosperous Africa and a better world, ensuring that no one is left behind. – SAnews.gov.za

Gauteng police have recovered 776 unlicensed firearms and 2030 rounds of ammunition between 1 July and 30 September 2025.

“During the three-month period, 247 suspects were arrested for illegal possession of firearms and 224 apprehended for illegal possession of ammunition,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement on Monday.

The recovered firearms include automatic rifles, complete firearms, revolvers /pistols, rifles and shotguns, some with serial numbers filed off.

“These achievements demonstrate the effectiveness of proactive policing efforts and collaborative work with other law enforcement agencies, private security companies, and government departments,” the police said.

This as the police added that they remain committed to ensuring the  safety and security of communities through continued efforts to combat crime and prevent the proliferation of illegal firearms. – SAnews.gov.za

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, is set to deliver a keynote address at the uMzinyathi Water Summit later this week.

Taking place from 16-17 October 2025, at Battlefield Country Lodge in Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal, the summit is expected to address urgent water service delivery challenges across all 61 wards of the uMzinyathi District.

Central to the discussions will be the implementation of the Water Services Authority’s capacity building plan, in accordance with the Water Services Act.

The Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG), through the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA), continues to support municipalities in infrastructure development and service delivery, as mandated by Section 154 of the Constitution.

The summit underscores the significant backlogs in water supply and infrastructure limitations facing the district.

The department said the gathering aims to address these through the lens of the capacity building plan, focusing on sustainable service delivery across all 61 wards, integration of provincial support under Section 154 of the Constitution, and leveraging grant funding for infrastructure upgrades.

This high-level engagement is expected to convene stakeholders from national, provincial, and local government to forge collaborative solutions for sustainable water provision. – SAnews.gov.za