south africa crime Archives - MDNtv

ARMED ROBBERY AT CHURCH IN LAWLEY JOHANNESBURG | WORSHIPPERS HELD AT GUNPOINT

MDNtv — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:38:01 +0000

A shocking armed robbery took place at a church in Lawley, Johannesburg, where suspects reportedly stormed the premises and robbed people at gunpoint.

The incident has raised serious concerns about safety, especially in places of worship. Authorities are expected to investigate and bring those responsible to justice.

In this video:
• What happened during the church robbery
• Details from the scene
• Response from authorities
• Safety concerns in the community

This incident has sparked fear and discussion among residents and worshippers.

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Two Assassins Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for 2021 Kanana Murder and Robbery

Philani Mzila — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:13:06 +0000

Two hired assassins have been handed direct imprisonment sentences following a brutal murder and robbery that occurred in Kanana, North West, in 2021.

Incident Overview

Armed Robbery Turns Deadly

According to police reports, the incident took place on the evening of Monday, 22 November 2021, when three unidentified men entered a local supermarket.

The suspects, armed with firearms, threatened customers and staff before opening fire. A 34-year-old woman was fatally shot during the attack.

She was rushed to Klerksdorp Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. The suspects fled the scene with stolen goods and the victim’s handbag.

Authorities subsequently opened a case of murder and robbery.

Investigation and Arrest

Breakthrough by Anti-Gang Unit

The case was later assigned to the Provincial Anti-Gang Investigation Unit, which carried out extensive investigations that led to a major breakthrough.

Police identified the suspects as hired assassins from Lesotho and tracked their movements.

Joint Operation Leads to Arrest

A coordinated operation involving the Anti-Gang Unit and the Flying Squad resulted in the arrest of two suspects in the early hours of Friday, 27 January 2023.

During the arrest, authorities recovered a significant cache of weapons and explosives, including:

Four shotguns
One revolver
Two explosive tubes
One detonator
105 rounds of R5 rifle ammunition
29 rounds of revolver ammunition
20 rounds of AK-47 ammunition

Court Sentencing

Life Imprisonment for Murder

On Monday, 30 March 2026, the Klerksdorp Regional Court sentenced the two men, aged 34 and 35.

The convicted individuals, Bokang Samson Sakhele (35) and Taeta John Ramaema (34), received the following sentences:

Life imprisonment for murder
15 years for robbery
15 years for possession of explosives
15 years for possession of firearms
7 years for possession of ammunition
2 years for contravening the Immigration Act

Sentencing Details

Both men were declared unfit to possess firearms.

The court ordered that Sakhele’s sentences run concurrently with Count 1, while Ramaema’s sentences will run concurrently with Count 3.

Conclusion

The sentencing marks the conclusion of a long-running investigation into a violent crime that shocked the Kanana community. Authorities have emphasized their commitment to tackling organized crime and ensuring justice for victims.

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Husband Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Shooting Wife Dead Over Infertility Suspicions

Hlakaniphile Magadlela — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 19:38:52 +0000

A 33-year-old man has been jailed for 25 years after he shot and killed his wife in a jealous rage, convinced she was to blame for their struggles to have children.

Njabulo Zuma was sentenced in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg on Monday for the murder of his 35-year-old wife, Nobuhle Langa, in Alexandra on 26 March 2023. He also received 10 years for trying to kill her sister, whom he shot several times – one bullet permanently blinding her in one eye.

Zuma fled to Msinga in KwaZulu-Natal after the killings but was tracked down and arrested by Sergeant Sello Malahlela and his team from Alexandra police. Once in custody, he confessed everything to Colonel Moselankwe. He told officers he had been drinking at a tavern, came home angry, and shot his wife during a fight because he suspected she was cheating. He also admitted shooting his sister-in-law, claiming he blamed her for the couple’s miscarriages and fertility problems.

In court, Zuma pleaded guilty to both charges after prosecutor Advocate William Makwela presented strong evidence against him. The state pushed hard for a tough sentence, reminding the court that gender-based violence and femicide are a national crisis in South Africa.

The judge agreed the crime was horrific and deserved life imprisonment, but took into account Zuma’s guilty plea, his cooperation with police, and the fact that he is still relatively young. Those factors were enough to reduce the sentence from life to 25 years.

The National Prosecuting Authority says cases like this show how seriously they treat violence against women. “The life of every person matters,” they said, adding that strong prosecutions are the only way to protect victims and stop others from committing the same crimes.

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DURBAN BUSINESSMAN LOSES COURT BID TO BLOCK SAPS FIREARMS RAID AS POLICE PUSH AHEAD WITH OPERATION BUYISA

Philani Mzila — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 05:29:46 +0000

A dramatic legal showdown in the Durban High Court has ended in defeat for controversial businessman Calvin Mathibeli after his urgent attempt to block a police firearms inspection was thrown out with costs.

Mathibeli, who is linked to the ANC and owns Calvin and Family Security Services in Durban North, rushed to court in a last minute bid to stop SAPS from entering his company premises.

But the court was not convinced.

In a decisive ruling, the judge dismissed the application, finding that it lacked urgency and ordering Mathibeli to pay legal costs to the police.

The decision clears the way for SAPS to move forward immediately with a full firearms compliance inspection at the company under Operation Buyisa.

The operation is part of a nationwide crackdown targeting illegal firearms and non compliant security companies.

Police confirmed that the inspection will proceed as planned, backed by constitutional powers and Section 109 of the Firearms Control Act.

Operation Buyisa has become one of SAPS’s most aggressive responses to rising gun violence, with officers deployed across multiple provinces to seize illegal weapons and enforce strict compliance.

Authorities say security companies are now under intense scrutiny.

Any business found operating outside the law faces serious consequences including confiscation of firearms and potential criminal charges.

SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Mukhathi said the operation is focused on stopping the spread of illegal firearms and tightening control over licensed weapons.

He warned that inspections will continue across the country as police intensify efforts to restore order and reduce gun related crime.

The failed court bid has now placed Mathibeli and his company firmly in the spotlight as police move in.

And as Operation Buyisa gains momentum, more security firms could soon find themselves facing similar inspections.

For SAPS, the message is clear.

No one is above the law.

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KZN TOP COP MKHWANAZI REVEALS WHY ‘CAT’ MATLALA WAS MOVED FROM C-MAX PRISON

Philani Mzila — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 17:13:47 +0000

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has revealed explosive details behind the transfer of controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala from Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre to Ebhongweni Maximum Correctional Centre in KwaZulu-Natal.

Appearing before the Ad Hoc Committee in Parliament, Mkhwanazi outlined serious security concerns and alleged irregularities inside the high security C-Max facility.

He told the committee that Matlala, who is facing attempted murder charges, was enjoying unusual freedom inside the prison.

According to Mkhwanazi, Matlala had close relationships with senior officials at the facility, including the head of the prison.

This alleged relationship enabled him to move around freely and operate with ease within one of South Africa’s most secure correctional environments.

“I’m not going to explain part of the reasons why there was a motivation for him to move away from there, but that’s part of the problems that have been experienced,” Mkhwanazi told the committee.

The situation escalated after Correctional Services Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale intervened following concerns raised publicly.

The commissioner deployed officials to conduct a search inside the C-Max facility.

During the operation, authorities discovered a prohibited cellphone inside Matlala’s cell block, which he was sharing with two other inmates.

The device has since become a key piece of evidence in ongoing investigations.

Mkhwanazi confirmed that the cellphone is already assisting investigators in building the case.

“The phone has helped us with a lot of these things where the case is,” he said.

However, serious questions remain about how such a device made its way into one of the country’s most secure prison sections.

Mkhwanazi pointed directly to the alleged relationships between Matlala and prison leadership as a possible enabling factor.

“Mr Cat Matlala was found with a cellphone inside prison,” he emphasised.

The revelations have raised alarm over security breaches, internal collusion, and the integrity of correctional facilities meant to house high risk inmates.

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Life Sentence For A Man Who Killed His Girlfriend After An Argument

Philani Mzila — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 19:43:41 +0000

The High Court of South Africa, Mpumalanga Division convicted and sentenced Innocent Sthembiso Maseko (35) to life imprisonment for the murder of his girlfriend, Mbali Lucy Ngubeni, at Silobela in Carolina in Mpumalanga.

Maseko and Ngubeni were in a domestic relationship and resided together.

According National Prosecuting Authority(NPA) Monica Nyuswa said the incident occurred on 20 August 2024, when the couple was in their bedroom, and an argument broke out, which escalated into a physical altercation.

“During the altercation, the accused poured petrol on the deceased and set her alight. The deceased pleaded with the accused to stop burning her. Despite sustaining severe burn injuries, she managed to run from the room into the passage of the house and called out to a friend who was sleeping in another room for assistance. The friend managed to extinguish the fire by pouring water on her.

“The deceased was subsequently taken to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries a week later. The incident was reported to the police, and the accused was arrested. During the trial, Maseko pleaded not guilty and claimed that he was not present when the deceased caught fire. However, State Advocate Sello Malesa presented compelling evidence, including testimony from multiple witnesses and a statement made by the deceased,” she said.

Nyuswa said the deceased’s friend also testified about what she observed during the incident.

“The court found the State’s witnesses credible and rejected the accused’s version of events. In aggravation of sentence, Advocate Malesa argued that domestic-related offences have become a serious problem in the country, which has resulted in Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) being declared a national crisis.

“He further highlighted the accused’s lack of remorse and urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence.

A Victim Impact Statement, compiled by the deceased’s mother and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Nomfundo Mokoena, detailed the severe and ongoing psychological and emotional trauma endured by the family,” she said.

Nyuswa said that in delivering the sentence, the presiding judge remarked that it is the duty of the courts to send a strong message to would-be offenders that such offences cannot be tolerated.

“The court found no substantial and compelling circumstances warranting a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence and accordingly imposed life imprisonment. Maseko was further declared unfit to possess a firearm, and his application for leave to appeal was dismissed,” she said.

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Western Cape Police Are Investigating a Shooting Incident That Left Three People Dead At A Taxi Rank

Philani Mzila — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 11:46:43 +0000

Western Cape police are investigating three counts of murder following a shooting incident at a taxi rank in Delft on Thursday morning.

According to police reports, approximately 06:15, police responded to a complaint of a shooting at the taxi rank on Delft Main Road, Voorbrug.

Upon arrival at the scene, officers found the bodies of two men, aged 55 and 58, who had sustained gunshot wounds.

Both victims were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel.

A third victim, aged 38, was transported to a nearby medical facility for treatment but later succumbed to his injuries.

Preliminary reports indicate that a Toyota Quantum stopped at the taxi rank and shots were fired from inside the vehicle. The suspects thereafter fled the scene.

Detectives attached to the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Unit have taken over the investigation and are probing three counts of murder. The motive for the attack is believed to be possibly related to the taxi industry.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is kindly requested to contact CrimeStop on 08600 10111 or alternatively make use of the MySAPSApp. All information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

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Court Denies Bail For One Murder Accused In A Teenager Murderer

Philani Mzila — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 20:11:45 +0000

The Nelspruit Magistrates’ Court in Mpumalanga has denied bail to one of the accused in the murder case of 19-year-old Lusanda Mathabela.

Katlego Mokoena (19) is charged alongside with his co-accused, Lungelo Sithole (19), in connection with the murder of Mathabela, who was allegedly stabbed multiple times at her home in Mataffin, outside Mbombela, in November 2025.

Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said Sithole and Mokoena applied for bail on separate occasions.

Sithole’s bail application was dismissed by the same court last month.

“It is alleged that on the day of the incident, the accused hired an Uber driver to transport them to the victim’s residence, where they allegedly gained entry by jumping over the wall. The accused were allegedly found at the crime scene, and the victim’s lifeless body was discovered in a pool of blood in the bathroom,” she said.

Nyuswa said in handing down the judgment, the court considered the serious nature of the charge and the significant public interest generated within the community where the crime was committed.

“The court found that releasing the accused on bail pending trial would likely disturb public order and undermine peace and security. It further concluded that granting bail would undermine confidence in the criminal justice system and the proper administration of justice,” she said.

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Police Kill Two Most Wanted Murder Suspects in Durban Shootout

Philani Mzila — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 19:52:45 +0000

Two suspects who were wanted in connection with several cases of murder and attempted murder were shot and killed during a shootout with police in the Mzomusha area of Newtown C Section in Inanda, north of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), on Monday morning.

According to police, officers were searching for at least five suspects linked to multiple violent crimes in the area.

The intelligence-driven operation began shortly after midnight on Monday morning.

During the operation, police located two of the suspects at a house in the Mzomusha area with the assistance of a police drone.

When officers approached the house where the suspects were hiding, a shootout broke out between the suspects and police.

The two suspects, aged 20 and 25, were fatally wounded during the exchange of gunfire.

Police confirmed that two firearms were recovered from the suspects.

Authorities have also confirmed that a manhunt is underway for the remaining suspects believed to be part of the same criminal group.

Police investigations are continuing.

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Family And Police Seeking Community Help After A Man Was Hijacked, Killed And Dumped In Lenasia

Philani Mzila — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:06:56 +0000

The Sekano family in Naledi has appealed to the community of Soweto to assist them and the police in tracing the killers of their son, Thabo Sekano.

According to information shared with Jozi FM News, Sekano was in Chiawelo on Friday night visiting a friend.

His friend says they were seated inside a vehicle outside his yard when two unknown males walked past them.

The deceased reportedly expressed concern, saying he hoped the two men were not going to cause trouble.

The friend further explained that after walking a few metres away, the two suspects turned back and allegedly produced firearms.

He says they ran from the vehicle, and moments later he could no longer see Thabo.

He then sought assistance. When they arrived at the scene outside his home, the vehicle was gone and Sekano was nowhere to be found.

It was later confirmed that Thabo Sekano had been murdered. His body was discovered near an informal settlement in Lenasia South.

The family and the deceased’s friend are appealing to anyone with information regarding the hijacking and murder to come forward.

Police have opened cases of murder and car hijacking, and investigations are underway.

Anyone with information is urged to contact their nearest police station or call the Crime Stop Hotline on 08600 10111.

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