ZiMoja updates on the latest crime news in parts of the country.

GAUTENG: A third suspected drug trafficker from Brazil was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport yesterday for trying to smuggle the drugs into the country. Two other mules from the South American country were arrested last week after they landed from Sao Paulo airport. The 21-year-old was intercepted by the SAPS crime intelligence just after midday. The drug mule was taken to a local hospital where a medical X-ray confirmed the presence of foreign objects in his stomach. The police said the process to release the drugs has started and the suspect is releasing plastic-covered cocaine bullets. Nevhuhulwi said the drug mule will appear before the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court on a charge of drug possession and trafficking before the end of this week. The two other Brazilian mules, a woman and a man, were arrested last week, three days apart, after being found with cocaine wrapped around their waists.

GAUTENG: A suspect was shot dead and five others were arrested during a business robbery at a filling station in Johannesburg yesterday morning. Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the SAPS crime prevention members were on duty with community policing forum patrollers when they heard an explosion and quickly responded. When they were at the filling station where the blast took place, the police were met with a group of men shooting at them. They retaliated, shooting one of the suspects, who was later declared dead at a local hospital. Nevhuhulwi said five suspects were chased and arrested while an unknown number of other suspects fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspects allegedly robbed the convenience store at the filling station first before bombing an ATM. A 9mm pistol with a filed-off serial number, detonators and cigarettes were also recovered on the scene. The arrested suspects, aged between 29 and 38, will appear in court soon on charges of business robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms.

GAUTENG: Two brothers were sentenced by the Kagiso Regional Court yesterday for the gang rape of a 52-year-old woman a year ago in Kagiso. Kgosi Kgopane (54) and Ikageng Kgopane (48) raped the woman on 17 December 2023 when the victim was coming from a tavern. On that day, the victim left the tavern alone and met with Kgosi, who was her neighbour. Kgosi threatened, assaulted and forced her to his house, where he raped her. He was later joined by his brother, who also raped the victim. Following the attack, the victim managed to escape and sought help from the rapists' sister, who found her naked and visibly distressed. NPA regional spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the sister later testified as a state witness, corroborating the victim's account of the events. Mjonondwane said the court acknowledged the gravity of the crime and the lack of remorse shown by the accused and ruled that life imprisonment was the only fitting sentence.