ZiMoja updates on the latest crime news in parts of the country.
KWAZULU NATAL: A manhunt has been launched for the suspects who shot and killed seven family members at their house in Highflats on Wednesday night while watching television. It's alleged that the Khambule family members, including three children, were shot and killed execution style. KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the cops responded to reports of a shooting and upon arrival at the scene, seven bodies were found lying in a pool of blood inside the living room. "The neighbours heard gunshots and when they went to investigate, they found that three women aged 35, 38 and 55 years old, and a 48-year-old man as well as three children aged 5, 11 and 12 years old, were shot and killed," Netshiunda said.
The motive of the killing is suspected to be a family feud and business-related tensions. Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said one of the family members was recently arrested in connection with a shooting of two brothers in the construction industry. The suspect is also embroiled in a conflict with his own brother.
Mkhwanazi has said that he is confident that police will crack the case and bring perpetrators to justice. "Police shall never rest until the person or people behind the mass shooting are arrested. We call upon anyone who might have information that may assist in the investigation or about the possible whereabouts of the suspects to tip-off the nearest police or make use of our Crime Stop number 08600 10111," he said.
KWAZULU-NATAL: A 47-year-old suspect who was wanted for the torture and double murder of his father and stepmother whom he accused of witchcraft was arrested while his accomplice was fatally shot during a shootout with the police yesterday. According to police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the suspect was arrested after a high-speed chase on the N2 southbound near the KwaMashu off-ramp. Investigations into the whereabouts of the suspect's accomplice led the police to an informal settlement at Welbadacht. When the suspect saw the cops, he fired shots towards them and they returned fire, sparking a shootout. The suspect was shot and fatally wounded during the shootout and he was found in possession of a firearm. A search is still underway for more firearms.
"It is reported that the arrested suspect and his now deceased accomplice went to the oPhondweni area in Ngwavuma on Wednesday night and tortured his father and his stepmother before shooting them dead. The suspects, who are also believed to be hitmen, have also been linked with cases of murder and armed robberies, including cash in transit robberies in Ngwavuma, Jozini, Mayville, Cato Manor, Chatsworth and Gingindlovu," Netshiunda said. The arrested suspect will appear in court soon.
FREE STATE: A serial rapist was sentenced to 32 years behind bars by the Bloemfontein Regional Court after he pleaded guilty to four counts of rape. Vuyisile Jackson Mamokgwe (24) was successfully linked to the rapes through DNA in December 2022. In September 2017, a 30-year-old woman was with her friend at home when two unknown males broke into her house. The friends were both attacked and raped by the suspects, who fled the scene. One of the men was later identified as Mamokgwe. In September 2019, a 15-year-old victim was walking home alone at night when she met Mamokgwe who threatened to stab her, throw her to the ground and rape her. In another incident in February 2022, a 24-year-old woman met Mamokgwe on the street and he threatened her before raping and robbing her of her belongings. In another incident, a 15-year-old female was attacked and raped by Mamokgwe while walking in the street alone. He was sentenced to eight years on each charge totalling to 32 years direct imprisonment. The sentences will not run concurrently and the court ordered that his name be added to the register for sexual offenders.
LIMPOPO: The police in Mogwadi arrested two suspects who were caught with illicit hookers worth more than R3.8m inside a truck. The duo aged 34 and 46 was arrested following a tip-off and charged with contravening of customs and possession of illicit hookers.
Spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said when the police searched the truck the suspects were traveling in, they found 908 boxes containing premium hooker flavours wrapped with plastics. The illicit hookers were confiscated after the suspects failed to provide the necessary documents of the goods. "During the arrest, one of the suspects tried to bribe the officers and an additional charge of bribery was added against him. The suspects will appear before Mogwadi Magistrate's Court soon.
