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

NORTH WEST: A mother has been released on bail after she appeared in court for child trafficking. NPA North West spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya, said it is alleged that the 23-year-old mother, Rosina Maluleke, advertised her child for sale on Facebook Marketplace last month and some woman showed interest. The woman reportedly from Orange Farm, arranged to meet with the mother at a shopping centre in Soshanguve where she was handed over the child and promised to give Maluleke R1 000 monthly until she is back on her feet again. "The suspect has not paid the money and can't be traced," Gunya said. The matter was postponed to 06 February 2025 for further police investigations.

WESTERN CAPE: Cape Town police need help to solve a mysterious murder that left two men dead in Philippi East. Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said the deceased in their 30s were shot and killed in Polar Park on Monday by unknown gunmen. Twigg said the motive for the killing is unknown at this stage. According to reports, the two unknown suspects approached the victims, and after they talked, the suspects shot them. He said both victims sustained gunshot wounds to their heads and were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.

KWAZULU-NATAL: A taxi driver who allegedly mugged his passengers at gunpoint and shot a traffic officer in KwaDukuza has been arrested. KZN police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said Superintendent Desmond Arumugam was shot and killed when he stopped a taxi driven by an armed man who had robbed passengers. Netshiunda said the suspect was arrested on Monday. He said follow-up investigations directed the police to the suspect's residence at an informal settlement in KwaMashu, where the murder weapon with a filed-off serial number was recovered with 32 rounds of ammunition.