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

GAUTENG: Two suspects were nabbed in Mamelodi East for allegedly extorting money from residents in the area. Police confirmed that the suspects were also wanted for an assault case, which was opened last month. They are accused of allegedly assaulting a victim with a sjambok after failing to pay a protection fee. "The police, with the assistance from crime intelligence, will continue with these operations with the aim of continuing to address extortion activities in Tshwane district," police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said. She said during the arrests, the suspects were found in possession of two register books and an undisclosed sum of money. Both suspects, aged 33 and 46, are due to appear in court today on charges of assault GBH and extortion.

MPUMALANGA: The police in Nelspruit are investigating a shooting that occurred in Schoemansdal on Tuesday night, where a local political activist was shot multiple times. According to the information the police received, the victim arrived at his residence with a companion around 21:20 pm and parked in front of his gate to open it. Colonel Donald Mdhluli said at that moment, an armed man wearing a black jersey and a white hat approached him and fired several shots, resulting in the victim sustaining injuries. "Despite attempting to seek refuge in his house, the suspect continued firing at the victim as he tried to flee. The suspect fled the scene and is currently at large. The victim was swiftly transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment and is fighting for his life despite receiving the necessary care," Mdhuli said. The police urge members of the public with any information that may assist in the arrest of the suspect to come forward. 

NORTH WEST: Forty suspects were arrested by the intergrated Vala Umgodi operation between September 29 and 2 October in Heartbeespoortdam, Mooinooi, Thlabane, and Sun City. They were all arrested for contravening Section 49(1) of the Immigration Act. Fourteen of the suspects appeared in the Brits Magistrate's Court yesterday and were remanded in custody. Provincial SAPS spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh said the rest of the suspects will appear before the court today and tomorrow. Myburgh said during the operations, the police seized illegal mining equipment such as hammers, spades, phendukas, batteries and wheelbarrows. 

LIMPOPO: A serial rapist who targeted young women on Facebook has been sentenced to two life imprisonments by the Lenyenye Regional Court in Tzaneen. Morgan Ngobeni (31) was found guilty of multiple rape charges committed between 2018 and 2020 in the Mopani District. Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said Ngobeni's reign of terror started in 2018 when he raped a 17-year-old mentally challenged girl from Letsitele, who was reported missing and returned the next day to report the incident. Although he was arrested in 2019, he was released due to lack of evidence. Ngobeni continued to prey on victims using Facebook, targeting two women aged 22 and 26 in the Maake Policing area. He used fake profiles and threatening messages to control them. "In one incident, a 26-year-old woman was raped after meeting Ngobeni at Maake Plaza, where he threatened and raped her in his rented room. Similarly, in 2020, a 22-year-old woman was lured with a job promise on Facebook and raped in the same room," Mashaba said. Ngobeni was found guilty last month and sentenced to double life imprisonments on counts 1 and 3, 10 years on count 2, and 5 years for trafficking for sexual purposes.