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

NORTH WEST: A pensioner has appeared in Bloemhof Magistrates Court for the murder of his son and his wife's two teen relatives. It's alleged that Daniel Mokwai (62) gave the three poison-laced pies. The three family members died over a period of three years and they were buried and considered to have died due to natural causes. In all three cases, the accused successfully claimed from his insurance policies. Some family members reported the man to the police after becoming suspicious that he murdered their relatives by allegedly buying all three of them pies. Police spokesperson Colonel Adele Myburgh said the bodies of all three deceased were exhumed and pathology reports confirmed that they were poisoned, leading to the murder investigations. Mokwai was arrested on Monday. "The first incident happened on Saturday, 5 December 2020, where a 16-year-old boy died at midday between Phuduhudu and Gopane, close to Bloemhof. The boy was the accused's wife's relative. The second deceased was the accused's wife's 17-year-old relative who died on Wednesday night, 1 December 2021, in Boitumelong Township, outside of Bloemhof. The last victim, Mothibi Alpheos Mokwai (31), was the accused' son. He died on Sunday, 9 October 2022, at his house in Mathyse Street in Bloemhof," Myburg said. Mokwai was remanded in custody until his second court appearance on Wednesday, 4 September 2024, for legal representative.

LIMPOPO: Two men are expected to appear before Tubatse Magistrates Court this morning for the murder of a headman in Magobading village. Headman Setlamorago Thobejane (60) was murdered on 7 August while walking to work with his daughter. The suspects driving a car without a registration number allegedly approached them and fired several shots, fatally wounding the headman before they fled the scene. Thobejane was taken to the nearest hospital, but he succumbed to injuries. The suspects, aged 25 and 40, were arrested on Wednesday at Magobading and Steelpoort villages following joint investigations by members of the provincial tracking team and murder and robbery unit. The suspects are facing charges of murder and hijacking. More arrests are expected.

FREE STATE: A 65-year-old man has been sentenced to an effective 15-year sentence for the rape of his teenage granddaughter in April 2022 and January 2023. On 3 April 2022, the 19-year-old victim from the Matsikeng section of Makwane village in Qwaqwa was asked to prepare food by her grandfather. She did and took the food to him in his bedroom. That is where the grandfather began touching her and ultimately raped her. She didn't report the incident to anyone. In January 2023, the grandfather raped her again and the young woman reported the matter to the police in March 2023. He was found guilty last week Friday by the Phuthaditjhaba Regional Court on a rape case and sentenced yesterday. 

EASTERN CAPE: The police in Swartkops in Gqeberha are seeking the community's assistance in identifying two men who were found yesterday in the Swartkops River. According to reports, at approximately 19:25, SAPS Swartkops responded to a complaint of a possible drowning at the Swartkops River. On arrival, the members noticed two men floating in the water. Police spokesperson, Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg, said: "Without hesitation, with the assistance of a member from the public, they swam and safely brought out one victim to the shore. The member returned for the second victim and once they were on the shore they attempted CPR but the man passed away. The other victim was rushed to the hospital but also passed away while en route," Van Rensburg said. Both the victim's hand and feet were tied with cable ties, and circumstances surrounding the incident form part of the investigation. The victims are both foreign nationals and are unknown. Two counts of murder were opened for further investigation. Police are appealing to anyone who can assist with information to contact Captain Roland Peterson on 082 303 0285, Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or the nearest police station.