🇿🇦South AfricaSouthern Africa
Activists call for police action on farm attacks after murder in Tshwane
via The Citizen13 min read
Members of the Lusthof community, north of Pretoria, are mobilizing against farm attacks and murders following the killing of a farmer on Monday morning. Farm crime activist Petrus Sitho has urged for immediate intervention and invited residents and acting police minister Firoz Cachalia to a safety meeting on June 13 to discuss the ongoing violence. Tshwane district SA Police Service spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk confirmed that police responded to a house robbery and murder at a smallholding in Hammanskraal, where a 69-year-old white male was found with multiple gunshot wounds to the head. Preliminary investigations indicate that three male suspects entered the main house, tied up the deceased's brother, and then shot the farmer when he opened his room door. The suspects stole household and garden items, fleeing in a silver Volkswagen Passat. No arrests have been made, and investigations are ongoing. AfriForum community safety spokesperson Jacques Broodryk highlighted the government's silence on the 10 farm attacks and related violent incidents reported in May, emphasizing that the high levels of violence necessitate recognizing farm attacks as a unique and serious crime. Broodryk noted that victims, including farm workers, have been assaulted, tied up, and shot, with several attacks thwarted by local security and community safety structures.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Citizen.
The MK party has reinforced its leadership structures in Mpumalanga and the North West province in preparation for the local government elections on November 4. Secretary-General Sibonelo Nomvalo announced that Deputy President Tony Yengeni will serve as the provincial election convener in Mpumalanga, supported by Lindi Mtshali, Qiniso Cibane, Bonginkosi Khumalo, and 15 other regional leaders. In the North West, national organiser Aleck Nkuna, Nomsa Diamil Nkateko Mkhabela, and 17 regional leaders have been deployed. Nomvalo addressed concerns raised by the March and March movement on immigration, stating that while the party is not formally aligned with the movement, it supports citizens' constitutional right to peaceful protest. He emphasized that immigration to South Africa must adhere to legal parameters and that illegal immigrants should seek voluntary repatriation. The party's national officials also discussed parliamentary processes regarding accountability and oversight concerning President Cyril Ramaphosa and the impeachment committee on the Phala Phala saga, reaffirming that no public office bearer is above accountability and calling for Ramaphosa to vacate office. The MK party expressed reservations about the appointment of Makashule Gana as Chairperson of the impeachment committee. Additionally, the party voiced support for Iran's call for peace in Gaza, demanding an immediate end to violence and protection for civilians, and urged Israel to declare a ceasefire. I
Must ReadThree security guards linked to a taxi association in KwaZulu-Natal KZN have been arrested following a violent altercation with an e-hailing driver that was captured on video and circulated widely. The guards, aged 28, 41, and 49, face charges of attempted murder, malicious damage to property, and assault. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning, June 3, 2026, on the MR518 road when the e-hailing driver was picking up passengers and was blocked by two security vehicles. Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda stated that the driver initially managed to drive away but was pursued. One of the security vehicles then bumped the e-hailing car, bringing it to a halt. During the confrontation, one guard reportedly shot the e-hailing vehicle's tire while two others allegedly assaulted the driver. Police officers in the vicinity intervened and rescued the driver. The security guards were brought to the police station by taxi association representatives on Thursday morning and subsequently arrested. The Acting Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal, Major General Phumelele Makoba, urged security companies employed by taxi associations to adhere to their PSIRA mandate and not interfere with transport industry activities. Makoba emphasized that no one has the right to prevent others from transporting passengers and that firearms must be used according to the Firearms Control Act. Three firearms were confiscated for ballistic analysis, and an investigation into the implicated s
The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption IDAC has re-enrolled the R24.9 million Nulane Investment corruption case at the Bloemfontein Magistrates' Court on June 4, 2026. This follows a June 2025 Supreme Court of Appeal SCA ruling by Judge Cagney John Musi, which overturned the case's earlier withdrawal and favored the state's reinstatement. The case centers on allegations that R24.9 million was paid to Nulane Investment for a feasibility study for the Free State province's Mohoma Mobung project, which led to the Estina/Vrede dairy project. The state alleges Nulane, contracted for its unique skills, had no employees and subcontracted Deloitte, paying them R1.5 million for the report. It is further alleged that the Deloitte report was altered to identify Paras Dairy as a suitable implementing partner for a milk processing plant in Vrede. IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame stated that the re-enrollment occurred after the accused's attempt to have the Constitutional Court overturn the SCA's ruling was dismissed. The accused, including Iqbal Sharma and his company Nulane Investment, former head of Free State Department of Agriculture FSDoA Peter Thabethe, former head of FSDoA Limakatso Moorosi, former FSDoA Chief Financial Officer Seipati Dhlamini, Ronica Ragavan and Islandsite Investment, and Dinesh Patel, appeared in court after receiving summonses. The matter has been postponed to September 22 for docket disclosure. The Nulane case was IDAC's first state-capture case to
Must ReadA member of parliament has cautioned that killing suspects will not resolve South Africa's crime problem. This follows two recent suspect deaths in a shootout with police in KwaMsane, adding to at least five similar incidents in May. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate Ipid is investigating 464 cases of deaths due to police action reported in the 2025-26 financial year, with 975 deaths recorded in the previous two years. While police state they often act in self-defense against heavily armed criminals, Ipid also reported investigating 3,913 cases of police misconduct in 2025-26, including 116 alleged rapes and 3,147 assaults. Since 2021, Ipid has investigated 2,242 deaths by police action, excluding those in detention. In KwaZulu-Natal, 296 suspects were killed in shootouts with police in the last two years, a number that has since surpassed 300. Conversely, 31 police officers were killed on duty between April 2024 and March 2026. The DA's KwaZulu-Natal representative in the National Council of Provinces, Mzamo Billy, emphasized that due process should be a priority, stating that even criminals have rights in a constitutional democracy. He advocated for police to wear body cameras to provide evidence in deadly encounters, noting that while a trial is committed, underfunding remains an issue. Billy believes body cameras would ensure oversight, safeguard police, and rebuild trust with citizens, arguing that killing suspects could be seen as a shortcut rather than a