Foreign national arrested in Eastern Cape for Motherwell mass shooting that killed five teenagers
via The Citizen1 min read
A 28-year-old foreign national has been arrested in the Eastern Cape in connection with the Motherwell mass shooting that resulted in the deaths of five teenagers. The suspect was apprehended in Gqeberha on Friday, June 5, 2026, following an intensive investigation by the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit. The shooting occurred on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at a residence in Mnenga Street, NU10, Motherwell, where police found five males with gunshot wounds. Three victims were declared deceased at the scene, a fourth succumbed to injuries at the scene, and the fifth died later in hospital. The deceased were identified as Mpendulo Sjadu 17, Sonwabise Mkhweta 17, Luvuyo Crowly 17, Ibrahim Said 18, and Vuyisani Pinini 18. Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana stated that the suspect faces five counts of murder and is expected to appear in the Motherwell Magistrate’s Court on Monday, June 8, 2026. Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata commended the investigating team for their efforts in tracking down those responsible for violent crimes.
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A 49-year-old Zimbabwean national was arrested in the Moletlane policing area of South Africa after police intercepted a truck carrying illicit tobacco valued at R1.5 million. The operation, which also led to the seizure of the R800,000 Nissan truck, followed intelligence that the vehicle was transporting illicit tobacco from Zimbabwe to Gauteng Province. Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba stated that the Provincial Tracking Team, supported by Tshimollo Security and Investigations, stopped and searched the truck on the R518 public road, discovering 333 master boxes of Hookar tobacco. Further investigations revealed the suspect was in South Africa illegally. The combined value of the seized truck and tobacco is R2.3 million. The suspect is scheduled to appear before the Zebediela Periodical court on Monday, June 8, 2026, facing charges under the Customs and Excise Act and the Immigration Act. This arrest follows a recent case where a Limpopo cigarette trafficker, Toni Nathaniel Gumbo, was sentenced to 13 years in jail for similar offenses, a judgment that Tax Justice South Africa TJSA highlighted as a significant step in combating tax crime.
Must ReadThe Department of Home Affairs has revealed significant irregularities in Traffic Register Numbers TRNs issued to foreign nationals for vehicle documentation. TRNs are provided to foreign nationals and entities without South African ID numbers to register vehicles, apply for driving licenses, and conduct transactions on the eNatis System. An investigation was launched after 973 TRNs were issued from a small Northern Cape office in four months in 2019, a town with only 12,000 residents, compared to 130 from the province's largest office. Home Affairs found foreign nationals applied for TRNs in the Northern Cape and then duplicates in Cape Town within an hour, often using the same address. Forensic investigator Maria Mnisi noted that eNatis could capture applications without ID information and lacked mechanisms to verify submitted documents. Cross-referencing over a million TRNs issued between January 2000 and July 2023 against Home Affairs' systems showed that only 2.7% matched the National Immigration Identification System, and 747,350 were unmatched against the Visa Adjudications System. Of the 29,653 TRN recipients with files on the NIIS, only 1,677 were legal, with the rest providing false information. TRN holders allegedly used fraudulently obtained TRNs to acquire luxury vehicles, including 40 "elite supercars" and 327 Porsches, even after visa application rejections. Gauteng saw 244 Porsches, six Bentleys, four Lamborghinis, five Ferraris, and a McLaren purchased with T
Must ReadThe uMkhonto weSizwe Party MKP announced its intention to prioritize quality over cadre deployment when selecting mayoral candidates for the upcoming local government elections. Sibonelo Nomvalo, the party's secretary-general, stated that quality must supersede cadre deployment to avoid compromising service delivery, a pitfall he attributed to the ANC. Nomvalo emphasized that mayoral candidates must possess the ability to understand council reports, particularly those related to city budgets, highlighting the importance of experience, knowledge, and skills. He added that the party aims to deploy individuals who can effectively address the needs of the populace at the local government level. Regarding potential alliances, Nomvalo indicated that the MK Party would ideally collaborate with progressive, leftist parties following the elections. He also addressed and denied claims of factional battles within the party, despite recent suspensions of leaders, including the party's Chief Whip in parliament, Nthabiseng Mabatho Mokoena-Zondi, and previously the party's spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela. Nomvalo asserted that enforcing discipline is crucial for the organization's principles and to prevent anarchy.
The cash-strapped Ramotshere Moiloa local municipality in North West has had 13 vehicles seized by a sheriff due to an alleged unpaid R4 million contract with Vimtsire Protection & Security Services. This action follows a default judgment related to a security contract that was terminated early, with Vimtsire providing services between 2020 and 2023. The municipality disputes the R4 million claim, stating the outstanding amount is closer to R2 million. Municipal manager Lekgetho Mokgatlhe called the incident unfortunate, noting that the municipality plans to settle the R2 million debt in the first week of July after receiving its equitable share allocation. A source within the municipality indicated that the sheriff seized all available municipal cars, as many were inoperable. Odirile Selomo, a local SA National Civic Organisation leader, stated that the dispute originated from the municipality's demand for Vimtsire to pay R4 million for stolen cables under their supervision, which the company refused. Ramotshere Moiloa DA councillor Imaan Sayed Suliman commented that this setback is negatively impacting service delivery and maintenance operations.