
‘Most-wanted' CIT murder suspects dead in Boksburg shootout
The suspects are linked to cases in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
The gun battle took place in Boksburg on Saturday afternoon. Picture: Vision Tactical
Two of South Africa's most wanted cash-in-transit and murder suspects have been shot dead during a shootout with police in Boksburg.
The gun battle took place in Boksburg on Saturday afternoon.
Shootout
Police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said firearms, including an AK-47 rifle, were recovered.
'Fortunately, no members of the Saps were harmed during the incident.
'The suspects are linked to cases in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) provinces'.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni said the operation involved various police units, security companies, and counterintelligence forces.
'Since the start of the year, 76 such incidents have been recorded nationwide, with 18 security guards tragically killed since January 2024'.
WATCH the briefing by Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni
Several suspects linked to violent crimes in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal were fatally shot during a police operation in Boksburg. Newzroom Afrika's @sholwana_z reports live from the scene. #Newzroom405
Watch: https://t.co/IRhCiWoJlr pic.twitter.com/xGW8tfv73O — Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) May 17, 2025
ALSO READ: Five suspected CIT robbers including kingpin shot dead in Durban [VIDEO]
Police visibility
Mthombeni said operations had increasingly required advanced surveillance and intelligence-sharing to track potential suspects.
He added that to counteract the surge, Gauteng has been divided into north and south working teams to bolster efforts, enhance police visibility.
'We aim to stabilise the situation by being proactive and ensuring law enforcement is always a step ahead'.
Mthombeni said recent arrests in key heist cases in KZN and Gauteng demonstrate 'significant progress'.
Bravery
Ministry of police spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi applauded the efforts of the law enforcement officers involved in this operation.
'Their bravery and professionalism continue to disrupt organised crime and protect our communities. These actions serve as a clear message that law enforcement remains resolute in the fight against violent crime and will continue to pursue justice without fear or favour'.
CIT shootout
Last week, a security officer was killed in a deadly CIT on the link road between Mandeni and the N2 in KZN after a group of armed suspects ambushed a security vehicle.
IPSS Medical spokesperson Samantha Meyrick said the suspects launched a violent attack on the security vehicle.
'The cash-in-transit vehicle had been targeted by a group of gunmen, which led to one security officer being shot.'
Meyrick said the robbers reportedly attempted to use explosives to access the cash but failed.
ALSO READ: Five murder suspects shot dead in gunfight with police in KZN

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Santaco condemns Mfuleni taxi rank shooting that killed four
Chairperson Hermanus emphasised the importance of stability within the industry and urged taxi operators to remain calm. A deadly shooting at the Mfuleni taxi rank in Cape Town claimed four lives in the early hours of Friday morning. According to the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) Western Cape chairperson, Mandla Hermanus, three other individuals were rushed to the hospital. They sustained serious injuries. The incident has sparked outrage across the taxi industry, with Santaco condemning the act as 'brutal and criminal'. 'We understand four people died at the scene. [Additionally], three were rushed to the hospital for urgent medical care,' said Hermanus on Friday. Call for swift arrests Santaco has urged law enforcement agencies to act swiftly to bring the perpetrators to justice. 'We call on law enforcement agencies to act swiftly and decisively to identify and arrest those responsible. There can be no tolerance for violence in our industry or communities,' said Hermanus. While the details of the shooting are still inadequate, it is believed that gunmen entered the taxi rank office and opened fire on the people inside. Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said further details will be provided. The taxi rank has been cordoned off. ALSO READ: Police recover 10 AK-47s at Meyerton taxi rank after shooting Appeal for calm Hermanus emphasised the importance of stability within the taxi industry and urged taxi operators to remain calm. 'We urge all operators to remain calm and exercise maximum restraint. This incident must not be allowed to derail the efforts underway to build peace and unity within the taxi industry across the province,' he said. Santaco will be meeting with the relevant taxi association to establish what led to the incident and how to prevent future outbreaks of violence. NOW READ: Four killed, three others injured at Mfuleni taxi rank in Cape Town


The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Justice committee chair slams Mokgoatlheng's ‘unfortunate' comments in Meyiwa trial
Legal professionals call for a review of the judge's comments, calling them unprofessional. The chair of parliament's portfolio committee on justice and constitutional development has strongly condemned what he described as racially charged comments made by Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng during the high-profile Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, adding to mounting criticism from legal organisations across South Africa. Xola Nqola expressed serious concern over the judge's 'unfortunate' remarks, stating that 'the comments border on racism' and calling them 'totally unacceptable utterances'. The controversy erupted during court proceedings in the High Court in Pretoria on Thursday, when Mokgoatlheng made disparaging comments about black legal professionals compared to their white counterparts. The contentious remarks arose when Mokgoatlheng addressed a scheduling conflict involving one of the defense attorneys. Advocate Charles Mnisi, representing accused Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, had informed the court registrar that he would be absent on Monday, 9 June 2025, as he would be participating in the Comrades Marathon on Sunday and would only return to Gauteng the following day. Mokgoatlheng's response drew sharp criticism when he said: 'This is what happens in a South Africa run by blacks. I can tell you now, even if you call Uncle Tom, I don't think a white advocate will ever have the gall to ask me that. Never.' The judge further criticised the scheduling conflict, saying: 'Even the accused themselves have been in custody for two to three years. And here's this stupid judge called Ratha Mokgoatlheng allowing a person who is representing two of the accused here to go and run a marathon.' ALSO READ: 'This is what happens in a SA run by blacks': Senzo Meyiwa trial judge fires off explosive rant Political and legal condemnation Nqola strongly rejected the judge's characterisation of black legal professionals, emphasising that 'the incompetence or behaviour of legal practitioners has nothing to do with race, as he has alluded to in court. The remarks are extremely unfortunate and a gross generalisation.' The parliamentary committee chairperson acknowledged the frustrations surrounding the lengthy trial but maintained that such comments were inexcusable. 'Whilst we understand the frustration of the judge, families and accused with the duration of the trial, it is totally unacceptable to imply black legal professionals act unprofessionally compared to their white counterparts. We urge him to refrain from such gross generalisations,' Nqola said. The committee has demanded that 'Judge Mokgoatlheng withdraws his comments and apologise to the nation'. Law Society response Speaking on Newzroom Afrika, the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) expressed deep disappointment with the judge's conduct, with its president Nkosana Mvundlela describing the situation as particularly troubling given the judge's previous controversial statements. 'It is a very unfortunate statement made by a presiding officer who has taken oath to defend and protect the rule of law and democracy,' Mvundlela said. 'It is very saddening that almost 11 months ago we were actually addressing the very same issue of these disparaging remarks that are made by a judge presiding in this matter.' Mvundlela emphasised that the judge's comments constituted racial bias, explaining: 'Once you talk about black and compared to white, you can't move away from actually then ascribing it as a race issue. Because when a person says to you, a white advocate would not have the gall to say that to me, it means that he believes, or at least he holds a view, that a white person sitting there would not think that way.' ALSO READ: 'No proper investigation was done': Defence frustrated over missing evidence in Senzo Meyiwa murder trial Proper court procedures defended The LSSA president defended Mnisi's approach in communicating through the registrar, stating that legal practitioners 'are expected as officers of the court to address the judge through the registrar'. He questioned why following ethical obligations would be construed as disrespectful behaviour. 'The prosecutor is there saying, it is a correct approach that he wrote to the registrar to inform you that this is what his situation is. Now that is ethically correct. And I don't then understand why would complying with our ethical obligations mean that we are disrespectful as officers of the court,' Mvundlela said. Calls for formal action Legal organisations, including the Pan-African Bar Association, and political parties have indicated their intention to file formal complaints with the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) regarding the judge's conduct. The LSSA supports such action, with Mvundlela stating that 'the JSC, the Judicial Conduct Committee must investigate this kind of conduct and make a finding about it'. He emphasised the importance of judicial officers maintaining public confidence in the justice system: 'When judicial officers are presiding, their job is to ensure that they attract at least a sense of responsibility to themselves, to the society, that the society must continue trusting the justice system. 'Now when people get there and speak with racial undertones, they are not attracting that kind of attitude towards the judicial system itself.' The Good party echoed these sentiments, while also strongly condemning Mokgoatlheng's comments, calling them 'racially charged' and 'deeply concerning'. Good secretary-general Brett Herron called on the JSC to review the judge's remarks. 'Decorum in court is not just about the behaviour of lawyers and attendees, it begins with the conduct of the bench. Judges must embody the fairness and dignity they expect from others. These comments fall far short of that standard.' ALSO READ: 'That is the law': Judge intervenes as lawyers squabble in Senzo Meyiwa murder trial Trial context The controversy has added another layer of complexity to the already lengthy and highly publicised Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. Judge Mokgoatlheng referenced public frustration with the prolonged proceedings, citing sentiments such as 'justice delayed is justice denied' and '10 years no justice', while noting the ongoing distress of the Meyiwa family and the fact that the accused have been in custody for two to three years. The judge indicated he would need to justify the lack of proceedings on Monday to Gauteng High Court Judge President Dunstan Mlambo, highlighting the administrative challenges posed by the scheduling conflict. While some observers agreed that the judge was within his rights to address the scheduling issue, the consensus among legal professionals and political figures is that the racial undertones of his comments crossed an unacceptable line, potentially undermining public confidence in the judicial system's commitment to equality and fair treatment regardless of race. NOW READ: Senzo Meyiwa: Judge Mokgoatlheng apologises for comments about black lawyers


The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
These are Gauteng's hotspots for murder, rape, kidnapping, carjacking and house robbery
Arguments, misunderstandings, road rage and provocation remain the highest number of incidents. Between January 2025 and March 2025, Gauteng recorded an increase in kidnappings, said Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni on Thursday. Through the National Anti–Kidnapping Unit, the province arrested 88 suspects linked to 62 cases of kidnapping and rescued 77 victims of kidnapping during the period under review. 'We are working together with our stakeholders to combat the kidnapping syndicates operating in this province. We are thankful to Business Against Crime South Africa for our partnership through the Eyes and Ears Initiative and are able to deploy their technological resources and utilise security officers as force multipliers when conducting take-down operations,' said Mthombeni. ALSO READ: Crime stats: SA records decrease in murders but increase in rapes However, the Gauteng top cop acknowledged that more still needed to be done. 'We acknowledge that there is still much work to be done, and as we move forward, we will continue to foster collaboration with our stakeholders in ensuring that we improve the safety and security of our communities.' Multiple murders are also a challenge for the province, with 75 dockets having been opened for 191 victims. The province recorded two incidents where seven victims were murdered on the same crime scene, said Mthombeni. The crime statistics he presented showed a decrease in murder, with 1 439 cases recorded compared to 1 614 cases recorded during the same period last year. ALSO READ: 110 women murdered in KwaZulu-Natal since October – Mchunu Arguments, misunderstandings, road rage and provocation remain the highest number of incidents, with 122 cases, followed by vigilantism and mob justice with 69 cases, and taxi-related murders with 45 cases. You're most likely to be murdered in a public place, where 706 cases were recorded — followed by private residences of either the victim or perpetrator, with 306 cases, and liquor outlets, where 50 murders occurred. Gauteng hotspots The crime statistics showed that there are no-go areas in Gauteng, where you're likely to experience murder, rape, carjacking, house robbery and kidnapping. The top 10 police stations for murder in Gauteng are Ivory Park (42 cases), Jeppe (38), Orange Farm (37), Lenasia (33), Hillbrow (32), Ennerdale (31), Eldorado Park (30), Kagiso (28), JHB Central (28), and Daveyton (26). The top 40 stations for rape include Roodepoort (60 cases), Orange Farm (54), Alexandra (45), Diepsloot (43), Ivory Park (38), Atteridgeville (36), Temba (34), Rietgat (34), Tembisa (34), Mamelodi East (34). ALSO READ: GBV, femicide receiving 'priority attention', says Gauteng police commissioner Here is where you're more likely to lose your car in Gauteng: Ivory Park (67 cases), Mamelodi East (65), Akasia (58), Jabulani (57), Moroka (51), Olievenhoutbosch (51), Sandringham -(45), Ennerdale (43), Vosloorus (42), Pretoria West (42). The top 10 police stations where cases of robbery at residential premises were recorded: Loate (64 cases), Mabopane (51), Tembisa (43), Roodepoort (43), Mamelodi East (39), Silverton (38), Moffatview (38), Mondeor (36), Putfontein (33), Lenasia (33), Ivory Park (33). These are the hotspots for kidnapping: JHB Central (63 cases), Vosloorus (63), Moroka (53), Ivory Park (51), Roodepoort (48), Jabulani (47), Midrand (47), Orange Farm (45), Tembisa (44), Sandringham (39). According to the crime statistics, Ivory Park appeared in the top 10 stations list for all the crimes mentioned, while Orange Farm is a hotspot for murder, rape and kidnapping. Roodepoort features in the top 10 police stations for rape, house robbery and kidnapping, while Tembisa featured for rape, house robbery and kidnapping. In Mamelodi East, rape, carjacking and house robbery were the most common crimes, while Jabulani, Moroka and Sandringham have a carjacking and kidnapping problem. READ NEXT: Justice department's poor record-keeping delays protection orders for GBV victims – AG