Gunmen on the run after killing Eastern Cape emergency worker
Eastern Cape police launched a manhunt for two suspects after they shot and killed a 53-year-old emergency worker outside a shop in Jansenville on Sunday evening.
According to a police statement, officers responded to reports of gunfire at the corner of Bridge and Main streets, Jansenville, at about 19:40 on 18 May
Upon arrival, they found the victim, identified as Piet Tieman, with fatal gunshot wounds to the upper body. Police opened a murder case and vowed to track down the killers.
The Eastern Cape Health MEC slammed the attack, condemning the cold-blooded killing of a frontline emergency worker. The victim had just finished his shift and was still in uniform when the shooters struck.
The MEC extended condolences to the victim's family, friends, and colleagues, and demanded that police leave no stone unturned to bring the killers to justice.
Tieman served the department for over 25 years.
Department Spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said since 2015, emergency services have experienced a series of attacks. In some instances, staff members are being robbed while on duty. MOM DELIVERS TODDLER'S BODY IN SUITCASE TO SAPS
Police arrested a 32-year-old woman in the Eastern Cape after she brought her three-year-old daughter's body to the Mbizana Police Station in a suitcase.
The woman left the child alone at their Mzamba home on Sunday, 18 May, while she visited her boyfriend. When she returned the next day, she found the toddler unresponsive near the door.
Instead of calling for help, she packed the child's body into a suitcase, took a taxi, and travelled about 30 kilometres to the police station. Upon arrival, she reported the death, and officers immediately arrested her.
What steps can communities and authorities take to better protect emergency workers from violence while they're on duty?
Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
8 hours ago
- IOL News
Outrage as Marius van der Westhuizen seeks parole for child murders
Former police officer Marius van der Westhuizen has applied for parole after serving more than a decade for the murder of his three children. Image: File Civil rights organisation, Action Society, has condemned the renewed parole application by a former police officer who murdered his three children in 2006, calling it a 'disgraceful affront to justice'. The organisation said the latest attempt to seek early release is retraumatising for the victims' family and deeply offensive to the broader public, many of whom remain haunted by the brutality of the crime. Marius van der Westhuizen was convicted of the premeditated murders of his children, Bianca, 16, Marius Jr, 5, and Antoinette, 21 months, at their Brackenfell, Western Cape, home on July 28, 2006. The killings, carried out in front of his then-wife, Charlotte, were reportedly sparked by jealousy and emotional turmoil. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Despite citing stress and depression, the court ruled that his actions were calculated and intentional. He was sentenced to 24 years in prison and has applied for parole three times. His third attempt was briefly successful in June 2024, when the parole board cited his rehabilitation efforts and acceptance of responsibility. The decision sparked widespread public backlash and was overturned by the Correctional Supervision and Parole Review Board just weeks later. 'The fact that Van der Westhuizen is once again seeking legal leniency is disgraceful. He murdered three innocent children. His place is behind bars, not back in society,' said Kaylynn Palm, Action Society spokesperson. Charlotte van der Westhuizen, now a lieutenant-colonel in the SAPS, has previously welcomed the revocation of her ex-husband's parole. 'I am extremely grateful for the positive outcome that we received, especially seeing that we are also celebrating Women's Month. I feel that justice has prevailed,' she said at the time. The Department of Correctional Services confirmed that the parole board's original decision had been overturned in terms of Section 75(8) of the Correctional Services Act. Van der Westhuizen remains incarcerated at Malmesbury Prison. Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald also supported the decision to revoke parole, saying it highlights the urgent need to review the parole system. 'Reforming our parole system is not just a policy issue, but a moral imperative. We must ensure that it protects the most vulnerable and does not re-victimise those already harmed,' he said. Action Society has reiterated its call for justice and urged the Department of Correctional Services to reject any further attempts by Van der Westhuizen to gain early release. 'This is not just an administrative issue — it is about upholding the value of life and protecting those who cannot protect themselves,' said Palm. 'We owe it to the victims to ensure that justice is not eroded by leniency.'
The Citizen
11 hours ago
- The Citizen
Gauteng unveils high-tech, tamper-proof number plates
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has officially unveiled a new high-tech, tamper-proof provincial number plate system. The new intelligent number plate system is a secure, traceable and smart solution, incorporating tamper-evident decals, forensic QR codes and a fully digitised back-end portal. These technological enhancements are designed to combat vehicle theft, fraud and cloning, while improving road safety and empowering traffic law enforcement across the province. Speaking at the launch of the new plates on Thursday, Lesufi said the new system is a major step forward in the fight against criminality in the province. 'We are letting go of the old ways of fighting crime and introducing new ideas in this fight. With the help of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, we are now deploying a digital system that ensures we are able to account for every vehicle on our public roads. 'Those who are using fraudulent or duplicate number plates will have no space or time to drive on our roads,' he said at the launch held at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg. The province has launched a high-calibre 'weapon' in the fight against criminality and restoring order, he said. Rollout and combating crime The system will be piloted using g-Fleet vehicles affixed with the technologically advanced new number plates as part of the six-month stress testing project, before the provincial rollout. This system is set to drastically improve the credibility of number plates and enable license plate tracking within the value chain, from manufacturer to the vehicle owner. Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela highlighted that the launch represented a strategic provincial intervention to combat crime effectively and strengthen regulatory compliance. She added that this is an important pillar in the broader Provincial Integrated Crime Prevention Strategy. 'By partnering with law enforcement agencies, metro police departments and the private sector, we are enhancing vehicle identification and traceability. 'These smart number plates will significantly reduce vehicle cloning, trafficking of stolen vehicles, and the use of falsified plates in criminal activities. It is about disrupting criminal networks and improving road safety,' the MEC said. Meanwhile, as part of efforts to bolster traffic law enforcement, the Gauteng Provincial Government welcomed 96 officers from the Road Traffic Management Corporation. These additional 'boots on the ground' officers will enhance visibility and strengthen crime-fighting efforts in the province. 'With these additional resources, the provincial government will also be able to undertake interventions to stabilise and manage taxi violence at identified hotspots, promote responsible road usage and enhance traffic management,' the MEC said. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
12 hours ago
- The Citizen
Pinetown SAPS officer to run his first Comrades
PINETOWN SAPS staff gathered in high spirits to offer their well wishes to one of their own who will run the Comrades Marathon. Detective Constable Siyabonga Sithole, who will be running his first Comrades, said it has always been his dream to run the ultimate human race. 'I was touched when I saw people living with disability starting and finishing the Comrades race, so I felt I owe it to myself to do it too.' Sithole said he started his running journey when he joined the police force in 2018. 'That's where I fell in love with sport, more especially running. Then I started with small races of 10km which I still run.' Asked how he balances his demanding job as a policeman and training for the gruelling marathon, Sithole said he trains in the afternoons after work. Also read: Sarah runs for another brown dog 'It does become challenging as I am a determined person. I also get training sometimes during the day as my job requires me to run after criminals,' he said with a smile, adding that he has prepared himself mentally to run the race. Qualifying for the Comrades is a big highlight of Sithole's life as it has changed his lifestyle positively. 'Work-wise, it helps me a lot because I keep fit, which is what my work requires. The support that I get from my colleagues is amazing, and I am growing as a person and as a police officer.' He encourages every South African to try this race at least once in a lifetime. 'This race is called 'isiko mpilo', which means 'a way of life'. I wish to further encourage youth to exercise as it helps prevent diseases.' Pinetown SAPS acting station commander, Colonel Ronnie Heeralall, said Sithole's commitment, dedication, and perseverance have paid off, thereby qualifying him to run an internationally recognised race. 'We, as SAPS Pinetown, are very proud of him and wish him all the best.' For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
