An accused person attempting to escape from custody at court was gunned down by an orderly
Image: SAPS
A PLAN to make a daring escape from custody during a court appearance went awry for an accused person who was attending a sitting at the Melmoth Magistrate's Court on Monday.
He attempted to grab the gun of a court orderly while in a courtroom and his two accomplices who were appearing alongside him assaulted the policeman.
Another policeman who was present shot and killed the accused who was trying to dispossess the orderly of his firearm.
KZN police spokesperson Captain Ntathu Ndlovu said Melmoth police were investigating an inquest, which relates to a case of escaping from lawful custody, attempted murder, and assault GBH (grievous bodily harm), following an incident that occurred at the Melmoth Magistrate's Court when three suspects allegedly attempted an escape.
'Reports indicate that the three suspects, aged between 22 and 26 years, were in court when one of the suspects allegedly attacked and attempted to disarm a police officer, and the other two suspects allegedly started to beat the officer,' Ndlovu said.
'One suspect was fatally shot, and the other two suspects have been re-arrested.'
Ndlovu said no other fatality was reported and that investigations were ongoing.
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
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.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Reacting to the incident, the Justice and Constitutional Development Ministry commended the prompt response but expressed concern over the incident.
The ministry said preliminary reports indicated that an accused person in custody allegedly gained access to a court orderly's firearm. However, in a quick response, a second court orderly discharged his service firearm, killing the accused. The accused was declared dead at the scene.
'While the full details of the incident, including the identity of the deceased and the exact sequence of events, are still under investigation, the ministry is encouraged by the professionalism displayed by court officials in a high-pressure situation,' ministry spokesperson Terrence Manase said.
'Their actions undoubtedly prevented a potentially greater tragedy.'
Manase said that despite the distressing incident, court operations at Melmoth were not disrupted, and the regional court continued to serve the public as scheduled.
'This reflects the resilience and commitment of the justice system and its officials to uphold the rule of law.'
Manase said the police were conducting a thorough investigation, and a full report was expected soon.
'The ministry has also initiated its own internal review of court security measures,' Manase said.
He said Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi had requested an urgent briefing and stressed the critical need to immediately enhance security measures within all court premises.
'The department is working closely with law enforcement to ensure enhanced safety measures are urgently implemented to safeguard all court users,' Manase said.
thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za
DAILY 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
‘Millions of Assumptions': Wins SARS Fraud Case, Casts Doubt on Blue Lights Trial
Defence attorney Pierre du Toit successfully argued that there was no evidence of fraud, deception, or intent to mislead SARS Image: Supplied The State's long-standing corruption case against businessman Vimpie Phineas Manthata suffered a major blow this week when the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court acquitted him and his co-accused in a R19 million tax fraud case that had formed a central pillar of the broader 'blue lights' procurement scandal. The verdict, delivered by Magistrate Phindi Keswa, saw Manthata, his company Instrumentation for Traffic Law Enforcement (ITLE), and bookkeeper Judy Rose cleared of all charges related to alleged violations of the Tax Administration Act during the 2018 and 2019 tax years. Legal experts say the State's inability to prove its SARS case beyond a reasonable doubt will now put additional pressure on the corruption trial, which has already faced years of delays, procedural blunders, and accusations of political motivation. 'The prosecution could not distinguish between clerical mistakes and criminal conduct,' Magistrate Keswa ruled. 'Assumptions and administrative discrepancies cannot be used to build a case without clear evidence of intent.' 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ SARS Case Unravels The SARS prosecution had alleged that Manthata's company manipulated its tax returns to avoid paying nearly R19 million in VAT and other obligations. But defence attorney Pierre du Toit successfully argued that there was no evidence of fraud, deception, or intent to mislead SARS.'This case is not about millions of rands, it is about millions of assumptions,' Du Toit told the court during closing arguments. 'The burden is on the State to prove guilt, and it has failed to do so in spectacular fashion.' He cited landmark cases including *State versus Prinsloo* and *State versus Futche*, which require a demonstration of clear intent to commit fraud — a standard the court agreed had not been officials admitted under cross-examination that they had no direct proof of falsified entries, and Rose testified that all bookkeeping was done using standard software and practices. Implications for the Blue Lights Trial The collapse of the tax case undermines the State's broader narrative in the so-called blue lights corruption case, in which Manthata, former acting national police commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane, and ten others face charges linked to the irregular procurement of emergency police equipment worth R191 million. The State had portrayed ITLE as a central vehicle for corrupt payments, with the SARS case meant to illustrate how the company allegedly misrepresented its financial affairs. Now, with the tax fraud allegations discredited, the entire corruption case may be on shaky ground. Last week, the same court postponed the blue lights trial yet again — this time to October 2025 — after severe criticism of the State's inability to produce a coherent charge sheet more than seven years after the case was first opened. Growing Criticism of the Prosecution Magistrate Ashika Ramalal lambasted the prosecution's handling of the case, saying the delays and repeated administrative errors were unacceptable. Still, she ruled that the trial would go ahead next year, warning that no further postponements would be tolerated. Defence attorneys argued that their clients had suffered severe prejudice and that the continued delays were violating their right to a fair and timely trial. Accused number 9 was even left without legal representation at one point, prompting the State to suggest separating the charges — a proposal strongly opposed by the defence. The situation has been further complicated by the State's repeated failure to serve Phahlane properly and controversy over the dropping and reinstatement of charges against Manthata, a move legal observers say sets a dangerous precedent. But with one major case already dismissed and serious doubts now hanging over the remaining charges, many are questioning whether the blue lights corruption trial will ever result in a conviction, or if it is yet another politically entangled case destined to collapse under the weight of its mismanagement.
IOL News
10 hours ago
- IOL News
Hawks continuing investigation into mysterious theft of R200 million drugs theft at DCPI offices
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, has confirmed that the investigation into the circumstances surrounding this elaborate heist is ongoing, yet clarity remains elusive. Image: File More than four years after R200 million worth of drugs vanished from the Port Shepstone Serious Organised Crime offices in 2021, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), known as the Hawks, states that the circumstances surrounding the disappearance remain uncertain and are still under investigation. At the time, the Hawks announced the launch of an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding this unexpected break-in, which set tongues wagging over the R200 million cocaine theft. However, the VP Justice Foundation, through its founder, Visham Panday has questioned whether anyone has been held accountable for the theft. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ With the ongoing spotlight on police inflitration by alleged drug kingpins, Panday has placed the blame squarely on Major General Lesetja Senona, the head of the province's Hawks. "How come General Senona was not suspended when the drugs disappeared from his watch. He is still being paid a salary, when more than 200 million worth of drugs were allegedly stolen. Now that the NPA has launched the investigation, heads are rolling. That surprises us as the VP Justice Foundation, we want to know why Senona and his team are not arrested. We know about the investigation, but the question is, what are they doing about it?" he said. In 2021, responding to the break-in, Hawks spokesperson, Brigadier Nomthandazo Mbambo, in a statement, said the incident was suspected to have occurred between 4 pm and 7 am, after which a case of business burglary having been registered for further investigation. 'The suspects gained entry into the building by forcing open the windows. One of the safes in the office, which was used to store exhibits, was tampered with. The suspects stole 541kg of cocaine drugs to the street value of R200 000 000 and ransacked the office where safes were kept,' she said. This week, Mbambo said the Hawks are investigating the matter stating:"Investigation into the theft of drugs at the DPCI Port Shepstone still continues and details thereof cannot be made available to the public so as to protect the integrity of the investigation." In an email to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the Gosai and Incoporated said it is aware of the NPA investigation involving Major General Senona related to the R200 million drug theft. "Our clinet calls for the immediate suspension of General Senona and other implicated persons, pending the finalisation of the investigation and decision, and instructs that he is the person in the possession of the evidence whichhwhich could be of assistence and is prepared to meet with the NPA to handover." However, the NPA was never able to confirm the alleged investigation into the matter following attemps to get comment from the NPA with Generl Senona also not available to respond to the allegations.
IOL News
11 hours ago
- IOL News
Two cops granted R3000 bail over truck looting incident
An ongoing investigation into the looting of a cargo truck carrying washing powder has led to multiple arrests, including police officers. Image: File Limpopo police have intensified their investigation into the looting of a cargo truck carrying washing powder, arresting two more suspects, bringing the total to five, including three officers implicated in the crime. Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that two more suspects, aged 39 and 51, were arrested at their homes on July 25 for their role in the July 14 looting of washing powder from a cargo truck. The pair are members of the public who allegedly took part in the brazen theft. Previously, The Star reported on how a cargo truck transporting washing powder veered off the road, causing its load to spill onto the road. As the driver attempted to manage the scene, chaos broke out, with bystanders, two police officers, and a SAPS cleaner allegedly seen helping themselves to the scattered goods. Instead of assisting, the officers reportedly loaded the detergent into a marked police vehicle and drove off, ignoring the driver's pleas to stop the looting. The driver, however, managed to gather critical information, which helped spark an investigation and led to several arrests. Some of the stolen items were later found at the residence of one of the implicated police officers. Ledwaba added that the three suspects, all employed by SAPS in Modimolle, were arrested for theft and defeating the ends of justice. They have since appeared in the Modimolle Magistrate's Court on July 25, where they were each granted bail. Their next court appearance is set for October 2. "Warrant Officer Frans Ndlovu (55) and Warrant Officer Lesiba Boya (49) were granted bail of R3000 each. Meanwhile, Cleaner Lucas Moima (50) was granted R5000 bail. They will appear again on 02 October 2025 for further Police investigation." The two newly arrested suspects are expected to appear in the local Magistrate's Court on Monday, 28 July 2025, to face theft charges. The Star [email protected]
