4 Jozini pupils arrested after violent protest action
THE authenticity of a video trending on social media, appearing to show police members assaulting a learner as they led him to a SAPS van, is being investigated.
This after four learners were on Wednesday arrested by Jozini SAPS for public violence, attack on police officers, and malicious damage to property following violent protests outside a school.Reports indicate that high school learners from two schools marched to a third school and staged violent protests at the gate.
ALSO READ: Have you seen this man?
KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda explained that during the protests, learners damaged a SAPS vehicle with stones, and also attacked police officers.
'Four learners, aged between 18 and 20 years old, were arrested but were later released into the custody of their parents. They are expected to appear in the Ubombo Magistrate's Court, accompanied by their parents or guardians.
'Police have also noted videos doing the rounds on social media, showing police assaulting a learner as they led him to a police van. Such conduct is unacceptable and the authenticity of the video will be investigated.
'If police are found to have acted using excessive force, necessary action will be taken. Students, learners, and everyone else who wishes to march or protest, are reminded that their actions must not violate the law because police will act decisively to protect lives, livelihood and property,' said Netshiunda.
Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here:
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 060 784 2695
Instagram – zululand_observer
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
21 minutes ago
- IOL News
Police union celebrates pivotal SAPS reforms aimed at boosting officer morale
Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) president, Thulani Ngwenya. Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers Beyond SAPS detectives, three specialised groups, namely K9 handlers, mounted patrol officers, and armourers, will at last see their roles reflected in a formal rank structure, which could mark a turning point, said the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) on Friday. Popcru President Thulani Ngwenya described a joint meeting in Pretoria with the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, and the SAPS leadership as a milestone in South Africa's criminal justice landscape. Ngwenya said the largest union in the criminal justice cluster, Popcru, was instrumental in securing a host of reforms aimed at improving working conditions, addressing rank stagnation, and boosting morale across the police service. He said this included the scrapping of the controversial expeditious dismissal process, new promotion pathways for officers and civilian staff, and the reopening of enlistment for experienced former members. 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 Mchunu discussed issues related to human resources in the police and strategies for improvement. He said that in April, the SAPS convened the National Policing Summit under the theme: Efficiency In Action: Optimising South Africa's Policing Potential. 'The summit brought together key stakeholders and role-players in policing and crime prevention. From it emerged a number of outcomes which are already being implemented. I want to assure the public that we will keep them informed on our progress every step of the way.' According to Ngwenya: 'This day marks the halfway point of a long-fought struggle to reclaim the dignity so often denied to public protectors who serve at the coalface, safeguarding our nation against a violent criminal element. For the first time, police management and labour shared a single platform to give the country a line-by-line account of changes coming to the SAPS.' Ngwenya added that an enduring pain point for police officials has been the controversial expeditious dismissal regulations that allowed for the abuse of disciplinary procedures to unfairly punish officers. The union has criticised the expeditious process for undermining the principles of natural justice, bypassing fair hearings, and fast-tracking the dismissal of members without due process. 'This flawed and biased system has now been discontinued, ensuring that officers will not be dismissed without a proper hearing and a reasoned decision,' he said. The SAPS is further finalising a promotion pathway for officers who have gone 20, 24, or 28 years without promotion. The union has repeatedly drawn attention to the fact that the lack of regular promotion opportunities drained morale and loyalty, as members felt their dedication was not recognised. Ngwenya welcomed the number of 30,393 officers who have been appointed in the past three years, but cautioned that far more police officers are needed. 'South Africa's criminal element is growing faster than the SAPS can manage. While appointing 11,000 units this and next year is a good start, we need more than double that to catch up," he said. Ngwenya said that Popcru has also successfully pushed the SAPS to review the scarce-skills benefits offered to members with specialised expertise – including hostage negotiators, divers, airborne units, coastal skippers, and vessel handlers. The union again highlighted a mass exodus of highly skilled officers to better-paying jobs as evidence that the SAPS must improve incentives. The National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, said that between 2018 and 2023, more than 57,000 police officers have progressed to higher ranks. These promotions include: Constable to Sergeant: 35,639 Sergeant to Warrant Officer: 6,107 Warrant Officer Band 1 to Warrant Officer B2: 15,405
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Police clamping down on drug mules at OR Tambo
Last night, the South African Police Service reported that three alleged drug mules were arrested at OR Tambo International Airport in one week. Two of the arrests took place on 10 June 2025. In the first arrest, SAPS intercepted a 30-year-old Brazilian national who had landed from São Paulo. She confessed that she had ingested more than 100 cocaine-filled bullets. 'Later the same day, police intercepted a 57-year-old Ethiopian national at the airport's check-in counter before he could board a flight out of the country. A search of the suspect's luggage uncovered over 90 kilograms of Khat,' said police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk. On 5 June 2025, a 42-year-old Nigerian national was arrested on charges of drug trafficking upon arrival at the airport. He had travelled from São Paulo and was en route to Nigeria. 'The drug trafficker landed at 07:00 when he was intercepted by police officers at the airport. A medical x-ray confirmed that he had ingested more than 70 drug bullets suspected to contain cocaine,' said van Wyk. All three suspects are due to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrates' Court on charges of drug trafficking. Last month, The South African brought you the story of a 39-year-old Brazilian national who was found in possession of R 1,4 million worth of cocaine wrapped around his legs. He too was intercepted at OR Tambo after travelling from São Paulo. He told police he was in transit to Benin. At the time, police reported that they were intensifying their efforts to clamp down on the illicit trade of drugs and they had made significant arrests. 'SAPS has intercepted more than 23 drug traffickers at this port of entry in the past six months,' concluded van Wyk. 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.
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Missing teen needed to conduct ID parade, case postponed
This marks another delay in Baukudi's case that has already experienced a postponement due to outstanding procedural issues. 19 year old Kamogelo Baukudi was kidnapped in Vereeniging on Thursday. Picture: Saps A police officer's kidnapping case has stalled after the court heard that the missing teenager, who is needed to identify the accused in an identification parade, has not been found. The case against 42-year-old police officer Philemon Adoon, charged with kidnapping and extortion in connection with the disappearance of 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi, was postponed to 24 June 2025 following Friday's brief appearance at the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court. The court was told that the missing Free State teenager, Baukudi, was required to participate in an ID parade to identify the suspect — a process that cannot proceed while his whereabouts remain unknown. Details of kidnapping Baukudi was kidnapped on Thursday, 5 June 2025 and remains missing. According to police reports, the teen was kidnapped by two suspects impersonating police officers. Police spokesperson Colonel Brigadier Athlenda Mathe previously revealed that a complainant, identified as Daniel Malebatso, fetched Baukudi from Marti Du Plessis School in Fitchardpark as usual. After Malebatso and Baukudi left the school, Mathe said the complainant stated that the pair was followed and subsequently pulled over by a White Toyota Hilux GD-6 Double Cab. Two men, one in a police uniform and one in blue tracksuits, emerged from the vehicle and approached Baukudi and Malebatso. Mathe said the suspect, wearing a police uniform, confronted Malebatso and told him that the Suzuki Ertiga they were driving together with Baukudi was suspected of delivering drugs. 'The suspects then separated Daniel and Kamogelo and instructed Daniel to drive at the front whilst they followed from behind to Park Road Police Station. 'Both vehicles turned back and drove in a westerly direction [on] Vereeniging Drive. Daniel alleges that a truck went in between the Suzuki he was driving and the Toyota Hilux, and he never saw it again,' Mathe said. Court's frustration with delays in Baukudi case According to Newzroom Afrika, the magistrate expressed dissatisfaction with the unfolding situation during Friday's proceedings. The court reportedly indicated that if police have not conducted the required identification parade by the third appearance, proceedings will continue without following that procedure. This marks another delay in a case that has already experienced a postponement due to outstanding procedural issues. Adoon previously appeared in court on Monday before the case was postponed to Friday for bail information and further investigation. Police reportedly confirmed that the only person eligible to conduct the ID parade would be Baukudi himself, creating an impossible situation given his continued absence. ALSO READ: Police make breakthrough in search for kidnapped Kamogelo Baukudi Baukudi family's mounting anguish The procedural impasse has intensified the suffering of Baukudi's family, who were present in court and visibly devastated by the continued delays. A representative from the South African Funeral Practitioners Association, where Baukudi's mother holds membership, spoke about the family's deteriorating emotional state. 'She is devastated, and the entire family is devastated. Similar [to] us, as a parent, we got into issues, and we understand how she's feeling,' the former chairperson of the association, who was providing support to the family, told Newzroom Afrika. The representative made clear their singular objective: 'So we are here for just one purpose, to demand the release, an unconditional one for that matter, of Kamogelo Baukudi.' Patience running thin The repeated court postponements have tested the family's endurance beyond limits. The association representative expressed growing frustration with the legal delays, stating they were 'disappointed by the postponement today because our interest is one. The child must come back. We need the child.' 'Our patience is running out. Every second that passes without us having the child back is an agony to us and to the family,' the representative added. ALSO READ: Police probe multiple murders after three bodies found in Tshepisong veld Baukudi case investigation details withheld Police have declined to provide updates on their search for Baukudi, citing the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation. Authorities stated they are withholding information to avoid potentially compromising the case at this critical juncture. Prior to Friday's proceedings, police spokesperson, Brigadier Motantsi Makhele, had said Adoon could not be identified. According to Makhele, this was requested by the investigating team and further ordered by the court. ALSO READ: Off-duty police officer dead, another injured in KZN murder suicide ALSO READ: Police launch search for teen kidnapped by fake cops in Vereeniging Police seek public assistance in finding missing teen 'The Saps continues to prioritise his safe return as a matter of utmost urgency,' said Makhele. Law enforcement has requested the public's assistance for information that could be used in the investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the following numbers: Lieutenant Colonel Kelaotswe Lebodi on 082 527 6348, Lieutenant Colonel David Ramasoala on 082 527 7390 or Captain Sabata Jafta Moseme on 082 526 2713. Those who wish to remain anonymous may send their tips via the MySaps App or by calling Crime Stop on 08600 10111. NOW READ: Mchunu unveils bold Saps restructure to tackle crime and corruption
