
Missing 6-year-old child found drowned in pool in Durban
A 6-year-old child who was reported missing has tragically been found drowned in a pool at a home in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said they were informed of the missing child in the Umbilo area of Durban on Monday evening, around 6pm.
Call out
'Paramedics were placed on standby. Around 08:35pm, patrollers and security officials, combing the area, found the child in a residential pool in Brazilia Place in the Umbilo area.
'Immediately, the child was pulled from the pool, and paramedics were dispatched to assist. Unfortunately, the child had suffered fatal injuries, and there was nothing Paramedics could do for the little boy, who was 6 years old, and he was declared deceased on the scene,' Jamieson said.
Jamieson added that the scene was cordoned off and handed over to the South African Police Services (Saps) for investigations
'At this stage, the exact events leading up to the drowning are unknown; however, Saps were in attendance and will be investigating further.'
ALSO READ: Search continues for missing pilot Andrew Blackwood-Murray
Missing pilot
Meanwhile, the search for Johannesburg pilot Andrew Blackwood-Murray continued on Monday following the light aircraft crash last week.
Rescue boats took to the water from 8.30am to search for the pilot.
The accident occurred just before 2pm on Thursday, when the ZS-AEC Extra 300 aircraft that was performing its final display crashed into the sea.
Investigation
Video footage circulated on social media showed the light aircraft looping in the sky before plummeting into the ocean and skidding for a distance.
Emergency services, including ALS Paramedics, the Saps and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), rushed to the scene of the incident in front of Suncoast Beach.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) said its Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) is probing the cause of the crash.
Tributes have been pouring in for Blackwood-Murray following the plane crash.
ALSO READ: 10 year old died after falling into open manhole in Soweto
Hashtags

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


The Citizen
11 hours ago
- The Citizen
Dirco clarifies its response to US report that claimed racial minorities are abused in SA
Dirco disputed the 'inaccurate and distorted account of the facts' in the US Human Rights Report. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has updating its initial statement challenging the 2024 US Human Rights Report's assessment of safety conditions in South Africa's rural and farming communities. The report, released this month, stated that 'South Africa took a substantially worrying step towards land expropriation of Afrikaners and further abuses against racial minorities in the country'. It highlighted 'significant human rights issues', including unlawful killings, arbitrary arrest and the repression of racial minorities. 'The [South African] government did not take credible steps to investigate, prosecute, and punish officials who committed human rights abuses, including inflammatory racial rhetoric against Afrikaners and other racial minorities, or violence against racial minorities.' SA government rejects racial motivation claims Dirco on Wednesday said the South African government wishes to clarify what it called 'an inaccurate and distorted account of the facts'. It said the nation addresses all forms of crime as a significant challenge affecting all citizens, regardless of their race or location. 'The suggestion that these crimes represent a concerted practice of racially motivated attacks, as insinuated by the US report, is not borne out by the facts,' Dirco stated. ALSO READ: Dirco rejects 'inaccurate and deeply flawed' US reports on SA human rights Police statistics challenge US assessment Official statistics from the South African Police Service (Saps) support the government's position. The data covers rural safety for the fourth quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year, from 1 January to 31 March 2025. Dirco highlighted that during this period, six murder cases occurred in farming communities. The breakdown of victims demonstrates that crimes do not target a single racial group. According to the statistics quoted by Dirco, the three victims were farm employees, one was a farm dweller, and two were farmers. 'These figures underscore that violent crime in rural areas affects everyone who lives and works on farms and related rural areas,' the department said. 'While the loss of any life is a tragedy, these statistics do not reveal a pattern of action driven by inflammatory racial rhetoric against a specific community.' ALSO READ: US report on human rights abuse in SA rejected Rural safety strategy Dirco said the government continues implementing a multi-disciplinary approach to rural safety. It said the National Rural Safety Strategy remains a priority and operates in police station areas serving rural and farming communities. By the end of the fourth quarter of 2024/2025, the strategy had been fully implemented in 893 out of 900 identified rural police stations. The initiative focuses on strengthening police capacity and encouraging community involvement, including traditional leaders and agricultural organisations. Parties involved in rural safety strategy The strategy incorporates multiple stakeholder groups in its implementation. Commercial farmers associations participate through organisations including: African Farmers Association of South Africa, National African Farmers' Union, Agri-SA and its provincial structures, and Transvaal Agricultural Union. Labour unions also play a role, particularly the Food and Allied Workers Union and organisations advocating for farm workers' rights. Interest groups such as AfriForum, the South African Agricultural Research Institute, and Stop Attacks and Farm Murders contribute to the collaborative effort. Private sector collaboration The government said it actively strengthens public-private partnerships through specialised programmes. 'Furthermore, we are actively strengthening public-private partnerships through initiatives like the Eyes and Ears (E2) programme, coordinated with Business Against Crime South Africa (Bacsa),' the department stated. This initiative utilises the private security industry's technological and logistical capabilities, which improve response times to rural crimes. Commitment to transparency Dirco said South Africa maintains its commitment to transparent and collaborative crime-fighting approaches. The government expressed readiness to engage with other countries on matters of mutual interest through established diplomatic channels. 'We stand ready to engage with any nation on matters of mutual interest through established diplomatic channels, and we will continue to provide accurate, data-driven information to counter any misrepresentations of our domestic situation,' the department concluded. NOW READ: Dirco reviewing ministerial report on Hajj and Umrah for SA pilgrims


The Citizen
15 hours ago
- The Citizen
Crime awareness day set for Greenwood Park
THE Greenwood Park Community Policing Forum (CPF) will host a Crime Awareness Day on Saturday, August 23, at Parkhill Secondary School, bringing together law enforcement, security companies, learners, and residents for a day of education, awareness, and community building. Also read: Bank warns of rise in AI-driven spoofing scams Chairperson of the Greenwood Park CPF Sub-Forum 2, Danusha Makan-Maharaj, said the event is aimed at strengthening ties between communities and crime-fighting stakeholders. 'The main purpose is to bring awareness to the communities we serve of the work of the CPF and all the roleplayers we work with. It is an opportunity for the community to come meet our local heroes from SAPS, Metro Police, and all the security companies, including their local CPF members,' she said. The programme will highlight critical issues such as gender-based violence and domestic violence, and how these often feed into crimes like hijackings and robberies. Learners from Parkhill Secondary will perform a dramatic sketch on domestic violence and a Sarafina dance piece, while drum majorettes and local security companies will add to the action with live demonstrations. Attendees can expect simulated hijacking scenarios, K9 demonstrations, an extrication drill by the eThekwini Fire Department, and displays by SAPS and Metro Police units. Security companies, including Fidelity ADT, Blue Security, Marshall Security, Excellerate, Swift, Nettow, and Shield Private Security, will showcase their vehicles, equipment, and community initiatives. Fidelity ADT's helicopter and firetruck are set to be crowd favourites. HelpMe SA will also promote their security app. Makan-Maharaj said the CPF hopes to use the event to recruit new members and expand its network of active volunteers. 'Sign up to be a part of the change. It requires just one hour a week of patrolling and being part of a team determined to make our streets safer, one street at a time,' she said She added that the CPF is particularly concerned about the recent rise in vehicle thefts and attempted hijackings in the area. 'If we adopt the ethos of 'each one helps one,' we can solve half the problems we face as communities. Looking out for your neighbour means securing your road, and street by street, we can drive out criminal elements. The message we want to send is: not on our watch.' Also at the event will be the original KITT from Knightrider and one lucky person will win a 'spin' in the talking car. There will also be a raffle for a helicopter ride to Virginia Airport from the venue, among other raffle prizes and giveaways. A live animal and reptile display, face painting, mendhi (henna) art and kiddies activities will keep the young ones entertained and, for hungry tummies, delicious food and beverages will be on sale. For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook , X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here


The Citizen
15 hours ago
- The Citizen
Fake Louis Vuitton bags and belts seized in R67 million illicit-goods raid
This is the South African Police Service's second major raid worth millions. Police in Gauteng have conducted another raid in Johannesburg and seized items worth millions on Tuesday. The Saps Gauteng counterfeit unit, City Deep's border police, brand protectors and the crime prevention wardens visited three shops in areas including Booysens, Randburg and Florida and seized counterfeit items. The seized items include clothing, shoes, cellphone accessories, Louis Vuitton handbags and belts, with an estimated total value of R67.2 million. ALSO READ: Illicit goods worth R1.7 million intercepted at Botswana border post 'The Gauteng counterfeit unit remains committed to protecting consumers and businesses from the risks associated with counterfeit goods,' said the Saps on Wednesday. Illicit goods nationwide This is the South African Police Service's second major raid recently that is worth millions. Just three weeks ago, police announced their nationwide operations resulted in the seizure of illicit goods worth more than R156 million. The operations were led by the national counterfeit and illicit goods unit, with support from Public Order Policing (POP), the South African Revenue Services' (Sars) customs and enforcement team, counterfeit depot officials, brand protectors and private security personnel. The team targeted shops in Marabastad, Mokopane, Mbombela, Bela Bela, Mookgophong and Modimolle. ALSO READ: Sars loses R119 billion in tax revenue due to illicit cigarette sales since 2002 During these operations, the team seized more than 23 000 items imitating high-end designer brands that include clothing, shoes, bags, caps, and watches, as well as counterfeit jewellery, sunglasses, perfumes, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Sports apparel that bears the Springboks trademark and other well-known brand clothing items were seized outside Mbombela Stadium and Loftus Stadium, respectively, during the Springbok rugby games against visiting countries. The team also confiscated illicit cigarettes valued at over R50 000. 'The Counterfeit Goods Act aims to combat the trade in counterfeit goods by protecting trademarks, copyrights, and certain mark owners from the unlawful use of their intellectual property on goods and preventing such counterfeit goods from entering the market,' said Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk. 'Saps remains committed to eradicating the illegal trade in counterfeit goods in an effort to protect consumers, support legitimate businesses, and ensure the integrity of South Africa's economy.'