
Nurse's kidnapping and murder: 3 to appear in Limpopo court
Nurse's kidnapping and murder: 3 to appear in Limpopo court
A 60-year-old woman and two other suspects are expected to appear in the Nebo Magistrate's Court, Limpopo, today in connection with the kidnapping and murder of 64-year-old nurse Morudi Frank Phetla in March.
According to Polokwane Review, the suspects face charges of kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder, and murder.
Their arrest follows a joint intelligence-driven operation on Monday, led by the Jane Furse Tracking Team and the Provincial Organised Crime Unit in Gauteng.
Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba says the teams acted on credible information and raided several areas, including Ekurhuleni, Kempton Park, and Tembisa.
'During the operation, a 49-year-old woman was arrested at an estate in Kempton Park, while a 42-year-old man was apprehended in Tembisa. The team later arrested a 60-year-old woman in Jane Furse,' he adds.
Ledwaba explains the arrests are linked to the events of March 16, when Phetla was kidnapped outside his home in the Zamane Section of Jane Furse.
'His vehicle was found idling nearby, but he was missing and a case of kidnapping was opened. Phetla's body was discovered the next morning under the Mabintana bridge by a shepherd. He had suffered fatal head injuries,' his statement reads.
Police say the motive for the murder is still unknown and investigations are ongoing.
The provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, commends the investigating team for their swift and co-ordinated efforts.
'No stone will be left unturned in uncovering the circumstances surrounding this heinous crime,' Hadebe adds.
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.
Read original story on www.citizen.co.za
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


The South African
9 hours ago
- The South African
Man sentenced to 222 years for rape and robbery
Notorious rapist and sexual offender, Lesley Morwamashobe Mohlala, has been handed a heavy sentence of 222 years imprisonment for rape and robbery. Mohlala has long terrorised communities across Nebo and Hlogotlou policing areas in Sekhukhune District. In the areas, he targeted government buildings, clinics, traffic stations, public works offices and various other public facilities. In March 2018, the 33-year-old Mohlala was arrested at Hlogotlou SAPS for rape and his bail application was rejected. A few months down the line, in October in the same year, Mohlala escaped from lawful custody while being transported to Witbank Prison. During his escape, Mohlala committed various crimes, including robbing security officers of their firearms and cell phones and stealing money and valuables from other victims. In April 2023, he was re-arrested by the Nebo Jane Furse tracking team at a Jane Furse hiding place and charged with eight robberies. Additionally, DNA evidence linked him to 2 additional rape cases that occurred while he was an unknown suspect. The Polokwane High Court found Mohlala guilty on 23 counts and sentenced him to a total of 222 years' imprisonment. 'The court ordered that 10 years imprisonment on count 1 does not run concurrently with counts 2 to 25, with a minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment on counts 2 to 25,' read the police statement. The police arrested a 47-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man for allegedly abusing their two daughters, aged two and eight, in Bloubergstrand, Western Cape, on Tuesday, 10 June 2025. According to Arrive Alive, the suspects are facing multiple charges which include child pornography, rape, sexual assault, and sexual grooming. A multidisciplinary team comprising members of the National and Western Cape Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Units, officials from the Department of Social Development (DSD), supported by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), located the suspects at a residence identified through joint investigative efforts. The two victims were rescued and placed in a place of safety. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.


The Citizen
14 hours ago
- The Citizen
Watch: Bakkie catches fire in Empangeni
Less than a minute Mbuso Kunene Less than a minute A delivery man was lucky to escape unharmed when his bakkie caught fire on the R102 near Canfields in Empangeni on Wednesday afternoon. ALSO READ: Former DA councillor sentenced to life for murdering family in Bethany fire According to reports, the fire started at the back of the vehicle, allegedly from a battery. City of uMhlathuze Fire and Rescue attended the scene and extinguished the flames. 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!


The South African
14 hours ago
- The South African
Man who set partner alight sentenced to 18 years
A man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for the murder of his partner. The 45-year-old Klaas Banyane doused his partner with petrol and set her alight at their residence in A Section, Botshabelo. The victim was rushed to Pelonomi Hospital with severe burn wounds to receive medical treatment, but succumbed to her injuries. When confronted by community patrollers, Banyane fled the scene. Investigations led the police to Verkeerdevlei, where they arrested him. The Botshabelo Magistrate's Court found Banyane guilty of murder and sentenced him to 18 years' imprisonment. Three South African Police Service (SAPS) members were arrested for escorting a vehicle trafficking dagga along the N4 Road near Matsulu T-junction on Tuesday, 10 June 2025. The members, who are aged between 32 and 49, were in full uniform and travelling in a Toyota Corolla carrying 107 bags loaded with dagga. The confiscated dagga is estimated to be worth millions of rands. The Matsulu SAPS received information about the suspects, prompting investigations. The SAPS arrested the suspects, who are now facing corruption charges that they were allegedly involved in. The three suspects are expected to appear at the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court on Thursday, 12 June 2025. ALLEGED SEXUAL OFFENDER'S BAIL APPLICATION POSTPONED The bail application of a 50-year-old man who was arrested for alleged numerous sexual offences has been postponed to 19 June 2025. He faces multiple charges, including sexual exploitation, sexual grooming, facilitating the creation of child pornography and recruiting a child for financial rewards. According to the police, the suspect lured two boys, aged 15 and 16, by promising them gifts in exchange for sexually explicit videos and images. Speaking to The South African, Captain Loraine Earle explained that his application was postponed due to his income bracket. 'His bail application was postponed because his application for Legal Aid was rejected due to his income bracket. He has to seek and appoint his attorney now,' said Earle. The suspect was arrested in Brackenfell and made his first court appearance on 2 June 2025. The investigation is currently underway and additional charges will be added if applicable. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.