Latest news with #Beetge
The Citizen
28-05-2025
- The Citizen
Malbroer assault: TikTok fame, assault history raised in bail hearing
The two men charged in connection with the death of Brandon Pretorius (27) will remain behind bars until next week. According to Boksburg Advertiser, Pretorius – a father from Jansen Park – succumbed to his injuries on May 6, several days after an assault that reportedly stemmed from an incident at Malbroer Pub and Grill in North Rand Road. The accused, Ruan Beetge (30) and Gordon Westraad (45), continued their bail application at the Boksburg Magistrate's Court yesterday. During proceedings, the investigating officer, Sergeant Millicent Tshabalala, once again took the stand. Tshabalala testified that she had profiled the two accused and revealed that there were three assault cases against Beetge (accused one), although he had never been convicted. She stated that one of the cases involved the assault of a uniformed police officer, while another was related to domestic violence. In the matter involving the police officer, Tshabalala explained that the investigating officer never submitted the docket to court for a summons. The second case, she said, was withdrawn as a result of mediation. The third case was closed at the police station, with a reason provided. The officer also testified that Beetge gained more followers on TikTok following the assault, which led to him receiving money. According to her further testimony, the second accused, Westraad, has no prior convictions, and she stated both should not be granted bail. 'According to my observation, their lives are in danger. My duty is to protect them and the community. While they are in prison, they are not in danger. Outside, the community poses a danger to them,' she said. Beetge's advocate Marius van Wyngaard began his cross-examination of Tshabalala. Among other questions, he quizzed her about the post-mortem report and an accident Pretorius was involved in prior to being taken to hospital. The bail application will resume on Tuesday. 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 At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- The Citizen
Brandon Pretorius murder: Investigating officer tells court accused are safer behind bars
The two men charged in connection with the death of Brandon Pretorius (27) will remain behind bars until June 3. Pretorius, a father from Jansen Park, succumbed to his injuries on 6 May, several days after an assault that reportedly stemmed from an incident at Malbroer Pub and Grill in North Rand Road. The accused, Ruan Beetge (30) and Gordon Westraad (45), continued their bail application at the Boksburg Magistrate's Court today (May 27). During proceedings, the investigating officer, Sergeant Millicent Tshabalala, once again took the stand. Tshabalala testified that she had profiled the two accused and revealed that there were three assault cases against Beetge (accused one), although he had never been convicted. She stated that one of the cases involved the assault of a uniformed police officer, while another was related to domestic violence. In the matter involving the police officer, Tshabalala explained that the investigating officer never submitted the docket to court for a summons. The second case, she said, was withdrawn as a result of mediation. The third case was closed at the police station, with a reason provided. The officer also testified that Beetge gained more followers on TikTok following the assault, which led to him to receiving money. According to her further testimony, the second accused, Westraad, has no prior convictions and she stated both should not be granted bail. 'According to my observation, their lives are in danger. My duty is to protect them and the community. While they are in prison, they are not in danger. Outside, the community poses a danger to them,' she said. Beetge's advocate, Marius van Wyngaard, began his cross-examination of Tshabalala. Among other questions, he quizzed her about the post-mortem report and an accident Pretorius was involved in prior to being taken to hospital. The bail application will resume on June 3. Also Read: Young father dies after assault Also Read: Malbroer assault: It's been a nightmare – Mother of slain son At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
07-05-2025
- IOL News
Five armed men storm Gqeberha church, steal 50 cellphones and flee in pastor's wife's Toyota
Five armed robbers target Gqeberha church congregation. Image: Pexels The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Chatty, in the Eastern Cape are investigating an armed robbery at a church on Gallant Street, Greenfields, Booysens Park, in which five perpetrators allegedly targeted worshippers. Police spokesperson Captain André Beetge said the incident occurred on May 5, about 6:30pm, when five armed and masked men allegedly invaded the church. "They stole roughly 50 congregants' cellphones and other belongings. The suspects escaped in the church priest's white Toyota RAV4, which was eventually discovered abandoned in Chatty. The car has been taken for forensic examination," Beetge said. Authorities ask anybody with information to call Detective Constable Enrique Louw at 071 570 0628 (SAPS Chatty), or Crime Stop anonymously at 08600 10111. In a similar case, armed robbers pounced on congregants during a church service at the Emmanuel Community Church in Spring Place in Tea Estate. Shocking CCTV footage of the heist showed a gunman holding the pastor at gunpoint. The armed assailant is subsequently shown robbing the pastor of his possessions while he preaches from the platform. The attacker is then seen disconnecting a television and walks away with it. Prem Balram of Reaction Unit SA (RUSA) said some 25 individuals, including children, attended the church service.
The South African
22-04-2025
- The South African
White VW Jettas linked to two fatal pedestrian crashes in Despatch
The community of Despatch in Nelson Mandela Bay are left in shock after two pedestrians were killed in separate road accidents in Khayamnandi in the Eastern Cape. Both accidents, involving white VW Jettas, occurred on consecutive Saturdays, just two weeks apart. The first accident took place on Saturday, 5 April 2025, where a two-year-old boy was struck by a white VW Jetta while playing on Albert Letuli Street in Kayamnandi. According to police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge, the incident occurred around 17:00. The child's parents transported him to the hospital using private transport, but he was declared dead upon arrival. Beetge said to The South African that a culpable homicide case was opened and is being investigated by SAPS Despatch. Exactly 14 days later, on Saturday, 19 April, around the same time, a 62-year-old woman was killed on Old Uitenhage Road while crossing towards Kayamnandi. The vehicle, also described as a white VW Jetta, fled the scene without stopping. According to police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg, the woman died on the scene before emergency services could arrive. Both incidents occurred in the Despatch area, but on different roads. While the cases are not currently linked, police have noted the similarities in timing, location and vehicle description. 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.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
A pastor was abducted at gunpoint in South Africa while preaching a sermon
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A pastor was abducted by armed and masked men as he was preaching a sermon before a congregation in South Africa's Eastern Cape province, police said Friday. Four men broke into the Fellowship Baptist church in Motherwell Township on Thursday evening, stole two cellphones from members of the congregation and took away the pastor in his own truck, said police, who have now initiated an investigation into abduction and armed robbery. Local media named the victim as Josh Sullivan, 45, from the U.S. state of Tennessee, but police would not confirm the identification. According to the Fellowship Baptist church blog, Sullivan, who described himself as a 'church-planting missionary,' his wife Meagan and two children arrived in South Africa in November 2018 to run the Motherwell branch. An image showing Sullivan preaching behind a pulpit was uploaded on X by a user going by the name of Tom Hatley. Sullivan identifies a man with the same name as his childhood and training pastor on his own blog. Hatley claimed that he was posting on Sullivan's wife's behalf and prayed for a safe return. A Maryville, Tennessee woman by the name Tonya Rinker, who lists Sullivan as her son in her profile, expressed heartbreak on Facebook and asked for prayers for her son, daughter-in-law and grandkids, adding that the American embassy in South Africa was working on finding him. Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge confirmed in a statement that the stolen truck, a silver Toyota Fortuner, was found abandoned in Motherwell a short while after the incident. Additionally, the police Anti-Gang Unit has now taken over the investigation that was opened by the South African Police Service in Motherwell. Beetge would not be drawn to give any particulars about the victim but said protocol dictated that once a ransom was demanded, the case would be handed over to the Hawks — a specialized police unit that investigates organized crime, economic crime, corruption, and other serious crimes. 'As I understand, there has been no ransom raised,' said Beetge, urging anyone with information to come forward. As they await Sullivan's safe return, supporters flocked to the pastor's personal blog site and other social media platforms to offer their well-wishes. 'We are now praying that you delivered from these evil men,' a poster named Richard Stockton said on the church website. 'Praying the Holy Spirit well work on their hearts and be saved. And release you!!!' Another supporter called Kody Moore said Josh was a 'faithful brother doing much to make Christ known in Africa." 'Please pray for Josh to be brought home safely and especially his family during this absolutely terrible time. May Christ be magnified,' he tweeted on X.
