Latest news with #CaxtonNetwerk-nuus
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Sangoma arrested after remains of Boipatong toddler reportedly found
Almost six months since the disappearance of Kutlwano Shalaba, the toddler's remains have been discovered. Sedibeng Ster reports that, according to sources close to the investigation, the gruesome discovery was made last night in Poortjie, just outside Sebokeng. While police have not issued a formal response, sources say details of how the body was located remain tightly under wraps. Kutlwano went missing in November last year when he was allegedly snatched from his mother's back by a group of men reported to be travelling in a grey VW Polo. Kutlwano's ordeal sparked public outcry in Boipatong and countless social media pleas to help locate the missing baby. While many sympathised with the mother following the news, hope turned into horror when she was arrested and charged with human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery, and making a false statement to the police. The scandal deepened when investigators uncovered damning evidence showing that R75 000 was deposited into the mother's bank account on the day her son vanished. The money was believed to be linked to the illegal sale of the toddler. Now, in a shocking twist, a sangoma has been arrested in connection with the case. Sources claim the sangoma may have played a sinister role in the child's disappearance, though authorities are still piecing together the puzzle. Keneilwe Shalaba, the mother, remains behind bars after her bail application was denied in April. 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
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Joshlin Smith case: Life behind bars for mother, co-accused over trafficking
Joshlin Smith case: Life behind bars for mother, co-accused over trafficking Judge Nathan Erasmus has sentenced the three suspects, who he convicted of kidnapping and trafficking Joshlin Smith in Middlepos, Saldanha, last year, to life in prison. The Witness reports that Racquel 'Kelly' Smith and her two co-accused were sentenced this morning to loud applause from the crowd. Found guilty Erasmus, earlier in the month, found Smith and her two co-accused — a boyfriend and a mutual friend — guilty on charges of human trafficking and kidnapping. 'I have already found that on the evidence before me, Joshlin was exchanged,' he said. 'The evidence is from all scores there were payments, or at least the promise of payments,' he said, accusing Smith of regarding her daughter, who was aged six when she disappeared, as a 'commodity'. National attention The trial was held in a community hall in the small fishing town of Saldanha Bay, north of Cape Town, where the case sparked outrage. The case drew national attention, including from Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie, who offered a R1m reward for her safe return. But it took a turn when prosecutors alleged that Smith sold her daughter to a traditional healer, who was interested in her eyes and fair complexion. Shocking testimonies Explosive details that played out in court included statements from the girl's teacher and a pastor, who said the mother had told him of the planned sale of her child in 2023. Watch the sentencing: 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
6 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
10 homes lost in Pietermaritzburg blaze as road access hinders fire truck
Blocked access to the Sxavathini informal settlement in Copesville, Pietermaritzburg, forced Msunduzi firefighters to resort to extreme measures yesterday, hauling buckets of water by hand to extinguish a shack fire. Speaking to The Witness, Msunduzi station officer Vusi Nene said about 10 shacks were gutted by flames yesterday afternoon. 'We are using buckets to douse the fire. We had to park the truck on the main road and walk quite a distance to the scene. The cause is undetermined. The fire has been contained,' added Nene. A tenant who did not want to be named, and had moved in on Sunday, said the incident left him devastated. 'I was still moving my stuff to this new place, which I thought was better than where I used to stay before. I left to get the rest of my stuff today (Monday), I came back, the house is on fire,' said the distraught tenant. He added that he lost most of his treasured documents. 'This is heartbreaking as I no longer have an identity document. All my hard work and savings to buy belongings had gone to waste,' he said. Ward councillor Sphamandla Madlala sympathised with the families who lost their homes and belongings. 'This is sad. What we need to establish is what caused the fire. I have contacted the disaster management department to go to the scene and provide assistance,' he said. 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
25-05-2025
- The Citizen
Killer black mamba was ‘as strong as a python', says KZN snake catcher
Killer black mamba was 'as strong as a python', says KZN snake catcher Three family dogs — two Yorkshire terriers and a Jack Russell terrier mix — were killed recently in Ashburton, KZN, by a black mamba, triggering a tense rescue during peak-hour traffic and a race against time involving a 20-year-old snake catcher. The Witness reports that what was meant to be a quiet drive home turned into a high-stakes mission for Akil Ramsurran, who had been returning from Durban when he received the emergency call. The 2.4m black mamba, injured and under threat of being shot, needed immediate rescue. 'Just after 17:00, [a message] popped up on the snake catcher group that a suspected black mamba had bitten and killed three dogs. 'No one else was available and the homeowner was threatening to shoot it. 'I was heading past that way from Durban and said I would go. 'Craig phoned me and said he would meet me there, which helped as I was feeling nervous with the snake being injured,' says Ramsurran, referring to fellow snake catcher Craig Fry. Caught in rush-hour traffic, Ramsurran's journey took nearly an hour. When he arrived, Fry had already been on site monitoring the scene. According to Fry, one dog had died 50m away from the others, suggesting the dogs had chased the snake from the house. The mamba, acting in self-defence, bit the first dog and tried to flee, but was pursued into a cluttered shed where the other two dogs were also fatally bitten. Inside the shed, Ramsurran spotted the tail of the mamba. 'It went haywire,' he says, describing the chaos as he used his tongs to grasp the snake. 'That thing was fat and seriously as strong as a 3m python,' says Fry. With no bucket on hand, the two used a bag to contain the injured snake. At one point, the mamba wrapped itself around Ramsurran's arm and torso. Ramsurran contacted renowned snake rescuer Nick Evans for guidance before transporting the mamba to Durban, where Evans and Carla Goede took over its rehabilitation. The snake has since recovered and will be released soon. Ramsurran, who has been fascinated by snakes since childhood, credited his mentor Dean Boswell for guiding him. 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
23-05-2025
- The Citizen
Police fatally shoot 2 cash-in-transit suspects near Ladysmith
Two suspected cash-in-transit (CIT) robbers were fatally wounded in a shoot-out with police at Wasbank, near Ladysmith, yesterday afternoon. The suspects were wanted for at least six CIT robberies across KZN. According to Northern Natal News, police received a tip-off and identified the house where the men were hiding. As officers arrived and announced their presence, the suspects opened fire, and a shoot-out ensued. Both men were shot dead during the exchange of gunfire. One of the suspects (43) had a warrant of arrest for possession of explosives and ammunition. Two firearms were recovered at the scene. No police officers were injured in the shoot-out. 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!
