Latest news with #DistrictSeriousandViolentCrimesTeam
IOL News
15 hours ago
- IOL News
Court appearance for three men, including witchdoctors, linked to the murder of Gontse Makhubela
Three men to appear in the Brits Magistrate's Court on Monday, in connection with the brutal murder of Gontse Makhubela Image: File Three men, including two Mozambican witchdoctors, are set to appear in separate courtrooms this week in connection with the horrific murder of 20-year-old Gontse Makhubela, whose mutilated and partly burnt body was found at a refuse dump in November 2023. The suspects were apprehended following a meticulous investigation by the North West police's District Serious and Violent Crimes Team. The arrests and forthcoming court appearances were confirmed in a statement by the South African Police Service. Makhubela was reported missing by her family before her badly decomposed body was discovered at a dumping site in Elandskraal, Brits, on November 23, 2023. Police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone says she was allegedly lured to her death by one of the suspects. "The victim was tricked and lured to death by the 29-year-old suspect who the second suspect tasked to find a young woman fitting a particular profile to be murdered in order that the second suspect could have her organs for muthi," said Mokgwabone. The investigation revealed a sinister plot orchestrated by a Mozambican man who claims to be a traditional healer. "Investigation has also revealed that the 38-year-old suspect is an illegal Mozambican witchdoctor, and, on his orders, the deceased was kidnapped before she was brutally murdered, dismembered and burnt," said Mokgwabone. The breakthrough in the case came on August 6, 2025, when police, acting on credible information, arrested two suspects, aged 29 and 38. The men were linked to the murder after police recovered Makhubela's cellular phone. Further investigation led police to Winterveldt in Gauteng province, where a third suspect, also a traditional healer from Mozambique, was arrested. Police revealed a chilling detail: the third suspect "was found in possession of the deceased's organs." 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 The first two suspects, aged 29 and 38, are expected to appear in the Brits Magistrate's Court today. They face charges of murder, kidnapping, violation and/or defiling a corpse, as well as contravention of Section 49(1) of the Immigration Act. The third suspect is scheduled to appear in the Garankuwa Magistrate's Court on Monday, August 11, 2025. Investigations are ongoing, and police have not ruled out the possibility of more arrests. The North West Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, commended the dedicated work of the Brits Detectives and the Hartbeespoortdam Crime Prevention team. IOL News
The Citizen
18 hours ago
- The Citizen
Gruesome murder: Man arrested in Winterveldt due in court
A man allegedly found in possession of the organs of 20-year-old murder victim Gontse Makhubela is expected to make his first appearance in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate's Court today. Pretoria Rekord reports that the suspect, reportedly a traditional healer, was arrested in Winterveldt, following a breakthrough in a year-long investigation into the brutal killing of Makhubela. Police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabane says the victim's mutilated, partly burnt and badly decomposed body was discovered at a refuse dumping site in Elandskraal, Brits, on November 23, 2023, days after her family reported her missing. According to Mokgwabane, the arrest came after members of the District Serious and Violent Crimes Team, Brits detectives and Hartbeespoort Dam Crime Prevention acted on credible intelligence linking the man to the crime. 'Two other suspects, aged 29 and 38, have already been charged in connection with the murder and made their first appearance in the Brits Magistrate's Court. 'The 29-year-old suspect lured Makhubela to her death at the request of the 38-year-old, who claimed to be a traditional healer. The older man sought a young woman matching a specific profile to be killed so her organs could be used for muthi,' says Mokgwabane. Mokgwabane said the 38-year-old suspect allegedly ordered the killing, after which Makhubela was kidnapped, murdered, dismembered and partially burnt. Her cellphone was later recovered, providing key evidence that helped link the suspects to the crime. The 29-year-old and 38-year-old are facing charges of murder, kidnapping and violation or defilement of a corpse. The latter will also face charges under Section 49(1) of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002. The Winterveldt suspect is expected to face similar charges. Acting provincial police commissioner of North West, Major General Patrick Asaneng, praised the investigative team for their meticulous and relentless work in bringing the suspects to book. 'This is a heinous crime that has shocked the community. Our detectives have shown exceptional commitment in ensuring that those responsible face justice,' Asaneng says. 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
The Citizen
20 hours ago
- The Citizen
Third suspect in brutal murder to appear in Ga-Rankuwa court
Third suspect in brutal murder to appear in Ga-Rankuwa court A man allegedly found in possession of the organs of 20-year-old murder victim, Gontse Makhubela, is expected to make his first appearance in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate's Court on August 11. The suspect, reportedly a traditional healer, was arrested in Winterveldt, following a breakthrough in a year-long investigation into the brutal killing of Makhubela. Police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabane said the victim's mutilated, partly burnt, and badly decomposed body was discovered at a refuse dumping site in Elandskraal, Brits, on November 23, 2023, days after her family reported her missing. According to Mokgwabane, the arrest came after members of the District Serious and Violent Crimes Team, Brits detectives, and Hartbeespoort Dam Crime Prevention acted on credible intelligence linking the man to the crime. 'Two other suspects, aged 29 and 38, have already been charged in connection with the murder and made their first appearance in the Brits Magistrate's Court. 'The 29-year-old suspect lured Makhubela to her death at the request of the 38-year-old, who claimed to be a traditional healer. The older man sought a young woman matching a specific profile to be killed so her organs could be used for muthi,' said Mokgwabane. Mokgwabane said the 38-year-old suspect allegedly ordered the killing, after which Makhubela was kidnapped, murdered, dismembered, and partially burnt. Her cellphone was later recovered, providing key evidence that helped link the suspects to the crime. The 29-year-old and 38-year-old are facing charges of murder, kidnapping, and violation or defilement of a corpse. The latter will also face charges under Section 49(1) of the Immigration Act. The Winterveldt suspect is expected to face similar charges. Acting provincial police commissioner of North West, Major General Patrick Asaneng, praised the investigative team for their meticulous and relentless work in bringing the suspects to book. 'This is a heinous crime that has shocked the community. Our detectives have shown exceptional commitment in ensuring that those responsible face justice,' Asaneng said. ALSO READ: Teen gets five years behind bars for infrastructure tampering Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
