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The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Mpumalanga teen girl charged for lying about rape ordeal
The girl fabricated the story to conceal her visit to a male friend. On Wednesday, Mpumalanga police were sent on a manhunt for two men who were driving a black VW Polo from Dullstroom to Lydenburg on Sunday on allegations of rape. However, this turned out to be a smokescreen. According to Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, a 16-year-old girl reported to police that she was hitchhiking on Sunday and got raped after being given a lift by strangers. 'According to the report, the female victim was from Dullstroom, heading to Lydenburg, when a black VW Polo with two male occupants stopped and offered her a lift. She then accepted the offer,' said Mdhluli on Wednesday. ALSO READ: These are Gauteng's hotspots for murder, rape, kidnapping, carjacking and house robbery 'After passing Coromandel, the driver diverted the vehicle into a secluded area. The passenger allegedly covered her mouth with a cloth emitting a chemical smell, causing her to lose consciousness. Upon regaining consciousness, she realised the passenger was busy raping her.' A case docket was opened and assigned to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for investigation. At the time, acting police provincial commissioner in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, promised the public that the members assigned to investigate would hunt down the suspects until they were brought to justice. 'She lied' However, there was no rape case to investigate and consequently, no suspects to arrest because this was a fabricated story. Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said on Friday that the 16-year-old girl had been charged with perjury after investigations revealed that she fabricated the entire story. ALSO READ: Crime stats: SA records decrease in murders but increase in rapes 'The FCS Unit immediately launched an investigation into the case, which had attracted significant public attention. However, during the course of their investigation, it was established that no rape had occurred. The girl eventually confessed that she had visited a male friend and, fearing her parents' reaction, chose to lie about being raped,' said Ndubane. Mkhwanazi expressed deep disappointment at the false report and issued a stern warning to the public about the seriousness of making false statements to the police. 'We will not show mercy to individuals who open false cases. The crime statistics for the last quarter of 2024/2025 indicate an increase in sexual offences. It is therefore extremely concerning and disheartening when people abuse the system by reporting fake cases. These actions waste police resources and undermine our efforts to fight gender-based violence, which we treat as a top priority. ALSO READ: GBV, femicide receiving 'priority attention', says Gauteng police commissioner 'False reports insult the real victims of GBV, who are genuinely suffering and need our support. We urge members of the public to work with us honestly. Anyone found to be providing false information will be charged. We will not hesitate to make an example out of such individuals.' Mpumalanga rape stats Police Minister Senzo Mchunu recently released the fourth-quarter crime statistics and revealed that three Mpumalanga police stations were among the top 30 stations with reported cases. These are Masoyi, Calcutta, and Kabokweni police stations, all located in the Ehlanzeni district, which have recorded an increase in their cases. Most incidents occurred in the residences of either the perpetrator or the victim, with 362 cases recorded, followed by public places, with 161 cases. NOW READ: Justice department's poor record-keeping delays protection orders for GBV victims – AG
The Citizen
16-05-2025
- The Citizen
UPDATE: Stranded commuters force their way through crime scene near Peebles
A huge group of people forced their way through a police crime scene tape on foot, scooters and vehicles after the R538 near White River was closed for more than six hours last night. This as police and forensic teams were combing the scene of an attempted cash-in-transit (CIT) heist that occurred at the Peebles junction outside White River yesterday around 14:00. The road was closed until just after 22:00. An unknown number of heavily armed robbers attacked a Fidelity CIT truck only to be met with heavy retaliation from security guards. In the process one of the armed robbers was shot dead and another one sustained injuries. He was rushed to hospital where he is said to be in a stable condition under police guard. No injuries were reported on any of the security guards. ALSO READ: UPDATE | Two shot in attempted cash-in-transit heist 'Two rifles were recovered at the scene, while a Ford Ranger reportedly used by the suspects was later found abandoned in Swalala near Masoyi. According to our initial investigations, no money was stolen during this attempted robbery,' said a Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli. He requested that anyone with information that might assist in the investigations come forward. 'Contact the SAPS or report anonymously through Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or send information via My SAPS app. All information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous,' said Mdhluli. Stranded commuters coming from White River's direction formed a crowd near the scene to watch the police collecting evidence. Most of these people stay in settlements such as Mganduzweni, Swalala, Phola, Mgcobanini, Chochocho, Mahushu, Mshadza, Dayizenze and others. Sometime around 21:00 the people started shouting at the police asking them to, at least, open a single lane for the commuters to be able to use the road. 'Some of us have chronic diseases and the time for our medication has already passed. We are very hungry and tired because we are returning from work. We have left our small children at home. Just open a lane for us please,' a woman shouted at the cops. The police refused and asked the people to be patient. A man crossed the police tape and approached the officers to pass on a message that people were threatening to force their way through the scene. Then the entire crowd forced their way past the tape. The police were forced to make a human chain to prevent the people and vehicles from passing, but they were forced back bit by bit until they were only a few metres from the crime scene. It was only after 22:00 that the road was eventually opened and people were able to go home. In the meantime, motorists who were driving from Hazyview towards White River were also stranded, but this only became clear later as they were stopped around a curve. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
16-05-2025
- IOL News
Cash-in-transit robber shot dead, another hospitalised after failed heist
Police said a group of armed assailants attacked a cash-in-transit van and security guards retaliated, shooting two of the robbers. Image: File Picture Police in Mpumalanga have launched an investigation into an incident which occurred on Thursday, where two alleged cash-in-transit robbers were shot by security guards. Provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said the shooting happened during an apparent cash-in-transit robbery near White River. 'During the incident, two alleged suspects were reportedly shot by security guards while attempting to carry out their mission. Preliminary reports indicate that an unidentified number of suspects were involved in the armed group that attacked a cash van, in an apparent attempt to rob the guards, but fled the scene during a shootout with the security personnel,' said Mdhluli. 'Tragically, one of the alleged suspects succumbed to his injuries at the scene, while another suspect sustained injuries and is currently receiving medical attention under police guard.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Two rifles were recovered at the scene, while a Ford Ranger bakkie allegedly used by the assailants was later found abandoned in Swalala, near Masoyi. 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 Ford Ranger used by the robbers was found abandoned. Image: SAPS 'It is important to note that, according to our initial investigations, no money was stolen during this attempted robbery,' said Mdhluli. The surviving suspect is expected to appear in court soon, as police investigations continue. 'We urge anyone with further information regarding the whereabouts of the outstanding suspects or any information relating to this incident to contact the SAPS, report anonymously through Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or send information via My SAPS App,' Mdhluli appealed. Police gave assurance that all received information will be treated as confidential, and callers may opt to remain anonymous. Meanwhile, acting provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, has commended the efforts of the private security members involved in the incident. Mkhwanazi emphasized that law enforcement agencies are working collaboratively across the province to combat crime, and the strategies in place are beginning to yield positive results. 'The swift response and professionalism demonstrated by our security partners during this incident are commendable. Our commitment to ensuring the safety of the community remains unwavering, and we will continue to work tirelessly to bring criminals to justice,' he said. Last week, IOL reported that a suspect in a cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery reportedly lost his leg during a failed heist in Thokoza on the East Rand in Gauteng. According to reports, the incident occurred when a group of armed suspects attempted to bomb a cash van in Phola Park Extension 5. Police said t least 10 suspects were involved in the failed heist. The vehicle was allegedly rammed by a silver BMW at the intersection of Khumalo and Murubisi streets. One of the suspects reportedly exited the vehicle with live explosives and attempted to detonate them near the cash van. The bomb exploded, allegedly causing the suspect to suffer a severe injury that included the loss of a leg. IOL News
The Citizen
04-05-2025
- The Citizen
Dagga worth millions seized in Mpumalanga
Two consignments of dagga worth R2.1m were recovered in two separate incidents in Mpumalanga on April 30. In Chrissiesmeer, dagga weighing 381kg estimated to be worth R800k was found in a suspicious Toyota Hilux with Gauteng registration plates. The bakkie was travelling on the R33 at about 03:45 that day. A provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, said the driver refused to stop, which resulted in a police chase. Once the driver pulled over, 64 small packets and 24 bigger packets of dagga were found in the back of the bakkie. Mdhluli said the driver is a 33-year-old eSwatinian man and he was charged with dealing dagga. In Hazyview, the police were tipped off about another Toyota Hilux with Mpumalanga registration plates transporting dagga on the R40 between White River and Hazyview at approximately 09:30 on April 30. Mdhluli said the vehicle was stopped and searched. Sixteen bags of dagga weighing about 320kg and with an estimated street value of R1.3m were found inside the bakkie. ALSO READ: Mozambican national sentenced to 20 years for poaching in Kruger National Park The driver and the passenger were arrested immediately. Both consignments were confiscated for investigation. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
02-05-2025
- The Citizen
2 men shot dead in Mpumalanga, investigation underway
Two men, aged 45 and 51, were shot and killed in Tekwane South in Mpumalanga at noon yesterday. Lowvelder reports that both men were pronounced dead by medical personnel on the scene. According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, when SAPS responded to the shooting, a white Toyota Yaris was found idling near the bodies. Mdhluli says the preliminary investigation has established that the vehicle belonged to one of the deceased. He says the motive behind the shooting remains unknown, and no arrests have been made. The police are investigating two murder cases. Anyone with information that may assist in apprehending the suspect(s) is urged to call Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or send information via the MySAPS app. All information will be treated as confidential, and callers may opt to remain anonymous. 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!
