Latest news with #Phakamani
The Citizen
26-07-2025
- The Citizen
Geyser sparks ceiling fire: Quick-thinking Empangeni neighbours save family
An Empangeni family had a close call with a house fire last weekend, which was quickly contained with help from their neighbours. According to the Zululand Observer, Phakamani Mabaso (53) recalled that his family was alerted to something burning at around 20:30 last Saturday. His wife, Ziphozethu Mabaso (50), smelt something burning but couldn't find what it was. '…but we couldn't see it. We switched off the lights. There was no flame, then suddenly there were flames coming from the ceiling,' said Phakamani. 'We threw a bucket and another one. We screamed for help and the neighbours came. They responded very fast,' he said. 'Without them…,' said Ziphozethu, who trailed off, with her young daughter Sethu (9) standing close beside her. 'Fortunately we were not sleeping. I don't even want to think about it.' Next-door neighbour Johan Horn was relaxing at home with his family, playing cards, when he heard Sethu's call for help. 'I heard a small child shout, 'Please help us!' So I ran to the stoep assuming someone was attacking them, but their house was on fire.' He jumped over the wall and discovered their geyser had burst, leaking onto electrical wires. 'I told them the first thing was to switch off their power. The family was frantic and rushing left to right. Phakamani told me afterwards that he's so glad someone came to keep him level-headed.' Johan's brother Ferdinand and nephew Juan de Kock also rushed to help. Johan tried to use a hosepipe, but the water was just trickling. 'Someone gave me a full bottle of water and I was standing in the dining room, just throwing. It doused 80% of the fire.' The Empangeni Fire Department arrived shortly after the blaze was contained and assessed that there was no further risk. However, the miracle of the story is that the neighbours weren't even meant to be home. Ferdinand was visiting from France and Juan was visiting from Johannesburg. 'We were supposed to be on a church camp this weekend, but everything was blocking us to go – we think this was the reason.' Phakamani said: 'We are grateful to our neighbours, we really appreciate their help.' In case of fire emergencies, contact the Empangeni Fire Department on 035 907 5723. 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
IOL News
19-06-2025
- IOL News
Umlazi hostel murders: Five men receive life sentences for brutal killings
On June 3, 2023, the deceased - Phakamani Lukhozi, Thamsanqa Shongwe, Mpilo Khumalo, Bongani Mkane, Lungani Sikhobi, Yandisa Msungubali, Nkululeko Lukhozi, and Mxolisi Mthethwa - were shot and killed while they were socialising at a hostel residence. Their killers have each received eight life terms. Image: Ron / AI Five men have each received eight life sentences and 15 years imprisonment for the murders which occurred at the Glebelands Men's Hostel in Umlazi in 2023. The convicts - namely Bongile Mabele, Siyathemba Mthwana, Nkosayikhethi Njeya, Bongani Mboyiyana, and Sibusiso Mkhonde - were sentenced at the Durban High Court this week. They were each convicted on eight counts of murder, joint possession of a prohibited firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. On the fateful night of June 3, 2023, the deceased - Phakamani Lukhozi, Thamsanqa Shongwe, Mpilo Khumalo, Bongani Mkane, Lungani Sikhobi, Yandisa Msungubali, Nkululeko Lukhozi, and Mxolisi Mthethwa - were shot and killed while they were socialising at a hostel residence. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, confirmed that the accused and deceased all resided at the hostel. Ramkisson-Kara said: 'The accused were friends with each other, and all the deceased were known to each other. Mabele was the block chairperson for some of the blocks at the hostel, and he oversaw the daily operations and allocation of accommodation for those blocks. Sometimes, his co-accused assisted him in executing his duties. 'Phakamani Lukhozi (Phakamani) oversaw the daily operations and accommodation of some other blocks at the hostel. These blocks were not controlled by Mabele. Mabele was not on good terms with Phakamani because he (Phakamani) refused to relinquish control of his blocks and submit to Mabele's leadership. Mabele then decided to kill Phakamani. Together with his co-accused, they planned to shoot and kill Phakamani and his friends,' said Ramkisson-Kara. Phakamani and his friends were accosted during the early hours of the morning while in a room at the hostel. 'The accused armed themselves with firearms and proceeded to the room. Some of them kept guard at the hostel gate, some stayed outside the room, and others went into the room where they began shooting at the occupants. The eight men were fatally wounded and died at the scene. The post-mortem results indicated multiple gunshot wounds.' In court, Advocate Rakesh Singh led the evidence of a Section 204 witness. The State also handed in Victim Impact Statements (VIS) compiled by two men who were present on the day of the incident.
