Latest news with #PinetownMagistrate'sCourt
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Traditional healer denied bail after allegedly kidnapping mother and child
The Pinetown Magistrate's Court has denied a sangoma from Greytown bail as she is alleged to have kidnapped a mother and her son. Image: File A 68-year-old traditional healer (sangoma) from Greytown has been denied bail by the Pinetown Magistrate's Court for kidnapping a mother and her one-year-old son. The police found the child; however, the mother is still reported as missing. Nzenzephi Phewa, the sangoma, is alleged to have been the landlord of where the mother was residing. According to the State, Phewa has denied knowing the whereabouts of the child's mother. However, the child was found by the police playing at Phewa's home. The child's father said that when he returned home on July 7, 2025, his wife and child were missing. Upon making enquiries, he established that his son was with Phewa; however, his wife is still missing. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ In opposing the bail application of Phewa, which is under Schedule Six of the Criminal Procedure Act, the investigating officer, warrant officer Michelle Pillay, said Phewa may try to flee to avoid court proceedings. Pillay stated that due to the nature of the crime and its classification, she should not be granted bail 'The child was found in her possession. She cannot give a valid explanation as to how the child ended up being with her,' Pillay explained. She further stated that Phewa was arrested by police from the Marianhill police station, adding that at that stage, Phewa's previous convictions were unknown, and there were no pending cases. In stating her circumstances, Phewa stated that she is married and has three children. She said she is diabetic and can afford to pay R100 bail. The matter was postponed to September 10.
The Citizen
14-07-2025
- The Citizen
Pinetown court to hear bail violation claims against rape suspect
The allegation that a 29-year-old man accused of raping an eight-year-old girl in Clermont, Durban, violated his bail conditions will be addressed by the Pinetown Magistrate's Court today. According to Highway Mail, the man was re-arrested in the passageway of the court precinct while waiting for his appearance on Friday – an act met with visible disatisfaction from people who had gathered in support of the child and her mother, who was allegedly sworn at by the accused. The presiding officer said the rape suspect had been re-arrested and placed in the holding cells because the investigating officer was informed that he allegedly violated bail by being in Clermont instead of KwaDabeka, and by allegedly confronting the child's mother. The man was kept in custody. A person close to the child's family, who asked not to be named, said the child is healing but is triggered by the sight of the suspect and his sibling. The matter has united community members, some of who belong to different political organisations, to rally behind the child and her mother. After proceedings on Friday, the co-ordinator of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party Women's League in the Archie Gumede zone, Lethiwe Ngcobo, thanked supporters outside court for their presence. In previous weeks, demonstrators in ANC regalia protested outside court over concerns that the case may not be successfully prosecuted due to being bungled. One of the league's leaders, Nonhlanhla Khoza, had previously said: 'We are here to complain as mothers that a person who raped an eight-year-old child, how did they get bail? And once they have been granted bail, there are no follow-ups, nothing is being done about the allegations that the child's mother is being sworn at by the suspect.' 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
23-06-2025
- The Citizen
Protection orders and police ‘failing victims of GBV'
Wise4Afrika's Brenda Madumise-Pajibo said the police are failing to enforce protection orders. Protection orders are failing to protect women from being abused by their partners in gender-based violence (GBV) cases, despite restraining orders. This is according to advocate Brenda Madumise-Pajibo, director of the feminist organisation, Wise4Afrika. Wise4Afrika takes legal action against police Madumise-Pajibo said her organisation had filed papers in the high court suing the police on behalf of the family of Sasha Lee Monique Shah, who was killed after police failed to confiscate her husband's gun as stipulated in an interim protection order. 'We are currently assisting the family to sue the police because they failed to seize the gun from the man. The order was issued by the Pinetown Magistrate's Court on 22 September 2022, while she was killed in October 2022 in Umhlanga, north of Durban,' Madumise-Pajibo said. 'We are in the process of launching litigation against the police. For now, I cannot divulge much information about this litigation.' ALSO READ: Are police winning the war on gender-based violence? Madumise-Pajibo was also concerned about the case of Gugu Nkuna from Phola near Ogies in Mpumalanga, whose former partner reportedly assaulted her and tried to rape her a few days ago, even though she had a protection order against him. Protection orders not protecting victims She said the two cases were evidence that protection orders were not protecting GBV victims from their abusers. 'There is something wrong here because the court will issue the order as expected, but the police are failing to enforce what the order requires. 'I think we need the government to establish a specialised unit which will only focus on GBV cases. What I have realised is that some of the police officers don't even read the court order documents, while those who read them seem not to understand or they are ignorant.' ALSO READ: GBV: Convicted Western Cape rapist on the loose a 'direct threat to women's safety' Nkuna told The Citizen that she obtained a protection order against her former partner in 2023, but he continued abusing her. When she reported the matter to the police, they did not take any action. She said during the recent attack, she was rescued by community members who phoned the police as the man stripped her naked, demanding to have sex with her. GBV activist Sihle Sibisi from Kwanele Foundation said the police had let Nkuna down. 'She must open a case against them because they failed her by not taking action against the guy for violating the protection order. She must find a lawyer and open a case against them,' said Sibisi. 'The woman did what was needed to stop the abuse, but law enforcement agencies failed her.' Nkuna's legal representative, Mabu Marweshe from Marweshe Attorneys, said they would open a criminal case of defeating the ends of justice against the officers who refused to assist her. 'It is very unfortunate.' NOW READ: Grief claims grandfather after granddaughter's burial
The Star
29-04-2025
- The Star
Cable theft wreaks havoc on SA
Copper cable theft has become a blight on South Africa's infrastructure, affecting essential services that millions rely on. With losses running into billions, the country's rail and electricity sectors are experiencing significant setbacks, leading to frustration among citizens and businesses alike. The thriving illicit market exploits this situation, resulting in the sale of stolen copper to scrap metal dealers both locally and internationally. Recent statistics revealed by Transnet reported an astonishing 1 121 km of stolen cable within a single year. Meanwhile, Eskom, the country's power utility, incurs colossal losses totalling R5.7 billion annually due to copper theft, along with an additional R2 billion to replace the stolen cables. However, recent developments have provided a glimmer of hope. On Thursday, 24 April, the Pinetown Magistrate's Court delivered a significant ruling that may restore public faith in the government's commitment to combat crime. Nqobile Kubheka, a 27-year-old man caught in possession of stolen copper cables belonging to eThekwini Electricity Municipality and Telkom. He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment or a fine of R 20 000. The Hawks from the Durban Serious Organised Crime Investigation arrested Kubheka after receiving a tip-off. This conviction deserves commendation, but many believe it is simply a drop in the ocean when considering the overall scope of the problem. There are big fish involved in the illegal copper trade, those who operate these crimes from the shadows. Stronger intelligence work targeting these ''big fish'' is desperately needed to nip the problem in the bud. Until the root causes are tackled, the criminal cycle is likely to persist. Encouragingly, Transnet is exploring the use of advanced remote satellite technology as an alternative option to operate locomotives. This innovative approach holds the potential to significantly reduce the risk of copper cable theft while providing safer, more efficient transportation services across the country. As South Africa navigates through this maze of criminality, hope remains that innovation, paired with rigorous law enforcement, will stem the criminal tide.
IOL News
29-04-2025
- IOL News
Cable theft wreaks havoc on SA
The thriving illicit market exploits this situation, resulting in the sale of stolen copper to scrap metal dealers both locally and internationally. Copper cable theft has become a blight on South Africa's infrastructure, affecting essential services that millions rely on. With losses running into billions, the country's rail and electricity sectors are experiencing significant setbacks, leading to frustration among citizens and businesses alike. The thriving illicit market exploits this situation, resulting in the sale of stolen copper to scrap metal dealers both locally and internationally. Recent statistics revealed by Transnet reported an astonishing 1 121 km of stolen cable within a single year. Meanwhile, Eskom, the country's power utility, incurs colossal losses totalling R5.7 billion annually due to copper theft, along with an additional R2 billion to replace the stolen cables. However, recent developments have provided a glimmer of hope. On Thursday, 24 April, the Pinetown Magistrate's Court delivered a significant ruling that may restore public faith in the government's commitment to combat crime. Nqobile Kubheka, a 27-year-old man caught in possession of stolen copper cables belonging to eThekwini Electricity Municipality and Telkom. He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment or a fine of R 20 000. The Hawks from the Durban Serious Organised Crime Investigation arrested Kubheka after receiving a tip-off. This conviction deserves commendation, but many believe it is simply a drop in the ocean when considering the overall scope of the problem. There are big fish involved in the illegal copper trade, those who operate these crimes from the shadows. Stronger intelligence work targeting these ''big fish'' is desperately needed to nip the problem in the bud. Until the root causes are tackled, the criminal cycle is likely to persist. Encouragingly, Transnet is exploring the use of advanced remote satellite technology as an alternative option to operate locomotives. This innovative approach holds the potential to significantly reduce the risk of copper cable theft while providing safer, more efficient transportation services across the country. As South Africa navigates through this maze of criminality, hope remains that innovation, paired with rigorous law enforcement, will stem the criminal tide.
