Latest news with #PretoriaRekord
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- General
- The Citizen
Watch: Escaped Rietvlei cheetah found and captured
Njozi, the female cheetah that escaped from Rietvlei Nature Reserve earlier this week, has been safely captured. This is according to Obakeng Ramabodu, MMC for Environment and Agriculture Management. Pretoria Rekord reports that Njozi was located today after she mysteriously escaped yesterday. Ramabodu confirmed the big cat was found in the Bapsfontein area, thanks to a tracking device fitted on her. 'The team, along with veterinarians, used the tracker to locate Njozi. She is safely recovered without incident,' he said. He assured the public that Njozi was not harmed during her escape and that she did not cause any injuries or fatalities to the public. Ramabodu also revealed that the cheetah most likely escaped through a section of the reserve's perimeter fence that had been vandalised. 'We believe the escape was made possible due to damage to the fence,' he said, confirming that vandalism has compromised the reserve's security. 'We are prioritising repairs to the damaged fencing and strengthening safety measures to prevent future escapes. The safety of both wildlife and the surrounding community is non-negotiable,' he said. Ramabodu added that the department will immediately begin implementing enhanced safety measures to prevent further animal escapes from Rietvlei Nature Reserve. 'We must act swiftly to prevent future incidents, particularly involving the cheetah, which is often targeted. Our greatest concern is the safety of both the animal and the public. We cannot risk losing Njozi to injury, nor can we allow the possibility of her harming someone,' he said. Njozi was relocated to Rietvlei from the Western Cape and has a history of escaping. Yesterday, Njozi escaped from the reserve. Njozi was spotted on the R50 Delmas Road in the area of Bapsfontein, a farming town in Ekurhuleni. Derek van der Merwe from the Endangered Wildlife Trust said following an extensive search yesterday, Njozi was located in Bapsfontein but couldn't be darted as she ran into dense bushes, and it got dark, so the search was called off. He added that he believed that Njozi escaped as she was on the search for a male companion. 'If we can bring her a male cheetah, she wouldn't try to run or escape anymore. I am certain she will stay in the reserve with her companion.' This is not her first stint at escaping. In 2021, she slipped out of the reserve, and after an extensive search by officials and wildlife conservationists, Njozi managed to return on her own. 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
20-05-2025
- The Citizen
Mamelodi spaza shop owner murdered, police investigation underway
Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 45-year-old spaza shop owner in Mamelodi East, Tshwane, following an altercation that occurred yesterday morning. Pretoria Rekord reports that, according to police, the deceased is believed to be an Ethiopian national. Police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk says officers from the Mamelodi East Police Station were dispatched to the scene around 08:00 yesterday after receiving reports of a shooting. 'Preliminary investigations indicate that an altercation between the suspect and the victim took place earlier that morning, around 06:00, outside the victim's spaza shop,' he says. Van Dyk adds that the victim was reportedly sitting inside his white Toyota Corolla at the time of the dispute. 'During the argument, the suspect allegedly drew a firearm and fired several shots through the windscreen of the vehicle, striking the victim multiple times.' The suspect then fled the scene. Van Dyk says family members were informed shortly after the shooting and rushed to the scene. 'They transported the injured man to hospital using the same vehicle he had been shot in,' he adds. However, while en route, the vehicle was stopped by Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department officers, who discovered the victim in the back seat. 'When the officers inspected the vehicle, the victim had already succumbed to his injuries.' Crime scene experts were called to the location to process the area and gather forensic evidence, which will aid detectives in tracking down the perpetrator. 'A case of murder has been opened, and we are actively following all available leads in an effort to trace and apprehend the suspect.' TMPD members in region 6 Mamelodi arrested 3 Somalian male nationals who were found inside a stationary vehicle with a deceased body, case is under investigation by the South African Police Services #TMPDSafety — Tshwane Metro Police (@TMPDSafety) May 19, 2025 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
15-05-2025
- The Citizen
Pretoria couple sentenced for brutal murder of 1-year-old daughter
A Pretoria couple who inflicted severe injuries on their one-year-old daughter — including broken ribs, bruises and bite marks — has been sentenced for her murder, with the father receiving life imprisonment and the mother 15 years behind bars. Pretoria Rekord reports that, according to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, the couple, Joseph Molwana (25), a Mozambican national, and the mother (who cannot be named as she was a minor at the time of the crime) lived in Soshanguve. 'Molwana was sentenced to life imprisonment for the premeditated murder of his one-year-old daughter, Sphesihle Nonlanhla Njobe. [The mother], who was a minor at the time of the offence, was sentenced to 15 years' direct imprisonment for the same offence, in terms of the Child Justice Act [75 of 2008].' Mahanjana says both were further sentenced to five years' direct imprisonment for child abuse. 'In addition, Molwana received a two-year direct imprisonment sentence for being in the country illegally. 'The court ordered that all sentences for Molwana run concurrently with the life sentence. The court also declared both accused unfit to work with children and unfit to possess firearms.' She says the couple was at the mother's home when they woke up that morning on May 15, 2022, and realised that their one-year-old daughter was not responsive. 'They went to call their neighbours. When the neighbours arrived, they realised that the child was dead. 'They then called family, community members and the police. On arrival, the police arrested the couple on the scene.' In court, both accused pleaded not guilty, claiming they were unaware of what had happened to the child. They said the child had been crying the previous night, but they did not know what was wrong and eventually fell asleep. However, State Prosecutor Hanlie Du Preez led compelling evidence from a pathologist, which revealed that the child had been severely abused, with four broken ribs, bruises and bite marks on her body. Mahanjana says during sentencing proceedings, the defence argued for a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentences, citing Molwana's status as a first-time offender who had been in custody for over two years, and the mother's status as a minor at the time, lacking parental guidance. 'However, prosecutor Du Preez asked the court to impose the prescribed sentence of life imprisonment because the couple deliberately committed serious offences of abuse towards their own child, who was only a year old. Furthermore, Du Preez argued that the community was outraged by this offence, and their hopes are on the courts to send a message by the sentence imposed.' In delivering judgment, Magistrate Pieter Nel agreed with the prosecution, finding that the couple showed no remorse and that the child had suffered prolonged abuse. He stressed the need to protect society from such individuals. 'The NPA hopes this sentence sends a strong message that gender-based violence and crimes against children remain a priority and will be prosecuted without fear or favour,' says Mahanjana. 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
13-05-2025
- The Citizen
Murdered journalist and partner: Community aids police in arresting 3 more suspects
A major breakthrough has been made in the double murder case of Pretoria journalist Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Mdhluli, after community members helped police track down and arrest three more suspects linked to the crime. According to Pretoria Rekord, the decomposed bodies of Ndlovu and Mdhluli were found last week in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga. The couple had been missing since February 18. A total of eight suspects have now been arrested in connection with the double murder, with several already having appeared in court. National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe says police issued an alert on Saturday requesting members of the public to assist the SAPS in tracing two outstanding suspects in this case. 'On Monday evening, SAPS crime intelligence officers, detectives, and the Cybercrime Unit, with the assistance of the community, pounced on the suspects at their hideout in Nokaneng near Rust de Winter, where the human remains believed to be of the missing journalist and partner were found. A DNA matching process is already underway to match the human remains found with the DNA of close family members.' Mathe confirmed that 24-year-old Thato 'Small' Madisha and 43-year-old Sello Uoane were arrested early this morning. A third suspect in the case was also arrested. National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola has commended the multidisciplinary team working on this case as well as the community members who assisted with information on the hideout of these three suspects. 'We thank the people of South Africa, particularly Mpumalanga, who have assisted our investigating team in tracing these suspects. 'The social media community must also be appreciated for sharing pictures of these suspects from far and wide. Together, we can do more with the co-operation of communities in fighting crime and apprehending dangerous criminals,' concluded Masemola. Meanwhile, the African Media and Communicators Forum and the National Press Club commend the police for their continued hard work in solving the case. 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
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Video: 5 expected in court after violent protest at Loftus Versfeld
Video: 5 expected in court after violent protest at Loftus Versfeld Police arrested five men for public violence and malicious damage to property following a violent protest at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, yesterday. According to Pretoria Rekord, the unrest broke out during half-time of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier between Bafana Bafana and Malawi. Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said about 150 people started protesting at 16:30. She said when public order police tried to speak to them, protesters turned violent and threw objects at the officers. Police responded and arrested five suspects. 'The men face charges of public violence, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and malicious damage to property.' The five suspects are expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court tomorrow. Muridili said police must act when protests threaten safety, as per the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act 2 of 2010. The act ensures safety at public events like sports matches and concerts. April violence at Loftus still under investigation Violence broke out after a CAF Champions League match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Espérance Sportive de Tunis on April 1. The clash followed Sundowns' 1–0 win at Loftus. Police confirmed that 13 people were injured but refused medical help. Videos on social media showed fans throwing objects, dismantling barricades and fighting, despite security personnel trying to defuse the situation. Also read: Watch: Sundowns hero saves Tunisian fan as soccer fans clash at Loftus Versfeld Sundowns later released a statement condemning the violence. The club apologised to Espérance and their supporters. They noted their fans may not have started the fight, but admitted it happened at their home ground. Sundowns said some fans were attacked with flares and pepper spray. They promised to work with the police to prevent future incidents. This incident is still under investigation. 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.
