Latest news with #RenegadesSearchandRescue
The Citizen
09-08-2025
- The Citizen
Umgababa victims remembered this Women's Day
THIS Women's Day, Renegades Search and Rescue's Dawn Gounden has issued a heartfelt appeal to the public, authorities, and relevant stakeholders to recommit to the fight against violence, particularly the violence that targets women, children, the elderly, and other vulnerable members of society. Also read: Security guard in court for murder of grannies Her call comes exactly two years after the brutal killings of Zanele Mbuso and Monica Xulu, who were murdered at an Umgababa daycare centre where they worked, on August 9, 2023, Women's Day. Their bodies were discovered days later in a shallow grave nearby. A 60-year-old man, employed as a security guard at the centre, was arrested, tried, and sentenced to two life terms for the crime. Despite the heavy sentence, Gounden said the families of the victims remain deeply affected, and justice has felt elusive. 'Their deaths remain a stark and painful reminder of the gender-based violence that continues to claim lives, even among the most vulnerable in our society. To this day, their families continue to struggle with the devastating loss. The emotional scars have not faded, and healing has been slow. What was once a time for celebration and recognition of women has become an annual reminder of grief and unanswered questions,' she said. Gounden emphasised that the memory of Mbuso and Xulu endures through ongoing calls for justice and meaningful change. 'Let their lives not be forgotten, and let their deaths not be in vain,' she said. For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
The Citizen
24-07-2025
- The Citizen
Richards Bay family seeks missing son
The distressed mother of a missing 31-year-old man is appealing to members of the public to assist in locating her son. Ross Martin Rex Pepper was last seen in Meerensee, Richards Bay 16 June. ALSO READ: Help Empangeni SAPS find missing woman (23) According to his mother, Michelle Ferreira, Pepper has bipolar disorder and was last seen in the vicinity of Pick n Pay on Anglers Rod. 'There has been no confirmed sighting since he went missing. I have searched everywhere and distributed pamphlets. We are worried about his safety,' she said. Ferreira has also approached Renegades Search and Rescue for assistance, and registered a missing person's case at Richards Bay SAPS. Anyone with information is urged to call or WhatsApp Dawn Gounden on 074 7125855. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer
The Citizen
23-06-2025
- The Citizen
Pretoria woman and dog missing
The search is intensifying for Celeste van Aswegen, a Pretoria woman who went missing on Saturday after last being seen in Garsfontein. Pretoria Rekord reports that, according to information shared by Renegades Search and Rescue and concerned community members, Van Aswegen was on her way to Lanseria after visiting her ex-husband. She was driving a 2014 sea grey VW Amarok double cab bakkie, with the registration number DD8 6HX GP. Her black dog, Shadow, was reportedly in the vehicle with her at the time of her disappearance. Van Aswegen was last seen wearing pale casual pants and a short-sleeved shirt. A missing person case has been opened with the Garsfontein police. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance remain unclear, and authorities are urging the public to assist with any information that could help trace her whereabouts. Anyone who may have seen Van Aswegen, her vehicle or her dog is urged to contact Garsfontein SAPS on 012 472 0144. 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
Have you seen this missing Pretoria woman and her dog?
Have you seen this missing Pretoria woman and her dog? The search is intensifying for Celeste van Aswegen, a Pretoria woman who went missing on 21 June 2025 after last being seen in Garsfontein. According to information shared by Renegades Search and Rescue and concerned community members, Celeste was on her way to Lanseria after visiting her ex-husband. She was driving a 2014 sea grey VW Amarok double cab bakkie, with the registration number DD86HXGP. Her black dog, Shadow, was reportedly also in the vehicle with her at the time of her disappearance. Celeste was last seen wearing pale casual pants and a short-sleeved shirt. A missing person case has been opened with the Garsfontein police. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance remain unclear, and authorities are urging the public to assist with any information that could help trace her whereabouts. Anyone who may have seen Celeste, her vehicle, or her dog is urged to contact Garsfontein SAPS on 012 472 0144 or any of the following numbers: Dawn: 074 712 5855 Hannes: +27 61 847 1982 Jean: +27 82 212 3925 Beyes: +27 82 811 2600 Please share this information to help widen the search. Every sighting or tip could make a difference. Also read: Missing Pretoria teenager found unharmed Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ 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. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
05-05-2025
- The Citizen
Efforts to locate missing man intensify
SEARCH efforts to locate Poonsamy Govender, 74, who went missing in the vicinity of the Isipingo Beach river mouth on April 30, are intensifying as more volunteers join in to help find him. Also read: Malagazi shooting: Victim's family claims police cover-up The Yellowwood Park resident left his home on the morning of April 30 and was seen on CCTV footage on foot walking towards the railway line. That afternoon he was seen near the Isipingo Beach river mouth. He was wearing a black jacket and blue jeans. Dawn Gounden of Renegades Search and Rescue said that the team continues its search for eyewitnesses to assist in locating Govender. 'The search efforts intensified as more volunteers joined in to help find Govender, circulating a flyer and sharing his photograph on social media in the hopes of reaching a wider audience. As days progress, the determination to find Govender remains strong. The family hold onto faith that he would be found safe.' Renegades appeal to fishermen, beachgoers and community members to assist the police with any information on Govender's whereabouts. Anyone with information is urged to contact Montclair police on 031 462 6219. Alternatively contact 074 712 5855. For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
