Latest news with #ToyotaHilux
TimesLIVE
3 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Ethiopian who tried to defraud Sassa fined R60,000
Ethiopian Etebo Lapso Wangore has been sentenced to a R60,000 fine or eight months' imprisonment after he was convicted of corruption linked to attempts to defraud the social grant system. The specialised commercial crimes court in Vryburg in the North West imposed the sentence on Wangore, 43, this week, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said on Wednesday. Wangore entered South Africa as an asylum seeker and later established himself as a businessman operating several spaza shops in the North West. 'Investigations uncovered that he was part of a syndicate that included South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) employees involved in creating fraudulent Sassa beneficiaries, commonly referred to as ghost beneficiaries, defrauding the social grant system,' NPA spokesperson Sivenathu Gunya said. On November 15 2022, Wangore approached an agent at a post office and offered her R20,000 to arrange 250 Sassa cards. He further offered R1,000 per card as payment for each additional card she could supply. The official reported the matter to the police, leading to an entrapment operation, and Wangore was arrested on February 23 2023. He was later released on bail. Wangore pleaded guilty. In aggravation of sentence, state advocate Fhulufhelo Munyai emphasised the severity of the crime, explaining how such offences undermined the integrity of the country's social assistance system and negatively affected the economy. The court also ordered that his Toyota Hilux bakkie be forfeited to the state as it was used in the commission of the crime.
The Citizen
6 hours ago
- The Citizen
Nelspruit magistrate postpones judgment in Johan Louwrens' culpable homicide trial
The expected judgment in Johan Louwrens's six-year-long culpable homicide trial was postponed to August 20 to allow the magistrate additional time to consider the extensive evidence presented. Magistrate Patrick Morris was due to deliver his verdict today, Wednesday, July 30, but informed the court that he had not yet completed his review of the documentation. He cited the prolonged duration of the trial, the large number of witnesses, and the volume of technical evidence as contributing factors to the delay. Louwrens stands accused of fatally hitting Mbombela businesswoman Letisia Niemann (38) with his bakkie outside Mustangs – The Dancing Place on the night of September 28, 2019, and fleeing the scene. During closing arguments on June 19, the State noted Louwrens admitted to being in the area and driving the white Toyota Hilux involved in the incident. Eyewitnesses, including the victim's husband Eben Niemann, testified to seeing the bakkie strike Letisia Niemann. Vehicle tracking data and a reported confession were also presented, alleging Louwrens admitted to hitting her and fleeing while intoxicated. ALSO READ: Woman survives leopard attack in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve Louwrens claimed his vehicle struck a ditch and got a flat tyre, but the State argued this matched the accident scene. The defence challenged witness inconsistencies, visibility conditions, and the GPS expert's qualifications. Evidence suggested the bakkie veered into oncoming traffic before hitting Niemann, who died shortly after at Kiaat Private Hospital. Louwrens handed himself over to police, was granted R1 500 bail, and the case – initially withdrawn due to police errors – was later reinstated, with Louwrens released on a warning.
Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Daily Record
Tributes paid to 'hero' Scots marine killed in two vehicle crash in Australian outback
James Robert Reynolds, from Fraserburgh, moved to Australia just over a year ago. The devastated brother of a former Scots marine, who tragically died in a horror road crash in Australia, has paid tribute to "his hero". James Robert Reynolds died in hospital after suffering 'critical injuries' when his red Toyota Hilux collided with a white Volkswagen T-Cross in Lydon, Western Australia, at around 9:15am on Sunday, July 27. The 25-year-old, from Fraserburgh, moved to Australia just over a year ago, where he was working as a mechanical fitter after being in the Royal Marines for six years. He leaves behind his mum Kerry and dad John, as well as siblings Amy, Faith-Marie and William John, who described him as a "great man" when paying tribute. William said: "On the 27th of July at 10:50am I got the devastating news that my brother James had died. I'm absolutely heartbroken and genuinely just can't believe it at all. "My brother was a great man, he spent five to six years in the Royal Marines and was my biggest role model. He was my hero and has been for many others. "If you've spent the time to read this then please go tell your loved ones you love them and give them a hug because life is so precious and it's scary how fast it can be taken away. "I never got the chance to say goodbye or I love you to James since he was all the way out in Australia when this happened. RIP bro." James had posted on his social media just two days before the tragic accident showing video footage of a road trip with his girlfriend Katie Simpson, who is also from Scotland. The couple were exploring Hutt Lagoon - the famous pink lake - and Kalbarri. A red Toyota appears to be in the footage. Police in Western Australia have confirmed that a 25-year-old woman, who was the passenger in the vehicle James was driving, sustained minor injuries and a 50-year-old woman who was driving the Volkswagen sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital, following the crash. The UK Government's foreign office say they are supporting the family of a British man who who died in Australia. A spokesperson for Western Australia Police Force said: "Officers from the Major Crash Investigation Section are investigating a fatal crash which occurred in Lyndon (approximately 160kms east of Coral Bay) on Sunday, 27 July 2025. "About 9.30am, emergency services responded to reports a red Toyota Hilux utility and a white Volkswagen T-Cross station sedan had collided on Coral Bay Road, near Milinya-Exmouth Road. "The 25-year-old male driver of the Toyota Hilux was conveyed by paramedics to the Coral Bay Nursing Post with critical injuries but later died. "The 25-year-old female passenger of the same vehicle sustained minor injuries and was conveyed to Coral Bay Nursing Post for treatment. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. "The 50-year-old female driver and sole occupant of the Volkswagen sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment." An FCDO Spokesperson said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Australia, and are in contact with the local authorities.'
STV News
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- STV News
Tributes to 'dearly loved' Scots man who died in car crash in Australia
A Scottish man has died after a two-car crash in Western Australia . James Robert Reynolds, from Fraserburgh, was critically injured following the crash in Kyndon, east of Coral Bay around 9.10am on July 27. The 25-year-old, who was driving a Toyota Hilux utility, was taken to hospital where he later died. A 25-year-old woman who was a passenger in the car was also taken to hospital with minor injuries. The driver of a Volkswagen, a 50-year-old woman, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment. Alexander Buchan & Son Funeral Directors, based in Fraserburgh, confirmed Mr Reynolds had died in the crash. A statement shared on social media described him as 'dearly loved'. 'Tragically, as the result of a road traffic accident in Australia on Sunday July 27, 2025, James Robert, aged 25 years, dearly loved son of Kerry and John, much-loved brother to Faith-Marie, Amy and William John, dearly loved partner and best friend of Katie, dear grandson, great-grandson and good friend to all who knew him. An FCDO Spokesperson said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Australia and are in contact with the local authorities.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Mail
18 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Former Royal Marine, 25, is killed in two-car crash in Western Australia
A former Royal Marine has been killed in a car crash in Australia just a year after moving from his hometown in Scotland. James Robert Reynolds, 25, died after the Toyota Hilux Utility he was driving collided with a Volkswagen T-Cross on a single carriageway in Lyndon, western Australia, on Sunday morning. Emergency services raced to the scene on Coral Bay Road at around 9:30am, where James was found with critical injuries. He was rushed to Coral Bay Nursing Post but sadly died later that day. A 25-year-old female passenger in the Toyota was taken to the same hospital with minor injuries, while the 50-year-old female driver of the Volkswagen sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Royal Perth Hospital. The Western Australia Police Force have launched an investigation into the crash and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward. James was originally from Fraserburgh in Scotland and served in the Royal Marines for six years, but moved to Australia in 2024 to take up a job as a mechanical fitter, according the Daily Record. He was described as a 'dearly loved son', 'much loved brother' and 'good friend to all who knew him' in a heartwarming tribute on social media. The 25-year-old (pictured) died after the Toyota he was driving collided with a Volkswagen on a single carriageway in Lyndon, western Australia, on Sunday morning A spokesperson for Western Australia Police Force said: 'Officers from the Major Crash Investigation Section are investigating a fatal crash which occurred in Lyndon (approximately 160kms east of Coral Bay) on Sunday, 27 July 2025. 'About 9.30am, emergency services responded to reports a red Toyota Hilux Utility and a white Volkswagen T-Cross station sedan had collided on Coral Bay Road, near Milinya-Exmouth Road. 'The 25-year-old male driver of the Toyota Hilux was conveyed by paramedics to the Coral Bay Nursing Post with critical injuries but later died. 'The 25-year-old female passenger of the same vehicle sustained minor injuries and was conveyed to Coral Bay Nursing Post for treatment. 'The 50-year-old female driver and sole occupant of the Volkswagen sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment. 'Major Crash investigators are appealing for anyone with dash-cam or mobile phone vision, or other information relating to the crash to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online via Reports can be made anonymously. 'If you or anyone you know has been affected by a road crash, contact Road Trauma Support WA on 1300 004 814.'
