Latest news with #Verulam
The Herald
5 days ago
- The Herald
Lifelike ‘human hands' found near KZN school not real
The eThekwini district medico-legal mortuary confirmed the two hands discovered on Wednesday in a field in Trenance Park were artificial. Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) said in a statement: 'Two severed hands recovered by a newspaper distributor in Trenance Park have been confirmed by the medico-legal laboratory in Phoenix to be props.' According to Rusa, the hands were found on Oregan Street wrapped in a bloodstained white cloth. Rusa officers cordoned off the scene before handing it over to SAPS members from Verulam. 'SAPS detectives and uniformed police officers in attendance conducted an investigation and the hands were eventually transported by police to the eThekwini district medico-legal mortuary, who confirmed that the realistic-appearing limbs were made of rubber,' Rusa said. The discovery was made by a paper delivery staff member who spotted what appeared to be human or animal limbs near the boundary wall of a primary school. An animal tongue was also found nearby. In a video shared by Rusa and Arrive Alive on social media, a state pathologist can be seen examining the prosthetic hands. Despite their lifelike skin tone, texture and anatomical detail, closer inspection revealed they were not real human tissue. The pathologist bent and twisted the fingers, palms and wrists to show that they were artificial. While the incident caused initial alarm in the community, it has now been confirmed that no foul play was involved. TimesLIVE
The Herald
6 days ago
- The Herald
Severed hands, 'tongue' found outside Verulam primary school
A newspaper delivery person made a gruesome discovery outside a primary school in Verulam, north of Durban, on Wednesday: two human hands severed at the forearm and wrapped in a bloody white cloth. Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) responded to the call from the employee, who reported seeing either animal or human limbs. Rusa's owner Prem Balram said officers made the grisly find along with an organ, thought to be an animal tongue lying on a shattered piece of Perspex or glass. 'We cannot say with certainty whether the hands are from the same person, even though one is darker than the other, or whether they were male or female,' he said. 'Also with regard to the organ — it looks like an animal tongue but sometimes human organs can swell. The forensic team will have to make that determination.' Balram said it seemed as if the items were dumped on the side of the road, outside the school Trenance Park. Officers were conducting a search in the area for a body. TimesLIVE
The Herald
25-06-2025
- The Herald
Life sentences for killers of ANC ward chairperson over tenders
On January 29 2020 Makhanya visited his sister in Verulam, north of Durban. It was at this time he befriended Hadebe. The court heard how the two, who were nabbed through a political task team, were linked through cellphone records. They pleaded not guilty to the charge. Though Hadebe had no previous convictions Makhanya, a grade 4 primary school dropout, was previously convicted of an attempted murder charge. He was a taxi conductor based at a Port Shepstone rank at the time of the murder. Balton said there were no compelling and exceptional circumstances which permitted her to deviate from the prescribed minimum life sentence. She found the pair were ruthless and had no regard for a human life. She said Hadebe was Magwaza's close friend but wanted to get a tender at all costs. Balton said the court could also not ignore submissions from the state on how a dying Magwaza had allegedly called out Hadebe to rescue him, not knowing he was the one behind his murder. He visited the Magwaza family to offer condolences. 'Magwaza's family trusted him, ' she said. Balton said the victim impact statement of Amahle Masikane, Magwaza's niece, demonstrated how her uncle's death disrupted her studies and forced her get a job at a call centre. She said the statement also portrayed the shock, grief and destruction the family endured after the murder. 'She [Masikane ] was shocked at seeing her uncle lying in a pool of blood.' The sentencing was not without drama as Hadebe told his lawyer Manoj Hardeo he wanted the proceedings postponed as he wanted to retain a new lawyer. Balton told Hadebe the matter was completed as he had been convicted. She advised Hadebe he should for apply for leave to appeal after sentencing. TimesLIVE
