Latest news with #andSexualOffences
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- The Citizen
Sergeant Mdluli earns recognition for fighting gender-based violence with empathy and dedication
Sergeant Thulisile Mdluli of the Newcastle Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, has been awarded the title of Best FCS Detective of the Year at the esteemed 2024/2025 SAPS Provincial Excellence Awards. In an exclusive interview with the Newcastle Advertiser, Mdluli reflected on her journey in law enforcement and the emotional resilience required for her role. Her exceptional dedication to justice and unwavering service were recognised as she took to the stage in an elegant gown to accept her award from KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who commended her professionalism and steadfast commitment to protecting the vulnerable. At the ceremony, Sgt Mdluli received high praise for her work in a unit that deals with some of society's most distressing crimes. 'She treats victims and witnesses with compassion and dignity, while upholding the highest standards of professionalism. Mdluli is disciplined, respectful to her superiors and peers, consistently punctual, and represents the Newcastle FCS Unit with pride,' said one official. Her career began in July 2005 at Dannhauser SAPS, before she joined the Newcastle FCS Unit, where she has served with distinction for the past 10 years. Her focus has been on cases involving gender-based violence, sexual abuse, and child protection, providing a critical safety net for the most vulnerable members of society. Since joining the unit, Mdluli has successfully concluded 30 major criminal cases, securing 20 life sentences and 10 prison terms ranging between 15 to 45 years. She humbly credited her success to the collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the broader justice system. 'Every one of those victims has expressed gratitude. Many have begun to heal and rebuild their self-worth. Knowing I played a part in that gives me profound satisfaction,' she shared. Mdluli spoke candidly about the emotional toll her work can take. She emphasized the importance of mental health in such a demanding field: 'There are times during investigations when I encounter deeply traumatic stories. To stay grounded, I make counselling a priority when needed. Looking after my mental health helps me better support others and stay effective in my role.' What truly distinguishes Sgt Mdluli is not only her investigative skill but her deep empathy. She proudly identifies as 'The Voice of the Voiceless,' dedicating herself to speaking up for those who are too afraid or unable to do so. 'I will continue to serve with loyalty and integrity,' she vowed. 'Justice will be done, and criminals will find no refuge in Amajuba. The Newcastle FCS Unit does not sleep — we are relentless in our pursuit of justice.' Looking to the future, Mdluli expressed her ambition to continue growing within SAPS, aiming for leadership roles such as unit commander, branch detective commander, or to specialise in emerging areas like forensics or cybercrime. 'My goal is to serve South Africa with fairness and transparency. I want to help strengthen the SAPS by fighting internal corruption and ensuring justice is both delivered and seen to be delivered,' she affirmed. The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area. Please follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. For more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and request an add on our WhatsApp (082 874 5550). At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
07-06-2025
- The Citizen
Wedela SAPS educates learners on child safety during National Child Protection Week
In commemoration of National Child Protection Week, observed from May 29 to June 5, members of the Wedela SAPS extended their support and educational efforts to local schoolchildren. The initiative was led by Sergeant Zikhona Sifuba, Social Crime Prevention Officer, who was accompanied by Sergeant Matsietsi from the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit. The team visited Wedela Primary School, where they engaged with learners from Grades 1 to 3, delivering vital information on child safety and abuse prevention. They were joined by dedicated staff from Wedela's Victim Friendly Room (VFR): Hazel Nyembezi, Dimpho Lehoko, Thato Mogole, Athandile Sihlwayi, Tsogo Seleke, and Lubabalo Peyi. 'The purpose of the visit was to talk to the learners about child abuse and how they should protect themselves,' said Sgt. Sifuba. 'Most importantly, they must know they can report such cases, even if it's their uncle, father, brother, or neighbour who is touching them in a way they don't like.' The outreach impacted 244 learners, with the team encouraging them to speak to their teachers or ask for help in contacting the police if they felt unsafe or experienced any form of abuse. The session empowered children with the knowledge that their voices matter and that help is always available. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to promote awareness and ensure the safety and well-being of all children in the community. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- The Citizen
Woman linked to Gqeberha newborn kidnappings appears in court
The woman faces two counts of kidnapping and is expected back in court on 30 May. One of the two women arrested in connection to the abduction of two newborn babies from a Gqeberha hospital appeared in court on Friday. Sinovuyo Rabula, 26, appeared in the New Brighton Magistrates' Court following her arrest on Tuesday and faces two counts of kidnapping. She is due to appear in court again on 30 May 2025 for a formal bail application. Woman faked sickness and accessed maternity ward National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in the Eastern Cape Luxolo Tyali said the woman entered Dora Nginza Hospital under false pretences of experiencing abdominal pain on 20 May. The premature baby boys – one four days old and the other two days old at the time – were being treated in the public hospital's neonatal ward. '[She] accessed the maternity ward without authorisation, and removed the infants while posing as a new mother,' Tyali said. Searched launched after mothers discover their babies missing A frantic search to find the missing babies was launched by the Gqeberha police's Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit and health authorities. This after the mother of one of the infants discovered her baby was missing when she went to the maternity ward's premature unit with the intention of breastfeeding him at 8.30pm. ALSO READ: Bank executive kidnapped in Edenvale rescued, five arrested She had last seen her son at around 7pm when she left him after a feed. A second mother later arrived at the ward and discovered that her baby son was also missing. Women captured on hospital CCTV cameras When questioned about the incident on Tuesday morning, Eastern Cape health department spokesperson, Sizwe Kupelo, said a security guard stationed in the maternity building tried to stop two women who were attempting to access the ward carrying a bag. 'The ladies were assumed to be breastfeeding. However, one of them managed to evade the security guard and gain access to the nursery carrying the same bag.' Kupelo added that CCTV footage showed one of the women later using a different door to exit with the bag. Suspects arrested South African Police Service spokesperson Sandra Janse van Rensburg said at the time that one of the police officers noticed two women carrying infants while he was exiting the premises. 'He immediately approached them and started questioning the women,' Janse van Rensburg said. 'The suspicion of the member was positive after the infants were identified as the two stolen babies.' Rabula and her 25-year-old alleged accomplice were then arrested. *Additional reporting by Cornelia Le Roux NOW READ: Man arrested for using fake Facebook profile to lure, kidnap, and rape women
![UPDATE: Two premature babies abducted from hospital found [Watch]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.citizen.co.za%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F05%2Fbabies-kidnapped-dora-nginza.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
The Citizen
21-05-2025
- The Citizen
UPDATE: Two premature babies abducted from hospital found [Watch]
Two babies who were reportedly kidnapped from a Gqeberha hospital on Tuesday evening have been returned unharmed. In a dramatic conclusion to a harrowing abduction ordeal, two newborn babies who were snatched from Dora Nginza Hospital in Nelson Mandela Bay, were reunited with their mothers on Wednesday afternoon, 21 May. Their return comes just hours after the two premature baby boys were kidnapped on Tuesday evening from the public health facility's neonatal ward. At the time of their abduction, the infants were just four and two days old and still in incubators. According to reports, one of them was also being treated for a broken arm. Premature babies kidnapped from Dora Nginza Hospital A frantic search to find the missing babies was launched by the Gqeberha police's Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit and health authorities. South African Police Service (Saps) spokesperson Sandra Janse van Rensburg confirmed to The Citizen that the infants were reunited with their mother and both boys were in good health. Two female suspects arrested According to Janse van Rensburg, two female suspects were arrested by the FCS. 'One of the Saps officers was exiting the premises of the hospital, when he noticed two females with infants. He immediately approached them and started questioning the women. 'The suspicion of the member was positive, after the infants were identified as the two stolen babies. The two suspects, aged 25 and 26, will appear in the New Brighton Magistrate's Court during the week,' the police spokesperson said. The acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner Brigadier Loyiso Ngalo commended the Saps team 'who worked tirelessly since the kidnapping was reported'. 'We are grateful that they were found and that they can be reunited with the mothers.' ALSO READ: Two women arrested for allegedly kidnapping newborn boy Addressing the media on Wednesday afternoon, a relieved Nelson Mandela Bay Deputy Executive Mayor Gary van Niekerk revealed that the two infants were back in hospital and have both 'just had their first feed' after their reunion with their mothers. Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality's Deputy Executive Mayor, Cllr Gary Van Niekerk, gives an update about the stolen babies incident that transpired at Dora Nginza Hospital.#AllHandsOnDeck#MetroAtWork#Siyasebenza — Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (@NMandelaBaymuni) May 21, 2025 Mystery kidnapping of babies from maternity ward It was previously reported that the mother of one of the infants left her baby in the maternity ward's premature unit after breastfeeding him at around 7pm on Tuesday evening. When she returned at 8:30pm to feed the child again, she discovered he was missing. A second mother later arrived at the ward and discovered that her baby son was also missing. Two women captured on hospital CCTV cameras When questioned about the incident earlier this morning, Eastern Cape health department spokesperson, Sizwe Kupelo, said a security guard stationed in the maternity building tried to stop two women who were trying to access the ward carrying a bag. 'The ladies were assumed to be breastfeeding. However, one of them managed to evade the security guard and gain access to the nursery carrying the same bag.' Kupelo added that CCTV footage showed one of the women later using a different door to exit with the bag.
The South African
06-05-2025
- The South African
Kidnapped two-week-old infant rescued in KZN, woman arrested
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) rescued a two-week-old baby on Monday morning after a woman allegedly kidnapped her from Durban. RUSA discovered baby Owami Lonathando Sindane at approximately 09h15 near the Westville Pavilion Shopping Centre in KwaZulu-Natal. Officers quickly reunited her with her mother, Bongiwe Sindane, who had reported the kidnapping to RUSA at around 22h00 the previous night. Within eleven hours, RUSA received 34 tip-offs from various locations across South Africa. Including Pietermaritzburg, Limpopo, Cape Town and Johannesburg. The leads enabled the team to focus their search on Chesterville in the early hours of Monday. RUSA deployed ground units and aerial surveillance to contain the area, where officers spotted a woman acting suspiciously while carrying a newborn. Officers confronted the suspect and found her in possession of the missing baby. They arrested a 21-year-old woman in connection with the abduction and took her into custody on the spot. Due to growing tension among residents—some of whom requested to confront her—RUSA removed the woman from the area for her safety. The police later detained her at the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit at SAPS Cato Manor, where the baby's mother positively identified her. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to kidnapping the infant after suffering a miscarriage on 24 April. She reportedly met Bongiwe Sindane at a local clinic and devised a plan to abduct the child in order to deceive her boyfriend into believing the baby was his. Disturbingly, the suspect admitted that she had only given baby Owami water and had not fed her any formula milk since the abduction. SAPS has taken over the case for further investigation. Authorities expect the suspect to appear in court soon on charges of kidnapping and child endangerment. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
