Latest news with #andSexualOffences
The Citizen
a day ago
- 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.
Daily Maverick
23-04-2025
- Daily Maverick
Court hears Kelly Smith's timeline of the day Joshlin went missing, with gaps in evidence
In her warning statement given to police, Racquel 'Kelly' Smith provided a timeline of the day Joshlin Smith went missing. She didn't describe Joshlin's possible whereabouts, and the statement is inconsistent with evidence before the court. 'I'm going to write up what happened on the day's events,' said Racquel 'Kelly' Smith in a statement to police about 19 February 2024, the day her six-year-old daughter Joshlin Smith went missing, 'in my own handwriting.' The statement, however, did not provide any clues to Joshlin's whereabouts. On Tuesday, 22 April 2025, Smith's warning statement was entered into the record by State prosecutor Zelda Swanepoel in the Western Cape High Court, sitting in Saldanha Bay. Smith's counsel, Rinesh Sivnarain, had no objections. Smith made the warning statement on 6 March 2024 after being interrogated by the investigating team between 4 and 5 March at the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) offices on the Sea Border Office grounds in Saldanha Bay. Similar statements were obtained from her co-accused, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, on the same day. In their confessions, the two claimed that Smith told them to take Joshlin to a purported sangoma, Phumza Sigaqa, known as Makalima, who would have allegedly paid Smith R20,000. On Thursday, 17 April, Judge Nathan Erasmus ruled that the confessions of Appollis and Van Rhyn were admissible and could be used as evidence against them. Appollis, Van Rhyn and Smith face charges of human trafficking and kidnapping after Joshlin's disappearance from the Middelpos informal settlement in Saldanha Bay. The three, who have pleaded not guilty, have denied the serious allegations against them. The State alleges that the accused 'sold, delivered or exchanged' Joshlin, a Grade 1 learner at Diazville Primary, for money. Smith's timeline On Tuesday, the court heard more details about Smith's version of what happened on the day Joshlin went missing. Her warning statement included more detail, particularly specific times, than her plea explanation in court. The court did not deal with the entire statement, but only with the parts handwritten by Smith. Her timeline of 19 February 2024, the day Joshlin went missing, reads: 7am: 'I got up and dressed my minor daughter and prepared myself for work.' 7.15am: 'I gave Joshlin and her minor brother food and told them their school clothes are dirty, so they won't go to school.' 8.15am: 'I took my other minor daughter and walked to Diazville, where I took her to the crèche. I got the keys and went to Kelly Zeegers' [where she was employed as a domestic worker] home to go and work.' 9am: Smith claims to have arrived at work. 11.30am: 'I borrowed R50 from aunt Carlien Zeegers and went to buy a packet of crystal methamphetamine known as tik, from [the dealer] Gums. Boeta and I smoked the tik alone.' 12.10pm: 'I finish[ed] and went back to work.' 12.30pm: 'I went and left [one of my other children] with her grandmother and went back to work.' 2pm: 'I finished working and dropped off the key.' 2.30pm: 'I went to go fetch my other minor daughter at the crèche.' 4.30pm: 'I borrowed R200 from aunt Carlien to refill gas.' 4.45pm: 'I arrived at home and asked Boeta, 'Where are the children?' He told me my minor son is with brother Louw and that Joshlin is around, her hair hanging loosely.' 5pm: 'I called out Joshlin and she did not respond.' 5.15pm: 'Boeta, Steveno and I went to go buy gas. Came back and again at Gums bought a packet of tik. We smoked it and then I called again out to Joshlin.' 6pm: Smith's minor son came home and she told him he had to call his sisters. He said he knew where his minor sister was, but he did not see Joshlin. He went to fetch his other sister 7pm: 'My neighbour and I went to go and look for Joshlin in Diazville.' 8.30pm: 'We were back in Middelpos and further looked for Joshlin.' 9pm: 'I called the police.' 9.30pm: 'The police came and we went to go and search for Joshlin.' Smith's statement appears to contradict both State witness Laurentia Lombaard's version of what happened to Joshlin and evidence from Kelly Zeegers, at whose home Smith said she worked on that day. Lombaard, who was initially accused number four in the kidnapping and human trafficking trial, told the court how Smith allegedly plotted to sell the six-year-old to a sangoma for R20,000. Zeegers, however, told the court that Smith had not worked at her house at all on that day. CCTV footage has indicated that Smith was not at Zeegers' home. Sangomas, seers and international help On Tuesday, Captain Wesley Lombard, the investigating officer in the Joshlin case, told the court about the extensive and international hunt for the missing girl, which included satellite assistance, help from Interpol, and 'online researchers', so-called seers and sangomas. 'During the investigation, various seers approached the team with differing perspectives about Joshlin's whereabouts and what happened to her. Some of the seers were from our country, while others were from other countries. What was interesting about these seers is that every second day they basically come with information on Joshlin's whereabouts. 'People who introduced themselves as sangomas said they are going to use their traditional practices to help the police to determine where Joshlin might be or can get the body,' he told the court. Other 'internet researchers' assisted the investigating team by analysing web content and reporting their results. Lombard said people with access to satellites scanned the Diazville dunes and sent photographs to the authorities, revealing where items might be buried under the sand. 'We followed up on that information since they provided us with GPS locations. The K9 dog squad, as well as forensic professionals who analyse bones, were involved in the hunt. Again, no results,' he told the court. The investigative team turned its attention to people in the area who had been convicted of crimes against minors and women. Again, this turned up no leads. The team tried to find out whether CCTV in Diazville and the wider Saldanha Bay area could help. 'We found that there were no municipal cameras in the streets where Kelly lived, as there are in Cape Town. We located one camera in the area, but it only worked within the working site and did not capture footage of the streets,' he told the court. Lombaard said the investigating team received information that Interpol, with the help of the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA), suspected that Joshlin may have been taken aboard a ship. According to Lombard's testimony, on Saturday, 16 April 2024, the NCA informed SAPS they had boarded the ship after it docked in Port Talbot, Wales. The authorities searched the boat for nearly two days, but only 21 Philippines nationals were found on the vessel. Lombard told the court the search for Joshlin continued. State closes its case On Tuesday, State prosecutor Swanepoel told the court that the State would close its case on Wednesday. The outstanding issues to be dealt with are the TikTok videos that went viral on social media, which have been handed in as exhibits. Van Rhyn's counsel indicated that he wanted to see the videos, which will be played in court on Wednesday. Judge Erasmus said that the court would also consider any section 174 petitions presented by counsel for the accused for the dismissal of charges against their clients based on the lack of evidence to substantiate the charges. The matter continues. DM
