Latest news with #BrakpanHerald
The Citizen
13 hours ago
- The Citizen
Brakpan cops rescue boy (4) abandoned in cold after hijacking
A tense search for a four-year-old boy kidnapped during a hijacking on Wednesday evening ended in a happy reunion. Brakpan Herald reports that with help from local security teams and CPF patrollers, Brakpan police officers found the child unharmed. Local SAPS rural safety and sector managers Sergeant Phatudi Mashifane and Constable Zunaid Rustoff were patrolling along the R23 (Heidelberg Road), a notorious hijacking hotspot, when at around 23:00, they came across a family that had been hijacked and kidnapped by three armed men in Kempton Park. The couple had been left stranded in their vehicle. 'They told the SAPS members that the men left them inside their hijacked VW Polo GTI after the vehicle ran out of petrol on the R23 towards Tsakani, not far from a petrol station,' says Constable Audrey Buthelezi, Brakpan SAPS Sector 1 manager and communications officer. 'The couple was frantic. They informed the officers that one of the hijackers had left with their four-year-old boy. 'The two SAPS members called for backup and started searching the area for the missing child and suspects. 'While searching, the SAPS members and personnel from private security companies were calling out for the child with hope that the child would respond if he heard them. 'The boy responded to one officer's voice, and he was found in the wet and icy bushes alone and unharmed.' The child was reunited with his parents, and the search continued for the suspects. With the assistance of a drone, the suspect who left with the child was located in the bushes near Dalpark Ext 1. 'The victims positively identified the suspect as the one who left with the boy. The 28-year-old was immediately arrested and detained at the Brakpan Police Station, charged with hijacking and kidnapping.' He was expected to appear in court within 48 hours. Brakpan SAPS Vispol commander Colonel Robert Makopo applauded the outstanding rescue efforts of the police members, the CPF patrollers and private security companies. He further commended the officers for their dedication and vigilance, and their efforts to combat crime. The security companies involved were Secure Tech Security, CP Security and Graphite Security. 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
10-06-2025
- The Citizen
Call for calm as 12-year-old appears in court after fatal Brakpan crash
Call for calm as 12-year-old appears in court after fatal Brakpan crash A 12-year-old boy accused of driving the car that killed 14-year-old Malcolm Booysen on Saturday has appeared in the Brakpan Magistrate's Court. Brakpan Herald reports that local police are calling for community restraint as investigations continue. According to Brakpan SAPS communications officer Constable Audrey Buthelezi, a case of culpable homicide and driving without a driver's licence was registered at the local police station. Buthelezi told the Brakpan Herald the suspect's parents confirmed having no knowledge that he drove off with the vehicle from their home. 'The suspect appeared in the Brakpan Magistrate's Court on Monday (yesterday) and was released into the custody of his parents. The case was postponed to August as the court ordered an assessment of the minor's criminal capacity,' she said. 'The families of both the deceased victim and the minor suspect are currently receiving counselling and the support needed.' Brakpan SAPS station commander Brigadier Johanna Ngoma said the unfortunate death of Booysen has left law enforcement and community members devastated and in shock. She added that as heartbreaking as the situation is, it should also be an eye-opener to every parent to firmly instil discipline in their children and to always know where their children are and what they are doing, even while at home. The brigadier further requested that community members allow the law to take its course and not, in any form, torment the involved minor suspect and his family. 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
09-06-2025
- The Citizen
Brakpan mom forgives boy (12) who allegedly drove car that killed her son (14)
The mother of 14-year-old Malcolm Booysen, who died on Saturday after being hit by a vehicle, allegedly driven by a 12-year-old child, told the Brakpan Herald this morning that she has forgiven the child allegedly responsible for the crash. 'My Malcolm was a child who believed in God and he would have wanted it this way,' Helen-Ann Pelser said. 'In the past, I probably would have held a grudge, but thanks to my husband, Quinton, who brought our whole family closer to the Lord and the church, I feel that forgiveness is the right thing to do,' she said. Still, she said she never wants to relive the moment she heard that her child had passed away. 'It was the longest moment of my life when I had to drive from my sister's flat to the place where the accident happened,' said an emotional Pelser. According to her, she was at her sister Marissa Strauss's flat in Prince George Avenue on Saturday when a chaplain arrived with the tragic news. 'We went to the scene with my sister and the chaplain, Henry Bruinette. I prayed all the way there, and I wish that experience on no one.' The family does not live far from where the accident occurred, along Northdene Avenue. According to Pelser, Malcolm and his two younger brothers, Jason (12) and Jacques (10), as well as older brother Austin (17), were very close to one another. 'Malcolm enjoyed collecting and trading Hot Wheels cars. He was a child who went to church and Sunday school, and if his younger brothers didn't want to go, he would always encourage them to go along,' she said. Pelser expressed gratitude to everyone who has reached out to her and her family during this time of sorrow. 'I was completely surprised and overwhelmed when I saw how many people showed up at Sunday's vigil. There were people I didn't even know who came to me and said they knew Malcolm and are praying for us. I believe my child is in Heaven because his heart was right.' The family is still arranging the funeral.
The Citizen
09-06-2025
- The Citizen
'It won't bring Malcolm back': Family of teen killed by boy driver (12)
The deceased's grandfather said the family is still in shock and trying to make sense of the tragic event that claimed Malcolm's life The pre-teen's vehicle turned over after the incident. Picture: X/@_ArriveAlive The family of a teenager who was hit by a 12-year-old on Saturday has shared their heartbreak. The 12-year-old was behind the wheel when he disobeyed a stop sign, hitting 14-year-old Malcolm Booyens and driving into a nearby fence in Brakpan, Gauteng. According to The Citizen's sister paper, Brakpan Herald, family and friends of Malcolm held a heart-warming vigil on Sunday afternoon. Community members wrote touching messages on a large wooden cross and laid flowers in Booysen's memory. The 14-year-old's grandfather, André Booysens, said the family is still in shock and trying to make sense of the tragic event that claimed Malcolm's life. 'White car flying past' Speaking to the Sowetan, Malcolm's father, Quinton Booysens, said the 12-year-old's mother had visited him, claiming that the boy was not given permission to drive the vehicle. 'But no matter what she says or does, it won't bring Malcolm back,' Booysens noted. He said Malcolm was killed as the pair were out together, with Malcolm skating ahead of him. 'As I turned the corner, I saw a white car (Mazda) flying past the stop sign. A loud bang followed. I rushed ahead and saw [Malcolm's] skateboard first, then him lying on the pavement,' Booysens recounted. ALSO READ: Hawks arrest four in learner's and driver's licence fraud scheme in Limpopo Declared dead on the scene At arrival, the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department found the teenager's lifeless body, and paramedics declared him dead on the scene. According to the city's spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, the 12-year-old was taken into custody and later released to his parents. 'The suspect is expected to appear before the Brakpan magistrate's court soon,' he said. NOW READ: Inside the emotional vigil for Brakpan teen killed by 12-year-old driver
The Citizen
08-06-2025
- The Citizen
Update: Community holds emotional vigil for Brakpan teen killed in crash involving 12-year-old driver
A sombre atmosphere prevailed this afternoon at the place in Brakpan, Ekurhuleni, where 14-year-old Malcolm Booysen died yesterday after being struck by a vehicle driven by a 12-year-old child. Brakpan Herald reports that friends, family and well-wishers wrote messages on a large wooden cross and laid down flowers. Malcolm's grieving parents Helen-Ann and Quinton Booysen were comforted by people at the scene. Helen cried inconsolably before a scripture reading and prayer were held. Malcolm's brothers Austin (18), Jason (11) and Jacques (9) took turns writing messages on the wooden cross for their brother. His grandfather André Booysen (66) told the Brakpan Herald the family is still in shock and trying to make sense of the tragic event that claimed Malcolm's life. Earlier today, Brakpan Herald reported that, according to City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, officers from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department Accident Bureau were summoned to an accident at the corner of Northdene Avenue and Madeley Street at about 13:45 yesterday. 'The officers found the lifeless body of a 14-year-old pedestrian, who was declared deceased on scene by paramedics,' says Dlamini. 'Also on the scene, the officers found a Mazda that allegedly bumped the pedestrian, driven by a 12-year-old driver. 'The driver was handed in, accompanied by his guardian, to the Brakpan SAPS. 'It is alleged that the driver used the motor vehicle and disobeyed a stop sign and collided into the pedestrian.' 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!
