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The Herald
21 hours ago
- The Herald
Education MEC condemns heinous attack on teenage girls
The Eastern Cape department of education has condemned the murders of two teenage girls whose charred remains were discovered in KwaNobuhle on Wednesday. In a statement on Thursday, education MEC Fundile Gade expressed deep sadness at what he described as a heinous and senseless double murder. Though their identities have not yet officially been made public, Gade said they were both pupils at Nkululeko Secondary School. He extended the department's condolences to the victims' families, friends and peers. 'The department can confirm that the SA Police Service is conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident,' Gade said. He urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist the authorities, adding that the safety and wellbeing of all pupils was a priority. He said they would provide support to the families of the deceased and work closely with law enforcement to ensure a comprehensive investigation. 'We are deeply troubled by the heinous crime committed against two of our schoolgirls in Kariega. 'Daily, I am convinced that there is a silent war being meted out against women and young girls. 'We empathise with the families, their colleagues and the community of Kariega at large. 'We urge law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned and to provide clarity about this tragedy. 'We wish the affected families strength, courage and resilience during this difficult time. 'Updates to our community of Nelson Mandela Bay will be provided as more information becomes available,' Gade said. The Herald
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- TimesLIVE
'No way police can lead fight against GBV': Police minister Senzo Mchunu
Minister of police, Senzo Mchunu. Image: Werner Hills Police minister Senzo Mchunu told parliament the SA Police Service (SAPS) cannot be expected to lead the fight against gender-based violence (GBV). 'There is no way SAPS can lead the fight against GBV,' Mchunu told MPs. 'That's one view we are discouraging from within SAPS — to portray themselves as the fight against GBV. It is not true and it's impractical.' Instead Mchunu called for a broader, society-wide approach to combating the scourge of violence, particularly against women and children. 'We must all get involved as opposed to saying SAPS are leading and then pose a barrage of questions solely to SAPS,' he said. 'Post-incident, yes, we do investigate arrests and pursue justice. But prevention is not solely the job of the police.' Some opposition MPs did not take kindly to the remarks. ACDP leader Rev Kenneth Meshoe acknowledged the role of other sectors but said the police must shoulder a central role. 'I agree that there are other stakeholders that have to be involved in attempting to reduce GBV,' he said. 'But whenever there is violence — no matter what kind — the police must take responsibility to ensure the safety and security. They must make sure those men who are violent are arrested.' Meshoe warned that if the SAPS failed to prioritise GBV, women and children would remain vulnerable. Mchunu responded that police are not seeking to escape responsibility but rather emphasising that prevention requires community-wide involvement. Last month Mchunu presented the country's latest crime statistics which painted a grim picture. 'Women remain disproportionately affected by rape, assault GBH and murder. Our resolve to fight GBVF is unwavering,' he said. South Africa continues to face one of the highest rates of GBV in the world. According to Stats SA one in three women aged 16 and older has experienced physical violence, while one in five has suffered sexual abuse. The Human Sciences Research Council found that 33.1% of women aged 18 and older have endured physical violence in their lifetime.
The Citizen
13-06-2025
- The Citizen
Fewer guns mean fewer funerals in South Africa
Gun violence still haunts South Africa despite crime drops. To save lives, we must urgently tighten firearm control laws. Every three months, we receive a new set of crime statistics. Numbers rise and fall and we talk about trends. But behind every number is a name, a family, and a future cut short. The latest Gauteng crime statistics, released by provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni, show a 10.8% decrease in the murder rate – a welcome relief. But let's be clear: firearms are still the weapons most used to kill in this province and nationally. Imagine a taxi rank in Tembisa. Two men argue over a fare. One pulls a gun and suddenly, what could have been a fistfight, becomes a funeral. This is not a headline. It's real life for many in Gauteng. Road rage, alcohol-fuelled disputes, domestic fights – these situations turn deadly not just because of anger, but because someone had access to a firearm. ALSO READ: 13-year-old MP boy charged with attempted murder of cousin Despite the drop in murders, guns remain the leading method to murder in Gauteng and South Africa. That's like saying the fire is smaller – but it's still burning through homes. The statistics also reveal a chilling trend: 75 cases of multiple murders, with 191 victims. In two incidents, seven people were killed at once. Communities like Soshanguve and Kagiso are facing what can only be described as low-level warfare – yet it's often invisible to those watching from afar. What weapon makes it possible to kill that many people that quickly? You already know the answer. Kidnappings rose by 15.8%. Many of these abductions involved violence or threats – most often at gunpoint. The trauma doesn't end when a victim is rescued. Guns make it easier for criminals to control and intimidate. ALSO READ: Owning a gun can get you killed, says Gun Free SA The murder of 11 police officers – 10 off-duty, with these killings too often involving the officer's service gun being stolen, even after hours, when service guns should have been handed in by law, is a reminder that even trained professionals are not safe. If officers with firearms and training aren't protected, what chance does the average person have? We welcome the 2% drop in sexual offences and the awareness campaigns reaching thousands. But we cannot ignore this fact: a woman is five times more likely to be killed if her abuser owns a firearm. Removing guns from violent homes must be part of our gender-based violence strategy, yet SA's 2020-2030 National Strategic Plan on Gender-based Violence and Femicide doesn't include a single mention of firearms. As Gun Free SA, we propose: Reducing the number of guns – legal and illegal; Accurate record-keeping is a pillar of effective gun control, yet our records are a shambles. We need to urgently fix the Central Firearms Registry, including reassigning management of the Registry if the SA Police Service can't deliver on it; Enforce the Firearms Control Act. It worked before – and saved thousands of lives. It can work again. But only with oversight, training and accountability; and Table the Firearms Control Amendment Bill to close loopholes. ALSO READ: South Africa's gun trade and its impact on Africa Four years of delay is four years too long. Parliament must table it, allow public input, and legislate for life – not death. What does gun-free safety look like? Like Thuli in Tembisa walking home without fear, like Sipho in Alexandra not flinching when a car backfires, like homes where anger doesn't end in murder by pulling a trigger. Let us recommit to making SA a gun-safe country. The fewer guns we have, the safer we are.
IOL News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
New powers for municipal police: Enforcing immigration laws and regulating second-hand sales
Municipal police services could soon be allowed to enforce immigration laws and detect possibly stolen goods sold as second-hand goods. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers Municipal police services across the country are set to be given more powers, including enforcing immigration laws, and controlling and preventing the sale of stolen goods. The SA Police Service (SAPS) is proposing changes to the regulations for municipal police services first promulgated in June 1999. According to SAPS, the proposed revision of the regulations will affect the powers conferred on police officers that may also be exercised by a member of the municipal police services, including metro cops. Municipal police services currently exercise a wide range of powers similar to those of SAPS members, such as investigating crimes under the Criminal Procedure Act, drugs and drug trafficking, domestic violence, and stock theft, among others. The changes will grant municipal police services the powers to enforce the Immigration Act of 2002 and demand that any person reveal their identity. 'When so requested by an immigration officer or a police officer, any person shall identify himself or herself as a citizen, permanent resident or foreigner, and if on reasonable grounds such immigration officer or police officer is not satisfied that such person is entitled to be in the Republic, such person may be interviewed by an immigration officer or a police officer about his or her identity or status,' reads the clause municipal police services could be enforcing. Additionally, the Immigration Act makes provision for an immigration or police officer to take such a person into custody without a warrant, and take reasonable steps, as may be prescribed, to assist the person in verifying his or her identity or status, and thereafter, if necessary, detain him or her. The Act also makes it a criminal offence for any person assisting an immigration or police officer to evade the stipulated processes or interfere with such processes. Sellers of second-hand goods could now be subjected to routine inspections by municipal police services to demand a certificate of registration relating to those premises, register, record, book or other document relating to the goods in or on the premises for inspection or for the purposes of obtaining copies thereof or extracts. They can also demand to see any goods found in or on such premises for examination or explain any entry or absence of any entry in any register, book, record or document found. Municipal police services will be allowed to enter, search and seize on the authority of a warrant issued to have access to any document or information that pertains to an investigation and is in the possession or under the control of anyone on the premises that may be used as evidence of a contravention of any provision of the Second-Hand Goods Act. They will be able to seal or seal off the premises at, on, or in which second-hand goods are found, to prevent a person from conducting business in contravention of the Act.
IOL News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Municipal police services to enforce immigration laws, regulate sale of second-hand goods
Municipal police services could soon be allowed to enforce immigration laws and detect possibly stolen goods sold as second-hand goods. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers Municipal police services across the country are set to be given more powers, including enforcing immigration laws, controlling and preventing the sale of stolen goods. The SA Police Service (SAPS) is proposing changes to the regulations for municipal police services first promulgated in June 1999. According to the SAPS, the proposed revision of the regulations will affect the powers conferred on police officers that may also be exercised by a member of the municipal police services, including metro cops. Municipal police services currently exercise a wide range of powers similar to those of SAPS members, such as investigating crimes under the Criminal Procedure Act, drugs and drug trafficking, domestic violence, and stock theft, among others. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The changes will grant municipal police services the powers to enforce the Immigration Act of 2002 and demand that any person reveal their identity. 'When so requested by an immigration officer or a police officer, any person shall identify himself or herself as a citizen, permanent resident or foreigner, and if on reasonable grounds such immigration officer or police officer is not satisfied that such person is entitled to be in the Republic, such person may be interviewed by an immigration officer or a police officer about his or her identity or status,' reads the clause municipal police services could be enforcing. Additionally, the Immigration Act makes provision for an immigration or police officer to take such a person into custody without a warrant, and take reasonable steps, as may be prescribed, to assist the person in verifying his or her identity or status, and thereafter, if necessary, detain him or her. The Act also makes it a criminal offence for any person assisting an immigration or police officer to evade the stipulated processes or interfere with such processes. Sellers of second-hand goods could now be subjected to routine inspections by municipal police services to demand a certificate of registration relating to those premises, register, record, book or other document relating to the goods in or on the premises for inspection or for the purposes of obtaining copies thereof or extracts. They can also demand to see any goods found in or on such premises for examination or explain any entry or absence of any entry in any register, book, record or document found. Municipal police services will be allowed to enter, search and seize on the authority of a warrant issued to have access to any document or information that pertains to an investigation and is in the possession or under the control of anyone on the premises that may be used as evidence of a contravention of any provision of the Second-Hand Goods Act. They will be able to seal or seal off the premises at, on, or in which second-hand goods are found, to prevent a person from conducting business in contravention of the Act.
