Latest news with #Sithole
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Kruger poaching suspect caught with rifle and ammo appears in court
Kruger poaching suspect caught with rifle and ammo appears in court Mozambican national Francisco Sithole (28), who was arrested during an anti-poaching patrol in the Kruger National Park, appeared in the Masoyi Periodical Court in Mpumalanga yesterday. Lowvelder reports that the matter was postponed to June 23 for him to appoint a legal representative to assist him with his bail application. Sithole was arrested on Tuesday after he was found in possession of a hunting rifle. According to the Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the rangers were on patrol in the Houtboschrand Ranger Section when they discovered human spoor. 'While following the spoor, the rangers encountered two males, one of who was armed with a hunting rifle. The rangers ordered the suspect to drop the weapon, but both individuals fled. A chase ensued, and one of the suspects was successfully apprehended. He was found in possession of a hunting rifle and nine rounds of ammunition,' Ndubane says. Sithole is facing numerous charges, namely: Possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition Trespassing in the park Contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002. 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
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Hector Pieterson's sister calls on today's youth to find a cause
What has changed in education since 1976? Hector Pieterson's sister Antoinette Sithole arrives at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, 16 June 2025, to give a lecture on her brotherwho was shot dead by the apartheid police on 16 June 1976. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen Antoinette Sithole, sister of June 1976 uprising shooting victim, schoolboy Hector Pieterson, says her generation is sad to see the behaviour of today's youth. They take weapons to school, attack their teachers and fellow pupils, and abuse drugs on the school premises, she noted. 'To me, the meaning of Youth Day is how to tackle your own problems. As youth, you should be out there writing placards to say 'we are tired of gender-based violence'. As parents, we will support you. 'Make a bold statement. You will be supported by billions out there in the world,' she said. Sithole said she had long ago decided to forgive the killers of her brother, Hector. 'I am on the side of those who say it's best that I don't know the person who killed my brother, because I want everything in my life to be positive,' Sithole said. Sithole was addressing an audience that included youths from different cultural backgrounds and political activists to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the police killings of pupils protesting against Afrikaans being used as a medium of instruction in black schools. She will be 66 on 28 June. What are today's youth fighting for? Another panel speaker at the event, Dr Tshepo Moloi, head of the department of history at the University of Johannesburg, related the plan to organise the 1976 uprising under the auspices of the South African Students Movement linked to the Black Consciousness Movement. Moloi made a comparison between the youth of 1976 and today's youth, saying the former were activists while questions linger about the influence today's youth have on change. However, a guest, Esinako Ndabeni, noted that the #FeesMustFall student activists played a significant role in bringing about change in the education system. Remembering Hector Sithole remembers her younger brother, Hector, as a shy but naughty little boy who once got her into trouble with train security guards. Sithole went on the train with her brother frequently, but he would ask her not to buy their weekly train tickets to school and instead to keep the money. They managed to get free rides a few times, but on the third day, she was caught by the security guards while trying to escape. Hector had already escaped and was waiting for his sister, laughing and dancing. The guards accused her of teaching her brother not to pay for tickets. Although she managed to convince the security guards to let her go, she gave her little brother a tongue lashing and vowed never to try to wangle a free train ride again. Hector, who was close to their mother, loved kung fu movies, and his hero was Bruce Lee, whose films he would watch repeatedly every weekend. 'Hector was very humble and not talkative. I know that comrades see Hector as a struggle hero, but I don't share that view. 'To me he was just my brother. He shouldn't have been there in the first place. 'He was in the wrong place at the wrong time when he was shot by the police,' Sithole said. Still taught in Afrikaans She said the 1976 generation opposed Afrikaans because it was the language of the oppressor. 'We hated Afrikaans because the owner of that language was our oppressor. We felt we were oppressed by the Afrikaners. Now we have to be instructed in their language. No way,' she said. On the 49th anniversary of the 1976 uprising in which scores of pupils were killed by police and hundreds injured, Sithole said it was shocking that pupils today still have to pass Afrikaans to proceed to the next grade. She believed the language should have been taken out of the syllabus by the democratic government and replaced with a language from other African countries. 'We thought our education would be the best after all that happened. 'But I am not a politician, it's not for me to tell them what to do,' she said. Sithole, who was 16 and doing form 3 (now grade 10) at Phefeni Senior Secondary in Orlando when the 1976 student uprisings occurred, related how she found her 13-year-old brother on the other side of the pavement while police were shooting. He came to her side, but when the police fired more shots, the boy disappeared in the crowd and they were separated. Later she saw student Mbuyisa Makhubo, then 18, carrying her limp brother's body running past her. She followed him and asked who he was and where he was taking her brother, but Makhubo kept running and put Hector in a journalist's car. They took him to the clinic, but he was already dead.
The South African
13-06-2025
- The South African
R60k reward for third suspect in murder of IFP MP
Gauteng police have issued a reward of R60 000 to anyone with information that will lead to the arrest of an alleged suspect in the murder of Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) deputy chief whip Khethamabala Sithole. Sithole was brutally gunned down at Buyafuthi Hostel in Katlehong last month during a ward meeting. South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in Gauteng lieutenant colonel Mavela Masondi said they're offering the reward to anyone who come forward with information that can lead to the arrest and successful conviction of Zamani Ngila Ximba is wanted for the murder of IFP deputy chief whip, Khethamabala Sithole, and attempted murder of two other people at Buyafuthi Hostel in Katlehong on the 31 May 2025. Masondo said the suspect is tall, dark in complexion and deemed armed and very dangerous. 'Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspect is urged to call Major General Mbuso Khumalo at 082 556 8642 or Captain Abe Montoedi at 082 461 4794 Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or by using MySAPS App. All received information will be treated as confidential.' Meanwhile, the two suspects who were arrested two days after the murder of the IFP MP have abandoned their bail applications. Khethakuthula Sithole and Nontando Ximba appeared at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on Thursday morning, 12 June, for their bail application. The two are expected to return to court on 29 July. 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.
eNCA
12-06-2025
- eNCA
Police offer reward for IFP MP murder suspect
JOHANNESBURG - Police have offered a R60,000 reward for information on the last suspect connected to the murder of IFP Deputy Chief Whip Khethamabala Sithole. Sithole was gunned down during a meeting at a hostel in Katlehong. The two suspects arrested in connection with his murder and the attempted murder of two others appeared in court on Thursday. The case was postponed to 29 July for further investigation. The IFP has described Sithole's death as an assassination.
The Citizen
12-06-2025
- The Citizen
Here's how much police are offering for info to catch IFP MP's killer
Sithole was killed earlier this month at Buyafuthi hostel in Katlehong, Gauteng. Gauteng police have issued a reward of R60 000 for information that will lead to the arrest and successful conviction of a suspect wanted in connection with the murder of former IFP Deputy Chief Whip Khethamabala Sithole. Police are searching for Zamani Ngila Ximba, a third suspect wanted for the murder of Sithole. Officers made a breakthrough earlier this month and arrested two suspects linked to the murder of Sithole. Wanted suspects The two appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court earlier this month. The case was postponed to 12 June for a formal bail application.` Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said Ximba is also wanted for the attempted murder of two other people at Buyafuthi Hostel in Katlehong on the 31st of May 2025. 'The suspect is tall, dark in complexion and deemed armed and very dangerous'. Sithole was killed earlier this month on a Saturday evening at Buyafuthi hostel in Katlehong, Gauteng. Provincial secretary Alco Ngobese was also injured in the shooting and is currently receiving treatment. ALSO READ: Was it really a hit? IFP update on deputy chief whip's death Bail The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the two accused who appeared in court could not be named at this stage to 'protect the ongoing investigation process.' 'Both accused are in custody, and they are facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Investigations are ongoing, with the possibility of adding more individuals'. Not politically motivated The IFP confirmed that Sithole's murder was not politically motivated. It had earlier labelled the murder as an 'assassination', with several political parties calling for tolerance and an end to political killings. Speaking outside court, IFP Gauteng Provincial Chairperson Bonginkosi Dhlamini said the party is saddened by the murder of Sithole. 'We are relieved that the suspects appeared today here in court. We can confirm it has nothing to do with politics, but it has everything to do with what police will divulge at the right time.' Dhlamini said the IFP is opposed to the suspects being granted bail. ALSO READ: Pakistani national spaza shop owner arrested in murder case of 14-year-old Likhona Fose
