Phoenix, KwaZulu-Natal – A male suspect was apprehended in connection with copper theft during the early hours of Friday morning, 21 March 2026, on Trenance Park Drive in the Phoenix area.
KZN VIP Response Officers were conducting routine patrols in the area when they identified the individual displaying suspicious behaviour. The suspect dropped a black bag believed to contain copper pipes and fled on foot in the direction of the Palmview area.
The incident is linked to a copper theft that occurred in the Grove End area. The suspect was en route to a local residence in Palmview to exchange the stolen copper pipes for cash or other valuable items.
Officers immediately initiated a coordinated search operation and dispatched additional response units to the scene. The teams tracked the suspect and successfully apprehended him. The individual, described as an African male, was then handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further investigation and processing.
The suspect admitted to his involvement in the exchange of stolen copper for monetary gain. Copper pipes were among the items associated with the case.
The arrest forms part of ongoing efforts to address copper theft incidents in the region. The suspect remains in SAPS custody pending further proceedings.
Pedestrian Killed in Early Morning Collision on R102 in Cornubia, KwaZulu-Natal
A male pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross the R102 in Cornubia, KwaZulu-Natal, early on Sunday morning.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) was dispatched to the scene following an emergency call received at approximately 05:39. Upon arrival, reaction officers confirmed that the pedestrian had been hit by a white Kia Rio.
The pedestrian sustained life-threatening injuries and was declared deceased at the scene. His identity could not be established immediately.
The occupants of the white Kia Rio were not injured in the incident.
Authorities have not released any further details at this stage.
A 53-year-old police captain attached to the Bethal Police Station shot and killed a 37-year-old woman before turning his service pistol on himself at a residence in Grootvlei near Balfour, Mpumalanga.
The incident unfolded when the captain arrived at the woman’s home, described by police as his female friend. Entry was initially refused. He then broke a window to force his way inside the residence. Once inside, he chased the victim’s sister out of the house.
The sister left the scene and sought help, which prompted police to be alerted. On arrival, officers found both the captain and the 37-year-old woman lying on the floor inside the residence, each with gunshot wounds. Both were declared dead at the scene.
A service pistol issued to the captain was recovered at the location.
Mpumalanga police have opened a murder docket as well as an inquest into the deaths. Spokesperson Mavela Masondo confirmed the sequence of events, stating that the captain broke the window after being refused entry, entered the house, chased the sister away, and was left alone with the woman before the shootings took place. Investigations are continuing.
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Suspect Arrested and Stolen Vehicle Recovered in Kwa Mashu Operation
Kwa Mashu, Durban – A suspect has been arrested and a stolen motor vehicle recovered following an intelligence-driven operation in Kwa Mashu.
The vehicle was taken from the Newlands West area, specifically the SteelCastle suburb. Tracking agents and security stakeholders responded to information on the vehicle’s location and arrived at the identified site, where they found it being stripped.
Three suspects fled as the teams moved in. A pursuit followed, during which one suspect was apprehended.
The arrested individual was in possession of vehicle theft equipment, including jamming devices and other tools. The suspect was placed under arrest and handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further investigation. The recovered vehicle was also transferred to SAPS.
CODETA Rank Manager Zwelakhe Lingani and Unidentified Woman Fatally Shot in Suspected Taxi-Related Attack Near Palm Taxi Rank, Delft South
Cape Town – Zwelakhe Lingani, a 50-year-old rank manager for the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Associations (CODETA), and an unidentified woman were shot and killed on Monday evening, 16 March 2026.
The double murder occurred at about 20:15 near the Palm taxi rank in Delft South. Police confirm the pair was travelling in a silver Toyota Fortuner when unknown suspects approached the vehicle and opened fire before fleeing the scene.
Both victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds to their bodies and heads. They were declared dead at the scene by medical personnel.
The body of the female victim remains in the Tygerberg Hospital mortuary, where authorities are seeking her family for identification.
Reports confirm the woman was not Lingani’s wife, who is safe and was not involved in the incident.
Delft police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg stated: “Delft police responded to a complaint of a shooting on Monday evening, 16 March 2026, at about 20:15, near the Palm taxi rank, Delft South, and upon arrival on the scene, they found a 50-year-old male and an adult female who sustained multiple gunshot wounds to their bodies. Both victims were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. According to reports, the victims were driving in a silver Toyota Fortuner when they were approached by unknown suspects who shot them before fleeing the scene. The motive for the attack is believed to be taxi-related.”
Police recovered 85 R5 cartridges and 13 9mm cartridges at the scene.
Delft detectives are investigating two counts of murder. No arrests have been made and no suspects have been identified.
CODETA spokesperson Nceba Enge confirmed that Lingani was a member of the association.
This incident follows a triple murder at the Voorbrug taxi rank on Delft Main Road on 12 March 2026, in which three taxi operators were killed.
Police have urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS app anonymously. Investigations continue.
