Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal – Two suspects linked to a cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery were killed in a confrontation with police on February 24, 2026, following a high-stakes chase that began after a heist in Verulam the previous day.
The incident traces back to February 23, 2026, when at least 12 armed suspects targeted a CIT vehicle at the intersection of Jabu Ngcobo and Fairview roads in Verulam, north of Durban. The robbery occurred on Old Inanda Road in the Brindhaven area, where the perpetrators made off with an undisclosed sum of money after a violent encounter.
Local residents alerted private security firm Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) to the robbery, reporting explosions and gunfire. Upon arrival, RUSA officers engaged in a shootout with the heavily armed suspects, during which a RUSA response vehicle was struck by two bullets. Firearms believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing robbers were later recovered at the scene.
Acting on intelligence from crime units, members of the Durban Metropolitan Police Service (DMPS) supported the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) in tracking the suspects to the Nhlazatshe area in Shayamoya, Edendale, outside Pietermaritzburg. Upon approaching, law enforcement encountered three individuals who initiated gunfire against the officers.
In the ensuing exchange, two of the suspects sustained fatal injuries at the location. The third suspect escaped by leaping over a fence and discarding a rifle during the pursuit.
KwaZulu-Natal South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the details of the robbery and subsequent shootout, noting the connection between the Verulam heist and the events in Edendale. Authorities continue to investigate the full scope of the operation, including the recovery of any additional evidence from the scenes.
This event highlights ongoing challenges with CIT robberies in the region, where coordinated police efforts aim to disrupt such criminal activities. No officers were reported injured in the Pietermaritzburg confrontation.
JMPD Officers Rescue Kidnapped Businessman in Lenasia Operation
Johannesburg – February 23, 2026 – Two officers from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department’s Region G unit rescued a kidnapped Ethiopian businessman and arrested two suspects during a patrol in Lenasia on the evening of February 22, 2026.
The incident began when the officers, patrolling Nirvana Drive, were alerted by a concerned individual that his brother had been abducted at gunpoint in Lenasia Extension 13. The victim was reportedly forced into a white Nissan 1400 bakkie by two armed men as he closed his shop.
Responding to the scene on Airborne Street, the officers gathered details from witnesses while awaiting assistance from the South African Police Service. During this time, they observed a vehicle matching the description passing by.
The officers trailed the bakkie to a dead-end on the street, where the two occupants exited and went into a nearby tavern. Upon questioning, the officers searched the vehicle and found three small keys. The passenger stated they were house keys, but the officers tested them at the victim’s shop, where one key opened the security gate, connecting the suspects to the abduction site.
The suspects were arrested and then revealed the victim’s location in Phiri, Soweto. At the site, officers found the businessman bound with cable ties on his hands and feet. They also recovered two firearms believed to have been used in the kidnapping.
The victim was freed unharmed. A case has been registered at Lenasia SAPS, and the Nissan 1400 bakkie has been impounded as evidence.
JMPD Chief of Police Commissioner Patrick praised the officers, stating, “The bravery and investigative prowess shown by our officers exemplify the dedication of the JMPD to the safety of our residents. We thank the community for their cooperation, which was vital in ensuring a swift and positive outcome.”
SAPS Raids Ultra Liquors Outlet in Gauteng Over Fake License and Counterfeit Goods
Johannesburg, Gauteng – South African Police Service (SAPS) officers conducted a raid on an Ultra Liquors outlet in Gauteng following the discovery of a suspected fraudulent operating license. The operation targeted one of the chain’s stores as part of broader initiatives to combat the sale of illegal and counterfeit liquor across South Africa.
During the raid, authorities seized counterfeit alcohol and additional illicit goods estimated to be worth more than R400,000. This seizure aligns with ongoing enforcement actions against the distribution of fake alcoholic beverages, which pose significant health risks to consumers.
SAPS has emphasized the importance of purchasing alcohol solely from verified and licensed retailers to avoid the dangers associated with counterfeit products. The raid is connected to wider concerns about illicit alcohol networks in the province, including recent inspections that uncovered unverified batches of liquor at other Ultra Liquors locations.
In a related development earlier this month, SAPS’s FLASH unit, alongside the Gauteng Liquor Board, shut down an illegal liquor outlet in De Deur, Gauteng, on February 4, 2026, after confirming a fraudulent license. A trader was arrested and charged in that incident, following intelligence reports on fake licenses in the area. Investigations into such operations continue, with authorities intensifying compliance checks across Gauteng.
Separate enforcement actions have also targeted counterfeit alcohol production in the region. For instance, police uncovered a fake alcohol manufacturing plant in Westonaria, seizing drums of counterfeit spirits like vodka and whiskey, along with packaged liquor ready for distribution. In another case in Dobsonville, two foreign nationals were arrested on January 17, 2026, for producing fake alcohol, including imitations of brands like Remy Martin. These arrests involved the confiscation of machinery and packaged alcohol during an intelligence-led raid.
Gauteng police have issued warnings about the escalating issue of counterfeit alcohol, noting that such products can endanger public health. The province has seen multiple busts, including a prior operation in Boksburg where nearly R400,000 worth of counterfeit goods were seized and two individuals arrested. These efforts underscore the SAPS’s commitment to disrupting illegal alcohol supply chains.
Allegations of Police Extortion at Johannesburg Park Station Surface on Social Media
Johannesburg, South Africa – February 24, 2026
A video posted on X on February 24, 2026, by the account sa_crime depicts South African Police Service (SAPS) officers at Johannesburg Park Station interacting with individuals identified as undocumented foreign nationals. The post includes an 85-second video showing officers conducting arrests and instances where money changes hands.
The South African Police Service in Gauteng launched a threat and risk assessment on February 23, 2026, following social media claims that officers at Hillbrow and Johannesburg Central stations arrest foreign nationals, both documented and undocumented, and release them after receiving payments between R500 and R5,000.
SAPS issued a statement indicating that corruption or extortion by its members will not be tolerated and urged the public to report such incidents through designated channels.
Crime expert Yusuf Abramjee shared reports on February 22 and 23, 2026, detailing allegations that police in Hillbrow and Johannesburg areas confiscate documents from foreigners and demand payments for their release.
Additional reports describe SAPS Railway Police at Johannesburg Park Station performing routine stop-and-searches near the Zimbabwean bus rank in Braamfontein, targeting illegal immigrants boarding cross-border buses to SADC countries, and requesting bribes. One officer is referred to as “shorty” in these accounts.
A social media post dated February 22, 2026, claimed that SAPS officers in areas such as Rabie Ridge, Ivory Park, and Hillbrow generate up to R10,000 daily by establishing roadblocks to arrest migrants in taxis and collect bribes.
Another post from the same date stated that similar extortion activities by SAPS have taken place across the country for years, affecting both foreigners and locals.
A witness account posted on February 22, 2026, described observing three police trucks at the intersection of Jeppe and Mooi streets in Johannesburg, where lines of people formed to pay for the release of arrested illegal immigrants.
Public responses to the February 24, 2026, video on X include over 70 reposts and expressions of demand for accountability from SAPS, with calls for punishment of the officers involved.
No further verified details specific to the February 24, 2026, incident at Johannesburg Park Station have been reported beyond these related accounts.
SARS Issues Ultimatum to Chippa United Owner Over R53 Million Tax Debt
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has ramped up its enforcement efforts against Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi, the prominent businessman and owner of Chippa United Football Club, by issuing warnings of potential asset seizures totaling R53 million. This development arises from an ongoing tax dispute involving an alleged outstanding debt of the same amount.
According to reports, SARS has progressed from standard compliance procedures to more aggressive measures, signaling that earlier resolution efforts have not succeeded. The tax issues reportedly originate from unsubmitted tax returns and unsettled assessments that span multiple years, although the exact particulars of the disagreement remain undisclosed to the public.
Mpengesi, who is widely recognized for his role in South African football through his ownership of the Premier Soccer League club Chippa United, could face the loss of substantial assets tied to his broader business operations if the seizures proceed. The R53 million figure equates to approximately $3.3 million, highlighting the scale of the financial obligations in question.
Experts in tax matters emphasize that the option of asset seizure represents a formidable mechanism employed by SARS in cases where large debts persist without settlement. Should the agency follow through, the repercussions could extend well beyond Mpengesi’s personal finances, potentially affecting employees, vendors, and other parties associated with his various enterprises.
As of now, neither Mpengesi nor his legal team has issued any public statements addressing the recent escalation from SARS. It is uncertain whether the issue will lead to courtroom proceedings or be resolved via direct discussions with the tax authority.
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