Aliwal North, Eastern Cape – Anelle de Bruin, a 46-year-old woman, faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder after her arrest for allegedly planning to have her husband killed and disguising the act as a farm attack.
De Bruin was taken into custody on January 9, 2025, at the couple’s farm, Rietpoort, located approximately 30 kilometers outside Aliwal North. Authorities acted on information provided by a middleman whom she had reportedly approached to arrange hitmen for the crime. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) stated that the plot targeted her 56-year-old husband, Johan de Bruin, a prominent local farmer.
According to NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali, de Bruin provided specific instructions for the hitmen to shoot her husband, the family’s dogs, and the vehicle tires to make the incident appear as a typical farm attack. The NPA further revealed that de Bruin stood to benefit financially from her husband’s death, with potential inheritance and insurance payouts exceeding R50 million.
The couple, married for 15 years, were involved in divorce proceedings at the time of the arrest. Police records indicate that de Bruin was allegedly recorded detailing the plan, which included executing the murder at 8:00 PM on January 8, 2025. However, the intervention by law enforcement prevented the act from occurring.
De Bruin made her initial court appearance in the Maletswai Magistrate’s Court (formerly Aliwal North Magistrate’s Court) on January 17, 2025. She was granted bail of R2,000 with conditions prohibiting her from returning to the farm and requiring supervised visits with the couple’s children.
The case returned to court on March 5, 2025, where prosecutors requested a postponement for additional investigations, citing the need for outstanding witness statements, photo albums, and cellphone records. The matter was rescheduled for April 23, 2025.
As of the latest available information, the investigation remains ongoing, with no further court outcomes reported.
Fatal Taxi Accident on Mbubu Road in Pietermaritzburg Results in One Death and Several Injuries
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa – A serious taxi crash occurred on Mbubu Road in Pietermaritzburg on March 5, 2026, leading to one fatality and multiple people sustaining injuries. The incident involved a single taxi, with emergency responders arriving promptly to manage the situation.
Upon arrival, Midlands EMS crews discovered one individual who was entrapped within the vehicle and in critical condition. Specialized rescue equipment was deployed to extricate the person, but despite these efforts, the patient was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash also left several other individuals injured, with the severity of their conditions varying from critical to minor. Emergency services provided on-site treatment to the affected parties before transporting them to local hospitals for further medical care. Various emergency teams collaborated in the response to ensure all victims received appropriate attention.
Authorities were present at the location to oversee the incident. The exact cause of the accident has not been determined at this time. No additional details regarding the number of injured individuals or the specific circumstances leading to the crash have been released.
Cash-in-Transit Heist Reported in Pretoria East
Pretoria, March 4, 2026 – A cash-in-transit (CIT) heist took place this morning on the Pretoria road between Solomon Mahlangu Drive and the entrance to the N4 gateway. The incident occurred near Mamelodi, on the Pretoria/Bronkhorstspruit road outside the N4 Gateway Office Park, at the corner of Solomon Mahlangu and Nellmapius.
Reports of the event began circulating shortly after 6:40 AM SAST. Witnesses described hearing gunfire at the scene during the robbery. The targeted vehicle was a money truck that was struck by the perpetrators and came to rest on its side.
One security officer was reported injured in the attack. Emergency response vehicles arrived at the location, and photographs and video footage from the scene showed a cordoned-off area with police and other services present.
A crime scene was established on the N4 gateway at R104 West after Solomon Mahlangu. Traffic authorities and public safety accounts urged motorists to avoid the N4 West beyond Solomon Mahlangu and to use alternative routes while the situation remained active.
The affected area is in Pretoria East, Gauteng Province. South African Police Service (SAPS) personnel and emergency services were on site to manage the response and secure the location.
This incident is separate from another cash-in-transit robbery reported on the same morning in Durban, where two security guards were wounded during an attack on the N2 southbound near the NPC cement factory.
As of 08:19 AM SAST, no confirmed information has been released regarding the number of suspects involved, any arrests made, the amount of cash targeted or taken, or the full extent of injuries. Updates are expected as the South African Police Service and other authorities process the scene and conduct their investigation.
The event is part of a pattern of CIT robberies that continue to affect various parts of the country, with details emerging in real time through public reports and social media. Motorists in the Pretoria East area are advised to exercise caution and monitor official traffic and safety channels for further developments.
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Cash-in-Transit Robbery Leaves Two Guards Wounded on Durban’s N2 Highway
Durban, South Africa – A cash-in-transit robbery unfolded on the N2 southbound highway near the NPC Cement Factory, south of Durban, shortly after 5:30 a.m. this morning, resulting in gunfire and injuries to security personnel.
Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedics responded to reports of multiple security officials being shot during the incident. Upon arrival, they encountered a chaotic scene where two guards had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
One guard suffered critical injuries and required immediate advanced medical intervention. The Netcare 911 helicopter was dispatched to airlift the individual to a nearby hospital for urgent treatment.
The second guard sustained serious injuries. ALS paramedics stabilized the patient at the scene before transporting them by road to a nearby hospital for further medical care.
The N2 southbound has been closed from the M7 Edwin Swales offramp to facilitate ongoing investigations. Authorities expect the closure to last for an extended period, and motorists are urged to avoid the area entirely.
Details surrounding the events that led to the robbery remain unclear at this time. The South African Police Service (SAPS) is on site and will conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
