Johannesburg – A tense confrontation between private security personnel at a Sandton shopping mall in November 2023 has drawn fresh attention following the arrest of a former member of the South African Police Service’s Special Task Force.
In the video footage from the incident, a man carrying a visible firearm on his waistband is confronted by another security operative. The foreign guard is heard shouting “shoot me” at the armed individual, apparently unaware of his background as a highly trained operator.
The man with the firearm is believed to be Matipandile Sotheni, a former SAPS Special Task Force member who resigned from the police service in 2019 and later worked in the private sector as a bodyguard for a wealthy family.
Sotheni, 41, appeared in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 16 March 2026, in connection with the murder of Marius van der Merwe, known as Witness D during testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. Van der Merwe was shot dead outside his home in Brakpan in December 2025 in a targeted attack witnessed by his family.
Sotheni faces charges of premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and possession of unlicensed ammunition. The matter was postponed to 25 March 2026 for a formal bail application. Police investigations indicate Sotheni had been employed in private security roles after leaving the SAPS.
The 2023 mall incident highlights the sometimes volatile nature of private security operations in high-profile areas like Sandton, where multiple teams protect clients and premises.
No further details on the specific trigger for the confrontation have been publicly confirmed, and the footage has circulated widely on social media in recent days amid coverage of Sotheni’s court appearance.
[WATCH] Dildo slap turns into attempted murder as gunman is arrested after shooting two people at bachelor party in Dullstroom.
Dullstroom, Mpumalanga — The investigation into a shooting that injured two men during a violent brawl linked to a bachelor party in this Mpumalanga tourist town has made no further progress, with the suspect released and no new charges filed as of March 15, 2026.
The incident unfolded on Saturday night when a group attending a bachelor party arrived at the Saloon Bar at The Coachman restaurant carrying novelty items including dildos and a blow-up doll. Their behaviour prompted complaints from other patrons, leading staff to ask the group to leave the premises.
The bachelor party group later moved to a second venue in town, where members of another gathering — a birthday celebration involving men from Lydenburg — were present. At this location, a member of the bachelor party slapped one of the Lydenburg patrons across the face with a penis-shaped toy. The action triggered an immediate physical confrontation between the two groups.
Fists flew and bar stools along with other furniture were thrown during the melee, which spilled out into the street and parking area. Amid the chaos, a man from the bachelor party drew a licensed firearm and fired at least four shots. Two men from the opposing group were struck — one in the stomach and the other in the lower back.
Both injured men received treatment at Life Midmed Hospital and were discharged the following day. One of the victims required additional follow-up medical care.
A third, unrelated bachelor party was mistakenly confronted by members of the pursuing group at a local filling station later that night. Police intervened and the parties dispersed without further incident.
Farmwatch members, assisted by CCTV footage, traced the shooter to a guest farm along the Dullstroom-Tonteldoos road. He was arrested without resistance early on Sunday morning and voluntarily surrendered his firearm, which was seized for ballistic testing.
Mpumalanga police opened two counts of attempted murder against the suspect. However, the cases were dropped shortly after his arrest because the two victims had not yet submitted formal statements. The man was released from custody the same day.
Police have confirmed that the investigation remains active and will proceed once the victims provide official accounts. The injured parties have indicated they intend to do so in the presence of their legal representatives.
As of March 15, 2026, no further arrests have been made, no court appearances have taken place, and no ballistic results or additional statements have been publicly reported. The firearm remains in police possession, and the case file stays open pending the required victim input.
Three separate bachelor parties were in Dullstroom over that weekend, contributing to a crowded and festive atmosphere in the normally quiet highland town before the events escalated.
Two Men Assaulted by Mob in Tongaat After Sangoma Premonition Identifies Them in Burglary
TONGAAT – Two men were beaten by a group of community members in the Egrondini area of Sitaram, Tongaat, on Tuesday evening after local residents identified them as suspects in an earlier burglary on the basis of a premonition received from a Sangoma.
Reaction Unit South Africa officers were dispatched to the scene at 21:16 following reports that a mob was assaulting the pair. On arrival, the officers found residents beating one of the men, who had been stripped naked.
According to details gathered at the scene, the suspects were singled out by community members following a consultation with the Sangoma, who indicated that the two men had been involved in the previous burglary incident.
It could not be confirmed at the time whether the injured men were responsible for the crimes of which they were accused. The Tongaat South African Police Service is continuing its investigation into the assault.
Two Killed, Two Seriously Injured in Single-Vehicle Crash on Queen Nandi Drive in Durban
Durban – Two people lost their lives and two others sustained serious injuries when a single vehicle crashed on Queen Nandi Drive near the Engen Garage on Sunday evening.
Emergency medical teams responded swiftly after multiple motorists called for urgent assistance at the scene. On arrival, paramedics carried out an immediate assessment of all four occupants.
Two individuals were found to have suffered fatal injuries and showed no vital signs. They were declared deceased at the scene.
The remaining two occupants, who had sustained serious injuries, received on-site stabilisation from medical personnel. Once their conditions were stabilised, they were prepared for immediate transfer to hospital for further treatment.
Several emergency services, including metro police, were present at the location. Ambulances remained on standby until officers from the South African Police Service arrived, after which the injured patients were transported and the scene was officially handed over for investigation.
The exact circumstances that led to the crash are not yet known, and authorities have not released any further details at this stage.
The families and loved ones of the deceased have been extended deepest condolences during this difficult time.
This incident remains under active investigation.
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C55-Year-Old Suspect Arrested in KwaZulu-Natal for Unlawful Possession of Unlicensed Assault Rifle and Pistol
Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal – On Friday, 13 March 2026, members of the South African Police Service arrested a 55-year-old man in the Bhekuzulu township following an intelligence-driven operation.
Police acted on specific information that the individual was in possession of two unlicensed firearms. During the operation, officers recovered an assault rifle together with 29 rounds of ammunition and a 9mm pistol together with 15 rounds of ammunition.
The suspect failed to produce any valid documentation authorising possession of the firearms or ammunition. He was immediately arrested and charged with unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
In addition to the firearms and ammunition, police seized the suspect’s vehicle for further investigation. The vehicle was found to be fitted with an expired licence disc dating back to 2020 and was being driven without number plates on both the front and rear.
The arrested man is due to appear in the Vryheid Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 16 March 2026, where he will face the charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
All recovered items have been taken into police custody as evidence in the ongoing case.
