Durban, South Africa – A 33-year-old man, Gerald Perumal, has appeared in court for the first time facing charges linked to drug activities after his arrest in a coordinated operation.
The arrest occurred yesterday during a joint law enforcement effort targeting locations in Umhlatuzana and Chatsworth. Authorities allege that Perumal was operating a drug manufacturing facility from his residence, which he shares with his wife and two young children.
During the raid, officials confiscated a variety of items from the property. These included drugs such as Mandrax, cocaine, and crack cocaine, along with chemicals used in production. Packaging materials and equipment for manufacturing were also seized. In addition, cash, multiple cellphones, firearms, and ammunition were recovered. The total estimated value of the seized goods is approximately one million rand.
Investigators further discovered stolen municipal lighting fixtures on the premises, adding to the list of items taken into evidence.
Perumal is currently being held in custody. He is scheduled to return to court next week to apply formally for bail.
Tragic Shooting Targets School Transport in Atlantis, Claiming Two Lives
ATLANTIS, South Africa – A violent shooting incident unfolded on Thursday, February 25, 2026, when assailants fired upon a minibus taxi transporting students along Palmer Street, close to Atlantis Secondary School. The attack resulted in the deaths of two individuals and left another in critical condition.
Eyewitness accounts and official reports indicate that the minibus was carrying school learners at the time of the assault. Two Grade 8 students and the vehicle’s driver were hit by gunfire. One of the students and the driver succumbed to their injuries at the location of the incident. The surviving student sustained severe wounds and was immediately transported to a nearby medical facility for urgent care.
Law enforcement officials have described the shooting as unprovoked, with no immediate indications of the perpetrators’ intentions. As of now, no suspects have been apprehended, and the underlying reasons for the attack are still being examined by investigators. Authorities have not released any connections to specific motives or groups in public statements.
In response to the event, representatives from the City of Cape Town issued a strong denouncement of the violence. They characterized the act of firing on a taxi filled with schoolchildren as equivalent to declaring war on the local population, emphasizing the profound impact on community safety.
The town of Atlantis, situated north of Cape Town, has faced persistent challenges related to violent offenses in recent times. Gang-associated shootings have been a recurring issue, contributing to an environment where both inhabitants and security forces find it difficult to manage escalating disputes involving taxi operations and gang activities. Historical records show multiple instances of deadly gunfire exchanges, including those that have affected younger individuals in the area.
This latest episode has heightened concerns among residents about the safety of daily routines, particularly for students relying on public transport. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in the ongoing probe, as efforts continue to address the broader patterns of conflict in the region.
Officer Wounded in Soweto Shootout; One Suspect Arrested, Two on the Run
SOWETO – A Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officer sustained a gunshot wound to the hand during a routine stop-and-search in Jabulani on Wednesday, leading to a high-speed chase and the arrest of one suspect.
The incident unfolded when the officer approached a vehicle as part of standard patrol activities. Occupants inside the car reportedly fired shots, hitting the officer before speeding away from the scene.
Police gave chase, tracking the suspects to White City, where the pursuit concluded at the corner of Banda Street and Elias Motsoaledi Road, near Rutegang Primary School. The fleeing vehicle veered off course, colliding with the school’s boundary fence.
At the crash location, authorities apprehended one individual. However, two additional suspects escaped on foot and are still evading capture. A coordinated search operation is underway to locate them.
The injured officer received prompt medical attention from emergency responders and is expected to recover fully, as the injuries are not considered serious.
Officials are urging residents to come forward with any details that could aid in the investigation, emphasizing the role of public involvement in addressing violent offenses.
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Alleged Mob Attack on TUT Lecturer Sparks Murder Investigation in Pretoria
Pretoria, South Africa – A part-time lecturer at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) was killed in an apparent mob justice incident near the institution’s Soshanguve campus. The attack followed accusations from community members that the lecturer had raped two children.
According to reports, the incident unfolded when residents forcibly removed the lecturer from his home and assaulted him in the street. The Gauteng Police Service confirmed that a murder case has been opened in connection with the death. No arrests have been made as of now.
The police have not disclosed the identities or ages of the alleged child victims, and the rape accusations remain unconfirmed by authorities. In a statement, the Gauteng Police Service appealed to the public to refrain from vigilante actions and to allow the justice system to handle such matters.
This event came to light after a message was received detailing the allegations. The message described a video showing a person lying on the road, identified as the lecturer, who was purportedly caught by the community after the alleged assaults and theft of items including cell phones and laptops from the children. However, these specific claims of theft have not been verified by official sources.
The Tshwane University of Technology has not issued a public statement on the matter. The investigation into the murder is ongoing, with police emphasizing the need for due process to establish the facts surrounding both the allegations and the fatal attack.
SASSA Hails Arrests of Four in Multi-Million Rand Social Grant Fraud
Johannesburg, Gauteng – The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in Gauteng has expressed approval for the recent arrests of four individuals linked to a fraud case involving R4.9 million in social grants.
The suspects include two active SASSA officials and one former employee. They were detained on February 24, 2026, by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Provincial Investigating Unit after a detailed investigation into the improper handling and authorization of social grants.
SASSA stated that the actions violated Section 21 of the Social Assistance Act and Regulation 10 under the Social Assistance Act (Act 13 of 2004).
Authorities arrested one of the suspects at a workshop located in Heidelberg, while the other three were taken into custody in Soshanguve. The four are scheduled to make their initial court appearance at the Soshanguve Magistrates Court on February 25, 2026.
The operation stemmed from a joint effort between SASSA’s Fraud and Compliance Unit and various law enforcement bodies.
Godfrey Mohlamonyane, the Acting Regional Executive Manager for SASSA in Gauteng, praised the contributions of the SAPS and the agency’s internal investigators. He emphasized SASSA’s firm stance against fraud and corruption.
Mohlamonyane noted that employees who misuse their roles erode confidence in the system and prevent aid from reaching those in need. He affirmed that violations would result in legal action and internal discipline.
He further highlighted that protecting government resources is a key focus, and these arrests are intended to discourage similar misconduct.
SASSA plans to enhance its internal safeguards and oversight mechanisms to maintain the reliability of the social grant program. The agency urges citizens and staff to alert the closest SASSA branch or police about potential fraud, with options for anonymous reporting available.
