Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal – Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the robbery of a firearm and the unlawful possession of the same weapon.
The arrests took place on Thursday, 11 February 2026, in Pietermaritzburg. The suspects, aged 39 and 59, face charges of robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
The incident occurred on Sunday, 1 February 2026, in the Slangspruit area. A man was allegedly robbed of his firearm by an individual known to him. A case of robbery was formally opened at the Alexandra Road Police Station.
Acting on credible information, members of the Pietermaritzburg Flying Squad traced one of the suspects to the Bhobhonono area in Sweetwaters. He was arrested on the spot. During the arrest, police seized a licensed firearm belonging to the suspect, which had been used in the robbery.
The arrested man told officers he had handed the firearm to a friend for safekeeping. Police immediately followed up on the information and proceeded to the Pietermaritzburg Central Business District.
There, they recovered the firearm from the second suspect, a 59-year-old man who works as a clerk in one of the police units.
Both suspects were formally charged. They are due to appear in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 13 February 2026.
The swift arrests highlight the effectiveness of targeted police intelligence and rapid response in recovering stolen firearms and bringing those involved to justice.
Three Young Men Arrested in Intelligence-Led Firearms Operation in OR Tambo District
MTHATHA – Police in the OR Tambo District have arrested three 20-year-old men during a targeted, intelligence-driven operation that uncovered unlicensed firearms with deliberately erased serial numbers.
The operation, conducted by members of the OR Tambo District Task Team, ran from Wednesday 11 February into the early hours of Thursday 12 February 2026. Over the course of two hours, the suspects were taken into custody at their separate homesteads in the Manyosini locality of Tabase Administrative Area.
During the raid, officers recovered three unlicensed firearms together with ammunition. All three weapons had their serial numbers removed, a common tactic used to conceal the origin and history of illegal guns. The firearms have been sent for ballistic testing to establish whether they were used in any previous crimes.
The three suspects are expected to appear in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court in the coming days. They face charges of unlawful possession of unlicensed firearms and unlawful possession of ammunition.
OR Tambo District Commissioner Major General Norman Modishana praised the task team for their professionalism and dedication. He stressed that illegal firearms remain a major driver of serious and violent crime in the district and that sustained operations of this kind are essential to restoring safety in communities.
The arrests form part of ongoing efforts by the South African Police Service to rid the region of unlicensed weapons.
Fatal Shooting in Milnerton: 35-Year-Old Man Killed in Broad Daylight
Milnerton police are investigating a murder following a fatal shooting in the Rugby area of Milnerton on Thursday, 12 February 2026.
Emergency services were called to Albow Road shortly after 12:40 pm, where a 35-year-old man was found with multiple gunshot wounds. He was declared dead at the scene by medical personnel.
According to police reports, the victim was walking along the street when a light blue Ford Fiesta pulled up beside him. One of the vehicle’s occupants exited and opened fire on the man before the vehicle sped away from the scene.
The victim, a father, had been on his way to collect his children from school at the time of the incident.
Milnerton police have opened a murder docket. Sergeant Wesley Twigg, the police spokesperson, confirmed the details: “Milnerton police registered a murder case for investigation following a shooting incident on Thursday afternoon, 12 February 2026, at about 12:40, in Albow Street, Rugby, where a 35-year-old male was shot and fatally wounded. The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his body and was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. According to reports the victim was walking in the street, when a light blue Ford Fiesta stopped next to him. One of the occupants of the vehicle got out and opened fire on the victim before fleeing the scene.”
The motive for the attack is still under investigation and has not been established.
Police have appealed to the public for assistance. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit details anonymously via the MySAPS mobile application.
The incident is the latest in a series of shootings reported in the Milnerton policing area in recent months.
- Three Men Arrested in Pretoria West for Possession of Suspected Stolen Copper Cables
- Two Men Arrested in Pietermaritzburg for Firearm Robbery and Unlicensed Possession
- Three Young Men Arrested in Intelligence-Led Firearms Operation in OR Tambo District
- Fatal Shooting in Milnerton: 35-Year-Old Man Killed in Broad Daylight
- Road Rage: A Deadly Epidemic Gripping South Africa’s Roads
Transnet Dismisses Employee After Video Imitating Child with Disability Sparks Outrage
Johannesburg – Ndzudzeni Ratshilumela, a content creator employed as a locomotive worker at Transnet in Ladysmith, has been dismissed by the state-owned logistics company following the circulation of a video in which he imitated the dance movements of a child with a disability.
The video, which has since been removed, showed Ratshilumela seated on a couch wearing a yellow t-shirt and jeans as he replicated the child’s movements. The clip spread rapidly on social media platforms, drawing criticism for its portrayal of the child’s condition.
Reports indicate that Ratshilumela, who is Venda-born, had previously posted similar content involving individuals with disabilities. This pattern contributed to the intensity of the public response after the latest video surfaced.
In the days following the video’s viral spread, Ratshilumela’s main Facebook account, which had accumulated more than 700,000 followers, was deactivated. His TikTok account was also suspended amid a wave of reports from users.
Transnet confirmed it had received complaints about the posts and launched an internal investigation. The company stated that the conduct conflicted with its organisational values of respect, dignity, inclusion, and care. It emphasised that discrimination and the humiliation of others have no place in the company or the communities it serves. Following the disciplinary process, Transnet terminated Ratshilumela’s employment.
The incident took place while Ratshilumela was off duty. He later issued an apology, describing the video as an honest joke and posting a response that included the phrase “Ndori sorry” on a backup Facebook page he opened after the deactivation of his primary account.
The events have highlighted the rapid consequences that can follow from social media content. Users across platforms expressed strong views on the responsibilities of content creators when depicting vulnerable individuals, particularly children with disabilities. The case has also prompted renewed online conversations about the boundaries of imitation and humour in digital spaces.
Ratshilumela’s dismissal marks the conclusion of Transnet’s response to the matter, with the company reinforcing its position against any form of conduct that undermines respect for others. The full sequence—from the video’s posting to the loss of social media accounts and employment—unfolded over a short period in early February 2026.
