Midrand – praag.org

Black domestic worker implicated in murder

Two suspects are still at large after the murder of a Midrand woman.

Black domestic worker Deliwe Zwakala appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and conspiracy to commit robbery.

The pregnant Zwakala, 27, allegedly let robbers into the home of her employer, Thohira Mitha, 28, in Midrand last month.

Mitha was strangled by the robbers, who made off with two laptop computers, a cell phone and a safe containing a firearm.

Zwakala was found locked up in another room.

Family and friends of Mitha came to court to show their support.

Her uncle Reshaad Ismail said the family was battling with her death but “managing”.

“We want the court to send a strong message that this kind of thing will not be tolerated,” he said.

The case was postponed to January 29 for a bail application.

Source: Timeslive

S. African blacks attack white mountain biker

A road safety website has issued a warning to South African cyclists after a white mountain biker was attacked by two blacks armed with knives. The mountain biker, Filip Rafalski, said he “was glad to be alive” after the knife attack. He needed 18 stitches to his face. The incident occurred in Blue Hills next to the R562 in Midrand, between Johannesburg and Pretoria.

According to roadsafety.co.za:

We often share information on Mountain Bike safety. Sadly mountain bikers do not only have to deal with the riding conditions but also with criminals seizing every opportunity to rob and attack riders! A friend of the Arrive Alive website, Filip Rafalski, fell victim to such an attack and we would like to share his story:

To all Mtb & Road cyclists – PLEASE WATCH YOUR BACK ALL THE TIME and be careful when you ride

This morning 01.01.2015 at around 8am VILLAGE RD.,BLUE HILLS ( next to R562) I was attacked by TWO BLACK GUYS.

They stole my bike – SPECIALIZED EPIC COMP 29″,Garmin GPS EDGE810 and all sensors that came with Garmin

Both of them had big knives.

One punched me on my face and started walking away with my bike.

Second guy wanted to take my cellphone that was in my back pocked. Told him that I will give it to him. Wouldn’t listen. wanted me to lie on my stomach. He said he will take my cellphone himself out of my pocket and than HE WILL KILL ME.

Rafalski after having been stitched up

Thanks to three Black ladies that live on the plot on Village Rd. I am still ALIVE

They made so much noise,screaming so loud that my attackers didn’t hurt me more. I needed 18 stitches to my face

Also big thanks to Andrew and his wife from the plot on Village Rd.

Those guys HAVE NO RESPECT FOR LIFE! Crazy!!!

What is happening to our beautiful South Africa?

Ride safe guys out there!!
I am so grateful to be Alive

White woman shot in the head in Midrand

Security guards at a Midrand mosque near the scene where a white woman was shot and killed earlier today have described to Eyewitness News how the driver rushed into the complex frantically screaming for help.

The woman was shot in the head during suspected taxi violence this morning while the driver was wounded in the arm.

Both women were on their way to work at the time.

Security guard Sydney Mhluzi says he and his colleague heard several shots being fired from a busy intersection on Old Pretoria and Allandale Roads.

Mhluzi says they then saw two women racing into the complex in a white car, the driver screaming “please help me, my friend has been shot”.

He says they opened the gates after seeing blood gushing from the passenger’s wounds.

Mhluzi says they called police and ambulances while trying to help the women.

The suspects drove off .

Three black men have been arrested. “They are aged between 50 and 65, and will appear in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Monday,” said Captain Augustinah Selepe.

“They will face charges of murder and attempted murder. At this stage we can’t confirm if they are taxi owners.”

Innocent white motorist shot dead in Midrand

Provincial police were on the scene of an alleged taxi shootout on the K101 at the intersection of Le Roux Road, opposite the Turkish mosque following the murder of an innocent car passenger.

Police have blocked off the road to traffic. Midrand Reporter journalist Thandi Ntobela was on the scene. She said there were no taxis, but police had cordoned off a white car, which she thought was a Toyota Tazz. “Three provincial police patrol cars have arrived on the scene,” said Ntobela.

An eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed, “A woman was shot by a stray bullet as she was driving past the scene. She was killed.”

Another eyewitness told Ntobela that people were throwing rocks, then they heard shots but could not say how many shots were fired. She said three rocks are part of the evidence, but provincial police were not providing any information at that time. The eyewitness claimed, “The taxi violence started yesterday but no one took much notice of it. Now this has happened. It seems to be a fight between two taxi associations.”

Provincial police spokesperson, Captain Augustinah Selepe, said that a 39-year-old passenger of a white Toyota Tazz at the scene of the shootout between taxi owners, was shot and killed by a stray bullet; and the 45-year-old driver was injured while they were on their way to work.

Selepe said the driver of the Tazz tried to escape from the scene by driving into the grounds of a nearby church.

She said police were unsure which taxi associations were involved, but that a group of taxi owners were there and driving their private vehicles.

The number of vehicles involved is unknown by police.

Building in Midrand collapses

A building has collapsed in Midrand, South Africa. Netcare911 tweeted that two were injured in the collapse.

The tavern by Midrand Taxi Rank, called Ipintombi, collapsed but police are still unsure of the cause and said that until a full investigation had been conducted they could not speculate on what happened.

Social media sites were abuzz with members sharing what they heard and felt.

Midrand Reporter‘s BBM user Esmeralda Kerlen who lives in President Park said there was a big bang and “shockwave”. “My first thought was I hope whatever explosded does not contain nasty fumes.”

Anton, who also lives in President Park said, there as “an almighty bang”. He believed it was an explosion. “I can’t see a building collapse make such a loud explosion nose,” he said.

He appealed to the community to be on the lookout for an Emu, which ran away from his property at the sound of the explosion.

Angel, who lives in Halfway Gardens close to Midrand High School said she also heard a noise and she thought someone was breaking into one of the houses in her complex as she heard windows breaking.

“My home was vibrating and my windows were shaking. I just hope no one got hurt in the building [collapse].”

Vusi Ngqwababa said he thought it was an electric cable that exploded or a bomb.

Shazia said, “My husband and I heard the sound last night. We got up with a fright and felt a slight tremor. We thought it might be a small earthquake.”

Source: Midrand Reporter

Police investigate shooting of singer by their trigger-happy colleagues

A case of attempted murder is being investigated after multiple award winning singer Kuli Chana was shot and wounded by police on Monday, Gauteng police confirmed.

Police from Bedfordview were tracking kidnappers and mistook Chana’s luxury sedan to be that of the kidnappers, said spokesman Lt-Col Lungelo Dlamini in a statement.

“It is alleged that as they [police] were trying to stop the vehicle, it drove away at a high speed, several shots were fired and the driver lost control… it was established that the driver had sustained gunshot wounds,” said Dlamini.

The incident took place at the Caltex garage along the N1 highway in Midrand.

A case of kidnapping was reported in Bedfordview and the kidnappers demanded a ransom from the victim’s family, Dlamini said.

“The family of the victim was instructed to drop the ransom money at the Caltex garage.”

Bedfordview police arrived at the garage and saw Chana’s vehicle, mistaking him for the kidnapper.

An internal investigation regarding the incident was being conducted, Dlamini said.

Chana, whose real name is Khulane Morule, was discharged from hospital but left shaken by the incident, his publicist Sheila Afari said.

“He is shaken by the shooting as it came out of nowhere and there was no warning from the police whatsoever. He is recovering at home.” – Sapa

Biohazard: Toxic truck still missing in South Africa

Police are looking for a truck carrying the highly toxic chemical, potassium cyanide, which was in a truck hijacked in Midrand.

Inhalation of the chemical could lead to death, said Lieutenant Colonel Katlego Mogale.

She said it was in a Krome Metal Chemicals truck which was hijacked in Midrand on Saturday, and she urged people with information about its whereabouts to contact the police.

Mogale said the chemical was toxic if swallowed or if it came into contact with the skin. It could skin and eye irritation, and burns. Even brief exposure to its gas was toxic or extremely irritating.

She said it targeted the central nervous system, eyes, kidneys, liver, lungs, skin and heart.

“Medical symptoms include extreme irritation of eyes and mucous membranes, including burning and tearing; respiratory failure, death,” she said.

Mogale said investigations were continuing. – Sapa

Robbers blow up ATM in Midrand

Robbers blew up an ATM and made off with an undisclosed amount of money in Midrand, Johannesburg police said on Thursday.

Captain Kym Cloete said three armed men held up workers at a petrol station in Noordwyk at around 2.20am.

“They pointed firearms at them and told them to lie down,” said Cloete.

The workers claimed they heard a loud bang outside, which was one of two ATMs being destroyed. The second one was not damaged.

The robbers fled. Cloete said it was not known if more than three robbers were involved.

No one was injured. – Sapa

Hijacked truck with cyanide still missing

Police are looking for a truck carrying the highly toxic chemical, potassium cyanide, which was in a truck hijacked in Midrand.

Inhalation of the chemical could lead to death, said Lt-Col Katlego Mogale.

She said it was in a Krome Metal Chemicals truck which was hijacked in Midrand on Saturday, and she urged people with information about its whereabouts to contact the police.

She said it targeted the central nervous system, eyes, kidneys, liver, lungs, skin and heart.

“Medical symptoms include extreme irritation of eyes and mucous membranes, including burning and tearing; respiratory failure, death,” she said.

Mogale said investigations were continuing. – Sapa

Daimler Chrysler shooting: CEO’s wife still in shock

The wife of Daimler Chrysler chief executive officer Trent Barcroft was still in shock after the two were shot at and robbed in Midrand, the company said on Wednesday.

“She was unharmed in the robbery… but she is still very shocked by the shooting,” spokesman Richard Sloman said.

Trent and Cathy Barcroft, who are American citizens, were robbed of their cellphones, jewellery, and handbag in Waterfall Park, Midrand, on Tuesday.

Trent was shot in the abdomen. He is still in the intensive care unit at Sunninghill Hospital.

“He remains in ICU and is progressing well. He is expected to make a full recovery.”

United States Embassy spokesman Jack Hilmer said they were aware of the shooting. They were however not authorised to comment because Trent is a private citizen.

A management division at the company was currently in charge of the day-to-day running of Daimler Chrysler until Trent recovered. – Sapa

Police aid armed attackers

A legal adviser was robbed at gunpoint at his home in Blue Hills, Midrand, apparently with the help of police, The Star reported on Wednesday.

Raymondt Dicks was at his home with his son and friend on Saturday when six men stormed into the house and tied them up.

Dicks is a legal adviser to the group NewERA (New Economic Rights Alliance), which has launched a court case against four major banks in the country including SA Reserve Bank. He is also representing author Michael Tellinger, who is suing Standard Bank for civil fraud.

The newspaper reported that the video footage caught on hidden cameras showed what appeared to be three police cars, two vans and one Ford Escort, driving backwards and forwards on the 600m-long street while the robbery took place.

“They walked in with no shame. It was extremely well orchestrated. What I went through during the robbery was bad enough, but when I watched the footage afterward I was really shocked,” said Dicks.

He said the footage showed police vans blocking the road while the robbers entered his property.

The Star reported that Dicks and his son were made to hand over their bank cards and their PINs, and their bank accounts were cleared out. A television set, speakers, amplifier, computer and cell phones were also taken.

The legal adviser believed the police vehicles were loaded with items stolen during the robbery.

Police spokesperson Constable Matome Tlamela said police were investigating a case of armed robbery.

She said the video footage did not show clearly that the vans involved belonged to the police.