Gauteng crime
Suspect aimed to extort money from cousin
Woman held for fake kidnapping
CRIME SCENE: Kwa-Thema, Ekurhuleni: A woman has been arrested along with an accomplice for allegedly staging her own kidnapping.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the two suspects were arrested on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, following intensive investigations by Kwa-Thema detectives, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Crime Intelligence.
“Investigations revealed that the 37-year-old woman allegedly conspired with her accomplice to stage the kidnapping in an attempt to extort money from her cousin.
“Both suspects are expected to appear before court on charges of defeating the ends of justice, extortion and staging a crime scene,” said SAPS.
The police in Gauteng warned members of the public against making false reports or staging criminal incidents, as such actions divert critical police resources from genuine cases and undermine efforts to combat crime and protect communities.
Members of the public were further urged to use police services responsibly and provide truthful information when reporting criminal incidents.
Pastor wanted, wife nabbed, body found in shallow grave
Mom raped, baby killed after ‘ritual’
UPDATE! A self-proclaimed pastor and his two wives have appeared in the Atteridgeville Magistrates Court in connection with the murder of a four month old baby and rape of its mother.
All three accused, the pastor Caiphus Mkhawane (36), and the wives Tsako Angel Makhubela (25) and Amanda Manono Mnguni (32) face charges of conspiracy to commit murder and fraud.
In addition, Mkhawane and Makhubela face murder, rape, human trafficking, kidnapping, and aggravated robbery charges.
The National Prosecuting Authority said in court that the alleged motive for the crime was funeral policies the trio had taken out in the mother’s name. The case has been postponed to Friday, 16 October 2026. The suspects remain in custody.
CRIME SCENE: Hennops River, Gauteng: Police have launched a manhunt for a pastor accused of raping a 43‑year‑old mother and murdering her four‑month‑old baby.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) the baby’s body was discovered in a shallow grave near the Hennops River on Wednesday, 7 October 2026.
SAPS said according to preliminary reports, the woman accompanied the pastor and his wife to the river along the R511 road for a ritual.
“The pastor’s wife allegedly stayed behind with the infant while he and the mother walked towards the river. It is alleged that the woman was raped and tied up during this time.
“The victim managed to free herself and sought help at a nearby construction site. A private security company was alerted and police were called to the scene.”
A multidisciplinary team — including Crime Scene Management, Search and Rescue, Detectives, Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) detectives, and drone operators — was immediately deployed to search for the missing baby and locate the pastor and his wife.
The pastor’s 24‑year‑old wife was later found and questioned. She led investigators to a shallow grave where the infant’s body was discovered.
Police have opened cases of kidnapping, rape, and murder.
Five arrested as police uncover manufacturing facility
Multi-million drug lab bust
UPDATE! Five accused appeared in the Krugersdorp Magistrates’ Court on 12 October 2026, on charges of manufacturing and dealing in illicit drugs. Their appearance follows last week’s arrest after police uncovered a R100 million clandestine drug laboratory at a farm near Krugersdorp. Authorities seized significant quantities of Mandrax and ecstasy tablets during the raid. The five accused are scheduled to return to the same court on 21 October 2026 for their formal bail application.
CRIME SCENE: Krugersdorp, Gauteng: The South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Intelligence at National Head Office and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI) has uncovered a multi-million-rand drug manufacturing laboratory at a farm in Krugersdorp, Gauteng.
Police have discovered quantities of Mandrax and ecstasy tablets at the suspected drug manufacturing laboratory.
Five South African nationals who were found at the premises have been arrested.
Further assessments and investigations are underway.
Operation Shanela strikes hard against violent crime
Police nab 670 wanted suspects
CRIME SCENE: Gauteng: The police have made a major breakthrough in the fight against violent crime, arresting more than 670 wanted suspects during the latest phase of Operation Shanela II, led by Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the suspects had been on the run for serious offences including murder, armed robbery, rape, fraud, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, housebreaking and theft.
They were traced and arrested during the first phase of the operation. Detectives focused on tracking down wanted individuals as part of the intelligence‑driven clampdown, said SAPS.
“The second phase saw integrated law enforcement agencies conducting roadblocks to intercept illegal goods, stolen vehicles, and contraband. At a roadblock in Protea, Soweto, police arrested 14 people for driving under the influence of alcohol, nine for possession of drugs, and detained 13 undocumented immigrants for processing by Home Affairs officials.
“Parallel weekend operations across Gauteng districts also yielded significant results: 86 arrests in Tshwane, 45 in West Rand, 29 in Sedibeng, and 22 in Ekurhuleni.”
Mthombeni praised detectives and operational teams for their relentless efforts, saying the coordinated approach was crucial in tracking fugitives and disrupting criminal networks.
Foreigners arrested at spaza shop, main target flees
Police seize Tik of R500 000
CRIME SCENE: Diepsloot, Gauteng: Two foreigners have been arrested for allegedly being in possession of Tik worth over R500 000.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Prevention Unit (CPU) conducted an ad hoc operation, in response to information regarding the suspected storage and distribution of illegal narcotics at Diepsloot informal settlement on Monday, 28 September 2026.
According to SAPS the information was received from a registered informant, who indicated that a known target was expected to receive a consignment of Crystal Meth (Tik) estimated to weigh 3kg, with a street value of over R700 000.00. The drugs were allegedly intended for distribution and sale in the vicinity.
“Diepsloot SAPS CPU members responded and conducted a search at a spaza shop. During the operation, members seized approximately 2kg of Crystal Meth, with an estimated street value of over R500 000.00.
“The recipient fled the scene just before the police could arrest them. Two suspects, who were identified as Ethiopian and Malawian nationals, were subsequently arrested in connection with possession and distribution of illegal narcotics,” said SAPS.
No crime suspected as husband is found dead in car
Man dies hours after wife is killed
CRIME SCENE: Thembisa, Gauteng: The estranged husband of a murdered woman has been found dead inside his vehicle.
The man was suspected of being responsible for the murder of 23-year-old Boitumelo Gift Mashita in Thembisa on Monday, 28 September 2026. He was identified as a person of interest in the case, and the SAPS Tembisa Tracking Team had been tracing him.
The team was subsequently informed by the Midrand Police Station that his vehicle had been found within its policing precinct, with his body inside.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) it is believed that he may have ingested an unknown substance, as no foul play is suspected. A post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
SAPS earlier issued a statement that Gauteng police were investigating a case of murder and robbery following the shooting of a 23-year-old woman in Mapungubwe Street, Thembisa, this Monday morning at about 05:45.
The woman was reportedly on her way to work when she was shot and killed during an alleged robbery. Her belongings were taken during the incident.
Victim hijacked while fetching wife at church
Kidnapped man found dead
CRIME SCENE: Katlehong, Gauteng: The South African Police Service (SAPS) have launched a manhunt for three suspects following the hijacking, kidnapping and murder of a man.
According to SAPS the incident occurred at about 20:00 on Tuesday evening, 15 September 2026 when the victim fetched his wife from church.
“As she approached their vehicle, three unknown men, one reportedly armed with a firearm, suddenly approached them, pushed her aside and forced her husband into the back seat of his Ford Raptor bakkie.
“The suspects drove off with the victim. The hijacked bakkie was later recovered, abandoned in Walkerville.
“The victim was found dead next to a road in Tokoza early on Wednesday, 16 September 2026. A postmortem will be conducted to establish the cause of death,” said SAPS.
Anyone with information that can assist with the investigations is requested to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
Man stabbed to death in second tragedy
Woman brutally killed in flat
CRIME SCENE: Pretoria: A 25-year-old woman has been brutally murdered and possibly raped inside a flat in Pretoria West.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Pretoria West are investigating the incident which happened on Monday, 14 September 2026 at about 06:45.
“Police responded to a complaint in Christoffel Street and upon arrival found the body of the woman, lying naked on the floor inside a flat. She had visible bruises and it is suspected that she was strangled and raped.
“The provincial Crime Scene Management and all the necessary role players attended the scene,” said SAPS.
In a second incident also in Pretoria West, police received a complaint of a murder at WF Nkomo Street on 15 September 2026. Upon arrival at 06:15, members found the body of a 40-year-old man, with stab wounds. Paramedics certified him deceased.
No arrests have been made yet.
Police are appealing to anyone with information to contact their local police station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or send tip-offs via the MySAPPS-App.
'No links to serial killer yet, but similarities a concern'
Fifth woman found murdered
UPDATE! The South African Police Service (SAPS) have confirmed that the body of a woman found on 7 September 2026 in a river near the Mall of Thembisa, will be added to the investigation into the six other bodies found in Ekurhuleni over the past two months. Acting Gauteng Police Commissioner, Major-General Fred Kekana, said the 7th body found on 7th September was that of her woman in her 20s and would form part of the ongoing investigations into the deaths.
“It’s no more six bodies. She was found with only her underwear on. We will include this one so that we don’t leave anything,” Kekana said. President Cyril Ramaphosa has, meanwhile, directed police to urgently solve the murders of the women.
UPDATE! Another woman’s body was found this morning, Tuesday, 15 September 2026 on the side of the road in Kwa-Thema, Springs. The discovery comes just a day after a woman’s body was found in Olifantsfontein near Kempton Park. This is the sixth woman’s body found in Ekurhuleni in the past two months.
The half-naked body was discovered on the side of a road in Olifantsfontein. Monday’s grim discovery follows two days after a fourth body was discovered on Saturday, 12 September 2026 on a field in Kempton Park. Before this, three other bodies were found in the same area over a period of about two months
CRIME SCENE: Ekurhuleni, Gauteng: Fears of a serial killer roaming the streets of Kempton Park and surrounding areas are mounting after the body of a fifth woman was found on Monday morning, 14 September 2026.
While the South African Police Service (SAPS) have stopped short of linking the deaths to a serial killer, it issued a warning to women in and around Kempton Park, particularly the Rhodesfield area, to exercise extreme caution.
The police said preliminary information gathered by detectives indicates similarities in the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
“The women were found half naked and with visible bruising, and the discovery sites of the first four women were located within the same vicinity. The similarities are sufficiently concerning for the police to issue a public warning and intensify investigations.
“Women in and around Kempton Park are urged not to walk or run alone, particularly in isolated areas. They should avoid secluded spaces, remain vigilant and, where possible, travel or exercise in groups.
“The safety of women remains a priority for SAPS, and the police will not wait for further incidents before taking decisive action,” the police said.
The Acting National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has directed the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner to immediately establish a dedicated multidisciplinary task team to investigate the cases and determine whether there are links between the incidents.
The task team will be led by the Gauteng Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Major General Mbuso Khumalo, who has been tasked with ensuring that all investigative avenues are pursued and that no stone is left unturned in establishing who is responsible for these deaths.
Anyone with information can contact Warrant Officer Elvis Manyike on 082 465 7249 or use the MySAPS-App anonymously.