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August 29, 2008
Four armed men robbed a jewellery store at the Northgate shopping centre yesterday. The robbers entered the shop just after 9am. They held staff at gunpoint and took an undisclosed amount of cash and jewellery, according to police inspector Hein van Heerden. Within minutes the suspects were out, bumping into unarmed security personnel, according to a parking attendant. That is apparently when the robbers started shooting at random. A pregnant woman and a man who experienced chest pains due to a cardiac condition were taken to hospital and were in a stable condition yesterday afternoon. The robbers fled in two cars which they hijacked in the parking lot. - Niels Posthumus
A man was apprehended by Lenasia residents after he attempted to rob a house yesterday, Joburg police said. Inspector Kay Makhubela said three armed men entered a house in Lenasia and tied up the three occupants and a security guard. "The security guard managed to untie himself and chased after one of the robbers. Neighbours saw the incident and helped the security guard to arrest the man. The other two escaped." - Sapa
A day's work for a Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) employee ended in tragedy, when three thugs attacked him on the freeway. Amos Makhubela (39), an acting area supervisor, was shot several times and his colleague, who is a JRA contractor, was attacked. Both men were supervising construction on the M2 west road, near the Cleveland offramp. The thugs made off with cellphones and money. Makhubela was admitted to hospital in a serious condition. His colleague suffered minor injuries. - Bongani Masango
South African wine exports are soaring in defiance of the international economic slowdown, chief executive of Wines of South Africa Su Birch said yesterday. She said over 363-million litres were sold offshore during the 12 months to July, an increase of 27% on the previous 12 months. - Sapa
A car's anti-hijack system got in the way as three men held a woman up last night. The woman had parked her car outside her complex, but returned to the Mercedes-Benz when she realised she had forgotten something. As she climbed into the car, three men in a Mazda 323 drove past. They climbed out and held the woman up at gunpoint. "They even bit her finger to get a ring," said Inspector Philip Maganedisa. Two of the men climbed into the Mercedes and tried a speedy getaway, but couldn't find the anti-hijack system and couldn't start the car. Their companion had in the meantime driven away in the Mazda. The two climbed out of the car and tried to make a run for it, but were soon caught by armed response personnel. They were due in court today. - Angelique Serrao
A 38-year-old man was killed when his BMW smashed into the pillar of a bridge on the N17 freeway in Boksburg yesterday, Ekurhuleni metro police said. Spokesperson Kobeli Mokheseng said the man, who was travelling alone, lost control of the car. He died on the scene. No one else was injured. - Sapa
A machine operator has been killed in an accident at Coega harbour, Port Elizabeth. Police spokesperson Inspector Dumile Gwavu said a 30 year-old man was driving the machine on a steep gravel road when he lost control of it. The vehicle hit an embankment, the driver fell out and it rolled over him. - Sapa
A 59-year-old traditional healer was sentenced to 18 years in jail by the Pietermaritzburg High Court yesterday for the murder of a married couple. Magebhezi Khanyile was duped into believing that by shooting dead the husband he was avenging the murder of his brother. He pleaded guilty yesterday to the murder of Mcford Sishi and his wife Buyisile, who were shot 13 times in their bed in Nkandla in KwaZulu Natal in October last year. Khanyile admitted that he and his tribal chief Busani Khanyile shot the Sishis. Busani had lied to him that Sishi had murdered his brother, whereas Busani had done so and wanted to kill Sishi, who was a witness to the murder by Busani of Khanyile's brother. - Sapa
A taxi owner and three of his drivers have been arrested after threatening traffic officers in Klerksdorp, North West transport officials said yesterday. Spokesperson Mandla Mathebula said an all-female provincial traffic officers' team was inspecting taxis in a special operation when a man driving a Nissan double-cab allegedly shouted insults at them. He was later joined by another nine men. The situation got out of hand and the traffic officers had to call the police to restore order. The man and three of his taxi drivers were arrested and nine of his taxis were impounded. - Sapa
A Somalian was shot and killed and another wounded during a robbery at their shop near East London, police said yesterday. Superintendent Mtati Tana said five armed men entered the shop in Mdantsane on Wednesday. "The two Somali nationals were robbed and then shot by the men. Abdi Ibrahim was fatally wounded, while the second man was shot in the leg." The wounded man was taken to hospital for treatment. - Sapa
A pedestrian died yesterday after being hit by an ambulance in Umlazi, the KwaZulu Natal Transport Department said. Spokesperson Nonkululeko Mbatha said the pedestrian was declared dead at the scene on Mangosuthu Highway.
Source: The Star, Aug 29, 2008