Please check your email and enter your one time pin below:   Open in Gmail Sorry there was an error loading the audio whose identity may not be published because investigations continue appeared in the Qumbu Magistrates’ Court on Thursday after he was charged with the murders and attempted murders of a group of community patrollers in the rural Eastern Cape town On Sunday, 6 October 2024, at about 11pm, eight men, all members of the community policing forum, prepared for their night patrol at a local school in Tina Falls, Qumbu. They were confronted by a group of men who were armed with rifles and handguns, who opened fire on them.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Six people died on the scene and four others were seriously injured and admitted to hospital Read more: Six die as community policing forum members are ‘ruthlessly ambushed’ days after SAPS ‘roadshow’ in village Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli said they have not uncovered a motive for the shooting at this stage Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene said they would do their best to make sure all those responsible for the mass shooting were arrested The arrests were made shortly after a meeting between Mhlontlo Local Municipality mayor Mbulelo Jara Mhlontlo municipal manager Lungile Ndabeni and the deputy director-general of the Office of the Premier Mahlubandile Qwase in Qumbu on Thursday “No words can adequately express how we feel about this incident,” Jara said He said that because of incidents in the recent past he cannot rule out the possibility that the shootings were related to stock theft.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads “The motives of the incident are because of stock theft is confronted with this problem of stock theft There have been several killings taking place before this one all over the district the root cause is always stock theft,” he said The police have meanwhile released the names of those who died in the shooting: Amos Sombaba (71) Mathanzima Thomsana (57) and David Vabaza (65) Qwase said they have agreed with the families of the deceased that they will hold a mass funeral on 19 October Jara hailed those who died in the mass shooting as heroes who deserve to be buried in a dignified manner adding: “We are also making calls for intervention by the private sector and NGOs to extend their solidarity and offer any assistance they can offer So that we bury these heroes in a dignified manner.” Qwase said: “We regard them as heroes because they died executing the law assisting the police in crime prevention.” DM Where is the money coming from and where did the stock come from – department of agriculture Only 1 person arrested of the group – how many were in the group Sounds like they were at least accomplices if armed and supporting the group of thugs ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " AVBOB celebrates a milestone by rewarding its members on a large scale Eastern Cape - The Qumbu community revered the six men murdered over the weekend for their crime-fighting efforts Four others are still in critical condition It's believed they were ambushed by 10 gun-wielding men in the Eastern Cape village eNCA's Ronald Masinda has more details in the video above Home | South Africa One person has died after a shootout with police in Qumbu near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape following a robbery tip off. OR Tambo Police have confirmed that the incident occurred at a homestead in Gwadana where they were met with gunfire. Police say the suspect, believed to be the primary person of interest, was fatally wounded in the exchange. A firearm and ammunition were also recovered at the homestead. Police spokesperson Welile Matyolo says in separate operations this week, authorities in the OR Tambo District also arrested two men and seized four unlicensed firearms. “Port St Johns police arrested a 62-year-old man following a tip-off, recovering three unlicensed firearms from his homestead. He was arrested and will appear before Port St Johns Magistrates Court on Monday 20th of January. Whilst in Mthatha a 32-year-old male suspect was arrested outside Mthatha CBD for being found with an unlicensed 9mm pistol.” JOHANNESBURG - Police in the Eastern Cape have confirmed a mass murder in Qumbu Eastern Cape police said the victims were all members of a Community Policing Forum in Godini village "Eight unknown armed opened fire on a group of community patrollers at Tina Falls near Qumbu last night," said Eastern Cape police spokesperson He said the motive behind the attack was being investigated "The motive for the shooting is unknown at this stage, police are urging anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect to contact the lead of the investigation team," said Nkohli. This incident follows another mass murder that took place in Lusikisiki that left 18 people dead last week. Meanwhile, Eastern Cape police are urging the community of Qumbu to come forward with any information that may lead to arrests following the mass shooting. Nkohli said police are investigating six counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder. "The suspects are unknown and they are still at large. We urge anyone with information to share it with police by contacting the team leader. The information can also be shared via our crime stop number,” said Nkohli. Sections This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers Eastern Cape police have arrested a 25-year-old man they say has been terrorising the community around Qumbu for several years said the suspect was arrested earlier this week at his homestead in the Mjikelweni locality in the Thina administrative area She said he was wanted for “many serious crimes committed from 2020” which include a double murder as well as the possession of unlicensed firearms Mawisa said the firearms included an unlicensed AK 47 rifle and two 9mm pistols that had their serial numbers removed She said the weapons will be sent for ballistic testing to check if they had been used n the commission of other crimes The suspect is due to appear in court soon an exclusive podcast on the life of Vicki Terblanche Dive into the expansive world of motoring with Naresh Maharaj Join Mark Marshall as he shares his extraordinary encounters with everything from bees to reptiles i has described a deadly ambush of 10 members of the community police forum in Godini Village The patrollers were at Lugongozo Junior Secondary School when they were attacked just before 11pm on Sunday.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads the patrollers were attacked by “at least” eight men with rifles and handguns who opened fire on them Six people died at the scene and four were seriously injured and rushed to hospital Nkohli said that according to information from residents the patrollers were getting ready for their nighttime patrol The motive for the ambush was unknown at this stage Read more: ‘Their silence is talking to us’ – police minister vows to bring Lusikisiki mass murderers to justice The shooting follows the murder of 18 people in Lusikisiki on 27 September Three suspects that may be connected to this incident were expected in court today (Monday) 9th Benoni Sea Scouts could take them out with catapults The SANDF is just an institution for sheltered employment and cadre deployment One of the most wanted men in Qumbu in the Eastern Cape will be back in court on December 31st Police say the 25-year-old man has already appeared in court twice The accused was arrested on Tuesday in the Thina Administrative Area He was wanted for crimes including murder and attempted murder committed in the Qumbu area over four years Welile Matyolo says the accused was found in possession of unlicensed firearms during his arrest “The suspect had been wanted for a number of serious crimes committed from year 2020 ranging from two murders three counts for unlawful possession of unlicensed firearms and a recent December 2024 case of attempted murder.” he was found with an AK47 rifle and two 9mm pistols all with filed off serial numbers and he had no licence to possess such firearms,” adds Matyolo A mass funeral will be held this weekend for the six community patrollers who were ambushed by unidentified assailants at the Lugongozo Junior Secondary School in Tina Falls The Eastern Cape provincial government said that preparations are in progress “The Eastern Cape provincial government in partnership with local businesses and various stakeholders pulls together resources to ensure a dignified send-off for the six individuals who tragically lost their lives during a mass shooting incident in Qumbu last week,” said Khuselwa Rantjie the spokesperson for the provincial government The mass funeral service is scheduled for Saturday at Godini village said in a statement that he was deeply saddened by the incident “We are deeply saddened by this devastating loss of lives in our province,” Mabuyane said “Such brutality has no place in our society and we will not stand for the criminality that shatters our communities and disturbs the peace.” which occurred when a group of armed men opened fire on community patrollers at a local school as they prepared for their evening patrols and four others were hurt and taken to the hospital Mabuyane attended another mass funeral after 18 people were murdered in Lusikisiki Mabuyane stated at the time that the police and the provincial government were collaborating closely to prosecute those involved “One suspect has already been arrested in connection with the shooting and has appeared in the Qumbu magistrate’s court,” he said at the time “He has been remanded in police custody and the matter will be heard next week [Tuesday] for bail consideration.” abandoned his application for bail when he appeared in court on Tuesday Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli said: “A 33-year-old man briefly appeared in the Qumbu magistrate’s court on charges ranging from attempted murder to murder and was remanded in custody “The case was postponed to October 25.” the police confirmed that four more suspects were apprehended in connection with the mass shooting Visit SW YouTube Channel for our video content Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Tel: +27 11 268 6300 Fundudzi Media (Pty) Ltd. All rights reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms & conditions and privacy policy. CAPE TOWN - Eastern Cape police say they've arrested two men for the murders of their partners.  A 32-year-old Qumbu man stands accused of killing his 24-year-old wife on Monday, claiming she was unfaithful.  Meanwhile, a 47-year-old Mqandulu man has been accused of strangling his girlfriend with a belt.   A community mob then retaliated in anger, beating the man.  He is in hospital under police guard and will appear in court soon.   Eastern Cape police spokesperson, Majola Nkohli, has condemned the murders.  "OR Tambo District commissioner, Major-General Norman Modishana has learned with shock of the tragic news of the two women, whose lives perished in the hands of those who promised to love and protect them. These heinous acts of GBVF [gender-based violence and femicide], especially against the vulnerable people in our societies must come to an end. As police, we will never rest until we conquer the fight against GBVF," said Nkohli.  JOHANNESBURG - The Eastern Cape Department of Transport said the death of the 17 people on Van Reenen Pass is a blow felt in the province a minibus taxi collided with a truck in KwaZulu-Natal who is currently being treated in hospital ALSO READ: KZN Transport Dept identifies truck driver involved in collision that claimed 17 lives on Van Reenen's Pass Provincial transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose said although the accident occurred in KwaZulu-Natal, families in Eastern Cape will mourn the deaths of their loved ones.   On Monday, a minibus taxi from Qumbu, Eastern Cape, collided with a truck on the Van Reenen Pass. The accident left only one survivor from the 18 passengers travelling in the taxi to Johannesburg from Eastern Cape.   Eastern Cape’s Department of Transport spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, said the holiday period has brought so much sadness to the province. “The devastation this period has caused to a lot of families across the Eastern Cape is beyond measure, not just on crashes that have happened in our province, but even those that have happened beyond our borders, as illustrated by this recent accident on the N3 in KZN.”   It’s understood that the owner of the minibus taxi will make provisions for family members to travel to Ladysmith to identify their families.   The Eastern Cape Department of Education remains committed to providing learners with quality education that fosters productivity This commitment was evident today as the department officially handed over upgraded infrastructure at Qumbu Village Secondary School in the OR Tambo District Municipality The handover ceremony was marked by vibrant cultural performances MEC Gade expressed his delight at witnessing the transformation of the school particularly following its improved matric performance in 2024 Qumbu Village Secondary School achieved a 74.9% matric pass rate earning it a spot among the top 10 schools in the Kumkani Mhlontlo Local Municipality “It is compulsory for all schools in the province to conduct morning and afternoon classes to ensure better results at the end of the year,” said Gade The MEC also highlighted the department’s efforts to support underprivileged learners stating that children from disadvantaged backgrounds are placed in schools where they can acquire essential skills He revealed that the department invests R1.4 million per child in this initiative Willem expressed gratitude to all stakeholders MEC Gade donated 200 pairs of school shoes to 100 learners in need reinforcing the department’s commitment to learner welfare and website in this browser for the next time I comment The South African Police Service has recovered stolen livestock in some areas of the Eastern Cape (particularly Qumbu) The estimated value of the livestock recovered is said to be worth more than R6 million The long arm of the law has struck against stock theft in the Eastern Cape resulting in the capture of six suspects and the seizure of livestock worth an estimated R6 127 500 Provincial commissioner lieutenant general Nomthetheleli Mene addressed the ongoing issue “Stock theft is a challenge in the province as most people in subsistence farming are leaving their stock roaming unattended.” The operation lasted two weeks from 23 September to 4 October 2024 and involved a collaborative effort from a provincial task team This included members from the stock theft and endangered species unit and Amathole were the areas targeted as they are known hot-spot districts for stock theft the operation led to 83 fines worth R97 600 for several contraventions four butcheries in KwaBhaca faced notices due to non-compliance Among the key successes recorded during the operation: Farmers in rural areas often fall victim to stock theft due to inadequate security measures Mene said it is challenging to prosecute suspects if the livestock is not branded “We appeal to stock owners to work with the police to overcome these challenges starting with a visit to the nearest SAPS stock theft and endangered species unit for assistance with branding or tattooing of stock,” he said READ NEXT: Steenhuisen calls for action on SA’s food insecurity crisis Sign up for Mzansi Today: Your daily take on the news and happenings from the agriculture value chain Tshianeo Mathidi in Venda is cultivating more than just potatoes – he's growing back a family legacy.. With 21 global awards in the first six years of its existence Food For Mzansi is much more than an agriculture publication unashamedly saluting the unsung heroes of South African agriculture We believe in the power of agriculture to promote nation building and social cohesion by telling stories that are often overlooked by broader society Contact usOffice: +27 21 879 1824News: info@foodformzansi.co.zaAdvertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za Four people have died in yet another head-on collision The crash happened on the N2 near Qumbu in the Eastern Cape collided head-on with a VW UP with four occupants All the 4 occupants of the VW UP died on the scene The deceased are suspected to be a mother believed to be in her 40s two girls aged 12 and 9 and a young boy aged 5 The driver of the SUV escaped with minor injuries A culpable homicide case has been opened for further investigations More than 80 people have died on Eastern Cape roads since the start of the festive season Provincial Transport Department spokesperson Unathi Binqose says “It is believed that the deceased were a mother and her three children They were possibly traveling to home ahead of Christmas but their lives were brutally cut short in yet another head-on collision.” Xolile Nqatha has extended his sincere condolences to the families of the deceased The MEC is calling on all road users to play our role in curbing these carnages on our roads,” adds Binqose has praised the Qumbu police for the arrest of a key suspect linked to a series of serious crimes The 25-year-old man was apprehended recently at his home at Mjikelweni location under Thina Falls The suspect had been a wanted individual since 2020 three counts of possession of unlicensed firearms and a recent attempted murder case from December 2024 Qumbu detectives acted swiftly based on intelligence utilizing detailed information about his location to execute the suspect’s arrest officers uncovered an AK-47 rifle and two 9mm pistols The suspect now faces charges for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and is expected to appear in the Qumbu Magistrate’s Court shortly The recovered firearms will undergo ballistic testing to determine if they were used in any other crimes Local residents have also praised the collaboration of local law enforcement in ensuring that the wanted suspect has been captured They have also called on the department of Justice to make sure that the suspect is not given bail and remains behind bars Add me to your newsletter and keep me updated whenever you publish new blog posts Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" © 2025 Pondoland Times. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy Oscar Mabuyane has called on road users to exercise caution on the roads The current death toll from crashes in the province is approaching 90 since the start of the festive season Mabuyane says reckless driving will not be tolerated Premier’s spokesperson Khuselwa Rantjie says “Motorists are urged to avoid distractions while driving be cautious and be respectful to other road users.” “The premier has encouraged all road users to share the road meaning that we all must be responsible and look out for each other on the roads On behalf of the EC government premier Mabuyane has extended deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones during this period.” NewsWeekPRO Subscription Plans Please consider supporting us by becoming a full access members You get all the bells and whistles included A swift and decisive response by Qumbu detectives, backed by the Stock Theft Unit, has led to the arrest of two suspects in connection with the murder of a 55-year-old shop owner in Debeza locality, Qumbu. The victim was gunned down in his shop between Saturday, December 21, and Sunday, December 22, 2024. Community members raised the alarm when the shop remained closed for the entire day, prompting an investigation that revealed the deceased lying in a pool of blood inside the shop. Police found AK 47 empty cartridges next to the body and later recovered an AK 47 automatic rifle, believed to be the murder weapon, during the arrest of the suspects. The two suspects, aged 19 and 24, are from the same locality as the victim. They will appear in the Qumbu magistrate court on a murder charge today, Friday, December 27, 2024. The motive behind the gruesome murder is still under investigation. OR Tambo District Commissioner, Major General Norman Modishana, praised the detectives for their dedication to solving the case quickly and recovering the firearm, which may have been used in other serious crimes. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); © 2025 Pondoland Times. All Rights Reserved. THE South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) recently weighed in on the much-anticipated Budget Speech urging Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to include the taxi industry in the budget All eyes are on Godongwana as he prepares to deliver his revised budget on Wednesday afternoon following a delay last month due to conflicts within the Government of National Unity (GNU) over the proposed two-percentage-points VAT hike Santaco’s secretary general Daki Qumbu called for a subsidy for the taxi industry arguing that the taxi operators deserve more support He pointed out the taxi industry receives only one percent of public funding through the government’s taxi recapitalisation programme which seeks to improve safety in the industry Qumbu argued that while the taxi industry is profitable particularly after the height of the Coronavirus pandemic “We believe the taxi industry deserves much more in terms of subsidy,” he said in an interview with the local broadcaster ”The taxi industry is the backbone of public transport in this country but it is totally unfairly treated compared to other modes of transport “Is it enough for a living for the people that depend on the taxi industry Because we cater for the poorest of the poor Qumbu stressed that recovery in the industry has been difficult since the pandemic If we provide you with statistics of repossessions you will see that people are no longer able to buy vehicles or to keep up their instalments He emphasised that the taxi industry deserves a subsidy Qumbu expressed that he hopes Godongwana will address the industry’s challenges in his budget speech the then Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula proposed a subsidy for the taxi industry by April 2021 but Qumbu said that promise remains unfulfilled “He (referring to Mbalula) said in April 2021 it will be subsidised When we look at the statistics and percentages the taxi industry is just enjoying one percent of the public transport funding in this country by our government.” despite the taxi industry being profitable saying: “It's very easy to say we are making money but we should recall that we are competing in a public space in terms of people that will assist us to generate income for our families.” He also pointed out that the taxi industry is a significant employer “We are employing quite a number of people in this country So those people must also earn a living,” Qumbu added Preparations are underway for a mass funeral to honor the six victims of the tragic Qumbu massacre where a shooting incident last week left the community in shock the service will take place in Godini village organized by the Eastern Cape Provincial Government in collaboration with local businesses and stakeholders Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane expressed profound sorrow over the incident “We are deeply saddened by this devastating loss of lives in our province Such brutality has no place in our society The massacre occurred when armed men targeted community patrollers at a local school as they prepared for their evening patrols four others sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital the Provincial Government is coordinating with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice One suspect has already been arrested and appeared at the Qumbu Magistrate Court and investigations are ongoing to locate additional suspects The government extends its deepest condolences to the victims’ families and emphasizes the need for community cooperation in providing any information related to the incident Premier Mabuyane and other officials will attend the mass funeral to pay their respects The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) has expressed confidence in the ongoing investigation into the brutal killings of six community patrollers in the Godini area Following a visit to the crime scene at Lugongozo Senior Secondary School General Masemola was briefed by SAPS top management on the developments in the case A specialized team of detectives from the Mthatha district is actively pursuing suspects believed to be linked to the murders and the attempted murder of four additional patrollers who were injured during the attack The leads suggest a connection to ongoing stock theft-related issues between the affected village and neighboring areas.” General Masemola also engaged with community patrollers gathered near the crime scene He emphasized the importance of community involvement in the fight against crime while firmly condemning any acts of vigilantism both national and provincial teams remain committed to restoring law and order in the affected communities highlighting the SAPS’s dedication to ensuring public safety A mass funeral for four of the six people that were shot and killed at Godini village, in Qumbu The deceased were members of a local community policing forum They were brutally killed at a school while preparing to go on patrol One suspect has since been arrested and briefly appeared in court Families started proceedings at the Lugonqozo Junior Secondary School where the six community policing forum members were brutally killed fetching the spirits of their loved ones from the scene of their death says this incident will not stop them from protecting their livestock all residents here because these men were pillars of this village What happened in this area will never be forgotten because these people die protecting their things what is painful is that their livestock is not being stolen but taken by force We will not live the life they want us to live here where we sit back and allow them to take our things.” Nomfuneko Sotshongaye lost two relatives that day “It is a sad time for my family but what is important is that government help us with preparations I don’t think we will live life like before because what is more painful is that my brother was supporting us I don’t think life will be the same without him.” Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane visited one of the bereaved families on his arrival Mabuyane says they need to review criminal prevention measures that are in place “You can see the crimes being proliferated in almost every area it’s no longer now an issue of urban setup it is now existing deep in rural areas where it is difficult to prevent it But the intelligence of police is communities when communities are able to indicate through these hotlines This calls for more review also on resource allocation.” says there are plans in place to ensure residents are safe “The assessment was done by Social Development and it showed that most of these families are not well-off families these criminals beyond the funeral can come here to this village so the government is prepared to make sure that people here are safe even beyond funerals.” VIDEO | Qumbu Mass Funeral | EC premier Oscar Mabuyane pays tribute: during the funeral news of another mass murder came in and two children were wounded in an attack on Friday night Stock farmers in the Mahlungulu and Zilandana villages in Qumbu are reeling from the devastating loss of about 184 sheep due to recent wildfires driven by robust winds accompanying a cold front moving across the country started along the road at Mahlungulu village near the forest and quickly spread to Zilandana village A young man who witnessed the raging fire described the ordeal as he traveled along the road He saw people rushing to extinguish the flames but doubted their success due to the strong the fire had already spread to parts of the grazing land Farmers in the affected areas have suffered significant losses and are pleading for government assistance to provide feed for the surviving livestock as all the grazing land has been damaged by the fire The Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform has dispatched a team to assess the damage caused by the veld fires that destroyed large pasture lands in the vicinity A collision between two vehicles on the Sulenkama Road in Qumbu has resulted in five fatalities and left ten others injured involved a private vehicle with two occupants colliding with a fully loaded minibus The injured occupants were transported to nearby hospitals Provincial Transport Department spokesperson Unathi Binqose says police are investigating a case of culpable homicide we can confirm this accident that has claimed five lives a head-on collision involving a minibus taxi that was fully loaded and an SUV is extending his sincere condolences to the families of the deceased while wishing those in the hospital a speedy and full recovery…” “This is a crash that has happened on one of the less busy roads in the province It is for that reason that the MEC is constantly calling on road users to be extra vigilant at all times as accidents can occur at any moment,” added Binqose