Xpress Times

12/11/2025

07/11/2025

GIRLS (10) AMONG KZN’S NEW MOTHERS

By Xpress Reporter
Girls as young as 10-years-old are among mothers who gave birth in KwaZulu-Natal between the 1st of January 2024 to the 28th of February 2025.
This is according to a recent report by Statistics South Africa (StatsSA), which showed that 438 girls between 10 and 14 years had given birth in the province, during the period under review.
Reacting to the report, DA provincial spokesperson on Social Development Shontel de Boer zeroed in on the fact that many of these births were as a result of ‘statutory r**e’, which has since been re-classified as ‘r**e’.
The report further reveals that a further 24 532 births were given by girls between 15 and 19 years.
“The DA is deeply concerned by these statistics. They are not just numbers – they represent the lives of young girls whose childhoods have been cut short. In the case of girls aged 10 to 14 years, many are likely to involve statutory r**e. Also concerning is that the statistics relate to registered births only, meaning that the true number is likely to be much higher,” de Boer exclaimed.
She added that her party would continue to lobby government and law enforcement agencies to “ensure that every case involving underage pregnancy is properly investigated, and that perpetrators are held accountable”.

07/11/2025

ENRAGED UNCLE R**ES NIECE’S BOYFRIEND

By Musa Mnyandu
An enraged uncle is set to spend life in prison for three counts of r**e, and a further cumulative 15 years for assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (GBH), kidnapping and sexual assault.
Police in Ilembe District said on 08th August 2024, Nkululeko Mpisane approached the 16-year-old victim who was with his girlfriend, in the area of Mthandeni. Police said the victim’s girlfriend is the convicted man’s niece.
Upon approaching the young couple, Mpisane brutally assaulted the boyfriend, accusing him of dating his niece, before kidnapping and dragging him into a nearby sugarcane plantation where he r**ed him three times.
“A case was opened at Maphumulo SAPS. The docket was allocated to Sergeant Simphiwe Bruce Duma of Ilembe District FCS Unit to investigate the case.
“Sergeant Duma arrested the suspect on the 12 August 2024, and due to his diligent investigation, Sergeant Duma ensured the suspect did not receive bail and remained in custody as the suspect was previously on bail prior to the r**e case for domestic violence,” police said.
Owing to investigating officer Sergeant Duma’s tireless efforts, the Maphumulo Regional Court handed Mpisane a life sentence for three counts of r**e, 5 years in jail for assault GBH, 5 years for kidnapping and a further 5-year incarceration for sexual assault.
It is hoped that Mpisane will have enough time in his state-funded, '5-star' accommodation to reflect on his abominable conduct.

05/11/2025

HIGH NUMBER OF R**E-RELATED ARRESTS

By Xpress Reporter

Police in KwaZulu-Natal continue to send a message to rapists and would-be rapists that there is no room for their kind in society.
During the month of October alone, officers across the province put behind bars 262 suspects in connection with r**e.
Police said the suspected rapists were amongst the 13, 164 suspects arrested by police during Operation Shanela and during normal policing activities during the month.
A further 195 suspects were arrested for murder, 214 for attempted murder, while 11 more suspects were brought to book in connection with attempted r**e.
Alarmingly, a significant number of the arrests were for assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (GBH), with the figure sitting at 1865.
Police stated that officers also took in 236 suspects in connection with robbery including 108 arrests being made for house robbery.
“Firearms remain the weapon of choice in serious and violent crimes. In efforts to rid communities of illegal fi****ms, KZN police recovered 306 fi****ms and over 3,000 rounds of various calibre ammunition.
Among these, 14 were rifles and 13 were homemade guns.
“Property-related crimes were also addressed, with 452 suspects arrested, including 231 for residential burglaries. Residents are reminded to secure their homes by locking doors and windows, especially when unoccupied. 56 suspects were arrested for , and 131 cattle, 109 goats, and 13 sheep were recovered during operations,” stated police.
During the period under review, 931 motorists were arrested for drunken driving, while a further 2,034 people were detained for drug related offences, police added.

31/10/2025

‘WE WANT A DEPUTY MAYOR’

By Musa Mnyandu

The vacant position of Deputy Mayor of KwaDukuza Local Municipality must be filled as a matter of urgency.
This call has been made by the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) in the General Gizenga Mpanza Region (GGMR), which has also demanded that the position must be filled by a former member of the League.
“Having a Deputy Mayor with Youth League experience will create real opportunities for young people (of) KwaDukuza, ensuring that youth issues are prioritised and that young residents can access meaningful participation in local governance, something that does not currently exist,” the League said in a statement.
The League has further called on KwaDukuza Municipality to prioritize locals for employment, adding that individuals from outside of KwaDukuza appeared to be enjoying preference at the present moment.
“We call upon the council of KwaDukuza Municipality to urgently review its recruitment policies and take decisive steps to ensure accountability in the hiring processes. The future of KwaDukuza depends on creating opportunities for its own local people,” the League said.

24/10/2025

BOYFRIEND IN HOT WATER OVER BRUTAL R**E

By Musa Mnyandu

A 31-year-old man from Gledhow is ruing his unwise reliance on brutal force to get sexual in*******se from his 27-year-old girlfriend.
According to police reports, the man, who has since been arrested by the Ilembe District FCS Unit, got into an argument with his girlfriend while allegedly trying to force himself on her. Police said the girlfriend fought back, resulting in the suspect producing a knife and threatening her.
“The suspect brutally r**ed the victim and used the knife to cause severe internal injuries to the victim. The victim managed to escape from the suspect and fled,” police said in a statement.
The victim was later treated for severe internal injuries, and a case was registered by the FCS Unit.
“The suspect was arrested and appeared in KwaDukuza Magistrates Court on Thursday, 23 October 2025. (He) was remanded in custody for further investigation,” police said.

21/10/2025

PLEASE REPORT SALE OF EXPIRED FOODS

By Xpress Reporter

Police in the Ilembe District are conducting operations within the district to combat the high number of expired goods and groceries which are being sold in shops and spaza shops.
Police are urging members of the public to guard against purchasing and consuming food items which may contain fake labelling and are urging consumers to be vigilant of counterfeit or expired food products which can create food born illnesses.
“Members of the public are encouraged to report selling of counterfeit or expired food products, including selling of food items that have their packages removed or expiry dates altered on the product.
“Police also urges parents and guardians to be vigilant about the well-being of their children and to closely monitor what they consume, particularly items purchased outside school premises,” police said in a statement.
Members of the public are encouraged to take proactive measures to educate children about food safety and empower them to make informed choices.

16/10/2025

TECHNICAL GLITCH DELAYS MASHABANE CASE

By Vernon Pillay

The two men accused of murdering KwaDukuza Municipality’s senior employee, Nokulunga Mashabane, had their court appearance cut short today. Mashabane’s husband Thobani Nzama (31) and his friend and co-accused, Sipho Mgwaba (26) were expected to appear before the magistrate at 9:33 am and were asked to be seated minutes later while the magistrate, spent five minutes deliberating.
The interpreter informed the alleged murderers in IsiZulu what was to follow a bit earlier. Sipho Mgwaba took time to look behind him seemingly scanning the gallery. The recording device was out of order hence proceedings allegedly not continuing.
The suspects are to be remanded in custody in KwaDukuza until the case continues tomorrow Friday, 17 October 2025.
Mashabane’s body was found with gunshot wounds on Friday, 27th June 2025, between Zinkwazi and Darnall.

16/10/2025

COUNTDOWN CONTINUES AT GROUTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

The management of Groutville High School, consisting of deputy principals Mr Magwaza and Mrs Mzelemu (left) and the principal, Mr SC Gumede (right), today reminded matric learners that in five days’ time, they will be commencing their final examinations, their gateway to a better future.
The school obtained 98.5% pass rate for the 2024 matric exams, with 313 learners securing Bachelor passes and a total of 411 distinctions.