By Phumlani Saul

Chilling details of a night of terror endured by two teenagers emerged in an indictment on Wednesday as men accused of taking turns to rape them, before allegedly stabbing them to death and burning their bodies, made their first appearance in the Gqeberha high court.

The murders of Sinothando Malinga, 19, and Ibanathi Peter, 17, in KwaNobuhle in June 2025 sent shockwaves across Nelson Mandela Bay, resulting in mass protests at the Kariega magistrate’s court when the accused made their first appearance.

The charred bodies of the two high school pupils were found in an open field on the edge of the Nyosi Wildlife Reserve near Fourth Avenue in Khayelitsha.

Three of the four accused, who cannot be named until they have pleaded to the rape charges, briefly took to the dock of the high court on Wednesday morning.

They are represented by Legal Aid SA.
The fourth man could not appear in court because he was incarcerated for an unrelated matter.

The trial was accordingly postponed to May 22.
According to the detailed charge sheet, the accused allegedly acted in concert when they unlawfully and intentionally conspired with one another to kill Malinga and Ibanathi.They face charges of conspiracy, rape, murder, housebreaking, kidnapping, defeating the ends of justice and intimidation.

The accused allegedly stabbed the teenagers with a knife or sharp object.
The charge of defeating the ends of justice relates to when they allegedly burnt their bodies.

According to the state, the accused had broken into a house in Hlosi Street, KwaNobuhle, on June 17 2025.
At the time, Malinga and Ibanathi were in the house, with friends.

“The accused, acting in concert and execution of a common purpose, unlawfully and with intent to deprive [the occupants] of their freedom of movement, forcefully held them inside the house while they [allegedly] raped and killed Malinga and Ibanathi,” court papers read.

The accused allegedly went further, threatening the other occupants in a bid to stop them reporting what had happened to the police.

The state said if the men were convicted, they would call for life sentences.
The prosecution believes the murders were premeditated and committed by a group of people or a syndicate acting in concert and in the furtherance of common purpose or conspiracy.

The victims were each raped more than once.
Ibanathi was just a child, the state said.
KwaNobuhle community leader and crime activist Tamsanqa Nkevu, who indicated that he was instrumental in the arrest of the accused, said he was disappointed that he had not been updated with the progress in the matter.

Ibanathi’s aunt, Phatiswa Mtwalo, told Daily Kasi News “The family was still hurting.

“We’re really hurt about what happened. We have flashbacks. We still have unanswered questions.

We need to know why they felt the need to do this … to kill in such a brutal manner.

“I’m sick. I live on tablets. Iba’s murder hit me very hard. She’s supposed to be doing her last lap this year [in school] and go to university.”said Phatiswa Mtwalo

By Thulisile Mapongwana

Economic Freedom Fighters leader, Julius Malema, has been sentenced to an effective five years in jail on Thursday for firing an assault rifle at a rally eight years ago.

Hundreds of red-clad supporters of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party leader gathered outside the court for the sentencing in the politically charged case.

Large groups of EFF supporters also gathered in other cities, including Johannesburg, to watch the sentencing broadcast live from the court in the city of KuGompo, formerly called East London.

Magistrate Twanette Olivier said Malema, 45, had deliberately violated firearm laws by shooting a gun in the air at an EFF rally in 2018 in a planned event.

“It wasn’t… an impulsive act,” the magistrate said. “It was the event of the evening.”

“The decision to break the law has been made and it was made with the approval of the accused person, and the leadership,” she said.

Malema’s defence said the shots were only intended to be celebratory.

The state had been seeking the maximum 15-year jail term for Malema, who was found guilty in October. His defence team said they would appeal the conviction and the sentence.

The EFF says the case is an attempt to silence its outspoken leader, who is known for fiery speeches.

With this sentence, Malema stands to lose his seat in parliament.

Party supporters have threatened protests should their leader be jailed.

The magistrate stressed it “is not a political party who has been convicted here… it is a person, an individual.”

The case against the EFF leader was brought by the small, conservative group AfriForum.

Malema has long been criticised by AfriForum, notably for his use at rallies of an anti-apartheid chant, “Kill the Boer” — a word for the country’s white Afrikaner population.

The says it is hate speech and incites anti-white violence. This has been rejected by the courts.

While the chant is controversial in South Africa, courts have ruled it does not constitute hate speech and should be considered in the context of the struggle against white-minority rule, which ended in 1994.

The Afrikaner lobby group has brought its long-standing complaints against Malema to the attention of US President Donald Trump.

Trump showed clips of Malema chanting the slogan at talks at the White House with President Cyril Ramaphosa in May last year.

“But why wouldn’t you arrest that man?” Trump asked Ramaphosa, referring to Malema.

The EFF won under 10 percent of votes in the 2024 general elections, and has 39 seats in parliament.

Malema’s sentencing was welcomed by the centre-right Democratic Alliance, the second largest political party in the country after Ramaphosa’s African National Congress.

“Gun violence is out of control in South Africa, so any crime involving illegal gunfire is extremely serious. It’s important to punish illegal firearm crimes harshly,” party leader Geordin Hill-Lewis said in a statement.

By Thulisile Mapongwana

EFF leader Julius Malema is likely to be sentenced on Thursday in his firearms case in the Magistrates Court in KuGompo City.

This follows a full day of pre-sentencing proceedings on Wednesday, where both the State and the defence wrapped up arguments before Magistrate Twannette Olivier reserves judgment.

Malema was previously convicted on five charges relating to contraventions of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.

The State is pushing for a minimum sentence of 15 years’ direct imprisonment, arguing that Malema, as a Member of Parliament and public figure, should be held to a higher standard.

“The accused is a Member of Parliament, a lawmaker — yet he is the one who broke the law,” prosecutor Joel Cesar argued. “If it were anyone else, he would be calling for imprisonment, but now he seeks a non-custodial sentence.”

However, defence advocate Laurence Hodes SC rejected this approach, telling the court it would be “grossly unfair” to use Malema’s political position against him while also insisting he be treated as an ordinary citizen.

“You cannot have it both ways,” Hodes argued. “On the one hand, you say treat him like everyone else. On the other hand, you rely on his status to justify a harsher sentence.”

Hodes further criticised the State’s reliance on case law involving violent offenders, saying: “These are cases dealing with gangsters. The context here is entirely different.”

He told the court the incident was brief and not premeditated. “This was a single, continuous event lasting less than a minute,” he said, adding that although multiple shots were fired, “only one live round could be forensically linked, which makes the sentence proposed disproportionate.”

The defence also pointed out that the firearm was returned before judgment was delivered. “If there was any ongoing criminal intent, that firearm would not have been handed back,” Hodes submitted.

He emphasised that no one was harmed and no property was damaged. “There is no evidence of injury, no damage, and no witness who testified that they were placed in fear,” he said.

On sentencing, Hodes told the court that imprisonment should not be treated as automatic. “Sentencing is not a perfect exercise,” he argued. “There is always a range of appropriate sentences, and imprisonment is not the default.”

He added: “To send a person to prison for a single event of this nature would be shockingly inappropriate.”

The defence maintained that similar cases involving possession and discharge of firearms have often resulted in fines or suspended sentences, and warned that a custodial sentence would amount to unfairly singling out the accused.

Meanwhile, the State argued that a strong message must be sent, particularly in light of a growing trend of celebratory gunfire at public events.

Lobby group AfriForum’s Community Safety Spokesperson, Jacque Broodryk, echoed the State’s concerns, saying Malema playing the race card was also growing old. The lobby group took Malema to court over the 2018 incident, saying they were ready to do it again.

“The EFF race card has expired, its old and boring. Their leadership needs to start taking responsibility for the reckless, illegal actions.

We’ve seen this become a culture where people fire in and shots into the air and doing celebrations and funerals during birthday parties.”

He said they were busy compiling charges against another politician who had recently fired shots into the air during a funeral.

He said that while they cannot pre-empt the sentence, it should be harsh enough to prevent others from reenacting what Malema has been doing.

“We need to set an example to say that when you act reckless like this and endanger people’s lives, there are going to be consequences that you do not want to deal with.” Broodryk concluded.

Magistrate Olivier is expected to deliver the sentencing on Thursday.

Addressing his supporters outside the courtroom, Malema said the outcome of the case does not matter as there is already a guilty verdict.

“We are going to appeal this case until the highest court in the land.

When you are appealing, it does not mean you don’t show remorse; it means you disagree with the conclusion of the Magistrate, and therefore you appeal.”

Malema concluded, and his EFF supporters marched back to Jan Smuts Stadium, where they have been booked for the duration of the proceedings.

By Phumlani Saul

Police in Despatch are appealing to the public for assistance in identifying two men who were found murdered behind Khayamnandi Kraal on Sunday.

Spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said the grim discovery was made by a local resident who was walking along a footpath towards KwaNobuhle.

She said both men, aged between 32 and 35, sustained multiple stab wounds.

Police also found bloodied stones, believed to have been used in the attack, next to each of the bodies, which were several metres apart.

Janse van Rensburg said their identities are unknown at this stage.

“One of the deceased was wearing a black T-shirt, green tracksuit pants, and blue, white and red striped boxer underwear.

“He also had a green wrist tag believed to be linked to a Manyati event. The second deceased was wearing green and black pants along with a white T-shirt,” she said.

Despatch SAPS detectives are urging anyone who may have information that could assist in identifying the deceased or in the investigation to come forward.

Members of the public can contact Despatch SAPS detectives on 082 441 7900 or 069 473 1483. Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously via Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or through the MySAPS app.

All information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

By Akhona Naliti

An inquest docket has been opened by police in Gqeberha following the discovery of a man’s body floating in North End Lake.

Authorities were alerted to the scene late in the morning after a member of the public made the grim discovery. According to police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg, officers responded at approximately 11:45 after receiving a report from a witness who had been fishing in the area and noticed the body in the water.

Emergency services, including police divers, were dispatched to the scene. The divers subsequently retrieved the body from the lake, where it had been partially submerged.

Initial observations indicate that the deceased is an adult male believed to be around 30 years old. However, his identity remains unknown at this stage. Janse van Rensburg confirmed that the body was in a partially decomposed state at the time it was recovered, suggesting that it may have been in the water for some time before being discovered.

The man was found wearing a red top, blue jeans, and a pair of black Omega sandals. These details form part of the ongoing effort by investigators to establish his identity and notify next of kin.
Police have emphasised that the cause of death has not yet been determined and will be established as part of the inquest investigation.

An inquest docket is typically opened in cases where the cause of death is unclear or appears to be unnatural, pending further forensic examination and post-mortem results.

The circumstances surrounding how the man ended up in the lake are still under investigation. At this stage, authorities have not ruled out any possibilities, and all avenues are being explored.

Police have appealed to members of the public who may have information that could assist in identifying the deceased or shed light on the events leading up to his death.

Anyone who recognises the description of the man or who may have seen suspicious activity in or around the North End Lake area is urged to come forward.

Information can be reported to Mount Road SAPS on 082 779 7186 or anonymously via Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Authorities have assured the public that all information received will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
Investigations are ongoing.

By Akhona Naliti

A protest in KuGompo-East London descended into chaos on Monday as hundreds of demonstrators clashed with authorities over the alleged coronation of a Nigerian “Igbo King.”

Chaos erupted in KuGompo City, in the Eastern Cape, on Monday as cars were set ablaze and property vandalised after a man was allegedly stabbed during a protest against the reported coronation of a Nigerian national as king.

The situation is so serious that fire services have been dispatched to the scene, while police are using teargas to disperse the crowd.

The protest, which started peacefully, comes after videos and images of Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko being crowned ‘Igwe Ndigbo’ in the city, formerly East London, went viral.

Several groups, including ActionSA, the Patriotic Alliance, civic movement March and March, and several traditional leaders, have joined the demonstration, condemning the ceremony as unlawful.

Police spokeswoman Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana confirmed that police had responded to the scene.

“The protest began as a planned peaceful demonstration by various traditional leaders over the alleged coronation of an Igbo king,” she said.

“Violence broke out when some participants moved away from the city hall, where a petition was being handed over.

“Twelve vehicles have been damaged, and several buildings have been torched.

“Emergency services, including the fire department, remain on the scene, along with the Public Order Policing Unit.

“This is an active scene, and updates information will be shared in due course.”

A man was allegedly stabbed in the back by a foreign national and taken to the hospital.

Gantana said the man was not part of the march.

“The stabbed person is not linked to the march,” she said.

March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, however, said on Facebook that it was one of her members who had been stabbed.

She said the member was also knocked down by a car.

ActionSA Eastern Cape leader Athol Trollip previously told IOL there was no constitutional provision for any foreigner, legal or illegal, to coronate themselves in the Eastern Cape.

“We do not support that,” he said.

“We support the existing local kings in the Eastern Cape, of which we have five, and no Nigerian kings.”

PA spokesperson Steve Motale said: “We condemn that fake coronation.

“We are happy that even the Nigeria High Commissioner in SA has also condemned it.”

The Royal House of AbaThembu, in a statement to IOL, previously denied reports on social media that King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo welcomed and granted royalty to the Nigerian national.

He said he was not involved.

AbaThembu royal ambassador and senior royal advisor Adv Matthew Mpahlwa said the claims come from “sick and depraved minds”.

“The Royal House of AbaThembu wishes to distance itself from the trending social media posts and pictures purporting to portray King Dalindyebo as welcoming and officially granting royalty to a particular Nigerian national,” Mpahlwa said at the time.

By Phumlani Saul

Gqeberha police arrested an 18-year-old man for the “brutal murder” of a 4-year-old boy in Walmer township on Sunday.

Police spokesperson, Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg, said the incident occurred at a house on Tshanga Street in Walmer township.

“Upon arrival, the first responder discovered the lifeless body of a 4-year-old foreign national boy lying in a pool of blood inside the house.

“Preliminary investigations reveal that the child was sleeping in a separate room with his older brother.

“The parents reportedly became concerned and went to check, and they found him “covered in blood. They immediately contacted the police for assistance,” Janse Van Rensburg said.

She said “an 18-year-old teenager was arrested for murder” on the scene, while the motive for the incident forms part of ongoing investigations.

Janse Van Rensburg said the suspect is expected to appear in the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court during this week.

By Daily Kasi News Reporter

Kariega Builds for the World as VW Polo Hits 2-Million Milestone

Kariega has once again proven its place on the global automotive map as the locally built Volkswagen Polo reached an extraordinary production milestone of two million units. This achievement highlights not only the success of the Polo as one of the world’s most popular compact cars, but also the strength, skill and resilience of South African manufacturing.
The milestone was celebrated at Volkswagen Group South Africa’s Kariega plant, a facility that has become a cornerstone of vehicle production and export in the Eastern Cape. Since the start of Polo production in Kariega in 2009, the plant has consistently delivered vehicles that meet the highest international quality standards, supplying markets across Africa, Europe, Asia and beyond.
The Volkswagen Polo is more than just a car; it is a symbol of reliability, affordability and modern design. Over the years, the Polo has evolved with advanced safety features, improved efficiency and smart technology, making it a favourite among young drivers, families and fleet buyers alike. Reaching two million units built in Kariega underscores the model’s sustained global demand and the trust customers place in vehicles built in South Africa.
For Kariega, this milestone carries deep economic and social significance. The automotive industry is a major employer in the region, and Volkswagen Group South Africa plays a vital role in job creation, skills development and supplier growth. Thousands of employees contribute daily to the production process, supported by a strong local supplier network that benefits small and medium-sized businesses across the Eastern Cape.
Volkswagen Group South Africa has also continued to invest heavily in the Kariega plant to ensure long-term sustainability. Upgrades in automation, digital systems and employee training have positioned the facility as a world-class manufacturing hub. These investments not only improve productivity and quality but also prepare the workforce for the future of mobility in a rapidly changing global automotive industry.
Exports remain a key success factor. A significant portion of Polos built in Kariega are shipped to international markets, earning valuable foreign revenue for South Africa and strengthening the country’s reputation as a reliable automotive exporter. Each vehicle leaving the port represents South African craftsmanship competing confidently on the world stage.
As the Volkswagen Polo reaches its two-million milestone, it stands as a proud reminder that Kariega truly builds for the world. The achievement celebrates the dedication of workers, the vision of leadership, and the potential of South African industry. With continued investment and innovation, Kariega is well positioned to keep driving success—one Polo at a time.

By Daily Kasi Reporter

East London is reportedly set to be renamed KuGompo City, while the historic town of Graaff-Reinet is to become Robert Sobukwe Town.

This comes after reports that Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie approved 21 geographical name changes across South Africa.

Speaking to Daily Kasi News, South African Geographical Names Council chair Johnny Mohlala confirmed the changes.

However, while the approvals are in place, Mohlala stressed that the changes still need to be gazetted, with the formal publication process expected to take place in the coming weeks.

Department spokesperson Zimasa Velaphi also confirmed to DK news team that a broader statement would be issued to clarify the scope of the changes.

The Eastern Cape has played host to several attempts to change historic names in the province, which have been met with wide backlash from residents.

In the case of East London, the proposed renaming follows a public consultation process conducted by the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.

The Eastern Cape government signalled in 2024 that it would push for the renaming of East London and make it a priority.

Meetings were held in Qonce, Mdantsane and several coastal areas during March and April 2025, as required by law before applications are submitted to national authorities.

The name change to KuGompo was previously rejected because there was already a small town with that name in the province. This has apparently been resolved by adding “City” to the name.

For the historic town of Graaff-Reinet, previous attempts to change the name were met with significant community opposition, to the point that the national Names Council did not recommend the change in 2024.

However, at the time, the provincial council made it clear that the matter was not finalised and that the changes were rejected by the department due to a “lack of information”, which could be collated for future applications.

Graaff-Reinet is the fourth-oldest town in South Africa, established in 1786 and named after the then Cape Governor Cornelis Jacob van de Graaff and his wife, Reinet.

The coming namesake, Robert Sobukwe, was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and founding member of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC)

By Phumlani Saul

A dramatic arrest of a Methodist pastor during a Sunday church service in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, has sparked widespread debate after a video of the incident went viral on social media platforms on Sunday.

The footage, which has been viewed thousands of times within hours, shows uniformed police officers entering a church while a sermon was in progress.

The pastor, whose name had not been officially released at the time of publication, was addressing the congregation when officers approached the pulpit and informed him that he was under arrest. The service was abruptly interrupted as shocked congregants looked on.

According to eyewitnesses, the arrest took place calmly but caused visible distress among church members. Some congregants can be heard in the video expressing confusion and concern, while others questioned why the arrest could not have been carried out after the service had concluded.

Police confirmed that the arrest was linked to an ongoing investigation, but declined to provide full details, citing legal processes. A police spokesperson said the timing of the arrest was operational and based on the availability of officers, adding that no one was above the law, regardless of position or place.

“The police acted within the scope of the law,” the spokesperson said. “We are aware of public concerns regarding the manner and timing of the arrest, and these will be addressed through the appropriate channels.”
The Methodist Church of Southern Africa released a brief statement acknowledging the incident and calling for calm and respect for due process.

“The church notes with deep concern the arrest of one of our ministers during a worship service,” the statement read. “We urge our members and the public to allow the legal process to unfold while we seek clarity on the matter.”

The incident has ignited a broader conversation online about the balance between law enforcement duties and respect for religious spaces. Many social media users described the arrest as disrespectful and insensitive, arguing that churches should be treated as sacred spaces. Others defended the police, stating that the law must be enforced regardless of setting.

Legal analysts say arrests in places of worship are not illegal but are generally avoided unless deemed necessary. “There is no specific law preventing an arrest in a church,” said one legal expert. “However, police are expected to exercise discretion to maintain public order and avoid unnecessary disruption.”

Community leaders in Gqeberha have also weighed in, calling for dialogue between religious institutions and law enforcement to prevent similar incidents in the future. Some have urged authorities to consider alternative approaches that respect community sensitivities while upholding the law.

As the video continues to circulate, the pastor is expected to appear in court soon, where the charges against him will be formally presented. Until then, the incident remains a powerful reminder of how quickly moments captured on camera can spark national debate, raising complex questions about justice, respect, and the role of social media in shaping public opinion.