The Western Cape High Court has ordered the forfeiture of R89 000 in cash linked to a violent kidnapping and extortion case involving a Stellenbosch University student, in what prosecutors say is part of ongoing efforts to ensure crime does not pay.

The order was granted following an application by the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority after the arrest of two Zimbabwean nationals, Truth Mambemba and Takudzwa Chauruka.

The pair face multiple charges, including kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, extortion, illegal possession of a firearm and contravening immigration laws.

Night out turns into a nightmare ordeal

According to court papers, the incident began late on the night of 2 October 2024 when a 20-year-old student went out with friends to a nightclub near Stellenbosch.

After the club closed in the early hours of the morning, she began walking back to her university residence. She later recalled finding herself inside a vehicle with two unknown men, one driving and another seated in the back.

The men allegedly drove her onto a highway, where she was threatened with a firearm and attacked. They then forced her to unlock her cellphone and record a video message to her parents claiming she had been kidnapped and urgently needed money.

When her parents did not immediately respond, the suspects allegedly phoned them directly using her phone and demanded payment. After rejecting an initial offer, the parents transferred R200 000 into their daughter’s bank account, which was subsequently withdrawn at various ATMs.

The suspects later ordered an e-hailing taxi for the student and gave her money for the fare.

Police track suspects

Later that morning, police received information about the kidnapping and began tracing cellphone activity and bank withdrawals. Investigators linked transactions to an ATM in Stanford and reviewed CCTV footage from a filling station in Kuils River, where a man was seen withdrawing cash from two ATMs using the victim’s card.

Police circulated the registration details of a German sedan captured on camera through a licence plate recognition system.

That afternoon, officers spotted the vehicle travelling along the N2 near Groot Brakrivier towards George and pulled it over. Inside, they found the two suspects, along with R89 000 in cash, the student’s cellphone and her bank card.

The men claimed the money came from an e-hailing taxi business, but police later established they were not registered operators.

Arrests and asset seizure

The suspects were arrested and remain in custody at Pollsmoor Prison after their bail application was denied in the Stellenbosch Magistrate’s Court. The criminal case is scheduled to return to court on 3 March 2026.

Prosecutors had already secured a preservation order for the seized cash in September 2025. On 12 February 2026, the High Court granted a final forfeiture order, allowing the state to confiscate the funds permanently.

Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Nicolette Bell welcomed the ruling, saying asset forfeiture is a key strategy used by the National Prosecuting Authority to strip criminals of the proceeds of crime and reinforce accountability beyond criminal prosecution.

Skywatchers across South Africa are in for a rare celestial spectacle today, 17 February, as a partial solar eclipse becomes visible during the afternoon.

A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun but does not align perfectly, causing only part of the Sun to be obscured. The Moon’s outer shadow, known as the penumbra, falls on Earth, creating the appearance of a small “bite” taken out of the Sun.

While the full annular eclipse, often referred to as a “ring of fire”, will only be visible from remote parts of Antarctica, observers in South Africa will still be able to witness the partial phase. In the Western Cape, the eclipse is expected to reach a maximum coverage of about five percent.

The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) will livestream the event using its newly acquired solar telescope at its Hermanus facility. The telescope forms part of the SANSA Space Weather Centre’s efforts to strengthen solar observation capabilities and monitor activity on the Sun.

You can watch it HERE.

According to SANSA, the eclipse will begin at 14:01 South African Standard Time, reach maximum coverage at 14:23, and end at 15:24, lasting approximately one hour and 23 minutes.

Residents hoping to view the eclipse are urged to take safety precautions. Experts warn that looking directly at the Sun without certified eclipse glasses or proper solar filters can cause serious eye damage. Ordinary sunglasses or homemade filters are not safe for solar viewing.

The livestream offers an accessible way for viewers to safely experience the event while observing the dynamic movement of the solar system in real time.

Seventeen children have been hospitalised after their scholar transport vehicle collided with another vehicle when the driver attempted to evade traffic officers in Tshwane earlier this morning.

The Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela confirmed that the crash occurred on the N4 Eastbound near the Atteridgeville area. Diale-Tlabela says the driver was operating without a valid driver’s licence.

“According to reports, a 9-seater Toyota Condor transporting 17 schoolchildren collided with a Mercedes-Benz after the driver allegedly attempted to evade law enforcement by diverting onto an old dirt road before re-entering the highway.”

Diale-Tlabela says although no fatalities were recorded, the accident highlighted the need for urgent interventions.

“The reckless conduct displayed in this incident is unacceptable, particularly when it involves the lives of our children. Scholar transport operators carry a sacred responsibility to ensure the safety of learners. Lawlessness on our roads will not be tolerated.”

The MEC added that the driver of the vehicle should be held responsible for his actions and face the full might of the law.

The City of Cape Town is rolling out its new Computerised Learner’s Licence Testing (CLLT) system at all 18 Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTC) from this week, replacing the old paper-based tests with touchscreen exams.

Installation is currently taking place at the last two facilities to come on board, Milnerton and Eastridge.

The City’s DLTCs started the rollout of the new system last year. It allows learner licence applicants to tap their way through their test, using digital screens.

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says applicants take a random, computer-generated touch-screen test, which provides immediate, accurate results.

“This is a faster and more reliable system, which will not only improve efficiency, but will reduce the waiting periods associated with paper-based, manual tests. The digital system reduces opportunities for cheating, and it draws from a randomised database of questions. It also eliminates the possibility of fixed answer sheets being leaked.”

Key Benefits of the CLLT System:

• Faster and more accurate results thanks to instant digital processing
• Reduces the risk of corruption through secure and standardised testing
• Equipped with fingerprint verification and touchscreen functionality for a modern, user-friendly experience
• Tests are available in all 11 official languages and the system supports hearing-impaired applicants, making the process more inclusive
• Uninterrupted service, as systems are designed to remain operational during electricity outages

Prospective applicants are reminded that the booking system remains the same.

The digital system will have a demonstration function to help candidates familiarise themselves with what’s expected, before the test gets underway.

Cape Town Traffic Services spokesperson, Chief Inspector Kevin Jacobs, says the digital system offers on-screen, multi-language support in 11 official languages and provides specialised support for hearing-impaired applicants, which eliminates the need for an interpreter.

“We are not only keeping up with digital progress, but it’s part of a broader effort to improve service delivery and provide greater accessibility for all our residents.”

Appointments and Preparation:

• Learner’s licence test appointments can be made at any of the City of Cape Town’s 18 Driving Licence Testing Centres.
• To help applicants prepare, a free downloadable study guide is available, covering road signs, vehicle controls, and the rules of the road. It can be downloaded from https://www.natis.gov.za/index.php/downloads/learner-driver-manual
• For more information about learner licences and the requirements, please visit the City’s website: https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Licences-and-permits/Driving-and-vehicles/Apply-for-a-learners-licence