Inanda

Newswatch's Ntlantla Mabaso was at the Verulam Magistrates' Court.

During a dramatic police takedown in Etagwini and the North Coast during one operation in Inanda, one suspect was killed in a shootout that left a police special task force member wounded.

The group of five suspects made their first appearance in a courtroom packed with mostly their relatives, journalists and law enforcement officers.

A large group of public order police officers manned both the inside and outside of the court precinct.

He has spent more than three decades in the legal profession.

He began his judicial path in KwaZulu-Natal, in Inanda that is, before serving in Alexandra, Johannesburg Central and Randberg.

He's the founder and president of the Judicial Officers Alliance of South Africa.

And before that, he served as the president of the Judicial Officers Association of South Africa.

Schools in Gwazulu Nadal are increasingly finding themselves on the front line of violent crime.

At Inanda Comprehensive High School, a security guard was shot and killed during a robbery on Friday night.

Four security guards were overpowered, while the suspects made off with cell phones and petty cash from the principal's office.

Education Department spokesperson Mloom Jali says the fatal attack has left the school community deeply traumatized.

And on Friday, three grade 12 learners were seriously injured after a gunman opened fire outside Bugimvelo High School, Nyeluhluwe.

Education officials, police, teacher unions and student movements have since met with school governing bodies to discuss ways to strengthen security at schools.

Inanda Police Sector Commander Bright Smear says while there have been previous incidents of crime at Inanda Comprehensive School, the fatal shooting is the worst incident yet.

Our crime intelligence system is on the ground.

EFF leader Julius Malema says fixing water and sanitation will be top of the party's to-do list in Etegwene.

He was speaking at the party's KZN manifesto launch in Inanda yesterday.

This is ahead of the 2026 local government elections in November.

Malema says old water pipes in areas such as Inanda need to be replaced to prevent leaks.

He says the party will also address sewage flowing into the sea.

Malema says Sasa beneficiaries should not have to pay for water and electricity under an EFF government.

The EFF in KZN says it will not be deterred from exercising its constitutional right to organise and engage with communities.

It's been reported that there was a commotion between activist and former radio presenter Ngiswe Mgrunu and EFF members in Inanda this afternoon, ahead of the party's provincial manifesto rally at the JL Dubes Stadium tomorrow.

Party volunteers who are at the venue have told the SABC that Mkunu and his bodyguards fired shots at them while they were setting up for the manifesto launch.

Mkunu has denied the allegation, saying EFF supporters provoked him and his supporters.

Police say the man was being sought in connection with murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and house robberies.

He was tracked to a house on Indamande Road in Inanda last night.

Police say five men were found at the property.

KZN Police Spokesperson Robert Netshuwenda says a preliminary investigation has found that the suspect was among a group of armed men seen firing shots in the air in a recent viral video in Kwamashu.

It's 20 fewer than the same period last year.

Inanda recorded the biggest drop with 15 fewer murders, while Umlazi and Eskalene also showed some improvements.

But police remain concerned about rising murders in areas such as Kato Mana, Ntuzuma and Mpangeni.

Acting Provincial Commissioner Pumalele Makoba says many killings stem from arguments, road rage, retaliation and domestic disputes.

with illegal firearms continuing to fuel violent crime.

She says rape cases fell by 1.3%.

Makoba says the Inanda police station is one of the rape hotspots for this quarter, with 24 more cases reported.

Not only Inanda, Madadene recorded an increase of 15 rape cases.