Eight Killed in Durban Tavern Shooting as Manhunt Begins

A disturbing report by the BBC reveals widespread sexual abuse of minors in South Africa's illegal gold mines. Former miners describe harrowing conditions in abandoned sites where children, often trafficked from neighboring countries, are forced into hard labor and sex exploitation. Jonathan, a miner who worked underground for six months, recounted witnessing young boys, some as young as 15, being raped by adult miners in exchange for promised gold. Makhotla Sefuli, a mining researcher, indicated that criminal gangs deliberately target children, who are easier to manipulate and coerce. Many of these children are abducted and lured with false job promises, leading to severe abuse and trauma. Reports suggest that out of miners rescued recently, 31 were confirmed to be children, primarily from Mozambique. As illegal mining remains a lucrative but dangerous enterprise in South Africa, officials have initiated operations to combat this crisis. However, as the illegal mining industry thrives, concerns about child exploitation persist, with many victims unwilling to testify due to fear of repercussions from gangs.

A South African woman, Racquel Chantel Smith, was found guilty on May 2, 2025, of kidnapping and selling her six-year-old daughter, Joshlin, a case that has shocked the nation. Joshlin disappeared in February 2024 and remains missing. Smith, along with her boyfriend and a friend, faces life imprisonment, with sentencing hearings scheduled for next week, according to Judge Nathan Erasmus. Initially, Smith garnered sympathy from her community as they joined efforts to search for Joshlin, with her photograph widely broadcasted across South Africa. The investigation took a disturbing turn when Smith was arrested, and a witness testified that Smith confessed to selling her child for approximately $1,000 to a traditional healer purportedly seeking the girl for body parts. The case has sparked outrage and grief in Saldanha Bay, where the trial was held to accommodate community members. The judge’s ruling has been met with cheers from an audience who showed emotional support throughout the proceedings.

Hugo Ferreira, a 37-year-old man from South Africa, has confessed to the horrific rape and murder of his 8-day-old daughter. The crime occurred in June 2023 at their home in a railway house near Welverdiend, where Ferreira admitted to inflicting severe physical and sexual abuse on the infant, ultimately leading to her death from head injuries. According to News24, Ferreira's actions stemmed from anger at being left alone with the child while the infant's mother, Maureen Brand, was out selling clothes to buy necessities. Upon her return, Brand found the baby severely injured. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, the infant succumbed to her injuries. Ferreira reportedly stated he wanted to give the baby "something to cry about" and expressed regret for the "cruel and gruesome attack" but claimed his methamphetamine use did not impair his judgment. He is currently awaiting sentencing for his crimes.