MyJHB

Stuff from Johannesburg

27 Years’ Imprisonment for Murder and Defeating the Ends of Justice

GAUTENG – Gauteng police welcome the successful investigation that resulted in a 33-year-old man being sentenced to 27 years’ direct imprisonment for murder and defeating the ends of justice by the Palm Ridge High Court on Thursday, 15 October 2026.

The accused, Mcedisi Siyo, was sentenced to 25 years’ direct imprisonment for murder and an additional two years for defeating the ends of justice after pleading guilty to both charges.

The case stems from an incident on 2 August 2025, when the body of an unidentified 32-year-old woman was discovered at Coronation Dam in Krugersdorp. The deceased had sustained visible head injuries, and her identity was initially unknown.

Approximately a week later, a member of the South African Police Service (SAPS) from Brackendowns Police Station brought a missing person’s file to Krugersdorp SAPS. The missing person had been reported by the accused. The deceased was subsequently positively identified by her family.

Warrant Officer James Jacobus Ferreira took over the investigation of the missing person’s case and linked it to the murder investigation.

During the investigation, the deceased’s white Suzuki Swift was recovered two blocks away from Roodepoort Police Station. Forensic examinations conducted on the vehicle revealed blood belonging to the deceased.

Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) reports were also obtained and analysed, providing further evidence linking the vehicle to the investigation. The accused had alleged that he had dropped the deceased off at a train station for a business meeting. However, further investigation revealed inconsistencies in his account and established that he had attempted to mislead the police.

The accused evaded the police for some time until investigators received information that he had allegedly been admitted to hospital. Warrant Officer Ferreira proceeded to the hospital, where the accused was arrested and taken to Krugersdorp SAPS.

The successful conclusion of this case highlights the dedication, perseverance, and commitment of the investigating officer and the team involved in ensuring that justice was served.

Gauteng police remain committed to conducting thorough investigations, holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring that justice is served.

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The World’s Largest Man-Made Urban Forest

One of the most surprising facts about Johannesburg is its status as a “green” city. When the first settlers arrived, the Highveld was a barren, treeless grassland (savannah). To support the mining industry, millions of trees were imported and planted to provide timber for mine underground supports. Fast forward to the present day, and Johannesburg is widely considered the largest man-made urban forest in the world.

There are an estimated 10 million trees within the city limits. This includes 1.2 million trees on sidewalks and in parks, and over 4.8 million in private gardens. This forest is so dense that satellite images of the northern suburbs often resemble a tropical rainforest. The most iconic of these trees is the Jacaranda, which was imported from South America in the early 20th century. Every October and November, the city turns a vibrant shade of purple as thousands of Jacarandas bloom simultaneously. However, this “forest” also highlights the city’s historical inequality; during the Apartheid era, trees were predominantly planted in wealthy white suburbs, leaving townships like Soweto as dusty plains. In the last two decades, “Greening Soweto” initiatives have seen hundreds of thousands of trees planted to bridge this “green divide,” emphasizing the role of urban forestry in social justice and climate cooling.