^{South Africa! 2026} Fourth Arrest R500 Bail: Questions Raised Over Justice System Leniency Serial Phone Snatcher Nobert Zapambela Released, Suspects in Viral East London Security Guard Assault Released on Warning, Set to Appear in Court, Fake Prophet Nabbed: Suspect Linked to 8 Graveyard Rapes Across Free State

Johannesburg, South Africa – A man notorious for snatching phones in busy city streets has once again walked free on minimal bail, sparking fresh outrage over what many see as a lenient justice system.

Nobert Zapambela, a 26-year-old Zimbabwean national, was arrested for the fourth time in late December 2025 after a viral video showed him targeting a woman in Pretoria.

Released on just R500 bail despite his history of theft, the case has left communities frustrated and fearful, wondering if repeat offenders like him will ever face real consequences.

For everyday people walking the streets of Johannesburg or Pretoria with their phones in hand, this feels like a direct threat to their safety, as Zapambela’s quick grabs have become a chilling reminder of how vulnerable one can be in public.

Families who have lost valuables or felt the fear of being targeted share stories of helplessness, calling for tougher bail rules to keep dangerous criminals off the streets.

As 2026 begins, this release has ignited debates about justice in South Africa, where over 200,000 theft cases are reported yearly, many involving repeat offenders who slip through the system.

Police confirm Zapambela’s links to a syndicate including three Bangladeshi nationals, raising alarms about organised crime rings preying on unsuspecting victims.

With no stricter measures in place, residents worry this leniency only emboldens thieves, leaving ordinary folk to look over their shoulders in a country already battling high crime rates.

Zapambela’s pattern of arrests and quick releases has frustrated law enforcement and communities alike, turning him into a symbol of a system that seems to favour the criminal over the victim.

As details of his crimes emerge, the call grows louder for changes that protect the public and deliver real justice.

The Viral Video That Led to the Latest Arrest

The most recent chapter in Zapambela’s criminal saga began with a chilling video that spread like wildfire on social media in December 2025.

The footage, captured in Brooklyn, Pretoria, showed a man – later identified as Zapambela – walking behind a woman before swiftly snatching her phone and fleeing the scene.

The clip, which amassed thousands of views within hours, prompted a wave of online sleuthing from concerned citizens who helped pinpoint his identity.
This was not an isolated incident.

Similar videos from Johannesburg and other areas surfaced, depicting Zapambela using the same tactic: Approaching victims from behind in crowded streets, grabbing devices, and vanishing into the throng.

His method relied on speed and surprise, often targeting women or distracted pedestrians in busy urban spots like malls or sidewalks.

The viral nature of these clips turned public pressure into action, leading Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officers to track him down to a flat in Hillbrow where he was hiding on a balcony.

The arrest unfolded dramatically, with Zapambela found in the company of three Bangladeshi nationals believed to be part of a larger phone-snatching syndicate.

This group operated across Pretoria and Johannesburg, fencing stolen devices on the black market for quick cash.

Police recovered evidence linking them to multiple thefts, but despite the mounting cases, Zapambela’s release on R500 bail has left many questioning if the system is equipped to handle repeat offenders.

Zapambela’s Criminal History: A Pattern of Thefts and Releases

This marks Zapambela’s fourth arrest for theft in South Africa, a record that has fuelled public anger over what seems like endless catch-and-release.

His first known brush with the law came in early 2024 in Pretoria, where he was caught in a similar phone-snatching incident and released on bail.

By mid-2025, he faced charges again in Johannesburg for targeting shoppers in malls, only to be let out on low bail once more.

Court records show a consistent pattern: Quick arrests followed by minimal penalties that allow him back on the streets. In one case from October 2025, he was linked to a Brooklyn Pretoria snatching but walked free after posting bail.

Critics point to this leniency as a failure of the justice system, where overcrowded courts and backlogs lead to rushed decisions that prioritise decongesting jails over public safety.

Zapambela’s operations often involved accomplices, like the Bangladeshi nationals arrested with him in his latest bust.

This syndicate specialised in high-traffic areas, using distraction techniques to grab phones, wallets, or bags before disappearing.

Victims report not just financial loss – phones can cost R10,000 or more – but also emotional trauma from feeling violated in public spaces.

Public Outrage: Calls for Tougher Bail and Sentencing

The low R500 bail has ignited fury among South Africans, who see it as a slap in the face for victims of theft.

Social media buzzes with comments like “How many more arrests before he stays locked up?” and “Our justice system is broken.” Many feel the amount – less than the value of a stolen phone – mocks the seriousness of repeat offending.

Communities in Hillbrow and Pretoria, where Zapambela operated, express fear of his return. One resident said: “We can’t feel safe knowing he’s out again.”

Advocacy groups push for bail reforms, like denying it for serial offenders or setting higher amounts based on crime history. In 2025, over 200,000 theft cases nationwide went unsolved or saw light punishments, fuelling this discontent.

Political voices join in, calling for stricter laws. The DA and EFF have highlighted similar cases, demanding reviews of bail policies to protect the public.

The Justice System’s Challenges: Why Leniency Persists

South Africa’s courts face massive backlogs – over 200,000 cases pending in 2025 – leading to rushed bail hearings where low-risk assessments favour release.

For non-violent crimes like theft, bail is often low to avoid overcrowding jails that hold 150,000 inmates against capacity for 100,000.

Repeat offenders slip through due to poor record-keeping or lenient magistrates.

In Gauteng, where Zapambela’s crimes occurred, 40 percent of theft suspects reoffend while on bail. Reforms in 2025 included digital tracking, but rollout lags.

For immigrants like Zapambela, deportation debates arise, but legal rights apply.

This case fuels talks on balancing justice with human rights, especially for foreigners accused of crimes.

Prevention Tips: Staying Safe from Phone Snatchers

To avoid falling victim, experts share simple habits.

Keep phones in secure pockets or bags, not hands, in crowds. Use anti-theft apps that track devices if stolen. Walk in groups or well-lit areas, and stay alert to followers.

Report thefts quick – in 2025, over 50,000 phones were recovered through police ops targeting syndicates. Community watches in Hillbrow have cut snatches by 20 percent with extra eyes on streets.

For 2026, tech like fingerprint locks or insurance adds protection. Awareness campaigns in schools teach kids too, building safer habits early.

Path Forward: Hope for Change in 2026

As Zapambela’s case heads to court, victims hope for stiffer bail rules. His fourth arrest could push for laws treating serial theft as serious, with no-bail options.

Communities can lead change with neighbourhood patrols and tip lines. In Johannesburg, 2025 initiatives like these cut thefts by 15 percent.

For South Africa, this highlights needs for faster courts and better rehab for offenders. By fixing leniency, we build safer streets for all.

If you spot suspicious activity, report it – your action could prevent the next theft.

East London, Eastern Cape – Two suspects captured on camera brutally assaulting a security guard at eBuhlanti Marina Glen Beachfront have been released on warning after their swift arrest, Eastern Cape police have confirmed.

The incident, which sparked widespread outrage on social media following the circulation of the footage, occurred on New Year’s Eve 2025 when the guard reportedly asked the group to move their improperly parked vehicle.

The duo now faces charges of common assault and is scheduled to appear in the East London Magistrate’s Court on January 7, 2026.

As investigations continue, authorities have indicated that further arrests and additional charges remain possible.

This case has highlighted ongoing concerns about public safety at popular beachfront spots during festive periods, prompting calls for increased security measures.

The viral video, which quickly amassed thousands of views, shows the suspects punching and kicking the guard, drawing condemnation from netizens and officials alike.

Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Thandiswa Kupiso praised the rapid response of law enforcement, emphasising the importance of community vigilance in reporting such incidents.

The Assault Incident and Viral Footage

The attack unfolded at eBuhlanti Marina Glen, a well-known recreational area in East London, where the security guard was performing his duties to ensure visitor safety.

According to eyewitness accounts shared online, the confrontation began when the guard approached the suspects and requested they relocate their vehicle, which was obstructing the road near the beach.

The situation escalated rapidly, with the men allegedly assaulting the guard physically.

The footage, captured by bystanders and shared widely on platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), depicts the brutal beating, leading to the suspects’ quick identification and arrest.

Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana confirmed the details, stating: “The duo was swiftly arrested after footage of the brutal assault circulated online.”

No further information on the suspects’ identities or the guard’s condition has been released, as the investigation remains active.

Arrest, Release on Warning, and Court Proceedings

Following the video’s spread, police acted promptly, arresting the two men on charges of common assault.

They were processed and released on warning on January 1, 2026, a decision that has raised questions among some community members about the handling of violent offences.

Gantana explained: “They were processed and released on warning on January 1, 2026. They are scheduled to appear in the East London Magistrate’s Court on January 7, 2026.”

The release on warning means the suspects must adhere to specific conditions, such as not contacting the victim or committing further offences, pending their court date.

Police have emphasised that the probe is ongoing, with Brigadier Gantana adding: “The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are possible. No further information is available for release.”

Acting Provincial Commissioner Kupiso commended the officers involved:

“The prompt action of law enforcement officers that led to the arrests” demonstrates the commitment to maintaining order, especially during high-traffic holiday periods.

“The forensic evidence links him to crimes dating back as far as 1999,” Kareli said.

A 55-year-old man who allegedly posed as a prophet to prey on women has been arrested and linked to eight rape and robbery cases spanning more than two decades in the Free State.

Police believe the suspect targeted victims in Welkom, Thabong and Bloemfontein, using graveyards as hunting grounds and claiming to “cleanse” women before attacking them.

Fake Prophet Suspect Caught After Graveyard Attack in Bloemfontein
Free State police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli said the suspect’s run from the law came to an end after he allegedly attacked a 21-year-old woman in Bloemfontein.

“The suspect’s run from the law ended recently after he allegedly attacked a 21-year-old female victim,” Kareli said on Thursday.

The victim was walking home through the Magengenene graveyard when she was attacked and raped. Community members intervened, apprehended the suspect and handed him over to Mangaung police.

Victims ‘Cleansed’ Before Being Raped and Robbed
Police allege the suspect used a disturbing modus operandi.

According to Kareli, once inside the graveyard, the man would persuade victims to undress under the pretence of performing a cleansing ritual.

He allegedly cut the victims’ hair and burned it on a nearby grave before raping them. He would then rob them of their cellphones, claiming that “witches” could use the devices to track them.

DNA Links Suspect to Crimes Dating Back to 1999
Through detective work and DNA profiling, police have now linked the suspect to seven additional cases of rape and robbery — five in Mangaung and two in Welkom.

“The forensic evidence links him to crimes dating back as far as 1999,” Kareli said.

Police records indicate the suspect was out on parole when he allegedly resumed his criminal activities in 2022.

“The recent graveyard attack marks the eighth case now officially tied to his name,” Kareli added.

Police Appeal for More Victims to Come Forward
The suspect is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court soon, where he will face multiple charges of rape and robbery.

Police believe there may be more victims who have not yet reported their cases.

Anyone who may have been victimised in a similar manner is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Bessie Nthoba on 082 886 8979, call Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or report to their nearest police station.