Notorious Criminal ‘Putin’ Arrested in Midrand
After years of evading the law, Linda Hlongwa, also known as ‘Mjinja’ or ‘Putin’, was finally apprehended in Midrand on Tuesday. The arrest was a result of collaborative efforts between KZN police and their counterparts in Gauteng.
Evading the Law
Colonel Robert Netshiunda, spokesperson for KZN police, revealed that ‘Putin’ had been on the run since July 2020 when he failed to appear in court. He was facing charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, as well as being a suspect in the double murder of his girlfriend and her mother in Pinetown in March 2025.
Extortion
Aside from the murder charges, ‘Putin’ is also believed to have been involved in extortion activities, targeting scholar transport owners, tuckshop owners, and local taxis in Mariannhill and surrounding townships. Community members who provided crucial information leading to his arrest were commended by the police, urging victims of his extortion to come forward and seek justice.
KZN Shootouts
In a separate announcement, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of the South African Police Service revealed that 105 suspects had been killed in 38 shootouts with officers in the past nine months. These suspects were linked to various crimes including murders, armed robberies, and CIT heists.
Additionally, Mkhwanazi stated that there was a decrease in the overall crime rate in KZN, with 4,278 people being killed from April to December 2024, compared to 4,836 in the same period the previous year. A total of 144,392 suspects were arrested during this time, with a significant number being undocumented foreign nationals.
The arrest of ‘Putin’ and the successful operations against criminal elements in KZN demonstrate the dedication of law enforcement to ensuring the safety and security of the community.
