Putin falls: Mzansi's most wanted tsotsi caught!

PUTIN will finally spend the night in jail.

His days of evading justice are over.

After five years of pursuing this most wanted suspected murderer and extortionist, Linda "Putin" Hlongwa, also known as Mjinja, has been apprehended by the long arm of the law.

He was wanted for the double murder of his girlfriend and her mother.

It's also believed that he had been extorting money from spaza shop owners and local taxi operators in the Mariannhill, Durban area.

Police have urged anyone who fell victim to Mjinja to report to their nearest station and open a case to ensure justice is served.

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KZN police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that officers in KZN, working closely with their Gauteng counterparts, made a significant breakthrough by arresting the most wanted suspected murderer and extortionist.

He said that Putin was apprehended in Midrand, Gauteng, on Tuesday afternoon, 15 April.

"The most wanted ‘Mjinja' has been on the loose since July 2020 when he failed to appear in court where he was facing charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. Police were also looking for him in connection with the double murder of his girlfriend and her mother, who were shot and killed in Pinetown in March 2025," he said.

Netshiunda said Putin is believed to have been extorting money from scholar transport owners, tuckshop owners, and local taxis in Mariannhill and the nearby townships.

"Police in KwaZulu-Natal are thankful to community members who provided valuable information which led to the arrest of ‘Mjinja', the self-proclaimed lion. Anyone who fell victim to 'Mjinja' is urged to go to the nearest police station and open a case so that justice can be served," Netshiunda said.