Day: April 10, 2022

EASTERN CAPE – Excellent networking and sharing of information resulted in the arrest of four suspects allegedly involved in stock theft.

According to police information, SAPS members received information early this morning, Sunday, 10 April 2022, about a white VW Transporter that was allegedly transporting stolen property and was travelling on the R75 in the direction of Kariega.

A roadblock was immediately set up on the R75 and at about 05:10 the VW Transporter sped through the roadblock. A high speed chase ensued and with the assistance of SAPS Despatch members, Uitenhage K9 and SAPS Uitenhage Crime Prevention Unit members, the vehicle was forced to stop at the M19 intersection. Five males jumped out of the vehicle and scattered on foot. Four suspects were apprehended. Eleven (11) Angora goats with an estimated value of R22 000-00 was found in the vehicle.

The four males between the age of 30 and 56 were detained on a charge of possession of suspected stolen property and is due to appear in the Kariega magistrate’s court soon. The search for the outstanding suspect is continuing.

It was later established that the stock was stolen in the Klipplaat area.

Source: South African Police Service

Dedication towards their vocation and the efficient training of our four-legged partners, led to the successful apprehension of a 30-year-old burglary suspect at a business in Kariega.

Alert SAPS Uitenhage K9 members responded immediately to a complaint of a burglary in progress at 05:30 on Saturday, 9 April 2022 in Durban Street, Kariega.

Members suspected that the suspect/s might still be inside the premises and with the assistance of the keyholder entrance was gained. Newly trained Uitenhage K9, Razor tested his expertise when he was released inside the premises. His senses immediately sniffed out a suspect that was hiding inside a part of the roof.

The 30-year-old male was arrested on the scene and detained on charges ranging from attempted housebreaking and theft, malicious damage to property and possession of suspected stolen property. (The suspect was found in possession of copper pipes and aircon pipes).

The suspect is due to appear in the Kariega magistrates’ court on Monday, 11 April 2022 on the said charges.

Source: South African Police Service

The theft and damage of copper and steel cables hampers the provision of basic services and impacts on the infrastructure hence the South African Police embraces the fact that the community is standing together in this fight by providing information and assisting police in apprehending suspects.

It is alleged that on Saturday 09/04 at approximately 18:00, Gqeberha K9 members were contacted by the Nelson Mandela Municipality reporting a theft in progress at a sub-station in Hoch Street, Sidwell. Municipality officials were busy with routine visits to sub stations and on arrival at this particular substation, they noticed that the door to the substation was forced opened and suspects were inside busy removing steel copper cables. Two suspects aged 20 and 21-year-old were apprehended by the NMBM officials and handed over to Gqeberha K9 members upon their arrival.

Both suspects were detained on charges of housebreaking and theft and on charges relating to the Criminal Matters Amendment Act – damage to essential infrastructure

Copper wire, two side cutters, one spanner and two electric current readers were also confiscated.

The suspects will appear in the New Brighton magistrate court on Monday, 11 April 2022.

Source: South African Police Service

Three alleged hijacking suspects will appear in the New Brighton magistrate court on Monday 11/04 after they were arrested on charges of vehicle hijacking in central on Friday morning 08/04 morning.

It is alleged that on Thursday 07/04 at approximately 20:10, a taxi driver was busy dropping off a client in Dubai in Joe Slovo. He was approached by three males armed with firearms and forced out of his vehicle, a white Toyota Conquest. The three suspects drove off with the vehicle and the complainant reported the hijacking at the SAPS Kwadwesi. On Friday 08/04 at approximately 07:15 members from SAPS Humewood were busy with patrols in Central when they spotted the hijacked vehicle with three occupants in Belmont Terrace.

All three suspects aged between 20 and 24 were arrested on a charge of vehicle hijacking. The vehicle was confiscated and impounded.

The suspects will appear in the New Brighton magistrate court on Monday, 11/04.

Source: South African Police Service

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela was elated by the manner in which the court has been dealing with cases regarding poachers in the past few weeks and recently, on Friday 08 April 2022 the cases regarding two poachers were separately finalised. The poachers suffered yet another big blow on that day as the two were sentenced by the Skukuza Regional Court for their fair share in poaching.

In one of the matters finalised in court involves Munandi Mathebula, aged 42 who is said to have been engaged in poaching activities at the Kruger National Park. On 19 January 2015 the accused entered the park with his two accomplices through Kingfisherspruit Section. On that day, Field Rangers noticed some strange human footprints which suggested that about three people had crossed one of the roads in the section. With the assistance of a tracker dog the rangers managed to trace and later cornered two of the three intruders where one unfortunately disappeared without a trace. The two were identified and one was Mathebula whilst the other was Eugene Malungane, aged 36. The two men were found in possession of a .375 H&H bolt-action rifle as well as 10 cartridges of the rifle and an axe.

Police at Skukuza were brought on board and the two were subsequently arrested and charged accordingly. The case was handled by an astute team of investigators, experts in the field of probing Stocktheft, particularly on matters involving poaching. They two men were then taken to court where they were granted bail however they failed to show up on their next court date. The court then issued a warrant of arrest for the two accused. Police then launched a manhunt for them.

On 28 June 2021 Mathebula was rearrested and this time around bail was successfully opposed by the team of investigators who gave reference to what had transpired the previous time he and his co-accused were granted bail. On 08 April 2022 he pleaded guilty to all the charges against him and he was sentenced to an effective 13 years imprisonment for trespassing in the Kruger National Park, conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of unlicensed firearm, possession of unlicensed ammunition, possession of dangerous weapon. The court further declared him as unfit to possess a firearm.

Meanwhile Cassamo Chauke, aged 59 was sentenced in connection with a case involving poaching where he too entered the Kruger National Park illegally so through Malalane Section on 19 January 2019. Field Rangers are said to have been alerted of an intruder in the park when they heard sound of gunshots. The rangers responded and began tracing where they managed to apprehend Chauke in possession of a high calibre hunting rifle, an axe as well as fresh rhinoceros horns. The carcass of a large bull rhinoceros which was shot and killed with horns removed was discovered. In a distance of about a kilometre away, three more rhinoceros were found, where two were killed and their horns removed whilst the third one was badly wounded though still alive, however its horns were removed. Eventually the rhinoceros was put down (euthanized).

The police at Skukuza were informed about the incident and the accused was arrested and charged accordingly. Police also established that Chauke was born in Mozambique but was in South Africa illegally. Through forensic evidence, it was also determined that the rifle that was found in Chauke’s possession was in fact used in the shooting of the said rhinoceros.

Prior to the court sentencing him on the said day (08 April 2022), he pleaded guilty to all the charges levelled against him and he was then sentenced to a total of 19 years imprisonment for trespassing in a National Park, contravention of the Immigration Act, hunting of protected animals in the park, possession of a firearm with the intend to commit a crime, possession of unlicenced firearm. The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm

Meanwhile the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has reiterated her call for people observe and obey the laws of the country, including legislation intended to protect and preserve nature and endangered species. “Jointly with our partners in the law enforcement space, we will continue to act decisively without fear or favour against those who break the law. We are glad that the court continue to send a clear message to perpetrators of crime, that those who choice to disobey will be punished” said the General.

Source: South African Police Service

On Friday 8 April 2022 members of POP Welkom Reaction Team conducted Sweep Operation across different Mangaung Metro Stations area. The objective of the operation was to prevent drug trafficking and to confiscate dangerous weapons in Kopanong, Kagisanong, Mangaung and Heidedal Police Station precincts.

The 35-year-old African male was found in possession of four (4) full; three (3) halves and four (4) quarters of mandrax tablets in Kopanong. Information led the team to the house where the suspect bought the drugs. The house was searched and the 54-year-old owner arrested after the police found twenty-three (23) full mandrax tablets inside the room.

The team proceeded to Heidedal where the 38-year-old Coloured male was arrested in possession of four (4) 9mm live rounds and one-hundred-and-twenty-six (126) mandrax tablets. The operation continued and another 36-year-old Coloured male was arrested in possession of thirty-two (32) full and one (1) half mandrax tablets. Eleven (11) bankies of Chrystal Meth were also seized.

The next phase of the operation took place at White House Car Wash – Mangaung where the 31 year old African male was found in possession of nine (9) full and thirteen (13) halves of mandrax tablets.

The last arrest was made in Molatodi Street – Rocklands where the 59-year-old African male was found in possession of thirty-two (32) full and two (2) halves of mandrax tablets.

Cases were opened, seized drugs and ammunition booked in Evidence Management System and the suspects detained in police cells. The suspects will appear in Bloemfontein Magistrate Court on Monday 11 April 2022.

Source: South African Police Service

On Wednesday evening, 6 April 2022, a shepherd went to investigate after hearing strange noises coming from a kraal in Majemantsho village outside Mahikeng. He surprised two suspects who were busy loading cattle. Upon seeing the shepherd, the suspects fled the scene, leaving behind two vehicles with trailers, five cows, one bull and two calves. Neighbouring farmers were mobilised and due to their active participation, two suspects, aged 35 and 26, were apprehended and handed over to the police. A firearm as well as the cattle to an estimated value of R100 000.00, were recovered.

Both suspects are expected to appear before the Molopo Magistrates’ Court in Mmabatho on Monday, 11 April 2022 on charges of stock theft and unlawful possession of firearm.

In another unrelated incident in Mogwase, close to Rustenburg, an intelligence driven operation by a multi-disciplinary disciplinary team consisting of Detectives from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and numerous police Units in Rustenburg, resulted in a search of two houses on Saturday, 9 April 2022. Subsequently, two suspects aged 30 and 43, were arrested and a stolen meat cutter machine (stolen in February 2022 from a local butchery) as well as a rifle and three slaughtered cows were seized.

The suspects are expected to appear before the Mogwase Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 11 April 2022, for possession of suspected stolen property, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and the negligent handling of a firearm.

The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, thanked the community and the police for their collaboration that resulted in the arrest of the suspects. He said that the police will continue to work hard to ensure that criminals are put behind bars. He further urged the farmers to brand mark their livestock in accordance with the Animal Identification Act, 2002 (Act No. 6 of 2002).

Source: South African Police Service