Day: June 17, 2022

EASTERN CAPE – Three suspects aged 38 and 41 and 35, are expected to appear in the East London Magistrate’s Court today for allegations of dealing in drugs.

This is subsequent to their arrest by the Provincial Head Office Task Team of the Hawks, Gqeberha Organised Crime Unit, East London K9 and Tactical response team (TRT) and East London Immigration officers on 15 June 2022 in two different instances.

It is alleged that East London Hawks Provincial Head Office task team members received information that a suspect was dealing in drugs in his spaza shop situated at Belgravia House, Kimberley Road in East London. The teams jointly swooped on the premises. During the search168 zipper bags of tik, 286 grams of Cat, 250 Mandrax tablets 300 grams of powder used in quantifying tik, 151 grams of white unknown substance, 2 electronic weighing scales and cash to the value of R6 200-00 were seized. The street value of the drugs is estimated at R80 000-00. 

In another instance, it is alleged that information was received with regards to another suspect dealing in drugs operating from Longfellow Street, Quigney, East London. During the period between 13 June 2022 and 15 June 2022, three successful purchases were made. On 15 June 2022, another successful purchase of drugs to the value of R6 000-00 was witnessed and led to the arrest of the two suspects aged 35 and 41 years.

The Provincial Head Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya lauded the joint effort in an endeavour to create a drug free society.

Source: South African Police Service

WELKOM – Four armed men pounced at a business premises, kidnapped two men and hijacked the customer’s vehicle at the crime scene.

On 16 June 2022 at about 18:30, a 40-year-old business owner of a supermarket at Tugela circle, St Helena, Welkom was allegedly approached by four armed unknown men. He managed to flee to the nearby flats. The suspects entered the premises and at gun point, kidnapped his brother and uncle. They forced the victims to get into the customer’s silver Polo Vivo with registration number CTR 213 NC, and fled the scene with it.

The incident was reported to the Welkom Police Station and a case of kidnapping, business robbery and hijacking was registered for further investigation.

Anyone with information to trace these kidnappers and trace the victims, Detective Sergeant Molelekeng Tsoeu of Provincial Organized Crime Unit can be contacted at cellphone number 065 820 6299 or Crime Stop number 08600 10111. Tip-offs can be submitted via the My SAPS App. Source: South African Police Service

The merciless killing of police officers in South Africa has again come under the spotlight, as a Gauteng flying squad police officer is killed and another is fighting for his life in hospital, following an attack on the pair on Monday in Gauteng.

Police Minister, General Bheki Cele and the management of the South African Police Service (SAPS) will on Friday 17 June 2022 visit the family home of Warrant Officer Mokgadi Joseas Mpepe. The 53-year-old was fatally wounded on Monday and his partner airlifted to hospital.

According to police reports, members from the K-9 unit of the SAPS were patrolling along the N12 highway on Monday evening, when they noticed a state vehicle parked along the highway between Delmas and Daveyton. Upon closer inspection, members found the lifeless body of 53-year-old Warrant Officer Mpepe who has been shot in the head lying on the ground.

His service pistol and handcuffs were missing.

His partner, 33-year-old Constable Vusi Nhlapho was found on the scene in an unconscious state. The member was airlifted to a nearby Johannesburg hospital for medical care and is recovering there.

The pair was attacked while conducting crime prevention duties along the N12.

Minister Cele and the SAPS management will pay a comfort visit to the family of slain officer Mpepe at his Tembisa home in Ekurhuleni.

VISIT TO FAMILY
Time: 11:00
Venue: No. 18 Ntsie Street, Lilibha Section, next to KFC

Source: South African Police Service

NELSPRUIT – The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga,  Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has appreciated the collaborative efforts displayed by members of the police from Belfast and Delmas as well as K9 Unit from Brakpan (in Gauteng Province) which culminated into a total of eight arrested suspects, aged between 33 and 50 respectively. The suspects are faced with charges ranging from business robbery, possession of suspected stolen property, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. They are expected to appear for the second time at the Belfast Magistrate’s Court today, 17 June 2022 after briefly appearing last week Friday, 10 June 2022 where their cases were postponed for further investigation until today.

The arrest of the suspects emanates from a robbery incident at Belfast on 08 June 2022 in which a group of heavily armed suspects allegedly carried out a business robbery. On the said day it is reported that the suspects allegedly got away with two pistols, a shotgun, two vehicles, a Toyota GD6 double cab bakkie, a Mahindra bakkie, a water pump, a diesel generator, a diesel pump, and a diesel bozer, as well as personal items that they robbed their victims including their cell phones.

The collaborative team, comprising of members of the SAPS from Delmas as well as Belfast and Brakpan worked with speed and mobilized their resources in order to track down the suspects.

The men and women in blue swiftly made a breakthrough on the same day as the hijacked vehicles were entering Delmas area. They initially arrested three suspects thereby recovering three unlicensed firearms with ammunition as well as made the recovery of the hijacked bakkies. This success by the members was followed by the arrest of two suspects that were apprehended on the same day as they tried to get away after getting a lift from a certain minibus.

If that was not enough, the astute members closed the net for them and went to a certain house in Delmas where they cornered three more suspects that day, retrieving two unlicensed firearms and ammunition which were reportedly found in their possession. More items, including personal belongings of their victims were also seized by the Investigation team and these items are believed to be crucial in the case against the suspects. The police are further convinced that the recovered firearms could have been used in the said robbery and more charges may be added against the suspects as the investigation continues. The probe is at a crucial stage and by releasing their names this might jeopardise the case as police believe that there other outstanding suspects to this case which are still to be brought to book. Preliminary investigation has thus far revealed that one of the suspects is a security guard who was employed at the mine where the robbery was staged.

The hard work by these dedicated members was not taken for granted but was much appreciated by the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, who uttered these words. “It is with great honour to serve the public with such zealous members of the police who are determined to do whatever they can in their power in an effort to create and maintain a safe space for all citizens” said the General.

Source: South African Police Service

WESTERN CAPE – Operation Restore, an initiative to address crime in identified areas was in full swing in various parts of the Western Cape yesterday, including in the rural area of Robertson where a large quantity of dagga was seized. Operational forces deployed in the area acted on intelligence and embarked on a premises in Lusernbos Street, Droeheuwel, Robertson where three suspects aged 22, 32 and 53 were arrested in possession of dagga in a variety of forms valued at R45 000-00. The suspects are expected to make their court appearance on a charge of dealing in drugs, once they have been charged.

The operation in Robertson also saw 212 persons being searched as well as 30 drug premises and 25 residences. In addition to the dagga arrests, a man in his twenties was arrested for being in possession of mandrax and tik and in a joint endeavour with other law enforcement agencies, traffic fines to the tune of R94 000-00 were issued.  

In Philippi at 21:30, a 46-year-old male was arrested for possession of a prohibited firearm. Members of Operation Restore acted on information about illegal activities at an address in Sqalo, Philippi. Upon arrival, they found a 46 year old suspect who voluntarily surrendered a 9mm pistol. The suspect was arrested and he will appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s court, once charged.

Meanwhile in Samora Machel a 34-year-old man was arrested for discharging his firearm in a municipal area and for handling a firearm while under the influence of alcohol. His 9mm pistol and 13 rounds of ammunition were also confiscated. 

Source: South African Police Service