Day: July 20, 2022

KIMBERLEY - A multi-disciplinary operation led by the members of the Northern Cape Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit, recovered two reported stolen vehicle during a crime prevention operation in Kuruman.

On Wednesday, 20 July 2022 the team comprised of various law enforcement agencies, flooded the John Taolo Gaetsewe District, with the focus to address crimes such as theft of motor vehicles, conducting vehicle inspections at second hand good dealers, scrap yards including chop shops.

Random vehicle checkpoints, stop and searches including static roadblocks were conducted. The team pounced on a Nissan NP 200 and a Polo Classic which upon inspection and investigation it was discovered that these vehicles were reported stolen in Gauteng.

The white Nissan NP 200 was reported stolen in Central Johannesburg in March 2019 and the white Polo Classic was reported stolen in Silverton in September 2021.

The team conducted investigations and inspection on the Polo Classic, and it was discovered that the original identification of the vehicle has been tampered with.

Both vehicles were impounded. The suspects are behind bars, charged with possession of stolen vehicle respectively and are expected to appear in the Kuruman Magistrate’s Court soon.

Source: South African Police Service

GQEBERHA - The protest action which started yesterday, 19 July 2022 by Nomakanjane residents, continues.

This evening, a manganese truck became the latest statistic where it was burned in Addo Road.

Police are advising truck drivers to use alternate routes and to totally avoid the Addo Road. Police recommend trucks coming from/going to Addo to use the turnoff at the Monument crossing towards the Coega Hotel and then join Neptune Road which will then take them towards the harbour.

The problematic areas, are the corners of Addo and the M17 up to the cemetery.

Public Order Policing will be closing off the road including Ngedle Street until the situation stabilises.

Truck drivers are warned to be vigilant and travel with caution.

Source: South African Police Service

POLOKWANE - A 29-year-old male suspect was apprehended by the members of the Limpopo Highway Patrol (LHP) on Tuesday 12 June 2022 at about 21h00 for allegedly being in possession of precious metals (Chrome) with an estimated street value of R100-000-00 in the Sekhukhune District. Police were patrolling along R37 road in Machakaneng village at Apel Policing area when they spotted a horse and trailer truck with a group of people next to it.

They proceeded to the truck to investigate and upon arrival everyone started to run away in different directions. The driver of the truck was stopped and he told the Police that it was loaded with precious metals. He failed to produce the legal documentation of transporting the chrome and was immediately arrested on the spot.

The suspect is amongst one thousand two hundred and thirty five (1235) apprehended during the joint operations conducted by various police units since 10 July until Monday 18 July 2022.

The suspects aged between 18 and 54 were arrested for offences that included illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, illegal hunting, murder, rape, fraud, possession and dealing in drugs, common robbery, possession of suspected stolen property, Contravention of Immigration Act and possession of illicit cigarettes.

A total number of 11460 counterfeit cigarettes, 22 dangerous weapons, large quantity of dagga, that included Crystal Meth, Nyaope, and firearms, large quantity of liquor, 48 knives and 6-stolen or robbed vehicles were also seized and 1109 fines issued during these operations.

Members of the Limpopo Highway Patrol (LHP) and Mokopane police were conducting patrol duties when they received an information about a motor vehicle that was lingering around the farms in Waterberg District under Mokopane policing area.

Police reacted swiftly and spotted the vehicle matching the description driving along R518 Zebediela road. The vehicle was stopped and searched and police found three males in possession of 06 greyhound hunting dogs, one carcass of a warthog, one hunting rifle, 01 magazine, 49 live ammunition, 01 spot light, 01 panga and a knife. The suspects aged between 26 and 39 failed to produce authentic documentations to hunt and possess a firearm.

They were immediately nabbed for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition including illegal hunting. The items were seized together with a Nissan Hardbody bakkie and the hunting dogs were taken to Mokopane (SPCA) for safe keeping.

Furthermore, an 18-year-old male suspect was arrested for possession of suspected stolen properties from a retail store valued at R4000.00 in corner Dahl and Thabo Mbeki streets in Polokwane.

Police received a tip-off from members of the community on Wednesday 13 July 2022 about a suspect who allegedly committed a business robbery during April 2022 at Bloodriver, Mmotong village under Seshego policing area.

The 37-year-old male suspect was spotted in the vicinity and was approached by the police intending to arrest him but he started to run while shooting at the police who retaliated and was eventually nabbed with a gunshot wound. During the arrest, police confiscated an unlicensed firearm with 03 live ammunition.

Another major breakthrough was achieved on Monday 19 July 2022 after the arrest of three suspects including a woman responsible for committing a series of business robberies at foreign owned shops and hijackings while driving in a white Toyota Condor motor vehicle frequently utilized as a getaway vehicle in Mopani District.

The suspects were nabbed along R81 road at Giyani opposite Spar Shopping Centre by the Members of the Trio Crimes Unit, Mopani Tracking Team, Crime Intelligence (CIG) and LHP during a snap operation. Two firearms, nine (9) cellphones, Toyota car keys, pepper Spray, work suits and hand Gloves were found inside the suspect's motor vehicle. They were charged for being found in possession of unlicensed firearms and suspected stolen properties.

The suspects have started appearing before their local Magistrate's court across the province.

The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe is encouraging the men and women in blue to continue ensuring that the province becomes crime free and safe for the citizens.

The operations are continuing.

Source: South African Police Service

GAUTENG - The police in Gauteng have noted with concern the voice notes that are circulating on social media about school children being shot in Orlando East, Soweto.

Police dismiss these voice notes as fake news and as an attempt to scare the community, children in particular.

The District Commissioner of the police in West Rand, Major General Fred Kekana and the Station Commander of Orlando Police Station, Brigadier Nonhlanhla Kubheka met with the Principal of the school mentioned in the voice notes where they were assured that all the learners are safe and no such incident happened at the school.

However, there was a cash-in-transit robbery that took place about 800 meters away from the school on Tuesday, 19 July 2022.

Members of the public are cautioned to refrain from recirculating these voice notes as they cause unnecessary panic in the community, especially the parents and learners.

Source: South African Police Service

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has welcomed the dismissal of former SABC Chief Operations Officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s application for leave to appeal an order compelling him to pay back at least R11.5 million to the SABC.

In December last year, Motsoeneng was ordered to pay back at least R11.5 million in a “success fee” paid to him by the SABC in 2016.

SIU Spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago explained that Motsoeneng will have to pay back the money with interest backdated to 2016.

“In December 2021, the court declared that the 19 August 2016 decision by the then SABC Board to pay Motsoeneng a success fee amounting to over R11.5 million for clinching a Multi Choice deal was unlawful and invalid. The Multi Choice deal gave the pay television service provider access to the SABC’s archives.

“The SIU together with the SABC approached the High Court to review and set aside a decision by the former SABC Board to pay Motsoeneng a success fee and recover financial losses suffered by the SABC. The court action was informed by the SIU investigation in the affairs of the SABC, which revealed that the SABC irregularly paid monies to individuals and entered into contracts to the detriment of the public broadcaster,” Kganyago said.

He said the investigation into the public broadcaster was authorised following a proclamation by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“The SIU investigated the SABC in terms of Proclamation R29 of 2017, authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa, to investigate allegations of corruption, maladministration, malpractice and payments made by the SABC together with the conduct of its employees.

“Where required, the SIU was authorised to institute civil proceedings, refer evidence pointing to criminality to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for prosecution in line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996,” Kganyago said.

Source: South African Government News Agency