Day: July 24, 2022

POTCHEFSTROOM – The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Christiana held a joint roadblock with Provincial Traffic on the N12 road between Christiana and Bloemhof on Thursday, 21 July 2022.

At about 15:00 a white Ford Figo was stopped and searched. During the search, 13 bullets (ammunition) were found wrapped in a plastic, inside a bag in the boot of the vehicle. Furthermore, a hunting rifle and numerous dangerous weapons were discovered inside the vehicle, leading to the arrest of all four occupants.

Mat David Maloyi (47), Joa Onan Masson (49), Roger Motsasele (52) and Joel Msimango (28) appeared before the Christiana Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 22 July 2022, for possession of a firearm and ammunition without a license as well as possession of dangerous weapons. They will remain in custody until their next court appearance on Monday, 25 July 2022.

The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena applauded both the police and Provincial Traffic Officers for their vigilance and cooperation, which led to the successes.

Source: South African Police Service

POLOKWANE – The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has commended a team of investigators probing the robbery that took place at Malamulele police station in November 2021, for arresting additional two suspects.

The suspects, both aged 32, were allegedly involved in the robbery at Malamulele Police Station on Sunday night, 21 November 2021 at about 23:00 during which a group of heavily armed suspects stormed the police station and robbed firearms and ammunition.

Members of Tracking Team received information about the suspect(s) at Acornhoek, Mpumalanga province and followed the leads. These criminals were then traced at Castino village in the area, driving in a Toyota Hi ace. The Police approached the suspects who immediately sped off after noticing them. A car chase ensued and during the process, the suspects allegedly fired shots at the Police who immediately returned fire. The members managed to corner the suspects and two were nabbed. During the arrest, the suspects were found in possession of a pistol, two magazines and ammunition. There were no injuries sustained during the shootout.

“We appreciate the team for continuing to hit hard on these criminals who continue to make undermining the law with impunity, their business. We also thank Community members for providing valuable information that led to these arrests,” said Lieutenant General Hadebe.

The suspects could be linked with numerous ATM bombings that took place at various places in the Province. They are expected to appear in Malamulele Magistrate’s Court tomorrow on Monday 25 July 2022.

Source: South African Police Service

PRETORIA – A team that has been established to crack kidnapping cases has attained yet another success when they arrested five suspects for the alleged kidnapping on Saturday, 23 July 2022.

The team was alerted about a man who was kidnapped on 13 July 2022, and instituted an investigation. On the night of 23 July 2022, a suspect was arrested in Leandra, Gauteng, for allegedly demanding a ransom. Further investigations led the police to an address in Devon where three suspects were arrested after they were found guarding the victim. The trio was immediately detained and the 25-year-old victim was rescued unharmed.

Further intelligence pointed the team to another premises in Leandra where another suspect was arrested. He was found in possession of a firearm, multiple cellphones as well as sim cards.

A search at the first suspect’s rented premises in Leandra resulted in the discovery of a firearm with live ammunition as well as a number of cellphones and multiple sim cards.

The five suspects, aged between 35 and 50 years of age will appear in court soon on charges of kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition as well as extortion.

Source: South African Police Service

DURBAN – On 19 July 2022, a case of kidnapping was registered at Inanda SAPS after Akhona Mkhize (23) was kidnapped by unknown suspects at Matabetulu in Inanda. Akhona had visited her boyfriend and was kidnapped by unknown suspects in the absence of her boyfriend. Information was received that the vehicle with suspects that kidnapped her was seen leaving the premises with the ex-girlfriend of Akhona’s boyfriend.

On 20 July 2022, Detectives from Inanda SAPS assisted by the police officers from the Stabilisation Operation Team deployed in the province conducted an operation to trace the kidnapped victim and the suspects. The operation yielded positive results when they arrested a 34-year-old woman who later admitted that she orchestrated the kidnapping with the assistance of another man. The investigation led the team to a dumping site at Buffelsdraai in Verulam where the body of Akhona was found with strangulation marks.

The vehicle that was used in the commission of an offence was seized at Avoca Hills for further investigation. A 24-year-old man was traced and located at Echibini in Ixopo where he was arrested. Both suspects appeared before the Ntuzuma Magistrates Court on 22 July 2022. They were remanded in custody for a formal bail application.

Source: South African Police Service

DURBAN – On 20 July 2022, an operation was carried out by police officers from Provincial Drug and Firearm Unit in the Shongweni area. The team received intelligence about a man who was in illegal possession of a firearm and they proceeded to the identified house.

Upon arrival at the house, police officers found a 41-year-old man and the house was searched. Police found a homemade firearm with 12 rounds of ammunition concealed in a wardrobe. The suspect was placed under arrest for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. He appeared before the Mpumalanga Magistrates Court on 21 July 2022 pending the next court date.

The team proceeded to Hillcrest where a report of illegal firearms was received. On 22 July 2022, the team executed a search warrant at the identified premises. A 30-year-old man was found in unlawful possession of two rifles with six rounds of ammunition.

The preliminary investigation conducted at the scene revealed that the firearms belonged to a deceased person who is not related to the suspect. The suspect is due to appear before the Pinetown Magistrates Court on Monday, 25 July 2022 Source: South African Police Service

KIMBERLEY – De Aar Public Order Police clamped down drug peddler with dagga weighing 10,235 kg with an estimated street value of  more than  R40 000 during search and seizure operation. On Saturday, 23 July 2022 members acted on information about drug dealing activities at a certain house in Tuintjie Street, Malaycamp in De Aar. Upon arrival at the premises, members proceeded with the search and discovered red bag with 93 packaged dagga and loose dagga in a 50 kg bag hidden inside the shack. The suspect was also found in possession of cash to the value of R130-00 believed to have been generated through drug dealing.

In an unrelated operation members of the Northern Cape PolMusca, apprehended 18-year-old man with dagga, the team where busy with crime prevention duties and crime prevention awareness when they received a tip-off about a young man who was busy dealing in dagga, allegedly selling it to children. The suspect was arrested subsequent to be found in possession of dagga in Barcelona in De Aar

The suspects are expected to appear in De Aar Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 25 July 2022 on a charge of dealing in dagga.

The Pixley Ka Seme District Commissioner, Brigadier Nomana Adonis applauded members for excellent executed search and seizure operation, which resulted in the arrest of the suspect.

Source: South African Police Service

WESTERN CAPE – Police members of the Anti- Gang Unit arrested two suspects in possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition in Delft, an area notorious for gang violence

Police members of the Anti-Gang Unit deployed in Delft on Friday, 22 July 2022 responded to information relating to firearms and ammunition. The members operationalised the information and approached the address in Spitfire Circle. Upon entering the premises they searched the entire area and confiscated .38 special revolver. A 24-year-old man was arrested and detained on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.

The members proceeded to a second address in Stuka Lane. Upon searching the Wendy House, they confiscated a 9mm pistol hidden in the chest of drawers. A 21-year-old male was arrested and detained on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.

In an unrelated incident the members executed a search warrant on Saturday, 23 July 2022. Upon arrival at the identified address in Magnet Circle in Atlantis, they confiscated a 9mm pistol with ammunition. They arrested and detained a 66-year-old male on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition

Once charged the suspects are expected to make their respective court appearances in the Bellville and Atlantis Magistrate court’s on the mentioned charges.

Source: South African Police Service