Day: July 25, 2022

MPUMALANGA – A 23-year-old suspect is expected to appear before the Tonga Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 25 July 2022 after he was arrested on a warrant of arrest by the Hawks’ Nelspruit based Serious Organised Crime Investigation together with Crime Intelligence on Friday, 22 July 2022 for cross pavement robbery. 

It is alleged that on 09 April 2022, Fidelity armoured vehicle arrived at a general dealer in Tonga to collect cash when they were accosted by armed suspects who shot the driver and robbed the crew of a service handgun. An undisclosed amount of cash was also robbed and the suspects fled the scene through the back side of the shop while shooting randomly.

On 12 May 2022, the information was received about the whereabouts of the suspects and a warrant of their arrest was authorised and executed whereby one suspect, Dumisani Sibiya (34) was found and arrested. During the arrest of Sibiya, his premises were searched and a Toyota Hilux single cab fitted with false number plate which match the description of one of the vehicles which was used by the suspects during the robbery was recovered. Sibiya is still in custody.

The team continued to search for the second suspect who was found from his hiding place and arrested. Investigation continues.

Source: South African Police Service

GQEBERHA – SAPS Bethelsdorp detectives arrested a 55-year-old suspect on charges of attempted murder, pointing of a firearm and cruelty to animals in terms of the Animal Cruelty Act after an alleged family dispute yesterday, 24 July 2022 in Salt Lake.

It is alleged that at approximately 14:30, on abovementioned date, the complainant was at home in Rensburg Street, Salt Lake when an argument broke out with a family member. After the argument, the complainant went outside in the yard and was approached by the suspect who pointed him with a firearm. The suspect allegedly fired a shot towards the complainant however the shot missed him and hit his dog in the neck. The complainant was not injured.  The dog was taken to a veterinary clinic for treatment. 

The suspect was arrested and detained. He is expected to appear in the Gelvandale Magistrate’s court today. The licensed 9mm firearm was also confiscated from the suspect.

Source: South African Police Service

MPUMALANGA – Accused Thabiso Hopewell Nkosi (23) was remanded in custody by the Tonga Magistrate Court on Monday, 25 July 2022 for Cross Pavement Robbery. The case was postponed to Wednesday, 27 July 2022, to be joined with the first accused Dumisani Sibuyi (34) during further bail application. Both accused in custody.

Source: South African Police Service

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 rounds of 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

KOPPIES – A total of four suspects have been arrested for possession of suspected stolen copper on Saturday, 23 July 2022 at about 07:40.

It is alleged that members of a private security company were busy with patrols when they noticed a suspicious vehicle. Upon approaching the vehicle, the suspects sped off. The members of the private security company immediately called Koppies SAPS for assistance.

Following a police chase, the suspects abandoned their vehicle and fled on foot.

The driver was swiftly arrested while his accomplices were chased on foot and successfully apprehended by the members of SAPS, private security company and community members.

Investigations reveal that the recovered copper cable found inside the Quantum taxi was stolen in Heuningspruit. It belongs to Transnet with estimated value of R74 000-00.

The four arrested suspects will be charged with possession of suspected stolen property, possession of housebreaking implements and for contravening the Immigration Act.

They will appear in the Koppies Magistrates Court on 25 July 2022.

Source: South African Police Service

NELSPRUIT – Today at about 07:45 vigilant members of the SAPS swiftly arrested a suspect who was found in possession of unlicensed firearm with ammunition. Meanwhile his accomplice managed to evade arrest and police have since launched a manhunt.

According to the information, members of the Highway Patrol were patrolling on the N4 Road near Middelburg in the direction to Nelspruit when they spotted a suspicious green VW Polo hatchback traveling on the opposite direction towards Pretoria. The members then made a turn and followed the vehicle which was occupied by two males. Upon noticing the police car pursuing them, the driver sped off, travelling on the opposite direction facing the oncoming traffic.

Members pursued the vehicle. It is further reported that the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. The members also followed suit but a suspect took out a firearm and fired some shots towards the direction of the members who also fired back.

Fortunately no one got injured during the shooting. The suspect who allegedly fired shots was arrested and found in possession of the firearm with some ammunition. His accomplice managed to evade arrest however, police are still looking for him.

The arrested suspect was charged for possession of unlicensed firearm with ammunition and police also discovered that the man is from the country of Mozambique but did not have legal documents to be in South Africa hence he was charged for contravention of the Immigration Act.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court soon facing the said charges. Police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges as the firearm will be subjected to ballistic testing to determine any linkages to the commission of a crime elsewhere. The vehicle was also seized and it will form part of the investigation.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the arrest of the suspect. “The proliferation of firearms has a negative impact on crime, especially violent crimes. We hope that the arrest of the man will resolve some cases around the area and elsewhere” said the General.

Source: South African Police Service

DURBAN – The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has condemned the actions of taxi drivers who used their vehicles to block many major intersections in the Durban CBD this morning. “It is unacceptable that they choose to inconvenience thousands of motorists to raise their grievances rather than using available channels to resolve their concerns,” he said.

Police officers from the Durban Central police station together with officers from the Durban Metropolitan Police and Public Order Police Unit responded to reports of blockades at various intersections. They were able to negotiate with the drivers to remove their vehicles and to set up a meeting with the transport department to raise their grievances. All roads were opened shortly afterwards. Police had their hands full as reports began streaming in of blockades from different parts of the city however; they were able to dispatch police officers to all the affected intersections to prevent violence and damage to property.

Various media houses responded to some of the blockades and covered the police response however, mischievous individuals continue to post videos of the initial blockades prior to police arriving on the scene to create an impression that these blockades were not attended to by any of the police agencies.

“We appeal to members of the public to refrain from circulating such videos as this will be playing into the hands of people who want create unnecessary panic amongst the community,” said Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi.

Source: South African Police Service