Day: August 1, 2022

POLOKWANE – The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has today on Monday, 01 August 2022 conferred the ranks on newly appointed Brigadier Martin Van Staden, who previously held the rank of Colonel.

Brigadier Martin Van Staden was the Provincial Commander of Proactive Policing for four years and has now been promoted to Provincial Head of Operational Command Center (POCC), effective from 01 August 2022.

The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, congratulated him, and said “the new Brigadier, is one of the most efficient senior officers who plays a vital role in our endeavours to fight against crime in the province, based on responsibilities vested in his office.”I’m very pleased to be conferring this rank to you especially today, on the first day of Women’s month. “We will definitely support you, to continue steering this ship and move this province to reformed position of crime levels in the battle to reach crime free space.”

Source: South African Police Service

Two-hundred and fifty nine rhino were poached for their horn in South Africa in the first six months of 2022, which is a slight increase from the same period last year.

The number of rhino poached between January and June 2022 is 10 more than the 249 poached countrywide in the first six months of 2021

“Recent trends in rhino poaching show a move away from the Kruger Park to private reserves and KwaZulu-Natal where the majority of rhinos have been killed this year.

“This makes it all the more important for national government to shift its focus to supporting provincial authorities and private reserves in the war on rhino poaching,” Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy said on Monday.

As of January to end of June 2022, 82 rhino were poached for their horn in the Kruger National Park.

“2022 Poaching statistics show a loss of 210 rhino on state properties and 49 in privately-owned parks. As indicated, hardest hit during this period is KwaZulu-Natal, which recorded a loss of 133 rhino. This is more than triple the 33 rhino killed in the first six months of 2021,” the Minister said.

Arrests and prosecutions

Between January and June, 69 people were arrested in connection with rhino poaching and rhino horn trafficking. Of these, 13 alleged poachers were arrested at the Kruger National Park.

The number of successful arrests and prosecutions recorded over the past six months, can be attributed to the continued successful collaboration between law enforcement agencies, including the South African Police Service (SAPS), Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and the Green Scorpions, Customs officials and the National Prosecuting Authority. These efforts are supported by private security.

In addition to work being undertaken within the seven Integrated Wildlife Zones, the partnership now includes both the financial and transport sectors, as well as transit and end user countries in Southeast Asia, especially with the People’s Republic of China, Malaysia and Vietnam.

“As a result of the ongoing work of integrated enforcement teams at OR Tambo International Airport, four alleged rhino horn traffickers were arrested between January and June this year for trying to smuggle 56 pieces of rhino horn out of the country.

“In one instance, cooperation between the Hawks, Malaysia and Qatar authorities led to the arrest of another alleged rhino horn trafficker and his haul of rhino horn pieces at Doha Airport in Qatar. This arrest demonstrates the success of country-to-country cooperation to combat wildlife trafficking at an international level,” the Minister said.

The Hawks are also working with the US Fish and Wildlife service in an investigation arising from the discovery in June of a suspect parcel at FedEx that was destined for the United States.

The parcel contained eight kilograms of rhino horns pieces concealed as wooden art pieces.

“A number of search and seizure operations took place countrywide, with the Hawks arresting one suspect and confiscating 29 rhino horn during an operation at storage and packing facilities in Bedfordview where rhino horns are prepared and packed for the illegal markets in Southeast Asia.

“In combined law enforcement operations two suspects were arrested in June when they were stopped by the Highway Patrol in Bedfordview and found to be in possession of two fresh rhino horn. Two suspects, one a former Ezemvelo-KZN Parks ranger, were arrested earlier this month after their vehicle was searched and two fresh rhino horn were seized,” Creecy said.

One of the accused had previously been arrested for possession of rhino horn in the Kruger National Park.

On 23 April 2022, an integrated operation was conducted to address money laundering and corruption linked to rhino horn trafficking activities within the Kruger National Park.

“Various search and seizure warrants were authorised and executed at multiple premises in and around the park with the aim of effectively dismantling the operations of some of the main targets.

“A multi-dimensional team led by the Hawks, with the support of the Kruger National Park and Stock Theft and Endangered Species in Skukuza was assembled and premises in Limpopo and Mpumalanga were searched during the operation.”

Three suspects were arrested during the operation, which included two Kruger National Park field rangers.

Creecy said the arrests and the success of the operation had a significant impact on the rhino poaching activities within the Kruger Park, and sent out a strong message that corrupt and illegal activities will not be tolerated.

One of the rangers was dismissed during the departmental hearing on 21 July 2022. The other ranger’s departmental hearing is ongoing pending the outcome of the court process.

“In total 51 cases in which 51 people were convicted have been finalised. The heaviest sentence handed down was 34 years imprisonment, while two Mpumalanga men were sentenced to 28 year behind bars for killing rhino and being in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.

“In the Skukuza Court, two Mozambican nationals were convicted for poaching a rhino in the Kruger National Park, possession of unlawful firearms and ammunition and being in the country illegally. They were sentenced to 18 years imprisonment,” Creecy said.

In another matter, two Mozambican citizens were convicted of poaching two rhino in the Kruger National Park, possession of unlawful firearms and ammunition.

They were sentenced to 19 years imprisonment. In addition, three South Africans were sentenced on charges of rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park and firearm related charges, and sentenced to an effective 24 years in jail,” the Minister said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Following a spate of mass shootings around the country, South Africa’s provincial commissioners are mobilising maximum resources towards preventing more such incidents and apprehending the perpetrators.

Recent weeks have been marred by incidents of shootings that have resulted in multiple murders and injuries in mostly KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

In July alone, a total of 1 173 illegal firearms and 7 738 live ammunition were confiscated countrywide, 1 035 of these were confiscated in Gauteng alone.

The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, said some of these firearms, ammunition and dangerous weapons were seized during roadblocks, as well as stolen vehicles and drugs.

General Masemola was updating the nation on Monday in Pretoria on measures in place to address crime in the country.

“This reflects our determination as management of the SAPS to intensify our efforts, dealing decisively with the proliferation of illegal firearms, thus reducing the volumes of serious and violent crimes,” he said.

General Masemola said there is an indication that in general, most serious and violent crime is committed between Fridays and Mondays.

Taking from this, the General said that all provinces are now conducting simultaneous blitz operations with high visibility and combat operations throughout the weekend.

These entail cordon and searches, as well as intelligence-driven, multi-disciplinary, disruptive operations.

“Tighter enforcement of the Firearms Control Act, the National- and Provincial Liquor Acts, and the Second Hand Goods Act, as well as strategic mounting of roadblocks, are operational interventions against which Commanders are now being measured,” he said.

Station Commanders are now expected to align their daily duties and reporting to the Crime Threat and Pattern Analysis of their local policing precinct.

Over 20 000 suspects arrested in July

The police have arrested over 22 320 suspects across the country in July for crimes committed against members of communities.

“3 193 of these suspects were arrested for assault GBH, 576 for murder, 360 attempted murder, 432 for rape and 177 for sexual offences,” General Masemola announced.

He commended the Western Cape Organised Crime Detectives for the diligent investigative work that ultimately resulted in a life sentence for the 2016 murder of Pasika Kwaza.

This comes after his wife was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for murder and 18 months for defeating the ends of justice.

One of the accomplices was handed a life sentence, while the other two were also slapped with long term imprisonment sentences.

General Masemola also commended the Gauteng FCS Detectives whose quality work enabled the life sentence handed down on Ntuthuko Shoba in relation to the brutal murder of Tshegofatso Pule last year.

“I have directed the Divisional Commissioner: Detective and Forensic Services as well as the Provincial Commanders that this is the skill-set, the energy, diligence and commitment that each victim of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, deserves,” he said.

Masemola assured South Africans that the multi-disciplinary team of investigators assigned to the West Village incident of multiple rapes of eight young women, will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the suspects are ultimately linked to the crimes and face the full might of the law.

“At this point, on behalf of the management of the SAPS, I want to extend our condolences to the colleagues, families of our Special Task Force Members who lost their lives this past week.

“May the souls of the late Sergeant Matidza (34) from Jabulani, Warrants Officers Tolbadi and Tshaka, and ex-member Warrant Officer Mfadu rest in peace,” he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

City of Cape Town traffic officer, Richard Coleman, has retired after 39 years of service.

Mr Coleman joined the Traffic Service in January 1983 and during his career has mostly been involved in the specialised units within the City’s Traffic Service.

In 1998 he joined the Cape Town Highway Patrol which consisted of 12 officers divided into two teams. At that time Mr Coleman was the second in command of the one unit and further oversaw all VIP escorts of international sport teams, international dignitaries and visiting heads of state and presidents.

In August 2009, the Ghost Squad was formed and Mr Coleman was once again assigned here and spent many years within that unit before he became one of the Media Liaison Officers for Traffic.

‘Mr Coleman is known to be a diligent and efficient officer, who can rightly be proud of his long career. While we will miss him within the department, we are happy to grant him some rest and relaxation after so many years of service to this city and its residents,’ said the Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith.

‘I enjoyed my time in Traffic working in all the different sections and doing the VIP escorts for visiting presidents to our country. My time as media liaison taught me much about how to communicate and it has been an extraordinary 39 year journey. I am looking forward to spending quality time with my family and doing some travelling,’ said Mr Coleman.

Source: City Of Cape Town

Gauteng MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure, Jacob Mamabolo, has welcomed the commencement of the mediation process between the Gauteng e-Hailing Partners Council (GEPCO) and e-hailing technology companies, Uber and Bolt.

“We applaud all parties for agreeing to participate in this process. We look forward to a fruitful mediation process where all parties will cooperate to ensure successful resolution to all issues,” the MEC said on Monday.

The mediation process, scheduled to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, follows a series of engagements between the department and affected parties to find sustainable and amicable solutions to their challenges.

These range from pricing, security, fare structuring as well as downgrading of vehicles, among others.

Mamabolo said the department recognises the important role played by the e-hailing industry in the transport sector and called on affected parties to give the mediation process a chance.

“The department values GEPCO as an important stakeholder in the e-hailing industry and encourages all public transport stakeholders and partners to work with them.

“We need to continue instilling a culture of negotiations in the public transport sector and spare the public incidences of violence and disruptions.

“These discussions are crucial to our #SmartMobility vision of integrating all modes of public transport to provide an efficient, safe, reliable and sustainable transport system in the province,” the MEC said.

He said the department’s mission of creating a seamless, integrated transport system requires that there be peace and stability.

“Successful integration of all public transport systems requires us to work together to find innovative ways to resolve issues and minimise violence in the sector. It is through negotiations that we can achieve that, and we are hopeful the mediation process will be successful,” Mamabolo said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The death toll in the latest KwaZulu-Natal mass shooting has risen to seven, as police are on the manhunt for the suspects responsible for the shooting at Marianhill Tuckshop on Saturday evening.

The seventh victim who sustained gunshot wounds succumbed to his injuries in hospital on Sunday.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has mobilised all available police resources to hunt down the “heartless killers” who initially murdered six people on the scene.

At approximately 19:30 on Saturday, it is alleged that a group of unknown men opened fire at people who were at a tuckshop in Marianhill killing six men aged between the 30 and 65 years old.

One other man who sustained gunshot wounds was transported to hospital for medical attention.

Police said that initial investigations revealed that three of the deceased were the tuckshop owner as well as his two sons and one of the deceased who was waiting at the tuckshop to see a traditional healer, might have been the actual target of the hit.

“This incident once again demonstrates our concern that firearms are contributing to the high levels of crime in the province and we are advocating for stricter regulations regarding the management of legal firearms as many of them end up being used by criminals. We will do everything within our control to bring these killers to book,” Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Consumers are in for some relief this month as the Department of Minerals and Energy has announced a decrease in all grades of fuel starting from Wednesday.

The department also announced a reduction in the price of illuminating paraffin and an increase in the price of gas.

The price adjustments are as follows:

• Both grades of petrol will decrease by R1.32.

• Diesel 0.05% Sulphur will cost 88c less while the price of diesel 0.005% Sulphur will decrease by 91c.

• Wholesale illuminating paraffin will cost R1.44 less with the retail price going down by at least R1.92.

• The maximum retail price for gas will increase by 57c.

The department said one of the main factors for the reduction is the decrease in the price of Brent crude oil.

“The main contributing factors are: Less demand for crude oil due to recession concerns and a resurgence of COVID-19 in China. The decision by OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) and Non-OPEC members to increase oil production. In the absence of supply constraints, crude oil prices might have decreased further.

“The average international product prices of petrol, diesel, Illuminating Paraffin and LPG have decreased during the period under review. LPG prices have increased due higher freight rate during the period under review,” the department said.

The temporary reduction in government’s fuel levy will fall away this month.

Source: South African Government News Agency