Day: August 4, 2022

Press statement on the Revised Critical Skills List gazetted by the Minister of Home Affairs on 2 August 2022

1. After the Minister of Home Affairs gazetted the Critical Skills List on 2 February 2022, he has engaged extensively with the Minister of Health, South African Nursing Council, Health Professions Council of South Africa, Hospital CEOs of some of the public hospitals and other experts.

2. The Minister carefully applied his mind to the inputs made by the said stakeholders and decided to publish in the Government Gazette the revised Critical Skills List on 2 August 2022. The list includes mainly medical specialists and nurses who render only specialist services in various fields.

3. The Minister is convinced that the revised Critical Skills List will contribute positively in addressing the skills deficit in South Africa.

Source: Government of South Africa

Collection of media accreditation for Presidential Imbizo – Sedibeng, Gauteng Province

Members of media who have applied for accreditation to cover the forthcoming Presidential Imbizo are advised to collect accreditation cards. The Imbizo is scheduled to take place on Friday, 12 August 2022 at Sharpeville Cricket Pitch, Sedibeng District Municipality in Gauteng Province.

Details for the collection of media accreditation:

VENUE: Sharpeville Library, Sedibeng in Gauteng Province

DATES: Wednesday, 10 August 2022, 09h00 – 17h00

Thursday, 11 August 2022, 09h00 – 18h00

Friday, 12 August 2022, 08h00 – 10h00

NB: Members of the media are advised to bring along their Press cards/ ID books when collecting their accreditation. Also, note that individuals have to collect their own accreditation.

Enquiries for accreditation should be directed to: Lerato Mdiya on 066 288 1251

Media enquiries: Mr Vuyo Mhaga on 076 636 5193

Source: Government of South Africa

The nexus between drugs, illegal firearms and crime is reflected in the many arrests and confiscations effected by SAPS members. In order to eliminate crime within our communities, efforts must be made to arrest and confiscate these illegal drugs and firearms.

Intelligence driven operations conducted in the past 24 hours by Anti-Gang Unit resulted in significant successes.

On 3 August 2022, a 26-year-old known gang affiliate was arrested in West End for possession of drugs. One hundred (100) mandrax tablets with a street value of R5 000 and cash were confiscated.

Also, on the same day at about 15:20, AGU members executed a search warrant at a house in Crammer Street in Malabar. A 28-year-old male was arrested and detained on charges of illegal possession of ammunition, illegal possession of a modified/homemade firearm and manufacturing/modifying of ammunition and firearms (Firearms Control Act). A total of 243 rounds of ammunition, quantities of shell cases, projectiles, cartridges and a modified homemade firearm was seized.

In the evening at about 20:30, a search warrant was executed at a house in Circular Drive in Overbaakens. Copper (173.3kg), brass (107,40kg) and aluminium (47,85kg) were confiscated by AGU members. The total estimated value of the metals is R400 000. No arrest was made and an enquiry docket was opened for further investigation.

Also at about 22:55, AGU members searched a house in the Nkandla informal settlement in Kwadwesi and also seized brass(62kg) and copper wires(31.80kg) with an estimated street value of R200 000. A dismantled firearm was also found abandoned among some rubble in the yard. No arrest was made and an enquiry docket was opened for investigation.

The arrested suspects are expected to appear in court soon.

Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Maj Gen Vuyisile Ncata is warning the public that ‘communities not only suffer because of the activities of criminals alone but also through the actions of good people making bad decisions. Buying stolen property through illicit deals contributes to a cycle that keeps criminals in business. Drugs and illegal firearms are known contributors to serious and violent crimes. Cable theft is a serious threat to our infrastructure and impacts largely on service delivery. We urge law abiding citizens to do the right thing and help police to break this cycle by exposing these criminals.’

Source: South African Police Service

KWAZULU-NATAL – On Wednesday 3 August 2022, Hawks members from Newcastle Serious Organised Crime Investigation working together with Newcastle Visible Policing and K9 unit arrested three suspects aged between 28 and 37.

The three were arrested for possession of property suspected to be stolen. It is alleged that police received information about scrap metal dealership which was unlawfully receiving stolen metals. They proceeded to Marconi Drive Industrial area in Newcastle where a search was conducted and registers inspected.

Police discovered that the owner failed to keep records of the seller as a result he was issued with R3000-00 fine ticket. It was also discovered that some of the scrap metals were stolen and the owner together with his two managers were arrested.

They are expected to appear in the Newcastle Magistrate’s Court today.

Source: South African Police Service

MANKWENG - The police in Mankweng are urgently requesting public assistance in locating a 37-year-old missing man, Tiisetso Mogano from Ga-Mogano village in Molepo area.

Tiisetso was last seen by his uncle on 22 June 2022 before leaving home without informing anyone where he was going.

The victim was wearing a traditional doctor's clothes during his disappearance.

Anyone with information that can assist is urged to contact the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Sy Ramakgolo on 072 577 6263 or alternatively 015 286 2000 or SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or MySAPSApp.

Source: South African Police Service

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has warned officials and the public against defrauding the entity as action will be taken against those who engage in criminality.

“SARS is living up to its strategic objective of making it hard and costly for those that chose to engage in criminality when dealing with SARS,” SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said on Wednesday.

His remarks come after a clearing agent and his co-accused were charged with fraud and various contraventions of the Customs and Excise Act.

Jayson Perumal (43) of Dynamic Freight and Reshlan Pillay (38) recently appeared in the Durban Commercial Crimes Court for a customs and excise related fraud matter. The matter was postponed to 20 October 2022 and both accused are out on bail.

“SARS wants to warn clearing agents that they will face the full might of the law when arrested. At the same time, SARS also wishes to warn the public, especially importers, to be vigilant when contracting with clearing agents.

“They need to be aware of the correct duties and VAT that need to be paid, and ensure that those amounts have actually been paid to SARS. In terms of the Customs and Excise Act, the importer is ultimately liable for the duties and VAT payable to SARS,” the revenue service said.

It is alleged that Pillay, director of Potenza Capital, and a clearing agent, processed customs entries while working with Perumal of Dynamic Freight, who was acting on behalf of various importers.

Potenza Capital is alleged to have submitted false documents to SARS, where the values of the goods, the goods themselves and the importers details were falsified, resulting in minimal duties and Value-Added Tax (VAT) paid over to SARS.

“Importers should demand proof of their payments to SARS, relating to any of their imports, from clearing agents. SARS has established that some clearing agents wilfully under declare the value of goods by as much as 90%, through falsifying importation documents.

“However, they are alleged to claim the correct duties and VAT from their clients, whilst paying SARS the minimum duties and VAT. The clearing agents then allegedly pocket the difference, thereby enabling the low rates for their services, whilst defrauding both SARS and the importer,” SARS said.

SARS said the importer is prejudiced twice if SARS audits these transactions and levy the correct amount of VAT and duties which is payable by the importer.

SARS has expressed concern about the scope of this scam, as investigations into similar schemes to the value of millions of rands are currently being investigated in Gauteng and in the Western Cape.

“It is critically important that all role players act prudently and honestly when dealing with SARS,” Kieswetter said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

POTCHEFSTROOM - The police in Kanana request the community's assistance in locating 35-year-old Sipho Matthews Tsone, residing at Chris Hani Kanana. According to information, he was last seen by his sister Nomvula Christina Tsone on Sunday, 10 February 2019, when he left home to visit friends.

A search was conducted around the township and surrounding areas of Kanana without any success. Extensive investigations were done and all leads were followed up with no success. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a red t- shirt, back short trouser and black all stars. He is dark in complexion, with a slender body, 1.68 in height, brown eyes and short hair.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts can contact the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Ishmael Mthetwa on 082 661 4302 at Kanana or Crime Stop on ?08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the MySAPS App from your smart phone.?

Source: South African Police Service