Day: August 27, 2022

LEBOWAKGOMO – The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has led a high voltage gathering attended by the following structures CSF, CPF, MP on Police portfolio Mr Seabi, MMC Vivian Shadung community safety and community members of Ga-Maja.

The occasion was filled with sombre mood. Speakers shared their emotions about the ordeal in the Tleane family on Friday 26 August 2022 at Ga-Maja Feke.

Allegedly, the husband came home and he seemed to be very emotional about money. He told his wife to wake up all the old ladies, his mother and the mother of his wife who were sleeping in the house and he started making noise and demanding that they give him his money, out of the blue he produced the knife and started stabbing his wife. The mother of the victim tried to separate them and that’s when she was fatally stabbed.

When the Provincial Commissioner took up the podium she comforted the family with soothing words that she felt like we were winning this month as previously we were experiencing high surge of Gender Based Violence and Femicide, during this women’s month as if men are looking for an opportunity to hurt us, and now we were not anticipating something like this.

She informed the audience that she gathered a team of experienced investigators. She said “I have instructed the team that all I want to hear is that the perpetrator is behind bars and nothing else”. To the ululation of women she informed them that the suspect is arrested and he will appear soon before the court of law.

She encouraged women to open cases when they are abused than to suffer in silence and also men who are being abused to cry out loud than to bottle issues and later ventilate their frustrations on children or innocent members of the family.

The MMC Vivian Shadung, responsible for community safety within Polokwane Municipality emphasised to the women structures that were present to attend the court in numbers and conduct peaceful protests so that courts can deny the suspect with bail.

The Tleane family was comforted when Police officers under the immaculate leadership of the Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe donated food parcels such as meat, vegetables and maize meal that will assist during the funeral.

Source: South African Police Service

ZWELITSHA – The SAPS Management in the Eastern Cape has expressed shock and dismay at the new information which came to light, implicating the 34-year-old police constable in the alleged armed robbery and hijacking incident which occurred in Dalasile, in the early hours of 20August 2022 in Engcobo policing precinct.

Subsequent to these reports, police conducted an investigation according to the information which was provided by the police officer who purported to be a victim and survivor of the tragic incident. On the day of the alleged incident, the police officer’s version of events was that he had attended a complaint of a person who was sexually assaulted. He further stated that as he was driving back from the medical institution where he had dropped the victim, he was accosted by unidentified suspects. At gunpoint, the two suspect pulled him out and then drove off in the police vehicle.

According to him, he escaped unharmed during the ordeal and had managed to call for assistance from the police station. He further claimed that he was immediately rescued from the situation by his colleagues. The police vehicle was later found abandoned in the nearby Sigidi forest in the morning.

As the investigation by SAPS detectives unfolded, with searches being conducted for the alleged suspects in and around the local villages, new information came to light. The information revealed that the police officer’s earlier version of events was in fact untrue and a well calculated fabrication designed to mislead the SAPS and members of the community into believing his falsehood whilst hiding his own acts of misconduct.

This disgraceful discovery revealed that the police constable had misused the police vehicle to drive around with friends in the local tavern. He and his friends were captured in a circulating video clip in social media platforms, carrying what looked like bottles of liquor while alighting from the back of a marked police vehicle.

SAPS management has immediately ordered that disciplinary steps be taken against the constable who by his action has violated the SAPS code of conduct and injured the image of the South African Police Service. The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene has further criticised the alleged actions of the police constable and assured the members of the public that those found to have brought the name of the SAPS into disrepute, will be subjected to the disciplinary code of the organisation.

Source: South African Police Service

NORTHERN CAPE – The De Aar Public Order Policing and Douglas SAPS pounced on an adult female in Bongani, Douglas and seized Dagga, Tik and Mandrax to the value of R1000-00. Police also confiscated cash of about R5477-00 that allegedly emanates due to drug sales from the suspect.

The female should be appearing in the Douglas Magistrates Court soon on charges of dealing in drugs.

The Acting District Commander for Pixley Ka Seme, Brigadier Nomana Adonis lauded De Aar Public Order Policing and Douglas SAPS for the outstanding success.

Source: South African Police Service

WESTERN CAPE – Nyanga Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit are seeking the assistance of the public in a bid to locate a wanted suspect.

According to reports a Zimbabwean national, known as Zvidzai Genius Matavikwa took his 2-year-old daughter Mika Zonke on Saturday 02 July 2022 from his ex-girlfriend. He arranged with his ex-girlfriend, who is the mother of the child that he intend to spoil his daughter for the day. Zvidzai never returned his daughter as agreed. Attempts to make contact with Zvidzai in a bid to return the child were unsuccessful. The mother of the child reported the incident on Thursday 07 July 2022 and a missing person enquiry was registered for further investigation. Mika Zonke was last seen wearing a navy jeans, a pink jacket and pink boots.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspect, is urged to contact the investigating Officer, Sergeant Andiswa Dlokolo on 073 012 8918 or alternatively contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Source: South African Police Service

GQEBERHA – The confiscation of illegal firearms from the wrong hands is a central focus for operational members in the Nelson Mandela Bay district.

On Thursday, 25 August 2022 at about 14:30, SAPS Walmer Crime Prevention (CPU) members were in the community service centre when they heard a woman reporting that her boyfriend has threatened to kill her. The two CPU members went to a house in Walmer and found the alleged suspect seated in a vehicle. Upon searching him, an unlicensed firearm and cocaine was found in his possession.

The man (age unknown) was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm, possession of drugs and contravention of a protection order.

In another incident, on Friday, 26 August 2022 at about 19:15, SAPS Bethesldorp CPU members were patrolling in one of the gang hotspot areas in Booysens Park when they noticed three males trying to rob a person. The members swiftly reacted and found one male pointing a pair of scissors at the face and neck of the victim. The other two males ran away. On searching the suspect, a 9mm pistol was found tucked in his pants.

The 28-year-old suspect was detained on charges of possession of a prohibited firearm, illegal possession of ammunition and possession of a dangerous weapon.

He is expected to appear in court on Monday, 28 August 2022.

Source: South African Police Service

NELSPRUIT – A 43-year old female warden was arrested for possession of dagga in the morning of yesterday Friday, 26 August 2022. Her arrest came after the facility manager arrived at the Correctional Centre to conduct a morning parade with all employees reporting for duty.

During the parade, the facility manager with her team announced that according to the procedures of the department of Correctional Services, no employee is allowed to enter the premises with a hand or grocery bag unless it is transparent for everyone to see the items inside.

Whilst at the parade, everyone was informed that a search and seizure will be conducted to prevent possible drugs smuggling.

As the search and seizure was carried out, the said warden reportedly tried to hide her handbag however she was noticed. She allegedly ran from the parade to her office where she hid her handbag and went out to another office.

Some of the members conducting the search then followed her to her office and could not find her, instead they only found her in another office. After being questioned on why she left the parade without permission, she allegedly indicated that she was rushing for her duties.

Furthermore, she was asked about her handbag which she hid in her office but she could not give a proper explanation as to where the bag was. The team then searched her office and found a bag stashed with dagga weighing about 0.186 grams to the estimated street value of about R1 500-00 as well as a cellphone. Though the warden denied knowledge of the dagga, she was arrested and a case of illegal possession of dagga opened against her.

The warden is expected to appear soon before the Bethal Magistrate’s Court facing the said charges.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the arrest of the suspect and further urged all law enforcement officials to always set an example in upholding the law.

Source: South African Police Service

GQEBERHA – While the Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene lauds the excellent work of police members for the speedy arrests of three suspects allegedly involved in robbing two SAPS members in Wells Estate this morning, 27 August 2022, she strongly condemns the attack on police officials.

It is alleged that at about 07:40, SAPS Swartkops members were attending to a murder in Malinga Street in Wells Estate when the two officers were approached by three armed men. They were robbed of their firearms, cellphones and wallets. The members were then placed at the back of the police van and the suspects drove off with the police vehicle.

While they were in Gijana Street in Wells Estate, the suspects stopped and allegedly hijacked another vehicle, a Renault. The driver was forced out of his vehicle and the suspects got into his vehicle and drove off leaving the police vehicle behind with the members still at the back.

The Renault was found abandoned further down the street.

Cases of Armed robbery (x2), vehicle hijacking (x2) and kidnapping was opened.

At about 10:30, the same morning, a couple was driving in 8th Avenue in Walmer when three armed men suddenly tried to stop their vehicle, a VW Polo. The driver, aged 36 on realising what was happening, sped off to SAPS Walmer. SAPS Walmer immediately responded with the complainant following behind. When the suspects, who were on foot noticed the police vehicle, they boarded a taxi. The taxi was stopped and the suspects identified. The suspects were taken back to 8th Avenue where they were seen walking. Three firearms (9mm pistols) were found lying along the pavement in different spots. The suspects aged between 30 and 35 years old are in custody. Two of the firearms belong to the police members that were robbed in Wells Estate. Police have opened cases of attempted hijacking as well as three cases of illegal possession of firearms.

While police were still at the scene in Walmer, information received of a murder in CJ Langenhoven Drive (Mount Road area). It is alleged that three suspects approached the deceased vehicle on foot as he was driving his red Nissan Corsa bakkie up CJ Langenhoven Drive. Several shots were fired at the driver who died at the scene. A female passenger in the vehicle sustained a gunshot wound to her right leg. An infant in the vehicle did not sustain any injuries. It is further alleged that the suspects got into a silver Toyota Yaris and sped off. The silver Yaris was found abandoned in 6th Avenue and Lloyd Streets in Walmer. Cases of murder and attempted murder were opened.

The suspects have been detained on all of the above cases.

A Special Task team has been established to follow up on information and confirm the linkages to all of the above cases.

Lt Gen Mene expressed her appreciation and commended the swift action of the members involved including the involvement of the attempted hijacking complainant.’ Our task team consisting of seasoned detectives, Local Criminal Record Centre and Crime Intelligence will leave no stone unturned in their investigations. Criminals who blatantly disrespect and have no fear of the law will be dealt with accordingly,’ warned Lt Gen Mene.

Source: South African Police Service