Day: September 22, 2022

GAUTENG – Nine suspects including an owner have been arrested for alleged illegal mining activities at a plot at Ten Acres, Randfontein today.

The group’s illegal activities were brought to a halt when the Hawks’ Serious Organized Crime Investigation team in the West Rand pounced on the suspects whilst they were busy operating an illegal precious metals refinery at a secluded site.

Over 200 tons of gold bearing material with an estimated value of R550 000-00 and implements such as pendukas and generators have been confiscated from the facility.

Eight of the apprehended suspects are undocumented immigrants aged between 18 and 32, save for a 66-year-old local who owns the plot.

The group is expected to appear in the Randfontein Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 26 September 2022.

The Gauteng Provincial Head of the Hawks’ Major General Ebrahim Kadwa has praised the members for their continuous efforts in fighting the scourge of illegal mining.

“We remain in the forefront of the fight against the illegal mining trade. Anyone who has information relating to these illegal activities, be it at the plots or any other areas is urged to report such to authorities. We will deal with individuals in organized illegal mining and precious metals decisively”. He concluded.

Source: South African Police Service

STERKSPRUIT – SAPS’ endeavours continue to yield positive results as more heavy sentences are handed down as a result of the quality investigation by our dedicated detectives.

The efforts of the investigator was rewarded when Molefe Kosie, 42-years-old, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his 60-year-old mother and an additional 29 years for house robbery, defeating the ends of justice and fraud.

On the 20 August 2018, police were called by the accused claiming that he found his mother deceased on the bedroom floor.

On their arrival at the Colville locality, the son pointed out his mother that was lying on the bedroom floor where she was tied up with a rope and she sustained an open wound at the back of her head.

On further investigation it was identified that a spade was used to inflict the wound and the bedroom was upside down.

At the time, the accused claimed that the television and the mother’s vehicle, a white Honda were also missing.

The following day a report was received of a vehicle found abandoned at the bus rank yard fitting the description of the vehicle that was suspected to have been stolen at the deceased’s house.

On close investigation the TV was found in the boot of the vehicle still intact and a rope similar to the one that was used to tie the deceased was found hanging from the boot.

The Investigation continued and on the 5  September 2018 “‘pieces of the puzzle”  came together after a witness that was with the accused on the Sunday night of the 19 August 2018 gave evidence and  also indicated that he was  posing to be an Industrial psychologist without any qualification.

The trial continued and on 15 March 2022 the accused was found guilty on all four counts and on the 20 September 2022 at the Sterkspruit Regional court the accused was  sentenced to undergo life imprisonment in respect of count 1 Murder

Count 2 House robbery to undergo 15 years imprisonment

Count 3 Defeating the ends of justice to undergo 7 years imprisonment

Count 4 Fraud as he claimed to be a psychologist and had clients that paid him some fees to undergo 7 years imprisonment

All counts are not to run concurrently

Deemed unfit to possess fire arm.

The acting District Commissioner Brig Asogran Naidoo commended the meticulous and professional investigation by the investigating officer Lt Col Monica Dinga and also the collaboration between the SAPS and the NPA which led to the lengthy prison sentence.

Source: South African Police Service

MPUMALANGA – Mantladi Jo-Anne Mmela (41) appeared before the Middelburg Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 21 September 2022 after she was arrested by the Middelburg based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation on Tuesday, 20 September 2022 for fraud and theft of payment from the Road Accident Fund (RAF).

It is alleged that during May 2021, the complainant appointed Mmela and Associates Inc in Middelburg to assist in claiming road accident funds on behalf of his minor child who was involved in a serious accident. The attorney, Mmela submitted a claim which was successful.

On 8 May 2022, the amount of R1.8 million was paid into the trust account of Mmela and Associates Inc. The attorney did not pay out the money received to the client, instead she created a false reference as if the money was paid over to the complainant.

The complainant was informed that money was indeed paid to the trust account. He further made enquiries with the law firm and Mmela was notified about the demand. She promised that she will make the payment to the complainant but she did not do as promised then she left to Pretoria.

The matter was reported to the Hawks in January 2022 for further probe. During the investigation, it was revealed that the attorney transferred the money into another bank account. A warrant of arrest was authorized and executed hence her arrest from her hiding place in Pretoria.

The accused was released on R25 000-00 bail on condition that she hand over her travelling documents. The case was postponed to 5 December 2022 for possible pre-trial and representation hearing.

Further arrest is imminent.

Source: South African Police Service

SEBAYENG -The South African Police Service in Sebayeng are seeking information that can assist to locate a missing 27-year-old man, who reportedly went missing during May 2022.

Mr Ntabulo Lazarus Kubheka residing at Makotopong village reportedly went to Polokwane City and never returned. He was last seen wearing a blue jacket, purple and black jersey, brown trousers and blue tekkies.

Police have conducted search operations at friends and relatives with no success.

Anyone with information that can assist to find the missing man should contact the investigating officer Sergeant Mogale on 076 666 6541 or the Crime Stop number 0860010111 or the nearest police station or MySAPS App.

Police investigations continue.

Source: South African Police Service

DURBAN – Yesterday at 12:45, police officers from Pietermaritzburg received a report of a business robbery at Pietermaritz Street and responded swiftly. Police spotted the suspect’s vehicle and a chase ensued.

The suspects opened fire at police and during the shootout three suspects were fatally wounded. Two men alighted from the vehicle and fled on foot. The suspect’s vehicle was searched and all the items that were stolen during the business robbery were recovered. It is alleged by the owner of the shop that the suspects entered his shop and robbed him at gunpoint. An undisclosed amount of cash cigarettes, airtime vouchers and cellphones were stolen before the men fled.

Police are investigating cases of attempted murder, business robbery, possession of stolen property as well as unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition again the men. A manhunt is underway for the two men who are still at large.

Source: South African Police Service

NELSPRUIT – Two suspects, Sergio Mathebula and July Sihlangu both aged 32 were nabbed with Rhino horns at the Kruger National Park yesterday, Wednesday 21 September 2022.

The two alleged Rhino poachers made a brief appearance at Skukuza Regional Court today, Thursday 22 September 2022. They were remanded in custody and their case was postponed to Wednesday, 28 September 2022 for a formal bail application.

The duo were caught red handed with a pair of Rhino horns, hunting rifle with six live ammunition, an axe, three mobile phones, two black bags and food.

According to information, one of the Field Ranger’s Manager at the Park received information about some alleged individuals who illegally entered the Park. Other law enforcement agencies were mobilised to assist in tracing the alleged poachers who seem to have entered the Park through Malelane Section. A helicopter from Mission Area Manager was dispatched in order to help track these individuals. The said helicopter assisted a great deal as it enabled the crew members to spot two suspects. This information was shared with other law enforcement agencies on the ground. It was not long before the two were found hiding behind tall grass where they were cornered.

The police arrested and charged the two men for possession of unlicensed firearm with ammunition as well as for illegal possession of rhinoceros horns. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the two men from Mozambique have entered the Republic of South Africa without documentation thus they were also charged for contravening the country’s immigration act.

At this stage police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against the two suspects or link them to other crimes committed elsewhere as the investigation continues.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the arrest of the suspects. “This should send a clear message to others who might consider to cause injuries to the country’s pride in our National Parks. We previously indicated that a situation where people can just illegally enter the Park to poach will never be tolerated. The law will have to take its course against the suspects and we trust that the team of investigators working with the Prosecution team will do their best to ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted without fear or favour” said the General.

Source: South African Police Service

NGANGELIZWE – Police are investigating a case of murder after a 25-year-old man was allegedly assaulted and succumbed to his injuries at the certain homestead at Tyumbu locality on Monday 20 September at about 15:30.

It is alleged that the victim ran into a certain homestead with multiple injuries.

The deceased was possibly assaulted by an unknown suspect/s.

The victim allegedly sustained and succumbed to multiple injuries on his body.

The suspect is unknown at this stage.

The circumstances surrounding the incident is not yet known.

Anyone who has any information relating to this incident is asked to contact the Ngangelizwe Branch Commander Captain Sizwe Gaika on 0823879178 alternatively Crime Stop on 08600 10111. All information will be confidential.

Source: South African Police Service