Day: September 25, 2022

PRKTOWN – The police in Gauteng stamped the authority of the state as they continued to carry out their constitutional mandate of ensuring safety and security for the citizens of the province and squeeze the space for criminals.

Over the weekend, the police together with other law enforcement agencies embarked on different crime prevention operations throughout the province, including the multi-disciplinary Operation O Kae Molao which seeks to deal with any form of criminality.

During the operations, more than one thousand and four hundred fifty suspects were arrested for various crimes such as possession of unlicensed firearms, dealing in drugs, possession of suspected stolen property, murder, attempted murder, rape, robbery, assault GBH and contravening the Immigration Act. Most of the arrested suspects were wanted and arrested during the suspect tracing operation which is the first phase of Operation O Kae Molao conducted by the Detectives Units.

The Provincial Commissioner of the police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela led the operation that was held in Johannesburg District at Ennerdale while District Commissioners continued with the operations at their respective districts.

The operation also saw police make various confiscations of unlicensed firearms, drugs, illegal mining equipment and liquor taken from liquor outlets operating without a license and contravening the Liquor Act.

Some of the suspects have been released after paying fines, while others are expected to appear before various Magistrates court across the province starting from 26 September 2022.

Source: South African Police Service

MAKHANDA – A 35-year-old man was arrested and charged for dealing in illicit drugs during an intelligence driven operation carried out by SAPS members from Joza and Grahamstown police stations. The operation forms part of the Provincial Commissioner’s Operation ‘Sikhona’ to ameliorate service delivery in the Eastern Cape.

On Saturday evening, 24 September 2022, police members from these two stations operationalised the intelligence information and also broadened it to ensure high police visibility in all hotspot areas in Makhanda.  Even though the focus was on drug posts, liquor outlets were also visited to ensure compliance to the liquor trade regulations.

During the operation, police in possession of a search warrant pounced and searched a house in Joza Street, Makhanda, where they arrested a man and also seized the following illicit drugs:

26 × Boss manrdrax tablets

40 grams of crystal meth (tik)

500 grams of dagga

15× bompies of dagga

170 x tik pipes

R1 140.00 cash

The 35-year-old suspect is expected to appear at the Grahamstown Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 26 September 2022 to face charges of dealing in illicit drugs.

The Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene welcomed the operational success and commended the police for their continued efforts in eradicating drugs.  “Drugs are destroying our youth and we urge the communities to break the silence and to report these drug dens that are operating in their neighbourhoods. Drugs are a major contributory factor in the commission of crimes. Desperate addicts will do anything in their power to get a ‘fix’ and will even resort to criminal activities such as robberies and housebreakings to feed their habit. The success of Operation Sikhona depends on both police and more importantly community involvement,” added Lt Gen Mene.

Source: South African Police Service

FREE STATE – An old man Isaac Kolisang Mokoena, 80 who was reported missing at Thabong police station on Friday, 23 September 2022 was found safe after joint search efforts by police and community members on Saturday, 24 September 2022.

According to the missing person report, Mr Mokoena went missing on Thursday, 22 September 2022 when he left home pushing scrap metals to sell at the scrap metal dealers in Thabong. The report further stated that he never returned home. His search began immediately after his family member reported to the police.

On Saturday, 24 September 2022 Thabong SAPS Partnership members were on duty performing Social Crime Prevention duties when they continued with the search. Captains Tebello Khakhau and Malebo Khosana visited the address of Mr Mokoena. His wife and daughter were found who provided information about the drinking places that he visits more often to enjoy sorghum beer. His photo was obtained for identification purposes.

The members visited several places to no avail. A decision was taken by members to call Capt Martha Sieberts of Bronville for enquiry. She promised to find out and call back.

Later when she called, she relayed that Bronville SAPS members on duty are following up on a complaint from a community member about an old man who seems to be lost in Winnie Park, Bronville and will give feedback. The old man was found and his photo matching the one obtained earlier.

Bronville SAPS members were asked to bring the old man to Thabong SAPS. Const Mokhali and Const Hancock swiftly brought the old man to Thabong SAPS. Mr Isaac Kolisang Mokoena was safely reunited with his family.

Source: South African Police Service

POTCHEFSTROOM – Klaas Dintwe (29), Tebogo Mocumi (29) and Olehile Uithaler (31) were remanded in custody when they appeared in the Sannieshof Periodical Court on Thursday, 22 September 2022. They are expected to reappear before the Delareyville Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 27 September 2022, for business robbery.

It was reported that the trio allegedly gained entrance into the store in Extension 7, Delareyville in the early hours of Monday morning, 19 September 2022.  That was after they broke open the burglar door and cut the roof.  They allegedly overpowered and assaulted an employee who was sleeping in a room adjoined to the business, then took an undisclosed amount of cash, cigarettes, groceries, clothing, tekkies and a flash machine before running away.

Ensuing investigations led to positive identification and linking of the suspects with the crime. They were successfully traced and arrested a day later (Tuesday, 20 September 2022). During the arrest, the police seized items such as groceries and a jacket which were robbed during the incident.

The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the investigation team for a sterling job and reiterated that the police are determined to ensure that criminals are brought to book to account for their actions.

Source: South African Police Service

GQEBERHA – Persistent patrols in hotspot areas paid off when a cable thief and housebreaking suspects were arrested by members of the K9 unit in Gqeberha yesterday, 24 September 2022.

In the first incident, at about 05:30, two K9 members were on foot patrol with their dogs, Max and Diesel at a common spot where cable thieves operate in Whyteleaf Drive in Algoa Park. While walking in the bushy area under the electrical pylons, they noticed two males carrying a big piece of electrical cable on their shoulders from a trench under the pylons. When the suspects noticed the members approaching, they dropped the cable and started to run. After several warnings to stop were ignored, Max was released and apprehended one suspect. A further search for the second suspect proved negative.

Approximately 4 metres of copper cable, a hacksaw with blades, a hammer and a metal bar were confiscated.

The property was identified as belonging to the NMB municipality.

The 37-year-old suspect is detained on a charge in terms of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act- damage to essential infrastructure. He is expected to appear in court soon.

Also on the same day, at about 15:15, K9 members were conducting patrols around the airport area where cargo is stored as several complaints were received of suspicious persons in the area. While circling the boundary of the premises, they noticed that the boundary wall was broken and the side door of the mechanical building was also broken. As the member with his dog Max cautiously approached the building, one person was seen running out of the building towards the direction of the broken boundary wall. After several warnings to stop failed, Max was released and he apprehended the suspect. A second suspect was found hiding inside the building.

A metal box containing medical equipment was seized from the fleeing suspect. Both suspects, aged 29 and 19-years-old were detained on a charge of housebreaking and theft.

They are expected to appear in court soon.                  

Source: South African Police Service

MPUMALANGA – A 30-year-old suspect was arrested during a multidisciplinary intelligence driven disruptive search and seizure operation conducted by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team in Nelspruit together with White River K9 on Friday, 23 September 2022 aiming at eradicating the manufacturing of drugs within the community of Barberton. 

The arrest follows an intelligence about a plot in Barberton where drugs are being manufactured and peddled. The team acquired an authorization from court to enter, search and seize every item which is drug related.

On arrival at the identified address, the team found the trees of dagga, bottles containing dry dagga and dagga seeds. The suspect was immediately arrested, charged accordingly and detained pending his first court appearance at the Nelspruit Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 26 September 2022. Exhibits were seized for further laboratory investigation.

The Hawks’ Provincial Head, Major General Zodwa Mokoena cherished the collaboration of the team by ensuring that drug laboratories are dismantled and suspects are brought to book.

Source: South African Police Service

LEPHALALE – The SAPS in Lephalale Zone 3 members hosted a Heritage Day celebration at Ga-Seleka community hall under Witpoort policing area on Saturday 24 September 2022.

The keynote address, was rendered by Captain Semenya-Fambe, the Zone 3 Women’s Network Champion. Women, children and men were addressed about gender-based violence and domestic violence.

The Back to God Community empowerment is a movement consisting of different churches within the 42 villages falling under Seleka and Shongoane. They come together quarterly to empower one another.

Other speakers included the cancer survivor Ms Khumalo who encouraged women to go for check-ups regularly and consult with medical professionals if they suspect anything relating to cancer. Movement advocating against abuse and violence representative, Mrs Sylvia Sebina –Mukwevho, also shared her experience of being in an abusive marriage where she was physically, emotionally, verbally, economically and sexually abused by her husband.

The following topics were also covered:

How to apply for protection order. Difference between final protection order and interim, who is eligible to apply for protection order;

Harassment Order;

Safe online shopping and Fraud;

Danger of buying stolen goods;

Burglary;

How to become police informer and work with the SAPS in the fight against crime and

Zone 3 Station Commander and district’s contact details were also shared with the attendees.

Source: South African Police Service