Day: November 6, 2022

Gqeberha – In an intelligence driven operation which was mobilised during the early hours of Friday morning, 04 November 2022, Gqeberha K9 unit members arrested three suspects, seized drugs and confiscated a firearm on the N2 freeway between Kinklebos and Colchester.

According to information received a silver Toyota Double Cab bakkie was heading from East London to Gqeberha with drugs. The members waited for the vehicle and at about 03:35, the bakkie was pulled over near Kinklebos.

On searching the vehicle, a 9mm Norinco pistol (serial numbers filed off) with 9 rounds of ammunition and 2000 mandrax tablets were found. The three occupants aged between 25-35 years old were arrested and detained on charges of possession of a prohibited firearm, illegal possession of ammunition and dealing/possession of drugs. The estimated street value of the drugs is R80 000.

They are expected to appear in the Kinklebos magistrate court on Monday, 7 November 2022 on their respective charges.

Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Maj Gen Vuyisile Ncata complimented the team for swiftly operationalising the information. “Drug trafficking is a threat and is most often the causal factors that contribute much of the violent crimes plaguing our societies. Communities are controlled by those who sell drugs as well as by those who produce them. Therefore, as law enforcement we must be a step ahead of these syndicates. We will not waiver in our efforts to arrest drug traffickers that are destroying our neighbourhoods with their illegal drug trades,” warned Maj Gen Ncata.

Source: South African Police Service

MSOBOMVU – Police members arrested a 31-year-old male for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

The arrest comes after police swiftly followed up on information received about a person who is in possession of a firearm. The Operational Command Centre (OCC) members assisted with back up and they proceeded to the home of the suspect at Khayelitsha Squatter Camp, Butterworth. On arrival, the shack was searched and a 9mm pistol, a magazine and one round of ammunition were confiscated. They continued with searching and they also recovered eleven (11) live rounds of R5.  They arrested the suspect and charged him for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The suspect is due to appear at Butterworth Magistrate Court tomorrow, 07 November 2022.

The Acting District Commissioner Brigadier Ngangema Xakavu applauded the team for their effort to remove the firearms from the hands of the criminals. He further thanked the community members for sharing information that led to the arrest and recovery of a firearm.

Source: South African Police Service

WESTERN CAPE – Police in the Western Cape made a major breakthrough in the fight against serious and violent crimes with the arrest of a 33-year-old wanted suspect involved in various crimes in the region following an extensive search and investigation into the whereabouts of the man linked to an attack at a tavern in Thembalethu (George). 

Initial investigation into the attack revealed, on Sunday, 23 May 2021 a group was having a braai outside a residence situated in Asazani, Zone 6, Thembalethu, when gunmen stopped and started shooting at them. Six victims sustained gunshot wounds and cases of attempted murder were opened.  

On Thursday, 03 November 2022, George Public Order Police and Garden Route Crime Combatting Team members armed with a warrant of arrest pounced on a house at Sampie Street, Zone 9 where they apprehended the suspect, positively linked to the attack, on charges of attempted murder. The accused made his first court appearance on Friday, 04 November 2022 on six counts of attempted murder. He was remanded in custody. This matter was postponed to 12 December 2022 when the accused is expected to be joined by two others, aged 39 and 41, already in custody. 

Meanwhile, various probes conducted by Western Cape Provincial Crime Detectives (Serious and violent crime detectives) also positively linked the accused to numerous cases of murder and cash and transit robberies committed in the region.

Western Cape police management commended the team for their efforts to bring these perpetrators to book. Their arrest would go a long way in policing efforts to safeguard communities in this region.

Source: South African Police Service

WESTERN CAPE – The response of police officers paid off when they recovered a stolen firearm with ammunition.

Members of the Maitland Flying Squad followed up on information of a stolen police official’s firearm on Saturday, 05 November 2022. They drove to a pre identified address and searched a house in Mfuleni where they confiscated a 9mm pistol with ammunition. Four suspects between the ages of 18 and 22 were arrested and detained on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and possession of stolen property.

Once charged the suspects are expected to make a court appearance in the Blue Downs Magistrate court on the mentioned charges.

Source: South African Police Service

PARKTOWN – Forty-five people who were found driving while under the influence of alcohol are among 1420 suspects arrested by the police in Gauteng over the weekend. During the launch of Provincial Safer Festive Season Operations, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela indicated that one of the focus areas this festive season was to deal decisively with those who drink and drive, to prevent road fatalities.

In the first operation after the launch, Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela was joined by the Minister of Police General Bheki Cele and Gauteng MEC for Community Safety Ms Faith Mazibuko as he led Operation O Kae Molao in Ennerdale policing precinct which include Finetown, where eleven people were shot recently.

This multidisciplinary operation resulted in the arrest of seventeen (17) undocumented foreign nationals, twenty-one (21) people who were found driving while under the influence of alcohol and eleven (11) unlicensed liquor outlets that are regarded as the generators of crime were closed down. More than three hundred (300) other suspects were arrested in Johannesburg District for offences ranging from murder, robbery, rape, assault, possessions of an unlicensed firearm and dealing in drugs.

Furthermore, three hundred and eighty-three (383) suspects were arrested in Ekurhuleni District for crimes ranging from murder, ATM bombing, pointing of firearm, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, theft, rape, malicious damage to property and tempering with essential infrastructure.

Three hundred and fifty (350) people were apprehended in Tshwane District for crimes ranging from possession of drugs, common robbery, malicious damage to property, illegal possession of a firearm, assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, murder and carjacking.

Three hundred and fifty-five (355) suspects were nabbed in Sedibeng and West Rand Districts for allegations of murder, pointing of firearm, possession of an unlicensed firearm with ammunition, armed robbery and rape.

Some of the suspects were released after paying admission of guilt fines while others are expected to appear at various Magistrate Courts within Gauteng on Monday, 07 November 2022.

Source: South African Police Service

NELSPRUIT – Police and other law enforcement agencies are on high alert after 12 escaped from lawful custody at Komatipoort Police Station in the evening of Saturday, 05 November 2022. Two escapees, aged 27 and 34 has since been re-arrested at the Libombo Boarder in Komatipoort after reportedly attempting to cross over to Mozambique. Ten remaining suspects are still at large and are being sought by the police.

According to the report, the circumstances surrounding the escape is still under investigation however the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has visited the station immediately after the incident and appointed a team led by a Senior Officer to get into the bottom of what might have transpired.

Preliminary investigation has so far revealed that 12 inmates reportedly escaped from the police’s holding cells after battling with members of the police, resulting in one member sustaining some injuries. Two service pistols as well as ammunition were also stolen by the suspects during the scuffle.

Soon after their escape, members of the security cluster were activated and that is the time when two of the suspects (Reginaldo Fulaho and Narsisco Julius Mavalela) were cornered, one arrested last night by SAPS members and the SANDF members today at the said boarder as they attempted to cross over to Mozambique.

The remaining suspects are Joseph Ubisi (35), Josiah Ndlovu (30), Ruben Macuacua (30), Amos Cossa (25), Ardemeto Madevu (18), Alsido Manique (24), Francisco Setoho (38), France Baloi (29), and Smanga Khoza (50).

The suspects were previously arrested for various offences including who was arrested for rape, theft, robbery and kidnapping, robbery with firearms, possession of suspected stolen properties, as well as possession of suspected stolen motor vehicles. An investigation regarding their escape is underway and the suspects will face an additional charge of escaping from lawful custody.

Police would like to appreciate members who gave information that has led to the rearrests of the two suspects however police still appeal to the public including their families not to approach these remaining suspects as they are considered to be dangerous but rather share information that may lead to their rearrests with police by calling the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111. Alternatively members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.

An internal investigation regard possible negligence and aiding has also commended and the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has vowed that police will not hesitate to take drastic steps against any member who may be found to be at fault.

Source: South African Police Service