Day: November 12, 2022

Today the City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Directorate hosted the annual Neighbourhood Watch Awards acknowledging the important role that neighbourhood watch groups play in communities.

Nominees, individual patrollers, NW teams, and winners of the various categories were amongst those who attended the awards in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre.

The awards also acknowledge the important role of NWs play between the City’s enforcement agencies and the community.

 The nomination process which started in August and closed on 6 October 2022 saw members of the community participate in the nomination process and submitted award applications for  individual members/patrollers  or an entire NW team in various categories.

 ‘The City is deeply appreciative of the community service spirit and volunteerism of every neighbourhood watch member across Cape Town. Our neighbourhood watches make a big impact on preventing crime in communities, and demonstrate the very best and highest ideal of active citizenry. In a caring society, we look out for each other and the bond of trust that these groups build with their respective communities is incredibly valuable. The City of Cape Town is doing everything it can within its resources and ability to make our City safer for all residents and you are supporting our efforts,’ said Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.

 The following patrollers and NW teams took to the podium as category winners:

 INDIVIDUAL AWARDS CATEGORIES

 NW Member of the Year: Shannon and Dylan Pike,  Wynberg East NW

A member who upholds, with outstanding achievement, the purpose of safeguarding its members and property.

 Organisational Excellence: Celeste Olivia Maclons, Nerissa NW

For excellence in NW management.

 Mobiliser of the Year: Elmarie Raubenheimer, Harlyn NW

For exceptional efforts to mobilise communities in support of safety.

 Inspiration of the Year: Stanford Grass, Stephen Road NW

NW leader who has displayed inspirational public leadership.

 Crime Fighter of the Year: Zuhair Moosa, Nerissa NW

  For exceptional, professional and committed service.

 Courage in Action: Nicole Lynn Jacobus, Carola NW

In recognition of sustained NW operations in the face of highly compromised community safety

 GROUP AWARDS CATEGORIES

 NW Group of the Year: Strand NW

  An NW that upholds, with outstanding achievement, the purpose of safeguarding its members and property against crime and other safety concerns.

 Situational Crime Prevention Award:  New Horizon NW

In recognition of exceptional efforts towards a clean, healthy and safe environment.

 Social Responsibility Award: New Horizon NW

In recognition of a commitment to addressing mitigating and healing social ills, towards healthier, inclusive and united communities.

 Courage in Action Award:  Ottery Safety Patrol NW

 In recognition of sustained NW operations in the face of highly compromised community safety.

 ‘Today’s awards is in recognition of the dedication and perseverance of neighbourhood watch groups in assisting our enforcement agencies in creating safer communities. Neighbourhood watch patrollers are also ambassadors and fulfil an important interface role between communities and the City of Cape Town. We would like to say thank you to each and every patroller who gave up their spare time to make communities a safer place. The City stays committed to providing training, guidance as well as crime prevention and patrol equipment to neighbourhood watches. I hope that these awards will be a motivation to other communities to also establish their own watch groups so that we can all do more to serve and to protect our residents,’  said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Source: City Of Cape Town

MPUMALANGA – Ntombikayise Liticia Khoza (38) was found guilty and sentenced by the Middelburg Regional Court on Thursday, 10 November 2022 to total of 11 years plus six months direct imprisonment for fraud.

In April 2012, information was reported at Hendrina SAPS about the suspect who was suspected to be in possession of skimming devices, counterfeit bank cards and interfering with the clients in Pullenshop. The police went to the identified place and found the suspect with the said items.

The case was opened at Hendrina SAPS and it was transferred to the Middelburg based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation for further probe.

During the investigation, it was established that the suspect was colluding with the bank teller who was employed by the bank during the commission of the offence where she skimmed the bank cards of the clients when assisting them. The suspect was arrested and charged. 

The two accused were linked with the crime. During the trial, the first accused passed away in an accident. The court continued and sentenced Khoza to 11 years imprisonment and six months imprisonment for fraud

Source: South African Police Service

POLOKWANE – The relentless efforts by Police to fight against incidents of murder and armed robberies in Limpopo Province continue to bear fruits as a 58 year-old man was arrested for alleged possession of illegal firearms and ammunition in Thohoyandou on Thursday, 10 November 2022. He is set to appear in Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 14 November 2022.

The suspect was apprehended by the Thohoyandou Police and the Tactical and Response (TRT) Unit in the Vhembe District after he was found in possession of three unlicensed firearms, two rifles with ammunition including eight bags of dagga at Ngwenani Ya Mapholi village.

Police received information about a male suspect who was in possession of firearms and ammunition at his residence.

The house was identified and searched, resulting in the recovery of the following items:

• 1 R1 rifle with eight live ammunition.
• 1 R4 rifle with two magazines and 78 live rounds of ammunition.
• 3 firearms with one magazine and three live rounds.
• 1Detonator with a red cable.
• 1 Digimark battery black in colour.
• 1 Connection DC wire.
• 8 bags of dagga with an estimated street value of R80.000.

The firearms will be subjected to ballistic testing to determine any linkages to other crimes.

The suspect will appear before the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 14 November 2022, facing charges of possession of dagga, unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has commended the members for the sterling work in recovering these weapons.

Police investigations are continuing.

Source: South African Police Service

ALEXANDRIA – Police are seeking the public’s assistance in solving a murder case which occurred on Wednesday evening.

It is alleged that on Wednesday, 09 November 2022 at about 22:30, three unknown armed men entered a house in Strelitzia Street, Wentzel Park, Alexandria. Entry was gained by forcing open a door. The homeowner (61), a double-amputee, was sleeping in his bedroom while his son and two friends were chatting in the lounge.  The occupants in the lounge were held at gunpoint, while the other suspect proceeded to the bedroom where the elderly man was sleeping.  It is further alleged that three gunshots were heard and the three suspects fled the scene on foot. A homeowner, Lungile Irvin Qandana (61) sustained three gunshot wounds in the upper body, and succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects is urged to contact the investigating officer, Detective Constable Peters on 046 653 0095.  The information may also be shared via Crime Stop number 08600 10111.

Source: South African Police Service

PARKTOWN – The Management of the Police in Gauteng, specifically Tshwane, would like to warn the public of an increase in social media related online shopping incidents that have resulted in unsuspecting buyers falling victim to hijackings and robberies.

The 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) has brought about platforms for online shopping for the consumers’ convenience. However, there are criminal elements that have also developed in that space. In Gauteng, online shopping scams have become prevalent in Loate policing precinct, Tshwane District.

The modus operandi used by the groupings that specialise in these scams involves the luring of social media users that conduct purchases through Facebook’s e-commerce site ‘Marketplace’ where goods and services are sold.

The “seller” arranges a meeting place and time with an interested buyer, who would then be met at the agreed location by a young man. The young man would then take the buyer to a secluded place where they are supposedly going to meet the “seller”. It is then at that second location where the victim would be accosted by armed men who would then rob the victim of his belongings and force the victim to transfer money through his/her banking application before the suspects flee the scene. At times, the victim would also be robbed of his/her vehicle.

The public is therefore strongly warned to refrain from looking for bargains on social media platforms. Those that utilise online shopping should only do so through reputable companies or applications and should be vigilant:

• Always approach a prospective online buyer or seller with caution;

• Verify the buyer or seller’s online profile;

• Do not disclose any personal information about yourself;

• Avoid meeting a prospective buyer or seller in secluded areas, rather in public spaces;

• If you have any doubts about the buyer or seller rather end your conversation online.

The public is reminded to report any crime to their nearest police station, and to give crime tip-offs by calling the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or alternatively via MySAPS App.

Source: South African Police Service

GQEBERHA – SAPS Kwanobuhle detectives are investigating a case of culpable homicide after one person died in an accident on the Rocklands Road this morning.  

It is reported that at about 10:00, the driver of a Chevrolet SUV was travelling from Kwanobuhle on the Rocklands Road in the direction of Uitenhage. It is further reported that the vehicle veered off the road and overturned.  The deceased, Charles Mabindisa (55), was ejected from the vehicle and died on the scene while the 13-year-old passenger was taken to hospital for treatment.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident and the investigation is ongoing.

Source: South African Police Service

BUTTERWORTH – A crime intelligence driven operation with the assistance of Port Elizabeth Tactical Response Team (TRT) members led to the arrest of two suspects aged 29 and 30 years at Ngxakaxha Location outside Dutywa.

Last night at about 19:00, an operation was conducted following information received about a hijacked vehicle that was reported in Dutywa beginning of November 2022. During the operation the vehicle was spotted and Police gave chase and the suspects refused to stop. They were arrested at Ngxakaxa Location and one suspect managed to evade arrest and two suspects were immediately arrested. The vehicle, a Toyota Etios was confiscated by Police.

The suspects were charged for possession of stolen vehicle and will appear at Dutywa Magistrate Court on Monday, 14 November 2022.

Source: South African Police Service