Day: November 12, 2022

KIMBERLEY – The South African Police Service in the Northern Cape, hosted the Excellence Award Ceremony in recognition of its brightest stars in the province.  The event was held at the 3SAI Infantry Military Base in Roodepan in Kimberley on Friday, 11 November 2022 at 17:30.

Members from different components, units and stations across the province, hang up their boots for the evening and attended the elegant and prestigious ceremony.

It is not every day that police work is appreciated but the Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola deemed it fit to recognize all the hard working men and women in blue for their commitment and outstanding performance during the 2022/2022 financial year.

The mood was calm and relaxed and was matched by the theme for the evening black, gold and white.  

What made the evening extra special and joyful was the beautiful, soft and classy music that was rendered by the SAPS Provincial Jazz band.

Clad in their elegant evening attire , the nominees were celebrated in the presence of the MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison Ms Nomandla Bloem, Divisional Commissioner of SAPS Human Resources,  Lieutenant General Lineo Ntsiea, Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape Lt Gen Koliswa Otola, Public Service Commissioner in the Northern Cape Mr Anele Gxoyiya,  Provincial Commissioners from other provinces and   other dignitaries that included two former retired Provincial Commissioners of the Northern Cape, Lt Gen J Basson and Lt Gen RP Shivuri.

The Awards comprised of 33 categories namely;

Programme 1: Administration

Administration Employee of the Year

1. Level 1-4 Cleaner ZS Mekile

2. Level 5-7 Admin Clerk NR Kaars

3. Level 8-12 Captain L Jacobuson

Administration Team of the Year

Provincial Corporate Communication & Liaison

Programme 2:Vispol and Operations

1. Level 5-7 Sergeant SD Opperman

Programme 3: Detective Services

Employee of the Year

1. Level 5-7 Sgt JAM Tyers

Family violence, Child protection and Sexual offences

1. Level 5-7 Warrant Officer KG Semetsa

2. Level 8-12 Lieutenant Colonel MT Strydom

Special Category

Senior Manager of the Year (Operations)

1. Brigadier HA van Rensburg

Senior Manager of the Year (Administration)

1. Brigadier ME Coghlan

Station Commander of the Year

1. Lt Col R Ndou

Station of the Year

1. Prieska

Reservist of the Year

1. Constable RRJ van Wyk

Community Policing Forum of the Year

1. Kimberley CPF

Employee of the Year-Person with Disability

1. Lt Col Sebolai

National Components

Employee of the Year

1. Level 5-7 Const Dlephu

Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management

1. Level 5-7 W/O RL Vries

Protection and Security Services

1. Level 5-7 Senior Administration Clerk MK January

2. Level 8-12 Capt EJ Smit

Woman of the Year

1. Sgt WA Williams

Sportswoman of the Year

1. Sgt KM Masilo

Sportsman of the Year

1. Colonel AA Alberts

Provincial Commissioner’s Awards

1. Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Major General H de Waal

The Keynote address was delivered by MEC Bloem, who delivered a heart-warming congratulatory message to the winners.

The event was made possible with the generous and valuable sponsorships by various companies and local businesses and government authorities.

What a beautiful ceremony and congratulations to all the winners!

Source: South African Police Service

POLOKWANE – The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has welcomed the hefty sentences handed down by the Lephalale Regional Court this week to a 47-year old rapist, convicted of raping three minor girls aged between 12 and 15 at Tom-Burke Policing area outside Lephalale.

The trial court heard that the rape ordeal started on 10 November 2018 at the accused’s RDP house after he called the three girls to his house to cook for him. The accused instructed two of the girls to cook for him while he raped the other in the bedroom. He continued to rape the other victims on different days using the same modus operandi until one of the victim’s educator noticed her strange behaviour and questioned her.

The victim then revealed the whole ordeal to the educator who informed the victim’s parents and the matter was immediately reported to the Tom-Burke Police. The cases of rape were opened and transferred to the Lephalale Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for further investigation. Detective Sergeant Kwena Ramahuta was assigned to investigate the cases and the accused was tracked down and arrested the following month on 17 December 2018.

The accused made numerous court appearances in the Phalala Magistrate’s Court where the investigating officer successfully opposed bail until he was convicted and ultimately sentenced at the Lephalale Regional Court on Thursday 10 November 2022.

The sentences were passed as follows: 

* Count 1 – life imprisonment for rape

* Count 2 – 3 years imprisonment for sexual assault

* Count 3 – 7 years imprisonment for statutory rape 

“I would like to applaud everyone who played a significant role in ensuring that the perpetrator is permanently removed from society for his horrendous acts,” said Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.

Source: South African Police Service

MALEBOHO – On Friday, 11 November 2022, SAPS Maleboho, led by Social Crime Prevention Coordinator, Warrant Officer Thoka conducted a Safer Schools Crime awareness Campaign coupled with a SAPS career exhibition for Grade 7 learners of Maboi Primary School at Makgato village.

In attendance were guardians, School Governing Body (SGB) members, Department of Social development and Department of Health.

The following topics were addressed:

• School bullying
• Human trafficking
• Kidnapping
• Substances abuse
• Gender-based violence
• Stock theft
• Application of protection orders
• Domestic violence

The SGB Chairperson thanked the Police for sharing of information on various careers choices within the Police Service.

The learners were given information on what the requirements are if one wants to join the organisation.

Source: South African Police Service

BOHLOKONG – Three people lost their lives on the R76 road between Bethlehem and Lindley when their sedan vehicle overturned after the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle. 

On Friday, 11 November 2022 at about 20:30, police attended to an accident scene where they have found a sedan that had been driven from Lindley towards Bethlehem with six occupants inside, including the driver. It is alleged that the driver of the vehicle lost control over it, and it overturned. Two men and one woman died instantly on the scene.

The three other survivors, one woman and two men, were rushed to a local hospital in Bethlehem for medical treatment. The three deceased are unknown at this stage. A case of culpable homicide is being investigated. 

Source: South African Police Service

MACLEAR – Police are seeking the community’s assistance in the identification of a deceased male after the SAPS were alerted on 08 November 2022 about an unknown person’s body in the water at Tsitsa falls river near Skansini admin area.

The body was found in an advanced stage of decomposition. 

Anyone who can assist the SAPS with information or in the identification of the deceased is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Tshetsha on (045) 932 1297.

Source: South African Police Service

ZWELITSHA – The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in the Eastern Cape, Major General Thandiswa Kupiso has issued a stern warning to all those who continue to circulate unlawful messages through text and voice notes, to refrain from such activities or face the full might of the law.

The warning is a sequel to the ongoing circulation of anonymous messages on various social media platforms, which are instilling fear on the law abiding citizens. Those who have crafted these messages for whatever reasons, are cautioned to stop the habit immediately. SAPS operational units have been assigned to track down and arrest those responsible for peddling instability and terror messages within the communities.

Members of the community are also warned not to circulate these messages as this may cause a further confusion and unnecessary fear among people. They are urged to provide any information which can lead to identification of the sources of these messages including those who allegedly plan the attacks in the areas mentioned in the voice notes.

Community members may share this information with any nearest police station or via crime stop number 08 600 10111. The identity of those who assisted the police will be treated with strictest confidentiality.  

Source: South African Police Service