Month: December 2022

The City of Cape Town has reminded residents and visitors that Milnerton Lagoon, Milnerton Estuary Mouth and Lagoon Beach remain closed for swimming due to pollution in the Diep River.

“There has been ongoing pollution within the Diep River that has been well publicised. The Diep River discharges at the estuary mouth at Lagoon Beach. As a result, Lagoon Beach is also affected by pollution in the Diep River,” the City said.

With the peak season and hot summer temperatures, the City has been made aware that people are swimming in the estuary mouth, in Milnerton Lagoon and at Lagoon Beach.

“The City would like to remind both residents and visitors that these areas are polluted, and the Milnerton Lagoon, Milnerton Estuary Mouth and Lagoon Beach remain closed for swimming, playing and recreational use.

“Pollution warning signs remain in place. We appreciate the public’s cooperation during this time,” the City said.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

Nelspruit: Police in Mpumalanga appeal to anyone who might assist locate the 88-year-old missing, Ms Maria Shiba. She was last seen yesterday, Friday 30 December 2022 at Kamaqhekeza, Tonga.

On the time of her disappearance, Ms Sheba was wearing a yellow dress, white beanie, black socks and blue Crocs. She was then reported missing by her loved-ones.

Police therefore urge anyone who might know her whereabouts to urgently contact Tonga SAPS on 082 448 9481. Members of the public can also call Crime Stop at 08600 10111. Alternatively information can be sent via MySAPS app. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.

Source: South African Police Service

POLOKWANE: The members of the Provincial Tracking Team have arrested a 37-year-old suspect who committed fraud worth thousands of rands at Mahlesedi Park outside Polokwane on Friday 30 December 2022.

Reportedly on Friday 23 December 2022, the suspect allegedly approached a female victim who is an employee at the Department of Arts and Culture and told her that he was having money amounting to R2.5 million which was stained with a black dye.

The suspect asked the victim to give him R200.000 in cash to purchase a special substance or chemical to wash away the black dye which was demonstrated to her with authentic money and was assured to be paid R400,000 in return.

Afterwards, the victim made a withdrawal of R200,000 and gave it to the suspect with the hope to acquire more money. The suspect left the victim with another fraudulent money which was put inside the safe to assure that he will come back to pay back the money as agreed.

The victim started to be suspicious about the arrangement and reported the matter to the police who immediately commenced with the investigations.

Yesterday on Friday 30 December 2022, the suspect called the victim and requested another R400,000 in cash and she agreed to give him the money in collaboration with the police.

An intelligence driven operation was executed and the suspect was subsequently arrested at his rental residence in Mahlasedi Park after receiving the money from the victim on the said day.

During his arrest, the suspect was found in possession of counterfeit black money with substances or chemicals alleged to wash away the black dye stains including the remaining R161,000 in cash which belonged to the victim.

Further police investigations revealed that the suspect was in the country illegally and an additional charge of Contravention of Immigration Act was also included at the time of his arrest.

The suspect will appear before the Polokwane Magistrates’ Court soon facing charges of fraud, illegal immigration and possession of counterfeit money.

"I appreciate the immediate response by the men and women in blue for the immediate apprehension of the suspect which could have escalated to other unsuspecting victims across the province. I hope that justice could prevail in order to remove these type of individuals from the society" said the Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.

Source: South African Police Service

KIMBERLEY: The men and women in blue in the Northern Cape are ready to ensure a safe transition into the New Year across the province.

The human and physical resources in and around Pixley Ka Seme, John Taolo Gaetsewe, Frances Baard, ZF Mgcawu and Namakwa Districts are strategically deployed to ensure that they combat, prevent and investigate any criminal activities that may erupt as a results of the New Year's Eve celebrations and beyond.

The Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, encourages the inhabitants to usher the New Year in, in a dignified and safe manner.

"Motorists are urged to refrain from driving while under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicating substances", says General Otola.

The South African Police Service in the province is expecting to see community members working in partnership with police officers on the ground to ensure that the By-laws and all laws, including regulations are adhered to. They are encouraged not to ignite fire crackers in designated areas.

Motorists must avoid to drift or spin vehicles on public roads or within neighbourhoods. All liquor outlets, must adhere to the respective trading hours and those violating the laws will be issued with fines or will be arrested.

Operation Vala Konke continues to intensify, ensuring the apprehension and arrest of criminals across the districts.

On Friday, 30 December 2022 several suspects were put behind bars for various crimes ranging from dealing in drugs, theft of motor vehicle, theft, malicious damage to property, rape, common robbery, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and domestic violence.

Drugs were confiscated across the province with a combined estimated value of more than R30 000,00.

Static road blocks were held in the districts to ensure that motorists comply at the rules of the road on all the provincial, secondary and national roads. Fines were issued to motorists for contravention of the Road Traffic Act.

Several shebeens were closed down and home brewed concoctions were disposed of.

More boots on the ground will ensure the safety of the inhabitants of the province.

Source: South African Police Service

Nelspruit: Police in the province continue with operations to fight crime. A number of suspects were arrested during Vala Konke operation on various charges yesterday, Friday 30 December 2022.

Two suspects aged 27 and 34 were searched next to a fast food restaurant wherby suspected Tik (Chrystal metal) with Nyaope was found in their possession. The weight of the substances found was about 52 grams.

As the operations continues, members of the police received information about a suspect selling fireworks. The astute members then followed the details and went to the taxi rank where a lot of crackers was found hidden in bags. The suspect aged 27 reportedly resisted an arrest but he was finally arrested. Even though he paid a fine as an admission of guilt for unlawful selling the fireworks at Charl Cilliers.

A 36-year-old suspect was also arrested on charges of illegal possession of suspected CAT drugs weighing at about 6 grams. He actually attracted the attention of the police after consuming liquor in public. Police also discovered that the man did not have legal documentation to be in South Africa hence a charge of contravention of the Immigration Act added against the suspect. All suspects are expected to appear at the Standerton Magistrates' Court on 03 December 2022 facing the said charges.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has appreciated the successes made by the members.

Source: South African Police Service