Day: December 10, 2022

POLOKWANE – The South African Police Service in Limpopo had on Friday 09 December 2022, launched the Traditional Policing Concept in Mokwakwaila Policing area outside Tzaneen, Mopani District.

The Traditional Policing Concept has been developed as a model for policing in rural traditionally led communities, as partners in the fight against crime. The aim of the concept thereof is to build capacity and strengthen partnerships in order to have a multi-disciplinary approach to address and reduce the fear of crime by jointly identifying the root causes, specifically in communities led by traditional leaders.

The launch was led by the Divisional Commissioner: Visible Policing and Operations, Lieutenant General MM Mohlala and the Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe. In attendance were Traditional Leaders from around the Province, led by the Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders Hosi Ngove.

The Mayor of Greater Letaba Municipality, Cllr Mamanyoha, the CPF Deputy Chairperson Mr Lebogo, Deputy Provincial Commissioners, District Commissioners, Station Commanders and Saps management at station, district and provincial levels.

Other stakeholders in attendance included the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders Executive members, officials from the Department of Transport and Community Safety, and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

The Component Head: Social Crime Prevention from the Division Visible Policing and Operations, Major General T Mathonsi outlined the overview of Traditional Policing Concept and went on to explain the constitutional imperatives in terms of section 205,

The Divisional Commissioner: Vispol Policing and Operations Lieutenant General MM Mothlala representing office of the National Commissioner called on all government departments and stakeholders to come together to work towards the successful implementation of this concept.He urged communities to collaborate with the SAPS in the fight against crime and build safer communities through integrated approach to crime prevention in rural communities. He went on to urge traditional leaders to play a leading role in crime prevention and community mobilisation in the fight against crime.

The concept also focuses on availability of facilities for use by the police, provision of mobile service where necessary, deployment of rural safety coordinators as nodal point for traditional leaders & rural communities and provision of police stations or service points where necessary. To kick-start the project, each district received a Mobile Community Service Centre.

In concluding the program, dignitaries as well as the Traditional Leaders and District Commissioners signed the pledge of support. The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe in her response, pleaded with the traditional leaders to help police address the issue of violence including vigilantism and talk to their communities to refrain from damaging of infrastructures and take care of government resources. The General also made a promise of speeding up the process of beefing up resources to help enhance service delivery.

The Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders Hosi Ngove as he rendered the vote of thanks, said they welcomed the concept and they promise to support and work with the SAPS to ensure the success of this programme.

Source: South African Police Service

NELSPRUIT – The police in Komatipoort are investigating a kidnapping incident in which a male truck driver (33) originally from the Eastern Cape Province was reportedly kidnapped near Libombo Boarder in Komatipoort on Thursday, 08 December 2022.

According to the report, on the said day, the truck driver is said to have been in Komatipoort waiting in a queue with other trucks which were destined to cross over from South Africa through Lebombo Boarder Post into the country of Mozambique. It is further indicated that he alighted from the truck to get some food. As he was returning to the truck it is alleged that a group of about four male suspects armed with a firearm, pangas, as well as knives forcefully pulled him then took him to the nearby bushes. Upon arrival in the bushes it is further alleged that his hands and feet were tied and was allegedly assaulted by his assailants where he reportedly sustained some injuries to his head and other parts of his body. Further than that his mobile phone was allegedly used by the suspects to cash in from his bank account. Thereafter the suspects allegedly ensured that the victim’s family transferred more cash for the sake of his freedom. Fortunately on the same evening (08 December 2022) the truck driver somehow got away after being left by the suspects with one of their own. It is said that he could barely walk but managed to make it to the road and got assistance from other truck drivers.

A kidnapping case was eventually opened at Komatipoort Police Station and police began with their probe. No one has been arrested so far however police are in pursuit of the suspects. Hence members of the public are urged to come forth with information that may assist in apprehending the perpetrators by calling the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.

Meanwhile police dismissed rumours that another truck driver was kidnapped by suspects demanding R50 000 as ransom. The police refute such claims as unfounded and untrue. However truck drivers are advised if possible not to leave their trucks (unless it is propelling for them to do so) whilst waiting to be attended to by the officials working at Libombo Boarder Post. Whilst police and other law enforcement are working hard to bring perpetrators who target truck drivers at the border as they move out of their trucks, drivers should also work hand in hand with the authorities for their safety.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has vowed that police in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies will continue to work hard to ensure safety for all law abiding citizens especially during this festive season. “We trust that the team of investigators in this case will bring expected results as they always do so that perpetrators get what they deserve” said the General.

Source: South African Police Service

BRANDFORT – Apparently a 12-year-old school learner was from school when she was called to a shack of the suspect and raped. After two months, the incident was reported and the suspect was arrested. The child was commended for being brave and breaking the silence to report the rape especially during 16 Days of Activism.

During October 2022 at about 14:45 a 12-year-old girl was from school when she was instructed by a known adult male person to come inside his shack. She was forcefully undressed and raped.

She was threatened not to tell anyone about the rape ordeal. The child kept quiet for two months until she broke the silence on the 10 December 2022 at 14:45, where she reported to a relative.

Brandfort SAPS members were summoned to the scene and the victim pointed to a 35-year-old adult male who was arrested and he is facing a charge of raping a minor.

He will appear on the 12 December 2022 in Brandfort Magistrate Court.

The District Commissioner of Lejweleputswa, Maj Gen Lerato Molale praised the girl for breaking the silence even though she was threatened and reported what happened to her. He further encouraged others to do so.

Source: South African Police Service

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has led the SAPS in joining Faith-Based-Organisations to pray against the scourge of Gender-Based-Violence and Femicide, including children.

The event which is part of the Spiritual Crime Prevention effort was held at Replica Church in Standerton yesterday, Friday 09 December 2022. Pastors, Prophets, Spiritual Leaders, Chaplains, congregants and members of the SAPS converged to seek divine intervention in dealing with the challenges that victims are faced with on daily basis.

Two victims, Ms Dimakatso Motloung and Ms Tsakani Shivuri shared the pain that they went through as they were victimized but indicated that they came out from abusive relationships and became survivors. They both encouraged other women to break the silence.

During the keynote address on occasion, the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela indicated that women should stop apologising for having been abused because of seeking financial support from the perpetrators. The General further emphasised that the public, including SAPS members should make use of the professionals that the state has provided. “We as Police are doing our best to fight Gender-Based-Violence and Femicide in our society but we cannot do this alone. We need the community to join hands with us. Those who protect perpetrators knowingly should also be brought to book. There is no excuse to protect abusers just because they provide food on the table. As police our duty is to arrest these perpetrators without fear or favour. Finally, we thank the prayers that were offered today” concluded the General.

Source: South African Police Service

POLOKWANE – A 31-year-old woman has been arrested today 10 December 2022 alongside her elder sister and their two children following the death of her 12-year-old daughter on Thursday 08 December 2022 at Mapayeni village under Giyani Policing area.

The suspects were arrested after further probe into the matter revealed that the child succumbed to her injuries after she was assaulted on Wednesday 07 December 2022. This after she allegedly went out and failed to return home. The mother reportedly called her elder sister aged 37, who resides in the same village to accompany her to look for the child and they were joined by their two teenage boys both aged 15.

The child was then located and taken home. Upon arrival, the suspects allegedly assaulted the girl and thereafter instructed her to bath and locked her inside the room.

The following day, the mother called the Police and informed them that she was surprised to find her dead inside her room.

Police conducted their investigation and upon inspection of the body they discovered that the deceased’s had visible injuries and that she was assaulted. A case of murder was opened and transferred to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses Unit.

The suspects were then arrested and will be charged with murder. They are expected to appear before the Giyani Magistrate’s Court on Monday 12 December 2022. The case against the two minors will be dealt with in terms of the Child Justice Act.

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has commended the members for the excellent investigation which ensured that the suspects are exposed for their dubious acts and hoped justice prevails for the victim.

Source: South African Police Service

The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service(SAPS), General Fannie Masemola is pleased to announce the promotion of 11 364 members to higher ranks from 01 April 2022 to date. This announcement was made during a press briefing that was held in Pretoria on Friday, 09 December 2022.

Of the 11 364, a total of 7 694 are members who were promoted from the ranks of Constable to Sergeant and Sergeant to Warrant Officer.

General Masemola says the promotion of members on grass roots level of policing is part of the organisation’s Human Capital Investment Strategy, which aims to boost the morale and well-being of members.

The appointment of senior managers in key positions which include the Divisional Commissioner for Technology Management Service (TMS) and Crime Intelligence (CI) were also made.

Appointment of Divisional Commissioner: Technology Management Service (TMS)

Major General Edith Mavundla has been appointed as the Divisional Commissioner for Technology Management Service (TMS) at the rank of Lieutenant General with effect from the 1st December 2022. The officer joined the service in 1987 and worked her way up through the ranks to the level of Major General in 2011. She has vast experience in the Information Technology environment having served in a variety of senior roles including that of Component Head: Technology Governance. She holds a National Diploma in Public Management and Administration and a B-tech degree in Business Information Systems.

Appointment of Divisional Commissioner: Crime Intelligence (CI)

Major General Dumisani Khumalo has been appointed as the Divisional Commissioner for Crime Intelligence at the rank of Lieutenant General with effect from the 1st of December 2022. The officer joined the service in 1991 as a student constable. The officer has vast experience and has been serving within the Operational Response Services (ORS) as well as Crime Intelligence (CI) environments for the past 26 years. From 2006 to 2018 he served as a Component Head for National Operational Coordination (NOC) where he was responsible for the integrated deployment of resources to crime hotspot areas throughout the country. Due to his meticulous information gathering and analysis skills, the officer was assigned to lead intelligence driven investigations in KwaZulu-Natal from 2018 to date. The senior officer holds a B.A Degree in Police Science.

General Masemola says the filling of critical vacancies aims to enhance accountability and bring about stability within the organisation.

These announcements precede the welcoming of 10 000 newly trained police officers who have successfully completed the 9 month Basic Police Development Learning Programme (BPDLP) on Tuesday, 13 December 2022 at various SAPS Training Academies.

Source: South African Police Service

VIRGINIA – According to the information Yonela Ntlantlana (11) left home at Maricopa Drive Saaiplaas Virginia on the 08 December 2022 at 13:00 and never came back.

The family visited most of her friends but could not be traced and she was reported missing and a Missing Person File was registered for further investigation.

She was last seen wearing a grey track suit top, navy and yellow mini dress, blue and white push-in shoes, she has a scar on her right chin and speaks Xhosa.

Anyone with information to trace the missing person, Virginia Detective Services can be contacted at cellphone number 082 455 6050 or Crime Stop number 08600 10111 .

Source: South African Police Service