Day: December 16, 2022

NELSPRUIT – A former police Sergeant and a woman are amongst seven suspects that are expected to appear before the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 19 December 2022 on suspicion of kidnapping and assaulting a 37 year victim at KaMaqhekeza on Thursday, 15 December 2022 at about 01h00 am.

According to information, members of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) spotted two suspicious looking vehicles, a navy blue BMW as well as a powder blue Mini Cooper at Dludluma outside Komatipoort.

When the vehicles were stopped for investigation, eight occupants were in the vehicles. It is said that the victim got a chance to report to SANDF members that he was forcefully taken from his residence and assaulted. It is further alleged that he (the victim) was abducted, all the seven occupants aged between 22 and 43 were present.

The Army members took the victim and the suspects then handed them over to the police in Tonga and an investigation to the motive behind the alleged kidnapping and assault is underway.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela applauded members of the SANDF for their vigilance and outstanding work which saved the victim’s life.

Source: South African Police Service

When the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) launched the Decade of the Artisan campaign in 2014, Nelisiwe Duba, who was in high school at the time, could not believe her luck as she immediately saw this as not only her chance to pursue a career in the trades, but to become a successful female artisan entrepreneur.

Since childhood, the 24-year-old from Ermelo, Mpumalanga, finds joy in using her own hands to fix and create things. It therefore is not surprising that eight years after the launch of the Decade of the Artisan, Duba is now a qualified artisan after completing a Mechanical Fitting and Turning Course in the Manufacturing and Construction of Components.

The Decade of the Artisan campaign aims to produce 30 000 artisans per year by 2030, as indicated in government’s National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 and the White Paper for Post School Education and Training (PSET).

Duba was among the artisans who were awarded certificates at the Artisans Graduation Ceremony for the Centres of Specialisation (CoS), held in Ekurhuleni on 29 November 2022.

The graduation ceremony, which was addressed by Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, saw over 350 artisans from Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges awarded certificates after successfully completed their studies in various fields.

An elated Duba, who enrolled at Sedibeng TVET College in Vereeniging said she decided to pursue an artisanal career because she is a very creative and open-minded individual.

“Fitting and turning is a great fit for someone who has a creative side, hence I chose this field. While in high school, I was doing Mathematics and Physical Science, which helped me to meet the requirements needed at the college.”

Duba believes that artisanal careers can help people, especially the youth, to open their own businesses.

“As artisans, we are people who are highly skilled with our hands. Job opportunities are getting scarce in our country, an artisanal career can help you open your own business and create job opportunities for the youth of South Africa.”

She encouraged young people to consider artisanal careers because “being an artisan allows you to be independent”.

“With funding, you have the skills to start your own thing besides working for someone else. One can do specially trades or courses like welding, electrical and plumbing [amongst others],” Duba said.

Now that she has completed her studies, an optimistic Duba says the future looks bright for her.

“I am currently looking for employment, where I can apply the skills I acquired over the three-year period as an apprentice. The goal is to one day open a training centre or have a fitting and turning workshop.

“Also, winning the skills competition that was recently hosted by Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) In Cape Town, where I won a big toolbox, has been eye opening in terms of opening my own workshop.”

Concern over the number of artisans produced by SA

Addressing the recently held graduation ceremony, Nzimande emphasised the need to drastically increase the number of qualified artisans produced per year in order to realise the country’s National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 target.

Nzimande noted a decline in the total number of learners who entered the artisanal learning programme, with 10 302 learners having entered the programme during the 2020/21 financial year, reflecting a 36.5% (5 916) decline compared with the 2019/20 financial year.

According to the Minister, South Africa needs at least 60% of school leavers to pursue artisanal training to meet the country’s demand for scarce skills. The country is currently producing on average 20 000 qualified artisans per year.

“We honestly need to do more to encourage school leavers to pursue technical trades, as government expands technical and vocational education. This is amongst the reasons there is a continuous need for suitably qualified artisans to sustain industries and support economic growth in South Africa,” the Minister said.

Source: South African Government news Agency

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, Nathi Mthethwa, says as in as much as it is government’s responsibility to promote and advance national reconciliation through progressive policies and education, reconciliation must begin with the individual and attitudes.

“We should not despair at the actions of the few, who still cling to the attitudes, behaviour and language of the past,” Mthethwa said.

Delivering the Day of Reconciliation keynote address virtually on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mthethwa said it will soon be the end of what has for many been a difficult year.

“In our communities, at our places of work and study, and in our homes, South Africans have had to confront many challenges,” Mthethwa said.

Mthethwa said South Africans had to deal with the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with rising food and fuel prices, catastrophic flooding in some parts of the country and ongoing load shedding.

“It is therefore particularly distressing that, amidst all these challenges, there have been several incidents of racism and intolerance. We have witnessed racists acts in our universities, schools and other public places,” Mthethwa said.

Mthethwa said while it is deeply disturbing that these attitudes continue in society, South Africans must take heart from the fact that the perpetrators of racism have found neither sympathy nor condonation from broader society.

“Time and again, our nation has shown its true character in times of need. In the darkest days of the pandemic, during last year’s unrest and in the aftermath of the floods earlier this year, South Africans came together. Communities reached out to each other.

“The same can be said for the incidents of racism that took place this year. Civil society mobilised against the racists. Pressure was placed on the institutions involved to take swift and appropriate action. Acts of racism will not be suppressed, buried or rationalised. They will be publicised, filmed, and put on full public view for all to see.

“No matter how great the difficulties we may be facing, we cannot turn on each other. It is up to each one of us, whether as families, parents, educators or as communities to do more to build bridges of understanding.

“It cannot be that bringing about reconciliation should be the responsibility of the formerly oppressed. Instead of retreating into our cocoons of race, language, ethnicity and class, let us use today, and indeed every day, as an opportunity to play our part,” Mthethwa said.

This year’s Reconciliation Day is being held under the theme: “National Unity, Healing and Renewal”.

South Africa marks National Reconciliation Day on 16 December annually to focus on promoting social cohesion, healing, unity, nation-building and renewal.

Source: South African Government news Agency

NELSPRUIT – A 20-year-old suspect is expected to appear before the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 19 December 2022 following the rape of a 16-year-old victim.

According to the victim’s mother, the minor was sent to the shop on Thursday, 14 December 2022 at about 19:30.

It is alleged that the suspect, who is well known and trusted by the victim, accompanied her to the shop. It is said that on their way back, the suspect allegedly dragged the victim to a certain incomplete building where he raped her.

The matter was reported to the police and the suspect was immediately arrested by the police.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the arrest and warned male perpetrators to refrain from any form of Gender-Based-Violence. “It is with great regret that there are men who still rape just few days after the 16 days of activism for non-violence against women and children was held. We are glad that an arrest was made and we hope the law will take its course” added Lieutenant General Manamela.

Source: South African Police Service

NELSPRUIT – Two alleged hijackers were arrested on two separate incidents. One, aged 37 was nabbed after he together with his accomplices allegedly attempted to hijack a truck in Hazyview on the R40 Road near da Gama dam on Wednesday, 14 December 2022 meanwhile another suspect aged 29 was arrested on allegations that he was part of a group of suspects who tried to hijack a man of his private vehicle in Balfour on Wednesday, 14 December 2022 around 16:45.

According to the information, it is said that on the said Wednesday around 10:00 a truck driver was driving along the R40 Road in Kiepersol from Nelspruit direction towards Hazyview side. The driver was reportedly followed by a silver Chevrolet Corsa bakkie with four occupants inside who ordered him to stop whilst pointing him with a firearm but he managed to press the panic button and alerted the authorities, including Nestar, Taysec security, the Provincial tracking team, as well as Vispol members from Hazyview. This scared off the suspects and they decided to drive off however the law enforcement agencies collaboratively got into a high speed chase after spotting the suspects’ vehicle. The bakkie is said to have then lost control and overturned at a certain bridge at Majika Trust. Thereafter two suspects fled the scene on foot whilst the other two who sustained some injuries were apprehended. A firearm with ammunition were reportedly found in their possession. The firearm will undergo ballistic testing to determine whether it was not used in other crimes committed elsewhere.

An ambulance was summoned to the scene however before it arrived one of the two male suspects succumbed to his injuries. The other remaining and injured suspect was taken to hospital for treatment then later discharged. He is expected to appear at the Kabokweni Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 19 December 2022 facing a charge of attempted armed robbery as well as possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

Meanwhile a man is said to have been driving near Balfour in a gold Kia Picanto along the R23 Road from Heidelberg direction towards Balfour. It is said that he offered a lift to three males on that said Wednesday (14 December 2022). It is further reported that as they were traveling, one of the three men asked the driver to slow down. That was when one amongst the hitchhikers, sitting at the back seat allegedly began to strangle the driver with a rope. It is further indicated that the driver wrestled with the three suspects as he brought the vehicle to its halt which drew attention to other motorists who then stopped as well to offer their help. The three suspects reportedly jumped out of the motor vehicle and ran to the nearby bushes with tall grass.

The incident was reported to the police in Balfour and the astute members immediately began with an investigation as well as a lookout after a case was opened. Information was gathered and the investigation led to the arrest of one suspect in Balfour on the same day of the incident around 18h10.

The suspect was charged for alleged attempted hijacking and he is expected to appear at the Balfour Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 19 December 2022 facing the said charge.

In both incidents, police are still in pursuit of the remaining suspects and urge members of the public to assist with any information that may lead to their arrest. Members of the public can call 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.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed this notable successes which are a sign that the law enforcement agencies are doing their best to eradicate hijackings in the province. The General further cautioned members of the public to refrain from hitchhiking or giving hitchhikers lifts as this may as well put their lives in serious danger.

Source: South African Police Service

KIMBERLEY – More boots on the ground by men and women in blue throughout the festive season and beyond in an effort to create a safer festive season for locals and holiday makers.

High police visibility was evident as members painted the streets blue.

“Vala Konke”, a tri-lateral cross border crime prevention operation hit the ground running to curb the cross border criminal activities covering three neighbouring provinces, namely Northern Cape, Western Cape and Eastern Cape.

The three day operation which started on Monday, 12 December 2022 and concluded on Friday, 16 December 2022, clamping down on criminal activities along high ways, by-ways, secondary roads and including the Ports of Entries.

The quarterly multi-disciplinary operation included various law enforcement agencies from the three provinces, focusing on illicit activities addressing narcotics, theft of motor vehicles, theft of none-ferrous metals, proliferation of illegal firearms, poaching of endangered species, which includes protected plants, wild animals, marine resources and counterfeit goods.

This crime intelligence driven operation, within the festive season operation was executed to ensure that perpetrators are put behind bars.

Provincial and Municipal Traffic officers, Home Affairs Immigration officers and other emergency personnel formed part of the operation.

The Tri-Lateral Operation was conducted in the following districts, per province Namakwa and Pixley Ka Seme districts in the Northern Cape; Joe Gqabi, Chris Hani and Sarah Baartman districts in the Eastern Cape and the Central Karoo, Winelands, West Coast and Garden Route district in the Western Cape.

The twenty four hour search and seizure static road blocks and vehicle check points were conducted along the following identified routes: N6 from Eastern Cape joining the N1 Colesberg (Northern Cape), N9/ N10 between Middleburg (Eastern Cape), Noupoort (Northern Cape), N14/ N12 which stretches from Gauteng via Northern Cape, N1 through Free State, N7 between the Namakwa region (Northern Cape) and Cape Town (Western Cape), N2 between Garden Route leading into Gqeberha (Eastern Cape) and Cape Town (Western cape). This also included the secondary routes the R58 between Eastern Cape and Northern Cape, R354 in Sutherland, R355 in Kleinsee and R389 in Phillipstown, R27 between West Coast and Northern Cape and other secondary routes.

Daily integrated and national wanted suspects tracing operations were conducted across the three provinces to ensure that those who have been evading court appearances are brought to book.

These suspects have been on the run for various serious and violent crimes ranging from murder, fraud, contravention of protection orders, domestic violence, rape, malicious damage to properties, theft, theft out of motor vehicles, theft of motor vehicles, theft general, shoplifting, housebreaking, trespassing and stock theft.

Various compliance inspections were conducted at second hands goods dealers and liquor outlets. Patrols and unannounced farm visits were also conducted at various farms to ensure that livestock were compliant in terms of the Animal Identification Act of 2002.

During this period the Tri-Lateral Cross Border Operation yielded enormous combined successes across the three provinces respectively, which includes;

Drugs and dagga with an estimated street value of more than 1.2 million rand;

Traffic fines to the value of more than R300 000-00,

Twenty two (22) undocumented persons were detained,

Three (3) unlicensed firearms were seized,

Two (2) vehicle seized;

Thirty two (32) bags of diamond bearing gravel confiscated;

Copper cable weighing 14,2 kg was discovered;

Two (2) endangered reptiles were confiscated;

and thirteen(13) protected plants were also seized during the operations.

The suspects are expected to appear in various Magistrate’s Court across the three provinces respectively.

Source: South African Police Service