Day: December 19, 2022

POTCHEFSTROOM – Two brothers, Methe William Thibedi (26) and Molifi Philip Thibedi (25) appeared before the Atamelang Magistrates’ Court today on a charge of murder. They will remain in custody until their second court appearance on Wednesday, 28 December 2022.

Their court appearance stems from their apprehension on Sunday, 18 December 2022, for the alleged murder of Pule Moilwa (25), who was reported missing on 29 January 2019 in Madibogo village. Police received information that the brothers allegedly murdered Moilwa, then cut off his head and threw it into a pit toilet. Police operationalised the information and on Sunday, 18 December 2022, found a human skull as well as a knife believed to have been used during the commission of the crime in the pit toilet. The skull will be subjected to DNA tests to confirm the identity.

The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, thanked members of the community for coming forward with the information, which led to the arrests. He said this incident is a clear and good example of collaborative efforts between the community and the police.

Source: South African Police Service

BOTSHABELO – Police in Botshabelo request the public to assist in locating the family of an unknown male who lost his life during early December 2022.

It was on 03 December 2022 when a convoy of vehicles was driving from a graveyard heading home. As these vehicles were driving around Section B at around 12:30 an unknown male tried to cross the road. The victim was hit by one of the vehicles and he died on the scene.

The deceased is light in complexion, medium build and estimated to be between the ages of 55 and 60 years. He was wearing a black hat, navy blue overall top, a navy blue chino and multicolour tekkies.

Anyone that might know the family of the deceased is requested to contact Detective Sergeant Molahloe Maqekoane on 082 467 6698.

Source: South African Police Service

POTCHEFSTROOM – The fight against tampering with and damaging of essential infrastructure gained success when police in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District arrested four men.

In the first incident reported in the early hours of the morning on Thursday, 15 December 2022, police were called to a scene in Klerksdorp at the shunting yard of Transnet. A drone was used in the air to locate two men, whilst the police and security guards were following them on foot. When the suspects saw the police, they tried to flee, but were apprehended. A handsaw, believed to be used during the commission of the crime was found in their possession and initial investigations revealed that 10m of railway cable was already cut. John Sam Beula (28) and Tebo Pusetso Ntsedi (21) appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court today, 19 December 2022, for tampering with / damages or destruction of essential infrastructure. The accused were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on Wednesday, 28 December 2022.

In the second unrelated incident in Stilfontein at about 12:15 on Thursday, 15 December 2022, police held a routine roadblock on the N12. A vehicle was stopped for a search. During the search, the police found 37.8kg of copper inside the vehicle with an estimated street value of R26 000-00. The duo could not give a proper explanation for being in possession of the copper and they were arrested. Investigations later revealed that it was allegedly stolen from an abandoned building. Khanyisa Kandile (42) and Khanyisa Sakhe (22) appeared before the Stilfontein Magistrates’ Court today, 19 December 2022, on a charge of tampering with / damages or destruction of essential infrastructure. They were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on Thursday, 22 December 2022.

The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded the private security company’s personnel and all South African Police Service (SAPS) members for their collaboration that led to the success.

Source: South African Police Service

HARRISMITH – Harrismith police have arrested a 28-year-old woman from Tshiame B for the alleged stabbing of her boyfriend during a domestic dispute.

On Monday, 19 December 2022, at about 03:00, Harrismith police attended a complaint of murder at Tshiame B. On arrival, they found the body of a male person laying in a pool of blood with a stab wound in the neck. It’s further alleged that the pair had a fight inside the house, and the woman allegedly stabbed her boyfriend with a knife. The deceased is a 43-year-old man, his family is yet to be notified. The suspect was arrested at the crime scene and is expected to appear before the Harrismith Magistrate Court on Tuesday, 20 December 2022, facing a charge of murder.

Source: South African Police Service

NELSPRUIT – A 39-year-old accused is expected to spend his entire remaining years of life behind bars. The accused was handed a hefty sentence following the rape of a 13-year-old minor in Mayflower, Mpumalanga in February 2019. His name cannot be revealed as he is closely related to the victim.

After the incident occurred, the victim notified her mother who involved the police without any waste of time and the police in turn immediately launched an investigation.

The case was transferred to Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) in Elukwatini. The investigators managed to crack the case after being led by the investigation to their suspect who is the step grandfather of the victim. He was then arrested as soon as it was discovered that the accused was the one behind this atrocious offence. He was apprehended on 12 November 2021 and made his first court appearance three days later. He (the accused) was denied bail and the matter was transferred to Chief Albert Luthuli Regional Court sitting at Elukwatini on 03 June 2022 where he was found guilty on 24 October 2022 hence his sentencing to life imprisonment on 14 December 2022. The accused was also found unsuitable to work with children and unfit to possess a firearm. Furthermore, the particulars of the accused will be entered into the National Register for sex offenders.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has gladly welcomed the sentence and applauded the dedication and cooperation displayed between members of the Investigation team, the Prosecution team and the Judiciary. The General further cautioned parents to be extra vigilant as some of these perpetrators happens to be their own family members.

Source: South African Police Service

DURBAN – ‘Operation Qondisa,’ which was led by members of the Provincial Investigations and Tracking Task Team (PITTT) as well as officers from Rapid Rail Police Unit (RRPU) has closed-in on Siphamandla Gumede, a 29-year-old man who was on police’s wanted list for a double murder and attempted murder which he allegedly committed at Effingham Road in Greenwood Park on 21 November 2022. Gumede allegedly shot and killed two men aged 40 and 50 respectively in cold blood and fled from the scene.

With police hot on his heels, Gumede ran out of a breathing space and handed himself over to the police in the presence of his legal representative and three other men at the Amanzimtoti police station on 14 December 2022. The astute police officers searched the vehicle which the men were travelling in and found them to be in illegal possession of two firearms and ammunition. A further search at the men’s business premises led to the recovery of an R5 rifle and ammunition. They were also arrested and charged with unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

Bhekamashazi Nzuza (29), Siyabonga Sithole (32) and Sthembiso Mayeza (35) have appeared at the Amanzimtoti Magistrates Court on 15 December 2022 and were granted a bail of R3000-00 each. Gumede was remanded in custody when he appeared before the Durban Magistrates Court on the same date. He will be in the dock again on 22 December 2022.

Source: South African Police Service

PSC to release the quarterly bulletin titled The Pulse of the Public Service for the period 01 July to 30 September 2022

The Public Service Commission (PSC) will host a media briefing on the Quarterly Bulletin titled: The Pulse of the Public Service, on Tuesday, 19 December 2022. The Quarterly Bulletin will focus on amongst others, the following:

• Unlawful instructions and ethical dilemmas in the Public Service;

• Investigation analysis into enablers and inhibitors of job performance of the Senior Management Service;

• The importance of governance in achieving a transformed and professional Public Service;

• Non-payment of Government Suppliers; and

• Overall number of complaints and grievances handled by the PSC up to 30 September 2022

Journalists are invited to cover the media briefing as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 20 December

Time: 12:00 – 13:00

Venue: Ronnie Mamoepa Media Centre, Tshedimosetso House, 1035 Francis Baard Street, Hatfield, Pretoria

Source: Government of South Africa