Day: January 11, 2023

POLOKWANE - The Provincial Section Commander- Media Relations Colonel Malesela Ledwaba accompanied by the communication officer of SAPS Seshego have conducted crime awareness campaign with Moletjie FM in the Seshego policing precinct on Tuesday, 10 January 2023.

During the interview, members focused on informing the community members about crime trends that are most prevalent in this area.

The topics addressed included Bogus Colleges which tend to mushroom during this period, targeting unsuspecting victims. They were also warned against carrying large sums of cash during registrations and in addition, parents were warned to be extra cautious when sending their children to school. Water safety was also emphasized as well as the escalating cases of missing persons in the province including the false reports by girls aged between 13 and 15.

Source: South African Police Service

NORTHERN CAPE – Upington Magistrate court convicted and sentenced 34-year-old Anwhil Linken van Schalkwyk to five years direct imprisonment for dealing in drugs.

The accused was arrested as part of project driven investigation during a project takedown at his house in February 2022. Anwhil is already serving two, six-year sentences running concurrently for the same crime, on the same project, before yesterday's sentence. He pleaded guilty as charged on this last case.

Van Schalkwyk was convicted in December 15 last year, and sentenced on 10 January 2023, by the same court. The court further declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

Source: South African Police Service

GQEBERHA - SAPS Kabega Park detectives are still searching for Carsten Jocksch, aged 56, from Theesecombe who went missing on Wednesday, 02 February 2022.

According to police information at the time, Carsten Jocksch who resided on a smallholding in Kragga Kamma Road in Theesecombe, left his residence at about 05:00 on 02 February 2022 informing his friend that he was going cycling in the mountains in Groendal. Jocksch left in his grey Mercedes Benz sprinter which was found abandoned on 15 February 2022 in the Baviaanskloof area. Mr Jocksch was seen by some residents at the time however no contact was made by himself with anyone. His cell phone was left in the vehicle.

Jocksch was also in possession of his licenced 9mm Glock firearm.

Enquiries were made at the Groendal hiking place and it was confirmed that Mr Jocksch had never registered to go cycling or hiking since his alleged disappearance.

Extensive searches were conducted by the SAPS Search and Rescue unit in Gqeberha with no positive results.

Police are still searching for Mr Jocksch and are once again appealing to anyone who can assist with any information about his whereabouts or anyone person/s who takes walks on the hiking trail to be on the lookout so that it can be investigated and followed up. Information may be communicated to Detective Warrant Officer Bertus Blom from SAPS Kabega Park on 082 442 1017 or 041 397 6801 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or the nearest police station.

Source: South African Police Service

THOHOYANDOU - The Police in Thohoyandou are requesting assistance from members of the community in locating a missing man named Mr Hanif Mahmed Umarji from Thohoyandou Block F.

The 30-year-old man was reportedly last seen on Wednesday, 28 December 2022, while on his way to a bank in the Thohoyandou CBD.

Anyone with information of his whereabouts should contact the investigating officer Sergeant Ntodeni George Nevhutalu on 072 611 7887 or 015 960 1000. They may also call the Crime stop at 08600 10111 or the nearest police station or use MySAPS App

The police investigation continues.

Source: South African Police Service

DURBAN – A concerted effort by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Durban Metro police has resulted in the arrest of a suspect shortly after he and his two accomplices allegedly committed a business robbery in Durban Central on Tuesday, 10 January 2023.

The three suspects are reported to have stormed into a store on West Street and robbed money and employees’ cellphones at gunpoint. Reports also indicate that the suspects boarded a bus to escape from the scene of crime. Swift response by the law enforcement agencies led to the interception of the bus on Smith Street and one suspect was nabbed. He was found in possession of the suspected stolen money, two firearms and two cellphones belonging to two employees of the store which was robbed.

Further investigations revealed that same suspect was previously arrested in May 2021 for the same offence. The other two suspects evaded arrest and a manhunt for them is underway.

The 22-year-old suspect will appear in court soon on charges of business robbery and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Source: South African Police Service

MAAKE - In a collaborative effort to continue utilizing the media platforms as part of the tools to reach their target, the Provincial Corporate Communication and Media Liaison Officer, Warrant officer Marobo Seabela accompanied by Mopani Women's Network Champion and Maake SAPS Communication Officer Sergeant Patricia Shikwambane and Mopani District Men for Change Secretary, Tzaneen SAPS Communication Officer Sergeant Maurice Nkhwashu visited Maruleng FM studio based in Ga-Sekororo village under Maake policing area outside Tzaneen on Tuesday 10 January 2023.

The main aim of the visit was to conduct a live on-air awareness campaign focusing on the prevention of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) including the forth coming back to school Safer School programmes.

Upon arrival, the trio were warmly welcomed by the Maruleng FM, Presenter and given the platform to engage with the community of Ga-Sekororo and surrounding areas.

Opening the dialogue, Warrant Officer Seabela presented the following issues:

Gender Based Violence

Hitchhiking

Mob justice

Partnership Policing

Disadvantages of having a criminal record

Theft

Assault GBH

Back to school Safer Schools programmes.

Sergeant Nkhwashu further highlighted the importance of the parents and the community at large to teach a boy child from an early age on how to treat and respect the feminine gender.

Moreover, Sergeant Shikwambane encouraged the listeners to report any form of criminal activities or abuse and also cautioned that it is a criminal offence for parents or guardians to neglect their children and perpetrators will face the full might of the law.

Individuals who are planning to take long trips were advised to plan in time to avoid travelling in the late hours that result to hitchhiking strangers who may put their lives in danger.

In conclusion, the listeners were made aware of the different programs that are readily available for everyone to use anytime they need assistance.

Contact details of all important stakeholders including police Management and Units were shared amongst the listeners to contact whenever help or more information is required.

Source: South African Police Service

PRETORIA - The South African Police Service (SAPS) will welcome eleven newly trained Special Task Force (STF) members to the organisation’s elite unit. The cohort will stand on parade at the SAPS Tshwane Academy where they will receive their STF wings from the National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola.

The National Commissioner will acknowledge the eleven which include a 31-year-old female, as having undergone and successfully completed the 36th two-year Special Task Force (STF) Selection Training Programme.

Also standing on parade will be an additional ten STF members who will receive their Operators Badge after undergoing a two-year probation period during which they were already serving as members of the elite unit.

The Special Task Force (STF) is a highly specialised unit whose members are responsible for only responding to high risk incidents which include hostage incidents, search and rescue missions, as well as specialised operations support.

Time: 08:45

Date: Thursday, 12 January 2023

Venue: SAPS Tshwane Academy, 01 Rebecca Street, Pretoria, 0001.

Source: South African Police Service