Day: January 18, 2023

DURBAN – A pin-point operation by the Economic Infrastructure and Tracking Task Team (EITT) has produced desired results when three suspects were arrested after they were found to be in an illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and drugs on Tuesday, 17 January 2023.

The team was acting on an intelligence led investigation when they cornered the suspects at a house in Montclair. A 32-year-old suspect was found in possession of 34 rounds of ammunition and a substance suspected to be rock cocaine. The second suspect, a 34-year-old, was found to be in illegal possession of a firearm whose serial number was filed off, as well as ammunition, whilst a 28-year-old suspect was also nabbed for being in illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

Subsequent investigations led to the recovery of rock cocaine which was left abandoned at a nearby premises. The estimated street value of the recovered cocaine is approximately R200 000-00.

Source: South African Police Service

PEASTERN CAPE – The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene and high level SAPS management are set to visit Bhuje Locality, in Port St Johns. The visit is a sequel to the recent incidents of Arson and Murder which left about 52 homesteads and 97 houses burnt down. The situation also left scores of families including children, destitute and without food.

Tomorrow, Lt Gen Mene is expected to engage different stakeholders and community leaders in the Port St Johns Municipality and the Kingdom to explore a multidisciplinary solution to the existing situation.

Date: Thursday, 19 January 2023

Time: 12:00

Venue: Bhuje Village next to School.

All Media Houses are invited to cover the visit and to hear SAPS Management’s response to the situation in the area.

Source: South African Police Service

NELSPRUIT – Vigilant police conducting stop and searches have on Monday, 16 January 2023 around 03:45, nabbed a Zimbabwean tanker driver aged 47, employed by a trucking company. He was arrested for possession of suspected stolen property and failure to declare goods (diesel) for importation.

Members of Middleburg Flying Squad reportedly stopped the tanker which was fully loaded with diesel at Middleburg Toll Plaza. Police then requested documentation for the load, but they were reportedly given documents indicating that the load was already delivered in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 11 January 2023. A foul play was suspected which led police to take the driver, tanker and the load to the police station for further questioning. When police were still busy with investigation, the owner of the tanker aged 44 arrived at the police station. He offered to pay an undisclosed amount of cash in exchange of the release of his tanker and its load.

According to information, the tanker owner left the police station and moments later returned with cash and tried to bribe the police. He was immediately arrested for alleged bribery. The two are expected to appear at the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court today, 18 January 2023 facing the said charges.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela was overwhelmed with the arrest and praised members for the stunt displayed against corruption and crime in general.

Source: South African Police Service

EASTERN CAPE – Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene commended the police officers involved in the apprehension of three alleged business robbery suspects who robbed a local retail store yesterday, 17 January 2023, in Addo.

The drama unfolded at about 11:50, when SAPS Addo members responded to a complaint of a robbery in progress at the store on the main street. As the members arrived, they were confronted by four males fleeing the store with 3 bags of loaded stolen goods. The men split up and ran in opposite directions.

The members ran after one pair of suspects who fled towards the railway station into dense bushes. A shootout ensued between police and the suspects. A police Constable was shot in his buttocks, arm and left knee. A 21-year-old suspect was also wounded in his knee and was apprehended. A 9mm Norinco pistol (serial number filed off) was recovered.

With the assistance of the Uitenhage K9 unit and private security, the bush was secured. K9 ‘Pierke’ was sent into the thick bush and apprehended a 33 year old suspect. A third suspect, aged 31 years old alleged to be the driver of the getaway vehicle was also apprehended

All the property mainly cell phones and cash that were in the bags have been recovered. The vehicle, a white Avanza was also confiscated.

The 21-year-old suspect is detained on charges of business robbery, attempted murder and possession of a prohibited firearm. The 31-year-old driver and the 33-year-old suspects are detained on a charge of business robbery.

The suspects are expected to appear in the Kirkwood magistrate court soon.

Lt Gen Mene expressed her appreciation to all the officers involved and added that ‘the members had placed their lives in danger to ensure that criminals are apprehended and property recovered. We will not be threatened by criminals who want to deter us from executing our mandate of serving and protecting our fellow citizens. I wish a speedy recovery to our injured police officer. We will continue to serve our communities with commitment, care and effectiveness. We have intensified our search for the outstanding suspects and we appeal to whoever may have information about their whereabouts to immediately contact the nearest police station. Callers have a choice to remain anonymous.’

Source: South African Police Service

GQEBERHA – Police in Gqeberha are warning scrap metal dealers or anyone buying copper cables through illegal means, that they will be arrested, charged and their businesses closed down. The high incidents of theft and damage of ferrous and non-ferrous metals lead to a multitude of economic and socio-economic strains and continue to threaten key industries.

This warning comes following the theft of copper cables to the value of R1 million dug up from an electrical substation in Struandale yesterday afternoon, 17 January 2023. It is alleged that at about 13:45, the two security guards on duty at the substation were held at gunpoint by three men who arrived in a white LDV bakkie. The suspects were wearing reflector jackets and tied up the guards. They were joined by a further 5 suspects.

The underground electrical cable was dug up and loaded into the bakkie.

Police are investigating a case of business robbery.

Nelson Mandela District Commissioner, Maj Gen Vuyisile Ncata stated that the threat of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, as well as essential infrastructure related crimes remains a priority for the SAPS. “These damages and theft is tantamount to economic sabotage therefore we will make every effort to ensure that these perpetrators are traced, arrested and convicted. We appeal to the communities to provide information on criminals who steal or interfere with and damage infrastructure,” added Maj Gen Ncata.

Source: South African Police Service