Day: July 25, 2021

NELSPRUIT – Four suspects aged between 22 and 27, were arrested by the police in Delmas today, 25 July 2021.

The quartet was pinned down by members of the dignified blue who were manning crime prevention patrols at Sarel Street when a suspicious white Toyota Etios vehicle without a registration number plate became a centre of their attention. They approached the said vehicle and made a clear signal to the driver to pull it to the side of the road but to their surprise, the driver instead sped off towards the R50 Bapsfontein road, in an attempt to evade them.

A high speed chase ensued, only to cease at a busy junction where the suspects’ vehicle rammed into a slow moving truck. They then alighted from their vehicle after the collision and attempted to flee the scene on foot but it just was not to be. The police outran them, apprehended and brought them back to the scene.

It was thereafter that their wrecked vehicle was searched and two firearms were discovered, a 9mm pistol with its serial number filed off as well as a toy gun, resembling a real pistol. Six cellphones suspected to have been robbed or stolen from victims as well as R1200-00 cash were seized.

The suspects were detained at Delmas holding cells and are due to appear before the Delmas Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, 26 July 2021, to answer on the charges of possession of firearms without license as well as reckless and negligent driving. The suspects will be profiled to verify if they are not involved in other criminal activities elsewhere and also the origins of the authentic firearm.

Source: South African Police Service

WHITTLESEA: Police searching for a suspect who killed a 79-year-old man at Ngojini A/A between 24 and 25 July 2021.

According to information the deceased was staying on his own and he was last seen by his neighbour on Friday 23 July. Neighbours became suspicious and went to his house.

On arrival they found him already dead. Police were summoned and on arrival they found the body with injuries. A case of murder has been opened and police are following leads.

Anyone who can assist with information that can lead the arrest of the suspect can contact Whittlesea police at 040 842 6138 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or by using MySAPS app.

All shared information will treated strictly with confidentiality

Source: South African Police Service

Nelspruit – Six suspects aged between 19 and 42, are due to appear before the Graskop Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, 26 July 2021, for being in possession of gold bearing soil as well as contravention of the Immigration Act.

Their appearance came after they were nabbed today during an operation which was conducted by members from the Dientjie Police Station who noticed a vehicle offloading suspicious bags around the area and called for backup.

On their arrival at the scene, the suspects were found with the said bags loaded with gold bearing soil and were arrested on the spot. Police further discovered that four of the suspects are in the country without proper documents hence the additional charge.

The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, has welcomed the arrest and commended the sterling work done by police in ensuring that the suspects are apprehended so that they can face the full might of the law. She has further warned the community to refrain from illegal mining as apart from being illegal, it also poses danger to life.

Source: South African Police Service

POTCHEFSTROOM – Motorists travelling in the North West, especially in the Bojanala Platinum District are urged to exercise caution when stopping next to the road or when ordered to stop by other motorists as they could be potential hijackers.

This is after a few incidents in which vehicles were recently hijacked by unknown suspects were reported.

On Thursday, 22 July 2021, at about 15:30 near Kanana, a 39-year-old man was driving from Klerksdorp where he bought stock for his tuck shop. After he entered Kanana through the bridge, two men got out of a black Volkswagen Polo which, was parked next to the road and allegedly pointed him with firearms. Upon stopping, one of the men opened the door, but the driver managed to escape by running away and the suspects drove off with his Nissan van with stock.

In an unrelated incident on Thursday, 22 July 2021, a 55-year-old victim was driving in Boitekong in a white Mazda Drifter. He alleged that two unknown males approached him at the Engen Garage and asked him to help them to load fire wood in the bushes in Bospoort on condition that they will pay him. They all drove together in the victim’s vehicle. However, the driver was ultimately attacked and robbed of his pistol with eight rounds, two cell phones and money. They tied the victim to a tree, took his white Mazda Drifter and fled the scene. The victim was assisted by security officers and took him to the police station.

In another unrelated incident, on Friday, 23 July 2021, a 38-year-old lady was driving from Oukasie Location to Brits to pick up her husband. She allegedly stopped the vehicle, but was approached by three men who pointed her with firearms. One of the men pulled her out of the vehicle and they drove off with it.

Motorists are requested to exercise caution when stopped by unknown persons and to report such incidents to the nearest police station. If stopped by Police or Traffic officials and you feel unsafe / threatened, put on your hazard lights and slowly drive to the nearest police station.

Never ever offer a lift to a hitch-hiker and do not stop next to the road except for an emergency. People stopping to relieve themselves have also fallen victim of this crime.

As part of curbing such incidents, motorists are requested to take heed and apply the following safety hints:

• A well-maintained car is less likely to break down and leave you vulnerable.

• Plan your route and let someone know what your route is and when to expect you at your destination.

• Always check the rear view mirror to see if you are being followed.

• Avoid driving with your windows open and keep the doors locked and put all valuables out of sight.

• Avoid distractions while driving such as using a cell phone.

• If you suspect you are being followed, drive to your nearest police station or a busy public area.

• When approaching a red traffic light, slow down so that you only reach it when it turns green especially during the night.

• If possible, park in a central, well-lit place, preferably with guards on duty.

• When stopping behind another vehicle, leave half a vehicle length in front so you can make an emergency escape if necessary.

• Avoid driving through unfamiliar areas.

• Avoid driving late at night / early hours of the morning when the roads are quiet.

• Drive in the centre lane away from pedestrians where possible.

• If possible, never drive alone.

• Never follow routine routes when driving; change on a regular basis.

• If possible, avoid driving in the dark.

• Hijackers may stage a minor accident, for e.g. If your vehicle is bumped from behind and you do not feel comfortable with the individual involved in the situation, indicate he / she must follow you and drive to the nearest Police Station or any busy public area for help.

Source: South African Police Service

WESTERN CAPE – The Hawks National Priority Violent Crimes team (NPVC), together with the Attaqua K9 Unit from Oudtshoorn, have arrested a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) member following a cash-in-transit heist at a petrol station in Oudtshoorn on Monday 19 July 2021.

The 36-year-old SANDF Captain, attached to the Infantry School in Oudtshoorn, was arrested on Friday 23 July 2021 and will be the fourth suspect to be charged after three suspects were arrested shortly after the incident.

This comes after security guards from Fidelity Cash Solutions were robbed while collecting cash from a petrol station. One of the security guards was accosted by two armed suspects while on his way back to his armoured vehicle. He was disarmed of his service pistol and robbed of a bag containing cash.

Minutes after the robbery, the Hawks’ team stopped a Nissan Sentra and arrested three occupants. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of the stolen security guard firearm and sealed money bag containing the stolen cash, along with a second firearm which had its serial number filed off.

The Hawks team also found a full set of SANDF uniform in the Nissan Sentra. None of the three occupants were soldiers. A loyal service medal was pinned to the jacket with the name and rank of the SANDF member.

Further probing found that the vehicle that was used in the robbery, a white Toyota Tazz fitted with false number plates, had been driven by the SANDF member. The white Toyota Tazz drove away from the crime scene and stopped next to a silver/blue Nissan Sentra and the stolen goods were transferred from the Toyota Tazz to the Nissan Sentra.

On Wednesday 21 July 2021, the Hawks team followed up on information received from Oudtshoorn detectives on the whereabouts of the Toyota Tazz used in the robbery. The Tazz was found parked inside a garage of a residence in Oudtshoorn, not far from the Infantry School. The set of false number plates used in the robbery was found inside the vehicle.

Consequently, the SANDF member was arrested. The suspect is due to appear tomorrow, 26 July 2021, in the Oudtshoorn Magistrates Court on charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances.

Source: South African Police Service