Day: January 16, 2022

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The multidisciplinary integrated operation O Kae Molao result in more arrest and seizures of illegal firearms

PARKTOWN – The police in Gauteng together with other law enforcement agencies and the Community Policing Forum continue with the weekly disruptive Operation O Kae Molao which is conducted simultaneously throughout the five districts within the Province.

This weekend the operation resulted in the arrest of over 1 300 people for different crimes including more than 50 undocumented persons who will be processed by Department of Home Affairs.

Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela led the operation that was held in West Rand District. During this operation 169 suspects were arrested for dealing in drugs, armed robbery, dealing liquor without a license and undocumented persons among others. Liquor, drugs and a vehicle with a tempered engine number were seized.

Meanwhile in Tshwane District, the Flying Squad Unit, K9 and Crime Intelligence followed up on information and pounced on a suspect at Atterdgeville. The suspect was found in possession of a rifle and a pistol with no serial number. He was arrested for possession of illegal firearms and he further led the police to another suspect who was also found in possession of two pistols that had no serial numbers. A preliminary investigation linked both suspects to a number of cases of murder.

Another intelligence information led police to Olievenhoutbosch where a man was found in possession of a rifle and pistol. He was also arrested and charged with possession of unlicensed firearms.

All arrested suspects will appear at the various Magistrates’ Courts from Monday, 17 January 2022.

The Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has appreciated the efforts of all stakeholders who avail themselves every week to ensure safety and security of the inhabitants of Gauteng Province. He also thanked the community members who continue to report criminal activities and also give tip-offs to the police.

Source: South African Police Service

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Five arrested with Conophytums worth R600 000

Five suspects are charged under the Nature Conservation Act 9/2009 Sec 50 and 51 for illegal possession of protected plants worth over R600 000.

On 13 January 2022 at about 05:00 the members of Springbok Stock Theft and Endangered Species unit, Springbok K9 and Springbok Highway Patrol arrested five male suspects on the N14 near Springbok.

Police confiscated 8130 Conophtym Achabense plants and three cell phones that were found in their possession.

The five men are between the ages of 22 and 25 and will soon appear in the Springbok Magistrates’ Court.

The Acting District Commander for Namakwa, Col Schalk Andrews commended the team for a sterling job done. We urge people to keep on reporting crimes of this nature to the police by sending anonymous sms to 32211 or by contacting us on the MySaps App.

Source: South African Police Service

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Anti-Gang Unit ‘hot’ on the heels of criminals

An alleged murder suspect’s futile attempts to evade arrest eventually ran out when members of the Anti-Gang Unit arrested him yesterday morning, 15/01 hiding in a house in William Slammert Drive in Bloemendal.

It is alleged that on Sunday, 19 December 2021 at about 12:15, the body of Alviro Potberg (27) was found lying next to a boundary wall in the street at the corners of Baatjies and Fitchard Roads in Helenvale. He sustained a gunshot wound in his eye and died at the scene.

As the investigation unfolded, the suspect, a gang affiliate was identified and police were on the hunt for him. On Saturday at about 08:30, AGU members acted on information received of the possible whereabouts of the alleged suspect. The house in Bloemendal was tactically approached and the suspect was found hiding in the ceiling.

The suspect, aged 28-year-old is expected to appear in the Gqeberha magistrate court on Monday, 16/01 on a charge of murder.

In another unrelated incident, AGU members arrested a 33-year-old Missionvale man soon after responding to a complaint of shooting in Monza Street in Missionvale. The suspect was spotted running in Phoenix Street and was intercepted in Cadillac Street where he was arrested. As he ran, members noticed him hiding something in a bucket inside a shack. A silver .38 revolver (serial number filed off) was recovered.

The suspect was detained on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm and will appear in the Gqeberha magistrate court on Monday, 17/01.

Acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Brigadier Thandiswa Kupiso applauded the efforts of the Anti-Gang Unit and is warning gang members that “we will continue to infiltrate the gang hotspots and occupy their spaces in order to ensure the safety of our communities. It is only a matter of time before we, the police flush them out and arrest them.’”

Source: South African Police Service

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UN Grants $150 Million in Aid for 13 Underfunded Crises

GENEVA — The United Nations is allocating $150 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund to support seriously underfunded humanitarian operations in 13 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East.

Topping the list of underfunded crises are Syria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan. These countries will receive between $20- and $25 million each to help them implement life-saving humanitarian operations.

International support for Syria has all but dissipated after more than a decade of conflict. Some 13 million refugees and internally displaced Syrians are living in a state of destitution, with little recourse to basic relief.

The DRC is one of the longest and most complex humanitarian crises. Millions of people are suffering from conflict, displacement, epidemics, and acute hunger.

The United Nations warns the humanitarian crisis in Sudan is deepening, as political instability grows and the country contends with flooding, rising food prices and disease outbreaks.

Jens Laerke, the spokesman for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, says the distribution of funds made by Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths is the largest ever. He says it beats last year’s $135 million by $15 million.

“This announcement of funding will help the prioritization of life-saving projects to respond to for example food security, nutrition, health, and protection needs. More detailed strategies are expected from these countries later this month,” he said.

Other recipient countries include Myanmar, where the U.N. is providing aid to some three million people suffering from conflict, COVID-19, and a failing economy. U.N. aid also will go to Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger, three countries in Africa’s central Sahel that are struggling with mass displacement because of armed attacks.

Laerke says these countries as well as six others in dire straits in Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, including Haiti and Honduras, will receive between $5- and $12 million each from the U.N. fund to help them tackle their emergency needs.

“These allocations happen twice a year to countries selected because of their low level of funding, severity of humanitarian needs, and vulnerability,” he said. “These countries have just entered a new cycle of humanitarian fundraising and program implementation on the back of underfunded appeals from last year, all below 50 percent covered at year’s end.”

Humanitarian needs are growing across the world. The United Nations says it expects at least 274 million people will need humanitarian assistance in 2022 and it will require $41 billion to assist the most vulnerable.

Afghanistan is the world’s largest humanitarian appeal. The U.N. recently launched a record $4.5 billion appeal to assist 22 million Afghans, more than half the country’s population.

Source: Voice of America

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Son (28) faces a charge of murder following disappearance of mom (59) in Knysna

The commitment and determination of police members and community mobilisation ensured the apprehension of a 28-year-old man in connection with initial disappearance and subsequent discovery of the body of his 59-year-old mom. The investigation team has worked around the clock since the 59-year-old lady was reported missing at the Knysna SAPS on Monday 10 January 2022. This follows reports that she was last seen alive on Friday evening of 07 January 2022.

A search party led by the investigating officer, comprising specialised units, including the K-9 (Dog Unit) and members of the community ensued, resulting in the discovery of the body of the 59-year-old lady the day thereafter, on Tuesday, 11 January 2022. Her body, already partially decomposed, was discovered by a member of the community in bushes between Alemein and Stroebel Streets in Hornlee, Knysna. An autopsy was conducted to determine the possible cause of death. Such report is not available at this stage and will be produced to court as part of the evidence.

Endurance and the constant following up on information about the whereabouts of the wanted suspect, son of the deceased, resulted in his arrest late the evening of Friday, 14 January 2022 by members of the community who handed him over to the investigation team.

The 28-year-old suspect is scheduled to appear in the Knysna magistrates’ court on a charge of Murder on Monday, 17 January 2022. He remains in custody at the Knysna SAPS holding cells.

Western Cape Provincial management his praised the combined efforts and cooperation between the police and community which resulted in the perpetrator to be brought before a court of Law to be held accountable for the brutal murder of his mother. Efforts to protect our most vulnerable, such as women and children are often jeopardised as the perpetrators some times are those who are the closest to the victims, those who are supposed to shelter, care and protect them, such as in this case,

Source: South African Police Service