Day: July 17, 2022

POTCHEFSTROOM – Police in the province remain steadfast in the fight against tampering with and damage to critical infrastructure. It is for this reason that Mario Mulanga (41) and Justice Sithole (25) are expected to make a second appearance in the Hartbeesfontein Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 19 July 2022, for possession of copper cables.

It is alleged that Sannieshof police sensitised their counterparts in Hartbeesfontein and Klerksdorp about a suspicious white Isuzu bakkie vehicle loaded with copper cables and driving towards Klerksdorp on Wednesday afternoon, 13 July 2022.

The said vehicle was ultimately spotted and stopped on the R503 (Hartbeesfonrein / Coligny) road near Hartbeesfontein for a search. Consequent to the search, copper cables worth R10 000-00 were found in the vehicle. As a result, Mulanga and Sithole were arrested after failing to account for the possession. The pair will also be processed as suspected undocumented persons.

Meanwhile, the copper cables were positively identified as those of Eskom and stolen in Sannieshof.

In another incident in Bloemhof, two suspects were on Friday, 15 July 2022, arrested for tampering with essential infrastructure.

It is alleged that members of Community In Blue, noticed two unknown males entering into a manhole with their tools. The vigilant and law abiding citizens who are also working with the police in the fight against crime, reported the incident. The police responded swiftly and found the suspects busy cutting the cable. The suspects who are Lesotho and Zimbabwean foreign nationals respectively, were arrested. They will also be processed as suspected undocumented persons after failing to produce documents.

The suspects are expected to appear before the Bloemhof Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 18 July 2022.

The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena applauded both the police and members of the Community In Blue for their vigilance and cooperation which led to the successes.

Source: South African Police Service

KARIEGA – In order to portray a professional image in any organisation, employees must wear their uniforms with pride and dignity. The South African Police Service prides itself by the SAPS Code of Ethics and the Code of Conduct hence police officers are constantly reminded on the correct dress code.

Bearing this in mind, on Friday, 15 July 2022 at about 13:20, observant Anti-Gang Unit members were quick to spot a person walking in Kariega in police uniform which was not in accordance with the SAPS dress code. While patrolling in Durban Street, the 30-year-old male was seen wearing a police raincoat without any insignias, a police field dress pants that was not properly worn, safety shoes and a police cap. With the assistance of SAPS Uitenhage members, AGU members then followed the person who after becoming aware of their presence, started running and was arrested inside a shop in Gerald Smith Street. A toy firearm was also confiscated.

When the ‘police officer’ could not provide his appointment certificate, he was detained on a charge of impersonating a police officer.

He is expected to appear in the Kariega magistrate court on Monday, 18 July 2022.

Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Maj Gen Vuyisile Ncata welcomed the arrest of the impersonator. ‘Many crimes are committed by criminals who imitate and pose as police officials. Such behaviour tarnishes the image of the SAPS and results in the community losing credibility and faith in our men and women in blue. An internal investigation will also be conducted to ascertain how the suspect was in possession of the uniform,’ added Maj Gen Ncata.

Source: South African Police Service