Day: October 9, 2022

VHEMBE – The District Commissioner of Vhembe District, Major General ERS Van Der Walt accompanied by the Deputy District Commissioner, Colonel Raphulu, District Detective Coordinator Lieutenant Colonel Makungo, Sergeant Dathi, Sergeant Masia, Siloam Acting Station Commander, Captain Matshivha, Mphephu Acting Station Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Ramahanedza, and Vhulaudzi Vispol Commander, Warrant Officer Mavhungu, conducted a crime awareness campaign on Friday 07 October 2022 at Mphephu Tribal Council under Siloam Policing Area.

Chief Ravele, who is the Chairperson of the Mphephu Executive Council, welcomed the Police District Commissioner and his Management.

Colonel Raphulu introduced the District Commissioner, Major General ERS Van Der Walt before he addressed the house. The General elaborated more on the crimes which are prevalent around Siloam, Mphephu and Vhulaudzi policing area.

He indicated that there is a challenge of Mob Justice especially in Nzhelele Valley and though Police are working hard to curb this issue, Traditional leaderships must be involved in the fight against this scourge by assisting the Police with information and educating the community members about the consequences of vigilantism as the culprits are often known and living in their communities.

The District Commissioner also informed them about the planned community engagement programmes in the form of door-to-door awareness campaigns and Imbizos that are aimed to address the scourge of crime in this area including mob justice and gender-based violence.

In conclusion, all the concerns and questions tabled during the discussion were tackled accordingly and the relevant contact numbers were also distributed to the attendees.

Source: South African Police Service

NELSPRUIT – A 13-year-old teenage boy was allegedly killed by his biological mother in Volksrust. Meanwhile an eight-months-old baby girl (suspect’s daughter) as well as a 63-year-old woman (suspect’s mother) sustained stab wounds during a domestic-related incident which occurred on Friday, 07 October 2022. Swift action by police resulted in the arrest of a 36-year-old female suspect in connection with this incident.

According to the report, police at Volksrust were informed about a domestic-related incident at a residence and members immediately proceeded to the scene. Upon arrival, the members had to break the locked door to gain entry. Upon gaining entrance, members discovered the body of the teenage boy lying in a pool of blood on the floor of the lounge. The slain victim had visible stab wounds on the chest and to his throat. Meanwhile the suspect’s mother was found hiding in the toilet also with a stab wound on her lower body whilst the injured baby was found in the same room with the suspect who was then arrested and charged with murder as well as two counts of attempted murder.

The suspect is due to appear in the Volksrust District Court on Monday, 10 October 2022 facing the said charges.

Source: South African Police Service

CAPE TOWN – Police members of Operation Restore, deployed to combat gang violence and dealing in drugs in Samora Machel policing precinct, proved to be successful considering their successes in the area.

The police members were deployed to conduct stop and search operations at Robert Sobukwe taxi rank in Samora Machel on Friday, 07 October 2022. Upon arrival at the location at around 19:30, they noticed an unknown man who started running away. The police members had their sights set on him and pursued him on foot. In full view of the police members he dropped the firearm and continued running. The suspect was eventually apprehended, arrested and detained on a charge of possession of a prohibited 9mm pistol with ammunition.

On Saturday, 08 October 2022, members deployed in Heinz Park, Samora Machel conducted search and seizure operations. At around 19:50 they entered a premises in Aster Crescent and found a female with a refuse bag in her possession. Upon searching the bag they confiscated 460 sachets filled with methamphetamine and a scale and cash. The 22-year-old suspect was arrested and detained on a charge of dealing in drugs.

Once charged the suspects are expected to make their respective court appearances in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on the mentioned charges.

Source: South African Police Service

GARDEN ROUTE – Efforts by police to safeguard and rid communities of drugs yielded excellent results with the confiscation of drugs with an estimated street value of R35 000 with the strategic deployment of various resources in crime ridden areas as part of ongoing weekend crime combatting operations.

Heidelberg police members conducted patrols along the N2 highway on Sunday, 09 October 2022 at about 06:40, when they spotted a person of interest traveling in a Kia Picanto. They mobilised police from neighbouring stations and brought the vehicle to a halt near Slangrivier where they commenced with a search. The vigilance of the members led to the confiscation of 501 mandrax tablets and an undisclosed amount of cash, believed to be proceeds of illicit activities that was found in the vehicle. Police arrested the two occupants, a woman (23) and man (36), on a charge of illegal possession drugs.

On Friday, 07 October 2022, Kwanonqaba police members also patrolled the N2 when they spotted two men hiking along the national road just outside Mossel Bay. While approaching them, one of the men acted suspiciously which prompted police to search the pair. They then found 69 mandrax tablets in the possession of the 52-year-old man. He was subsequently arrested on a charge of illegal possession of drugs.

Meanwhile, last night, 08 October 2022 at about 20:45, Thembalethu police embarked on an operation following information on illicit activities from the public when they descended on a container at Tabata Street, Zone 06, Thembalethu. A search of the container ensued and police found two grocery bags with loose dagga as well as small quantities of dagga “zols” and bankies. They confiscated the dagga and arrested two suspects aged in their early twenties on charges of dealing in drugs.

Later the same day, 08 October 2022 at about 23:30, in Herbertsdale just outside Mossel Bay, police arrested a 54-year-old suspect after 5 grams of tik and 50 mandrax tablets were found in his possession. He is also facing a charge of possession of drugs.

Furthermore, on Friday, 07 October 2022, Still Bay police executed a search warrant through an operation conducted at Harmony Park North, Still Bay where they confiscated 33 litres of liquor. Police arrested a 52-year-old suspect on a charge of selling liquor without a licence.

All those arrested during these successful operations will appear in court once charged.

Western Cape police management lauded those deployed who ensured that drugs and liquor which contributes to serious and violent crimes in communities are removed. These operations remains part of the strategic approach to eradicate alcohol and drugs abuse which threatens the safety of communities.

Source: South African Police Service

MPUMALANGA – Bongani Sydwell Mkhatshwa (40) was released on R10 000 bail by the Nelspruit Magistrate Court on Friday, 07 October 2022 after he was arrested by the Hawks’Nelspruit based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation for Fraud.

The bail followed after Mkhatshwa was arrested on a warrant of arrest and charged with Fraud, Theft or alternatively contravening the provisions of Section 235 of Tax Administration Act, Act 28 of 2011.

It is alleged that in March 2019 the accused forged and uttered Tax return invoices to the Revenue Services and prejudiced SARS over R3.4 million.

During his profiling it was discovered that the accused had an outstanding similar case where in March 2018 jointly with other accused, they fraudulently submitted forged Tax return invoices and prejudiced the Revenue Services a lot of money and were arrested on the 18 July 2022 and we’re released on bail.

Both cases were postponed to 03 November 2022 to be combined.

Source: South African Police Service

In line with realising the Presidential instruction to strengthen relations between communities and police, the Ministry of Police has assured residents living in some of the most violent areas in the eThekwini municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal province, that the capacitation and funding of Community Policing Forums (CPF) across the country is eminent.

This follows numerous calls by residents of Inanda, Umlazi and Claremont townships in Durban who attended the Crime Prevention Izimbizo hosted by the Police Ministry and South African Police Service (SAPS) this weekend

The Umlazi policing precinct has recorded the highest murder figures countrywide. According to the latest National Crime Statistics, 83 people were killed between April and June 2022 in Umlazi.

The weekend long Crime Prevention community engagements saw the Police Ministry, SAPS, KZN Department of Community Safety and Liaison as well as the eThekwini municipality team up to decisively deal with causative factors of crime whilst shifting resources to improve policing in the three townships.

The Police Ministry remains committed to police-community partnerships and has commended residents of eThekwini and all other communities across the country, where individuals are playing an active role in fighting crime.

Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele has assured the nation that the funding of CPFs is not a matter of ‘if’ but a matter of ‘when’.

“In principle, we agree that CPFs across the country must be better supported and provided with resources and funds to assist police in crime detection and prevention. It is clear that police need communities and communities need the police, if we are to win this fight against crime. We know and appreciate the role of CPFs, neighbourhood watches, street patrollers and similar anti-crime structures in the policing value chain. This is why the call by communities to fund CPFs is currently being addressed at the highest level.” – concluded Minister Cele.

The Civilian Secretariat for Police Service (CSPS), an entity of the Police Ministry, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the provincial departments of Community Safety in all nine provinces are exploring possible funding models for the country’s CPFs.

Upon finalisation of a workable model, the funding of CPFs, will form part of the amendment to the SAPS Act.

Meanwhile, in an effort to increase patrols and capacitate police investigations, more police vehicles have been added to the existing vehicle fleet in the two police stations servicing the uMlazi township.

A team of investigators will descended to the three townships to look at cold cases and cases closed prematurely, to improve the arrest rate of perpetrators of violent crimes.

Source: South African Police Service