Day: December 19, 2022

NELSPRUIT – A 39-year-old accused is expected to spend his entire remaining years of life behind bars. The accused was handed a hefty sentence following the rape of a 13-year-old minor in Mayflower, Mpumalanga in February 2019. His name cannot be revealed as he is closely related to the victim.
After the incident occurred, the victim notified her mother who involved the police without any waste of time and the police in turn immediately launched an investigation.
The case was transferred to Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) in Elukwatini. The investigators managed to crack the case after being led by the investigation to their suspect who is the step grandfather of the victim. He was then arrested as soon as it was discovered that the accused was the one behind this atrocious offence. He was apprehended on 12 November 2021 and made his first court appearance three days later. He (the accused) was denied bail and the matter was transferred to Chief Albert Luthuli Regional Court sitting at Elukwatini on 03 June 2022 where he was found guilty on 24 October 2022 hence his sentencing to life imprisonment on 14 December 2022. The accused was also found unsuitable to work with children and unfit to possess a firearm. Furthermore, the particulars of the accused will be entered into the National Register for sex offenders.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has gladly welcomed the sentence and applauded the dedication and cooperation displayed between members of the Investigation team, the Prosecution team and the Judiciary. The General further cautioned parents to be extra vigilant as some of these perpetrators happens to be their own family members.

Source: South African Police Service

POTCHEFSTROOM – The fight against tampering with and damaging of essential infrastructure gained success when police in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District arrested four men.
In the first incident reported in the early hours of the morning on Thursday, 15 December 2022, police were called to a scene in Klerksdorp at the shunting yard of Transnet. A drone was used in the air to locate two men, whilst the police and security guards were following them on foot. When the suspects saw the police, they tried to flee, but were apprehended. A handsaw, believed to be used during the commission of the crime was found in their possession and initial investigations revealed that 10m of railway cable was already cut. John Sam Beula (28) and Tebo Pusetso Ntsedi (21) appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court today, 19 December 2022, for tampering with / damages or destruction of essential infrastructure. The accused were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on Wednesday, 28 December 2022.
In the second unrelated incident in Stilfontein at about 12:15 on Thursday, 15 December 2022, police held a routine roadblock on the N12. A vehicle was stopped for a search. During the search, the police found 37.8kg of copper inside the vehicle with an estimated street value of R26 000-00. The duo could not give a proper explanation for being in possession of the copper and they were arrested. Investigations later revealed that it was allegedly stolen from an abandoned building. Khanyisa Kandile (42) and Khanyisa Sakhe (22) appeared before the Stilfontein Magistrates’ Court today, 19 December 2022, on a charge of tampering with / damages or destruction of essential infrastructure. They were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on Thursday, 22 December 2022.
The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded the private security company’s personnel and all South African Police Service (SAPS) members for their collaboration that led to the success.

Source: South African Police Service

KIMBERLEY – The Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola has welcomed the twelve year jail term handed down to Jesmou Mackay(24).
The Postmasburg Regional Court found Jesmou Mackay guilty as charged on a count of rape on Thursday, 15 December 2022 and sentenced him to an effective twelve years imprisonment. The accused raped a 17-year-old female victim on Saturday, 12 March 2022.
On the day of the incident, the accused went to the victim’s home in Postmasburg, under the pretence of looking for garden work.
He followed the victim into the house and pushed her on the bed and raped her. He fled the scene and he was arrested shortly after the incident was reported to the police.
The investigating officer, Warrant Officer Debora Bob successfully opposed bail, and the accused was remanded in police custody until the finalisation of the trial.
The Postmasburg Regional Court declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm and his name was recorded in the National Sex Offender’s Register.
The Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola commended the investigating officer for her excellent investigative work.

Source: South African Police Service

POTCHEFSTROOM – Two brothers, Methe William Thibedi (26) and Molifi Philip Thibedi (25) appeared before the Atamelang Magistrates’ Court today on a charge of murder. They will remain in custody until their second court appearance on Wednesday, 28 December 2022.
Their court appearance stems from their apprehension on Sunday, 18 December 2022, for the alleged murder of Pule Moilwa (25), who was reported missing on 29 January 2019 in Madibogo village. Police received information that the brothers allegedly murdered Moilwa, then cut off his head and threw it into a pit toilet. Police operationalised the information and on Sunday, 18 December 2022, found a human skull as well as a knife believed to have been used during the commission of the crime in the pit toilet. The skull will be subjected to DNA tests to confirm the identity.
The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, thanked members of the community for coming forward with the information, which led to the arrests. He said this incident is a clear and good example of collaborative efforts between the community and the police.

Source: South African Police Service

ODENDAALSRUS – Moeketsi Phakisi aged 61 was reported missing on 11 December 2022 at Odendaalsrus SAPS. Phakisi who is mentally challenged, went missing on 10 December 2022 at 09:00 in Kutloanong. He allegedly frequented Kutloanong Zion Christian church in a section of Kutloanong called K5.
He was last seen wearing black jeans, a green blazer and grey sneakers.
Anyone with information on the missing person, Detective Sergeant Nomthandazo Mtengwane of Odendaalsrus Detective Services can be contacted at 082 301 2797 or Crime Stop number 08600 10111.

Source: South African Police Service