Month: February 2023

POLOKWANE – The Police in Limpopo are determined to eradicate illegal mining activities through continued disruptive operations in the affected areas. This comes after a successful joint disruptive operation that resulted in the arrest of two suspected illegal miners aged 37 and 48 at Bergenek in Westenburg policing area outside Polokwane yesterday, Friday 10 February 2023.

The joint operation was led by the acting Capricorn District Commissioner, Brigadier Sivhula joined by the Station Commander of Westenburg Lieutenant Colonel Pilusa. When the team pounced on the group, they were busy with illegal mining activities and two suspects were arrested. The other suspects managed to evade the arrest by fleeing the scene on foot.

The following were seized during the operation:

Pendukas, three generators, spades, soil extracts from the mines and corrugated irons.

Police also arrested four suspects aged between 19 and 38 during the same operation for contravention of the Immigration Act.

The six suspects will appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 13 February 2023.

Police investigations are still continuing.

Source: South African Police Service

NORTHERN CAPE – The alertness and vigilance of members of the Provincial FLASH office led to the apprehension and arrest of a suspect on 10 February 2023.

The members spotted a suspicious gold Toyota Corolla on the R31 road between Kimberley and Barkly West.

The police tried flagging down the vehicle but the driver drove away. Police ensued and managed to stop the vehicle and searched it.

The members found six 25 litre drums filled with diesel stashed in the boot that was allegedly stolen.

The 33-year-old man could not account for the R10 000-00 worth of diesel and wasarrested for possession of suspected stolen goods.

The suspect will be appearing in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court soon. The investigation continues.

Source: South African Police Service

OR TAMBO DISTRICT – The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene applauded the sterling efforts of members involved in the huge drug bust and the arrest of a 33-year-old suspect in Mthatha this morning.

At about 10:10 today, while performing Operation Sikhona duties in Mthatha, the Tactical Response Team (TRT) members followed up on information received about a suspicious person driving a silver Toyota Etios. The vehicle was spotted in Nelson Mandela Drive and stopped. The driver from Gqeberha was alone and the vehicle was thoroughly searched. A substantial amount of money was found on the passenger seat. A further search resulted in the discovery of a huge consignment of mandrax tablets found hidden in the door panels of the vehicle.

A total of 8928 mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R700 000 was confiscated. The vehicle was also impounded for further investigation.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 13 February 2023.

Lt Gen Mene praised all role players involved in supplying the intelligence which led to the successful execution of the operation. ‘Illegal possession of firearms and drugs is a growing concern. We cannot and will not stand back and allow the drug market to flourish. The strong stance taken by police, is a warning to drug dealers that we will continue to be resolute in making sure that these offenders are deprived of the proceeds of crime,’ added Lt Gen Mene.

Source: South African Police Service

GAUTENG – Cordelia Velaphi Mogoerane (60) has been sentenced to life following a lengthy trial in the Johannesburg South High Court for conspiracy and murder of a retired Major General Thekiso Hendrik Mogoerane.

The Hawks’ investigation was kick-started shortly following the gruesome discovery of the body of the deceased on 17 January 2018 in the early hours. He was found on the back seat of his Hyundai Accent, which was abandoned next to the P91 road in Birchleigh, Kempton Park.

The unrelenting investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime led to the arrest of the deceased’s wife, a former Lieutenant Colonel, Cordelia Velaphi Mogoerane and her son.

The other accused in the case were, Eunice Dlamini (73) who is a traditional healer, Michael Sanele Mphuthi (38), Thulani Perseverance Nxumalo (36), Mzweshinga Zondo (51), Thokozani Zondo (47) Musa Morris Mayisela (48) and Bongiwe Lukhele (49). Mayisela and Lukhele are now deceased. Ultimately the court has today, 10 February 2023, sentenced the wife and acquitted the others.

Source: South African Police Service

NELSPRUIT – An intelligence operation that was executed by Secunda Crime Intelligent Unit, Mpumalanga Provincial Task Team, Ermelo Tracing Team and Leslie Visible Policing led to the arrest of six suspects possibly linked to an ATM bombing at one of the businesses areas in Leslie on Wednesday, 08 February 2023.

According to information, there were about twenty heavily armed suspects who were using three vehicles, a Brown and Cream White Toyota Siyaya mini-bus and two light motor vehicles a Silver Grey VW Polo and White Toyota Corolla.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the 31-year-old mastermind, who is currently renting a room in Spruitview, Ekurhuleni Gauteng, managed to assemble a team of criminals from Tokoza, Zonkizizwe and Soweto to execute the robbery.

Police worked tirelessly in gathering information about the vehicle which used during the bombing.

It was also revealed that three suspects, believed to be co-planners, were spotted driving around the targeted business area on Monday, using the same Toyota Corolla that was involved in the robbery.

After the crime was committed, information was gathered which led to the arrest of the suspects, the recovery of the stolen money, explosives used to detonate the ATMs and firearms and ammunitions.

Further information will be gathered as investigation continues and police hope to make more arrests soon.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela applauded the sterling work and cooperation amongst all four different police disciplines. The General further warned those targeting the ATM’s that police in Mpumalanga will not leave any stone unturned when it comes to investigation and promised to bring all perpetrators to book.

Source: South African Police Service