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Police launch a manhunt for suspects after two women were raped, church robbed of musical instruments and a car

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has strongly condemned an incident in which suspects allegedly raped two women, aged 30 and 38 in the church then robbed the church of musical instruments as well as the Pastor’s vehicle. The incident is said to have occurred on Friday, 18 March 2022.

Police at Mhala have since launched a manhunt for the three suspects who reportedly robbed the church of musical instruments as well as the Pastor’s car after raping the women at a church in Thulamahashe near Bushbuckridge.

According to the information, on the said day about 23h00 two ladies who were in a room at the church, heard a gunshot outside. This was followed by a knock on the door. It is said that three male suspects, armed with a pistol, forced the door opened. They then held the ladies at gunpoint whilst trying to find out where the pastor was. The suspects then demanded cash and allegedly raped the ladies.

The suspects also took musical instruments of the church to the value of about R28 000, using a silver grey KIA Picato, belonging to the Pastor. The suspects then fled the scene with the robbed items.

Anyone with information is requested to contact Detective Captain Dexter Ndlovu on 072 624 5133 or call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Alternatively they can send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela has urged the public to alert the authorities if they become aware of someone in possession of the robbed items. “It is quite disturbing to learn that suspects are now targeting places of worship. We therefore urge our communities to be vigilant and refuse to buy stolen goods. They should rather report these criminals immediately so that they are arrested”

Source: South African Police Service

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The SAPS’ eite unit give and show off their best at the UAE SWAT Challenge in Dubai

The Management of the South African Police Service (SAPS) takes this opportunity to welcome back and commend the organizations Special Task Force (STF) Unit for its satisfactory performance at the 2022 UAE SWAT Challenge held in Dubai from 13 to 17 March 2022.

The cohort consisting of ten members led by Brigadier Chesten Gaffley from the elite unit, competed against 32 other Special Forces teams from various countries across the world, where their mental and physical endurance in five gruelling exercises was put to the test. After a rigorous and challenging five days of competing in tactical challenges, mock hostage rescue missions as well as raid and obstacle challenges, the competition ended with the STF collecting 82 points which secured them position 13 in the overall competition.

Their commander, the Component Head responsible for Specialised Operations, Major General Nonhlanhla Zulu who formed part of the operatives who gathered at the OR Tambo International Airport on Friday to welcome the team, believes the elite unit gave their best.

“A lot of hard work went into preparing the guys for this Challenge. We are satisfied with the results taking stock of where we come from previously where we were positioned second last. The hard work begins now to prepare for next year’s challenge, but of paramount importance is that the members have gained skills, expertise and knowledge which they will impart with members across the specialized units” said, Major General Nonhlanhla Zulu.

The Special Task Force is a highly specialised unit in the South African Police Service whose members are responsible for only responding to high-risk incidents, which include hostage-taking cases, search and rescue missions, as well as providing specialised operational support to other units within the SAPS.

Source: South African Police Service

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A police Constable and Meloding woman are facing extortion after a man was falsely accused of rape

Meloding woman accused a male person with rape and allegedly worked together with a female police officer to demand R15 000 so that the case of rape can be cancelled. Both were arrested and will appear in Virginia Magistrate Court.

On the 13 March 2022 a 29-year-old girlfriend arrived where her boyfriend was residing and wanted R4000 and that he spend his money to his spouse in Mozambique and she wanted to end the relationship because she was not given money. She left to an unknown destination.

After she left the boyfriend got a call from Meloding Police Station that the girlfriend was registering a case of rape and his girlfriend phoned him that she was demanding R15 000 to cancel the rape case.

The Anti-Corruption Unit was informed about the incident and an entrapment was organized which led to the arrests of two women – a 41-year-old Police Constable of Meloding Police Station and a 29-year-old girlfriend of the complainant. Cash that amounts to R5000 was found in their possession inside the office of the police Constable. They were both arrested for extortion.

The two suspects will appear on the 22 March 2022 in Virginia Magistrate Court.

Source: South African Police Service

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Police launch a manhunt for suspects following a cash-in-transit

The police at Masoyi have launched a manhunt for suspects following an incident of Cash-In-Transit which occurred today in the morning, 19 March 2022 near Masoyi outside White River. A group of +/- 20 armed suspects made off with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Reports indicate that at about 07h50 am guards working for a Fedelity Security Company were transporting cash and they were driving on the R538 Road towards Dayizenza in Masoyi. A grey BMW then reportedly emerged and collided with their vehicle, forcing it to a halt.

It is said that subsequent to that, there were hail of bullets fired by the suspects which were directed at the guards whilst they (suspects) descended to the cash van. There was an exchange of fire between the suspects and the guards who were then held at gunpoint as well as pulled out from their vehicle. The security guards were ordered to lie on the ground. The suspects also detonated some explosives to force open the cash van. It is further reported that the suspects made off with an undisclosed amount of cash.

They (suspects) then fled the scene in a maroon Toyota Corolla and a silver grey VW Polo without registration number plates. The suspects are still at large hence the manhunt. Police were then alerted about the incident and a case of armed robbery is being investigated hence the manhunt.

Police urge anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspects to call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.

Meanwhile the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has ordered for the swift arrest of the suspects. “We believe that somebody has seen or heard something regarding the suspects and we plead with our communities to use our channels of communication to bring forth the details. Nonetheless, we are on the ground hunting for the suspects and we will make sure that they are soon brought to book” said the General.

Source: South African Police Service

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Five men accused of two separate murders finally sentenced

Five people have been finally sentenced in two separate Regional courts in Phuthaditjhaba for brutal murder of two victims.

On 17 March 2022 Phuthaditjhaba Regional court found three accused guilty of murder and were each sentenced to effective 12 years direct imprisonment. The accused persons are Moshengu Jonathan Moloi(37), Philiso Enock Moloi(25) and Teboho Michael Moloi(36).

During Saturday, 25 December 2020 Tseseng police attended crime scene of three people who were stabbed with knives at Matswakeng Village at Moloi’s family gathering and ambulance was summoned. One of the victims died succumbed to his death due to injuries on his arrival at hospital and was identified as Mohloki Kupeka (25) by his family.

It was established during investigations that was deceased stabbed one member of Moloi’s with knife. Apparently, the group of Moloi’s family went to the deceased house broke all the windows and they met with deceased on the road, stabbed him with knife for several times and they left him there on the road.

On 28 December 2022 police traced and arrested all suspects and charged for murder. The matter was investigated successfully by Detective Sergeant Tankiso Moloi of Tseseng Detective Service.

On a different matter, 8 March 2022 two accused persons, Sipho Samson Nhlapo (30) was sentenced five years direct imprisonment whilst his co-accused Seiso Tsholedi Moloi (38) was sentenced 20 years direct imprisonment.

During 10 February 2021 the body of male person was found at Sejwalejwale Village at Tseseng inside a donga with the throat slit off and was as that of Sandile Mbele(20)

Apparently the deceased was drinking alcohol together with his friends inside the other house at Sejwalejwale village. He went outside. Suddenly few minutes other person went outside and return inside the house told his friends that the deceased took his horse.

While they were inside the house deceased returned and his friends heard the horse outside. Then three people assaulted the deceased.

During investigations two accused were arrested same day and later sentenced. The matter was investigated by Detective Constable ND Mofokeng of Tseseng Police station.

Murder is very serious offence within society and we also take it as such as police that’s the reason of conviction and warn people that no person has a right to kill. But each human being has right to life. I want to that the two policemen for excellent work and bringing trust back to our community. To the families of deceased justice is served”, said the acting Free State Provincial Commissioner, Major General Solly Lesia.

Source: South African Police Service

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A tougher sentence handed to a rhino poacher

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has once again appreciated the court for doing their best to deter people from illegal hunting by imposing tougher sentences upon poachers. This gesture by the General comes in a wake of a hefty sentence that was handed down on Friday, 18 March 2022 by the Skukuza Regional Court to Mike Nyathi, aged 40 for poaching.

The court sentenced the accused after hearing how he was caught twice poaching inside the Kruger National Park. It is said that in the first incident, Nyathi and Janeiro Chunguane entered the Kingfisherspruit Section (inside Kruger National Park) on 17 September 2017 and began hunting illegally, where they shot and killed a white rhinoceros. Field Rangers working at the said section fortunately heard a sound of gunshots and became aware that there were intruders inside the park. The rangers then went out to investigate what was happening and they found the two men who were in possession of one rifle (a .458 Win Mag Zastava bolt action) without serial numbers, ten .458 Win Mag cartridges, an axe as well as a knife.

The rangers further found a carcass of a white rhinoceros that was killed next to where the two men were found. The men were apprehended by the rangers. Police at Skukuza were then informed about the incident and the two were arrested and charged for trespassing, possession of prohibited firearm, unlicenced firearm and ammunition, conspiracy to commit a crime, hunting of protected animals in a National Park, and possession of a dangerous weapon.

The men appeared in the said court where they were both granted bail. Thereafter Chunguane fled to Mozambique and a warrant for his arrest was issued. Police are still looking for him and he is yet to be re-arrested. Whilst on 13 May 2019 Nyathi got involved into the second incident of poaching whereby, he entered the Satara Section at Kruger National Park.

It is said that the rangers became aware and, with the assistance of a tracker dog they tracked the suspect who happened to be Nyathi. He was found by the rangers hiding under a big fallen tree. Once again police at Skukuza were informed and during his arrest, the field rangers recovered a .458 Win Mag CZ 550 bolt action rifle without serial numbers, two .458 Win Mag cartriges. The accused was identified as Mike Nyathi.

He was then charged and appeared before the said court where he was never granted bail until his cases were finalised. The accused was convicted and sentenced in relation to the two incidents to an effective 25 years imprisonment. The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Meanwhile the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela further thanked everyone that contributed in the said cases which led to the incredible conviction and ultimate sentence. “We commend the team of field rangers, the investigation team, the Prosecution Team as well as the Judiciary for the job well done. We hope that others who might think of poaching will be deterred by this sentence” said the General.

Source: South African Police Service