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Police Minister updates communities on police breakthroughs in Phoenix murders

KWAZULU-NATAL – The communities of Phoenix and neighbouring settlements of Bhambayi, Umaoti and Zwelisha have welcomed the arrests of more suspects for their alleged roles in the July Phoenix murders.

Police Minister, General Bheki Cele on Sunday, 15 August 2021, led a series of feedback meetings in the areas, to provide communities with some updates on investigations by the South African Police Service.

Minister Cele was accompanied by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lt General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and the provinces MEC of community Safety and Liaison Ms Peggy Nkonyeni as well as the Peace Committee made up of community representatives.

In his address to residents, Cele assured them that police are working tirelessly to bring about justice for the heinous criminal and racists incidents that resulted in brutal killings, injuries and damage to property.

“The team of 31 detectives deployed to investigate these heinous crimes, has to date arrested 36 suspects for the murders of innocent lives in Phoenix. This team is also investigating the role of police in the violence and looking closely into the role also played by seven private security companies operating in the area”

Several firearms have also been confiscated from the private security firms and have been taken in for ballistic analysis, as part of ongoing police investigations.

“It’s always been clear that people want peace but peace goes hand in hand with justice and I believe police have kicked off this process on a high note. The detectives are working closely with the prosecution team to ensure they put together solid cases that will see those found guilty, being put away for a long time.” – Cele concluded.

Source: South African Police Service

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Trio sought for double murder and attempted murder

POTCHEFSTROOM– Police in Boitekong launched a manhunt for three men who are allegedly involved in a fatal shooting of a mother, her daughter and injuring the son.

It is alleged that in the early hours of Sunday morning, 15 August 2021, the suspects were seen at a shebeen in Sondela Informal Settlement near Boitekong, Rustenburg. A while later, a 27-year-old victim, who is the daughter to a 48-year-old shebeen owner, left to go home. The suspects reportedly followed her. The victim was confronted by one of the suspects and that led to a scuffle. Upon becoming aware of the incident, the mother and her son left the shebeen in an attempt to go and rescue the daughter. One of the suspects allegedly drew a firearm and fired several shots at the victims that resulted in fatally wounding the shebeen owner and her daughter and injuring the 23-year-old son.

Upon arrival of the police at the scene, the two women’s bodies were found lying in the middle of the street. Several 9mm empty cartridges were found at the scene. The 23-year-old man was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. The motive for the attack is unknown at this stage and no arrest has been effected.

Investigation into the matter is underway and police urge anyone who may have information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact the Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Sethunya Tobokane of Boitekong Detective Services on 073 393 7413. Alternatively, Crime Stop can be contacted on 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via My SAPS Application. All information received will be treated with confidentiality and informers may opt to remain anonymous.

Source: South African Police Service

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Gauteng police close more than 40 unlicensed liquor outlets in the past week as more than 1084 suspects are arrested

PARKTOWN – Police in Gauteng closed more than 40 unlicensed liquor outlets in Tshwane and other parts of Gauteng that includes Ekurhuleni and West Rand. Police have this past week raided wanted suspects for serious and violent crimes and gender based violence, arrested criminals through intelligence information and tip offs where unlicensed firearms were seized.

Furthermore, a total of 1084 suspects were arrested in Gauteng over the weekend when members of South African Police Service in the province partnered with members of South African National Defence Force, National Traffic Police, Gauteng Traffic Police, Metropolitan Police Departments, Home Affairs, South African Receiver of Revenue and Private Security Companies to fight the scourge of lawlessness in the province. These suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from murder, rape, operating a shop without valid documents, possession of dagga, dealing in drugs, contravening disaster management act, driving under the influence of liquor, illegal immigration, possession of dangerous weapons, unlicensed firearm and ammunition, business robberies, house robberies and theft.

In Tshwane District over 280 suspects were arrested over the past weekend for various crimes including 10 suspects arrested for selling alcohol without valid license, rape, possession of unlicensed firearms and blue light, assault and other serious and violent crimes.

Meanwhile in Ekurhuleni District over 301 suspects were arrested, 12 for drunk driving and others were napped for failing to follow regulations of Covid 19, possession of suspected stolen property and theft. In Sedibeng District arrested 71 suspects during the operation.

Over 199 suspects were arrested in West Rand District and over 100 in Johannesburg District for various crimes including possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, rape, assault and more liquor outlets were raided after they have not closed at the time stipulated on the regulations of covid 19.

Gauteng Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Tommy Mthombeni, applauded the collaboration between the police and other law enforcement agencies to instil stability in the province and bring perpetrators of crime and violence to book. “These arrests and confiscations are a clear indication that the criminals cannot do as they wish in our province and that together with other law enforcement agencies we will continue to squeeze the space for the criminals. As the province, we remain committed in creating a safer Gauteng and we will continue to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms,” said Major General Mthombeni

The arrested suspects will appear in various courts across the Province on Monday, 16 August 2021.

Source: South African Police Service

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Police recover catalytic converters and arrest suspectsz

In an intelligence led operation, the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation (OCI) in Gqeberha recovered catalytic converters worth over R24 million on Friday, 13 August 2021 in Sidwell.

It is alleged that on the mentioned date at about 14:15, the truck driver aged 43-year-old was driving towards Markman when while at the robots at Daku and Salamntu Streets, his truck was blocked off by two bakkies. Two unknown males alighted and got into the truck. The truck was driven to an unknown location and all its contents – 44 pallets of catalytic converters were offloaded. The truck was later driven to Prince Alfred Road in North End and left abandoned with the driver inside.

Immediately investigators from the Provincial OCI started their investigations and at about 18:20, 24 pallets of the stolen converters were recovered at a freight transport company in Commercial Road in Sidwell. A truck was found already loaded with some of the stolen goods. Three suspects aged 29, 31 and 33-year-old were arrested and detained on a charge of truck hijacking. Twenty pallets of the converters are still to be recovered. A jamming device with its charger was also seized.

Police are following up on further information relating to the outstanding converters.

Source: South African Police Service

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Zastron SAPS temporally closed for decontamination

The community served by Zastron SAPS are advised that the police station is temporarily closed due to a Covid-19 related case.

The CSC will operate from the Station Commander’s house in Nr.40 Hoofd Street, Zastron next to the police station. For emergencies and/or enquiries the following numbers can be used:

Station Commander: 082 4676 284

Vispol Commander Number:

082 466 8509.

The station will undergo decontamination and affected members will be subjected to necessary Covid-19 related protocols.

The community will be informed once the police station is operational.

The acting Provincial Commissioner of the Free State, Major General Len Singh and management wishes to assure the communities that services will not be hampered during closure of police stations and apologises for any inconvenience that may arise.

Source: South African Police Service

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Open Society Announces a $10 Million Emergency Fund for Afghan Civilians in Peril

New York, Aug. 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Open Society Foundations announced today the creation of a $10 million Afghanistan emergency fund to support Afghans in grave danger—including champions of human rights, women’s rights, and journalists—by expanding immediate protection opportunities.

The Afghanistan Emergency Humanitarian Fund will help support sponsorship for humanitarian parole programs in the United States that provide a pathway to temporary refuge for those in harm’s way. It will bolster international relief organizations in their efforts to support Afghan citizens fleeing the Taliban advance. And the fund will aid other efforts to deliver humanitarian relief to internally displaced Afghans and those fleeing to other countries taking them in.

Open Society invites other donors to join these efforts to address this humanitarian emergency.

“The Open Society Foundations have long worked in Afghanistan to promote human rights, culture, and freedom of expression,” said President Mark Malloch-Brown. “We remain deeply committed to Afghans and their efforts to help the country advance toward a more open society. We call on funders to join us in our response to this urgent humanitarian crisis. There is truly not a moment to waste.”

Communications
Open Society Foundations
(212)-548-0378
[email protected]