Author: svadmin

NORTH WEST – Russel De Beer (49), Archibald Mogale (34) and Charne Steyn (27) appeared before the Brits Magistrate’s Court following their arrest on Tuesday in Brits and Hartebeespoort Dam respectively during a takedown operation by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team assisted by members of the Local Criminal Records Centre and Forensic Science Laboratory.

De Beer who is a major supplier of dagga around the country was previously arrested in 2019 when his shop (Canapax) was raided and dagga with other products worth approximately R3 million were seized. The operation led the team to various Canapax branches around the country which were shut down.

During the search on Tuesday, R2 million worth of dagga, R54 000-00 in cash and a Toyota bakkie were seized. Meanwhile a preservation order was issued for cash amount of approximately R800 000-00 and a restraint order for a farm worth approximately R3 million.

The main accused now faces an array of charges which include, dealing in dagga, cultivation of dagga, fraud and money laundering to the tune of approximately R10 million.

A fourth accused, Ulrich Fritz (25) handed himself over and consequently joined the trio in court where De Beer and Mogale were each released on R100 000-00 bail. Steyn and Fritz were each granted R10 000-00 and R5000-00 bail respectively. The matter was postponed to 09 July 2021 pending further investigation.

Source: South African Police Service

GQEBERHA – Algoa Park Detectives are urgently seeking the next of kin of an alleged robbery suspect who was fatally wounded on Wednesday night, 26 May 2021 in Algoa Park.

It is alleged that at about 21:25, the complainant (39) was seated in her vehicle (Toyota Corolla) at a garage in Uitenhage Road waiting for her boyfriend who went into the shop. The suspect opened the driver’s side door of the vehicle and pointed her with a firearm. The suspect took her cell phone and ran across Uitenhage Road towards New Brighton. The complainant and her boyfriend drove to Struanway Road, searching for the suspect. The complainant identified the suspect as he was exiting a pedestrian walkway and her boyfriend confronted him. The suspect pointed the complainant’s boyfriend with a firearm and the boyfriend who was also armed fire several shots at the suspect. The unknown suspect died on the scene. A 9mm firearm with ammunition and the stolen cell phone of the complainant was found. Ownership of the firearm is still to be established.

A case of armed robbery and inquest was opened and is under investigation. The firearm will be sent to ballistics for analysis.

Anyone who can assist in identifying the deceased person or know of any person that may be missing since yesterday, 26 May 2021 evening, is asked to contact SAPS Algoa Park on 082 413 5488 or Crime Stop 08600 10111 or their nearest police station. He was dressed in a maroon top and navy pants.

Source: South African Police Service

MPUMALANGA – The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga executed a warrant of arrest against the second accused, Lucky Surprise Maseko (24) yesterday, 26 May 2021 after he was linked to cash in transit heist, murder and theft of motor vehicles. He was taken to Kabokweni Magistrates’ Court where he was remanded in custody until 04 June 2021 for a formal bail application.

It is alleged that on 16 April 2021, a group of armed men stormed at the cash truck outside the service station at Kabokweni whilst the security guards were loading cash. The suspects allegedly fired several shots, fatally wounding the driver. They allegedly grabbed several bags and fled the scene in a white BMW and a grey Toyota Hilux bakkie. It was later confirmed that the bags which the suspects took contained stationery and no money was stolen.

The incident incited the Hawks’ investigation and during the investigation, the vehicles that were used were found in the garage of a house at Mahushu in Masoyi few days after the incident. It was discovered that the bakkie was stolen at Matsulu and BMW was hijacked at KaNyamazane. The owner of the house, Sydney Mokoena (41) was arrested and charged for possession of suspected stolen vehicles on 18 April 2021 and was later linked to the cash in transit heist.

He appeared in court on 20 April 2021 and he was remanded in custody until 04 June 2021 where he will be joined by his co-accused, Maseko.

Source: South African Police Service

POLOKWANE – The South African Police Service in Limpopo have honoured the fallen hero, the late Brigadier Mametsa, the Provincial Head of Financial Services during a memorial service that was held at Airport Africa lodge outside the City of Polokwane, today on Thursday 27 May 2021.

The management led by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner responsible for Corporate Services, Major General Christine Morakaladi, the Deputy Provincial Commissioner responsible for the Detectives Major General Samuel Manala and Major General Hankins from the Saps National Head Office, Senior Officers, members and personnel including the Labour Unions were in attendance.

Brigadier Mametsa served the Police with diligence for thirty one years (31), without any interruption and unknowingly, prior to join the Service he was employed as a teacher.

Surprisingly, he had a calling to serve the country and ultimately joined the Service until his untimely death prior to his retirement on August this year. The Chaplain, Lieutenant Colonel Mahlangu blessed the memorial service with a prayer during the opening session.

Various speakers were afforded the opportunity to pay tribute to the fallen hero as friends, family and colleagues.

In her keynote address, Major General Morakaladi proudly presented Brigadier Mametsa as a dedicated and intelligent person who ensured that service delivery is achieved while executing his duties.

She laments that “My heart is filled with pain and sadness that is deep and personal, particularly because he was a person I knew very well. I would like to express my condolences on behalf of the SAPS management and all members in the province during this turbulent times. We will forever cherish his cheerful memories, love and passion for work and hope that we will one day meet in heaven.”

The memorial service concluded with a Biblical Sermon rendered by Chaplain, Captain Sefora.

Brigadier Mametsa will be laid to rest on Saturday 29 May 2021 at Mathibela village in Sebetiela policing area under the Capricorn District.

Source: South African Police Service