Category: General

Minister Zulu urges South Africans to protect the most vulnerable over the festive season
As many people will be traveling to various holiday destinations across the country to rest and enjoy the festive season with their families and friends, the Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu is urging all South Africans to celebrate responsibly and to keep those less privileged among them in their thoughts this festive season.

“In the last two years, we celebrated the festive season in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we celebrate this wonderful time of the year without restrictions, I encourage us all to take a moment to pause, celebrate the gift of life and exemplify the spirit of Christmas by reaching out and sharing what we have and what we can. Sadly, this is also the time of the year that we experience an increase in acts of violence against the most vulnerable – children, women, older persons and persons with disabilities,” said Minister Zulu.

“We therefore should remain vigilant during this time. If you, or anyone you know is being abused, or if you suspect that someone you know may need help, please contact the Gender Based Violence Command Centre on 0800 428 428 (0800 GBVF GBVF). The Command Centre can also be accessed by sending a Please Call Me: *120*7867#, SMS ‘Help’: 31531 or use Skype: Helpme GBV. The Command Centre will remain fully operational for 24/7 during this festive season,” Minister Zulu added.

It is important for parents and caregivers to ensure the safety of children by knowing the whereabouts of their children at all times as perpetrators prey on vulnerable children during this time. In promoting the 365 Days comprehensive Child Protection campaign, South Africans are reminded that everyone has the responsibility to ensure that children in their care are safe and always protected.

Elder abuse is also a major cause for concern. It comes in many different forms – physical abuse, emotional abuse, or financial abuse. Many times, sadly, elder abuse involves a family member. This must be condemned by all South Africans as it is equivalent to the violation of fundamental human rights as entrenched in the Constitution and the Older Persons Act 13 of 2006. The Department will as part of strengthening its awareness programmes, continue to protect older persons and empower communities about Alzheimer’s, dementia and other conditions affecting older persons’ health and wellbeing.

One of the major contributing factors to gender-based violence and road accident fatalities during this time of the year is the abuse of alcohol. The Department of Social Development is the custodian of the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act, 70 of 2008, which mandates the department to develop programmes and support initiatives aimed at the prevention and treatment of substance abuse.

The Act exists to prevent usage, treatment of substance use disorders, as well as the reduction, production, and distribution of illicit drugs in South Africa. In collaboration with the Central Drug Authority (CDA), the department is also expected to play part and contribute towards the building of safer and healthier communities through coordinated efforts. This is part of building a caring society for all South Africans.

This role, the Minister says, can be realised through effective implementation of the National Drug Master Plan (NDMP, 2019 – 2024, which is a guiding tool towards working in collaboration with Civil Society Organisations and communities to reduce the demand for and supply of drugs in the country.

LET US UNITE AGAINST A DRUG FREE SOCIETY!

Being responsible for the implementation of Pillar 4 of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on Gender Based Violence and Femicide, the Department of Social Development will continue its role of making provision and strengthening communities through institutional Response, Care, Support and Healing to GBVF survivors and their families. The implementation of Pillar 4 requires all South Africans including the Civil Society Organisations, Faith Based Organisations, and society at large to play their part. It is for this reason that the GBVCC will be operational throughout the festive season 24 hours a day.
To afford the officials of the Department to spend time with their families, the offices will be closed from 23 December 2022 at 10h00 until 3 January 2023.

Minister Zulu takes this opportunity to wish all South Africans a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Source: Government of South Africa

MANKWENG – The Police in Mankweng have launched a search operation of a missing 45-year-old woman, Maria Tona who was allegedly last seen on 11 December 2022 at her residential place in Ntshitsane.
A search operation was conducted at her relatives and friend’s places with no success. She was apparently last seen wearing a white and blue dress and black shoes. She has been described as light in completion and has an afro hair.
Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts can kindly contact the Investigating Officer Warrant Officer Sy Ramakgolo on 0725776263 or alternatively call Crime Stop number on 0860010111 or Mankweng police station on 0152862000 or visit the nearest police station. Anonymous tip offs can be shared via MySAPSApp.

Source: South African Police Service

NELSPRUIT – Police in the province continue to be vigilant during this Safer Festive Season. Yesterday, 19 December 2022, the astute members reportedly prevented a possible robbery as they engaged in a gun battle with heavily armed suspects. This occurred near Malelane outside Komatipoort on Monday, 19 December 2022 around 10h00 am.
According to the report, the members were patrolling along the R70 Jeppes Reef Road when they came across a white Toyota single cab occupied by four heavily armed individuals inside. As the members approached the suspicious vehicle by making a U-turn, it is suspected that the suspects probably noticed them and also made a U-turn as well. This occurred on several occasions before the suspects started firing shots at the members and the members defended themselves by engaging in the gun battle. One member sustained some injuries in the upper body and the state vehicle was also damaged during this incident. The suspects later disengaged after realising that the members were not backing down then they fled the scene. It is reported that they (suspects) abandoned the vehicle that they were using and hijacked a certain vehicle, Silver grey BMW at Matsulu which they later abandoned. It is further alleged that they were picked up by a certain white BMW and they were never seen.
A case of attempted murder is being investigated in relation to the attack on the members. No suspect has been arrested so far however police have launched an investigation and are in pursuit of the suspects.
Members of the public are urged to come forth with information that may assist in the investigation and call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or send information via MySAPS App. 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 Daphney has vowed that the suspects will be hunted down until each one of them is brought to book.

Source: South African Police Service

FREE STATE – The Hawks’ Priority Crime Specialised Investigation (PCSI) together with the National Prosecution Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) successfully secured a preservation order for two houses valued at more than R1 million and three vehicles; Audi A7, BMW X1 and VW Golf 6.
This comes after the Bloemfontein High Court granted a preservation order on Thursday, 15 December 2022. The matter involves five Ficksburg based companies; HILFD Suppliers (Pty) Ltd, MRP Trading Enterprise, Rusten Water Solutions, Ruru Online and Veldirus (Pty) Ltd. They allegedly received money from the Central Bank of Lesotho under suspicious circumstances. It is further alleged that those payments were made with the assistance of Lesotho government officials who intercepted legitimate vouchers that were authorised for services provided by other companies.
During October 2021, the matter was assigned to the Hawks based in Bloemfontein. R18 million and R5 million were already forfeited during the first phase and the second phase of the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, the criminal investigation is ongoing.

Source: South African Police Service

WESTERN CAPE – Concerted efforts to eradicate the proliferation of illicit firearms that threatens the safety of innocent and vulnerable communities yielded excellent results when members attached to Operation Restore conducted high density crime combating patrols which led to the confiscated two illicit firearms and ammunition in Khayelitsha during the past weekend. Strategic deployment was conducted too curb the recent spate of shooting incidents that occurred in the area.
On Sunday, 18 December 2022, members attached to our Provincial Operation Restore, deployed in Harare, Khayelitsha were conducting stop-and-search crime combatting operations in the area of Dada Street in site C when they spotted a suspicious vehicle, a white Hyundai with two equally suspicious occupants. They pulled over the vehicle and ensued with a search which led to the seizure of a 9mm Norinco pistol and ammunition which were found under the seat.
Subsequent to the find, a 34-year-old man was arrested and scheduled to appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrates’ court once charged.
The same team through concerted efforts expanded crime combatting duties to Heinz Park in Samora Machel when they accosted a 37-year-old suspect whilst they performed foot patrols in Magwaza informal settlement. The suspect clearly wanted to evade the presence of the members on foot, but was restrained and searched upon which the members found a prohibited firearm and ammunition on him. He was arrested and detained. He faces a charge of possession of an illicit firearm and ammunition and is scheduled to appear in the Philippi Magistrates’ court once charged.
Western Cape police management has praised the members for their ongoing commitment and concerted efforts to rid our communities of the proliferation of illicit firearms that threatens the wellbeing and free movement of society.

Source: South African Police Service

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