Category: General

POTCHEFSTROOM – The fight against tampering with and damaging of essential infrastructure gained success when police in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District arrested four men.
In the first incident reported in the early hours of the morning on Thursday, 15 December 2022, police were called to a scene in Klerksdorp at the shunting yard of Transnet. A drone was used in the air to locate two men, whilst the police and security guards were following them on foot. When the suspects saw the police, they tried to flee, but were apprehended. A handsaw, believed to be used during the commission of the crime was found in their possession and initial investigations revealed that 10m of railway cable was already cut. John Sam Beula (28) and Tebo Pusetso Ntsedi (21) appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court today, 19 December 2022, for tampering with / damages or destruction of essential infrastructure. The accused were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on Wednesday, 28 December 2022.
In the second unrelated incident in Stilfontein at about 12:15 on Thursday, 15 December 2022, police held a routine roadblock on the N12. A vehicle was stopped for a search. During the search, the police found 37.8kg of copper inside the vehicle with an estimated street value of R26 000-00. The duo could not give a proper explanation for being in possession of the copper and they were arrested. Investigations later revealed that it was allegedly stolen from an abandoned building. Khanyisa Kandile (42) and Khanyisa Sakhe (22) appeared before the Stilfontein Magistrates’ Court today, 19 December 2022, on a charge of tampering with / damages or destruction of essential infrastructure. They were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on Thursday, 22 December 2022.
The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded the private security company’s personnel and all South African Police Service (SAPS) members for their collaboration that led to the success.

Source: South African Police Service

KIMBERLEY – The Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola has welcomed the twelve year jail term handed down to Jesmou Mackay(24).
The Postmasburg Regional Court found Jesmou Mackay guilty as charged on a count of rape on Thursday, 15 December 2022 and sentenced him to an effective twelve years imprisonment. The accused raped a 17-year-old female victim on Saturday, 12 March 2022.
On the day of the incident, the accused went to the victim’s home in Postmasburg, under the pretence of looking for garden work.
He followed the victim into the house and pushed her on the bed and raped her. He fled the scene and he was arrested shortly after the incident was reported to the police.
The investigating officer, Warrant Officer Debora Bob successfully opposed bail, and the accused was remanded in police custody until the finalisation of the trial.
The Postmasburg Regional Court declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm and his name was recorded in the National Sex Offender’s Register.
The Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola commended the investigating officer for her excellent investigative work.

Source: South African Police Service

ODENDAALSRUS – Moeketsi Phakisi aged 61 was reported missing on 11 December 2022 at Odendaalsrus SAPS. Phakisi who is mentally challenged, went missing on 10 December 2022 at 09:00 in Kutloanong. He allegedly frequented Kutloanong Zion Christian church in a section of Kutloanong called K5.
He was last seen wearing black jeans, a green blazer and grey sneakers.
Anyone with information on the missing person, Detective Sergeant Nomthandazo Mtengwane of Odendaalsrus Detective Services can be contacted at 082 301 2797 or Crime Stop number 08600 10111.

Source: South African Police Service

POTCHEFSTROOM – Two brothers, Methe William Thibedi (26) and Molifi Philip Thibedi (25) appeared before the Atamelang Magistrates’ Court today on a charge of murder. They will remain in custody until their second court appearance on Wednesday, 28 December 2022.
Their court appearance stems from their apprehension on Sunday, 18 December 2022, for the alleged murder of Pule Moilwa (25), who was reported missing on 29 January 2019 in Madibogo village. Police received information that the brothers allegedly murdered Moilwa, then cut off his head and threw it into a pit toilet. Police operationalised the information and on Sunday, 18 December 2022, found a human skull as well as a knife believed to have been used during the commission of the crime in the pit toilet. The skull will be subjected to DNA tests to confirm the identity.
The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, thanked members of the community for coming forward with the information, which led to the arrests. He said this incident is a clear and good example of collaborative efforts between the community and the police.

Source: South African Police Service

GQEBERHA – Festive Season operations are in full swing in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro with police and law enforcement agencies clamping down on law breakers as well as enhancing this year’s theme of ‘more boots on the ground towards enhanced police visibility.’
During the long weekend from 16 December 2022 to 19 December 2022, a total of 86 suspects were arrested for offences which included attempted murder, drunken driving, possession of drugs, illegal possession of firearm and ammunition, murder, possession of suspected stolen property among other offences.
On Saturday, 17 December 2022 at about 22:00, SAPS Gelvandale executed a search warrant at a house in Durban Road and arrested a 35-year-old male in possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.
Also, on the same evening, at about 19:30, SAPS Walmer members were patrolling in Babatane Street in Walmer location when they noticed two males arguing and one was pointing a firearm at the other. When he noticed the police, he hid the firearm and on searching him, a firearm (serial number filed off) was recovered. He was detained on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.
On Sunday, 18 December 2022 at about 22:00, Anti-Gang Unit members acted on information received about a firearm at a shop in Kabah in Kamesh. The shop was searched and a 9mm pistol was found hidden behind shelves in a bedroom. A 34-year-old male was arrested and detained for possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.
All the arrested suspects will appear in the respective courts today, 19 December 2022 on their charges. The firearms will be sent to ballistics for analysis.
Police are alerting communities that festive season operations will continue with road blocks; frequent visits to taverns, drug dens, liquor outlets, beaches, picnic spots and shopping malls to ensure a safe and secure festive season for all residents in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro.

Source: South African Police Service

GIYANI: The SAPS Limpopo Provincial Women’s Network Champion Brigadier Mary Mashila visited Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa at Nhlaneki village outside Giyani on Sunday, 18 December 2022.
Brigadier Mashila was accompanied by the Provincial Men for Change Public Relations Officer Sergeant Ridgewell Rikhotso and members of the Women’s Network from Mopani District.
Brigadier Mashila in her speech addressed the Congregation about Gender Based Violence and Femicide and encouraged the congregation to join the Police in the fight against Crime through Community based Crime Prevention structures.
“Our fellow men Church and community members you are advised to report any situations that may cause crime in your family to the police and I can assure you that no police officer who will treat you bad or laugh at you as a man to report Gender Based Violence cases,” said Brigadier Mashila.
She concluded by sharing her contact numbers and of the District Commissioner as well as of the SAPS Giyani Community Services Centre.

Source: South African Police Service