Category: General

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, has directed his department to review the process related to the R22 million flag pole project that was meant to be erected at Freedom Park in Tshwane.

“Over the past few days, the Minister has followed and taken note of public discourse that has unfolded in respect of the envisaged Monumental Flag,” the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture said on Thursday.

The ministry said the diversity of voices around this important heritage project are a welcome celebration of the country’s vibrant constitutional democracy and the freedoms that must be upheld beyond posterity.

“It also bodes well for one of the pillars of social cohesion, which is an active citizenry. In upholding these ethos and the inalienable rights of citizens to be heard, the Minister has directed his department to review the process related to the Monumental Flag in its totality,” the ministry said.

The department is entrusted with the mandate to transform South Africa’s heritage landscape by building monuments, memorials, museums, changing colonial and apartheid landmark names, as well as the overarching injunction to heal the divisions of the past.

“It does so informed by national aspirations and international best practice, which appreciates that heritage is among the bedrock of value systems that must drive national pride, social cohesion and unity,” the ministry said.

The World Heritage Convention makes the point that “cultural and natural heritage is not only an irreplaceable source of identity and inspiration, but also a key driving force for sustainable development.”

In striving to transform the cultural and heritage landscape of a democratic society, the department said it will continue to be driven by the pursuit of the socio-economic dividend for the country, as well as the historical, symbolic, spiritual and aesthetic values and identity of a democratic South Africa and its people.

“As we pursue this path, it is hoped that discourse will reflect deeper around these factors,” the ministry said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

LULEKANI – The Police in Lulekani outside Phalaborwa under Mopani District are seeking information that can help locate a 24-year-old man, Nhlamulo Tihuhlu from Lulekani Far East Section.

The man allegedly left his mother at home on Friday 13 May 2022 at about 23:00 without informing her where he was going and has since disappeared.

Nhlamulo was last seen wearing a white tracksuit jacket with a grey trousers.

Anyone with information that can assist to find the man, should contact the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Khekheni Vivian Maake on 0823197932, Crime Stop on 08600 10111, nearest Police station or My SAPS App.

Police search operation and investigations are underway.

Source: South African Police Service

BRITS – The police in Mmakau would like to request the community’s assistance in locating Alfred Shorty Mogale (86), who is residing at Ramogodi section, Mmakau close to Ga-Rankuwa.

According to information received, he was last seen on Sunday, 09 April 2022, when he left home. However, he never returned home.

A search was conducted around Mmakau without any success.

At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a brown shirt, blue jacket and grey pants.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts can contact the Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Thomas Baloyi, of Mmakau Detectives on 079 4909 129 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 . Anonymous tip-offs can be communicated via the My SAPS App.

Source: South African Police Service

A Bangladeshi national was nabbed at OR Tambo International Airport trying to leave the country with a fraudulent SA passport

In an ongoing clampdown on the use of fraudulent SA documents, a Bangladeshi national was arrested trying to leave the country on Wednesday night via the OR Tambo International Airport with a fraudulent SA passport.

“We have traced where this passport was issued and which corrupt Home Affairs official issued it. The corrupt official who issued it is one of those who are on the radar of the Department’s Counter Corruption Branch, hence another arrest is imminent,” said Minister Motsoaledi.

Upon further investigation, Home Affairs uncovered that this Bangladeshi national had applied for asylum in December 2015 and his application was rejected because he is definitely not in need of asylum. He has been appealing through the elaborate appeals system in SA ever since.

Another important fact to note is that he was found in possesion of a travel permit purportedly issued by the “Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh” as recently as 26 April 2022. The significance of this is that an asylum seeker cannot have any document issued by the country of origin because they are supposed to have ran away from there.

The Department of Home Affairs is extremely concerned about the abuse of the asylum system of our country.

“We will not tire or be dissuaded from fighting to eliminate corruption in all areas of Home Affairs, whether perpetrated by a foreign national or a South African. We will continue arresting all of them,” said Minister Motsoaledi.

Source: Government of South Africa

POLOKWANE – The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has applauded the members of the Task Team for their meticulous investigation that led to the arrest of two suspects believed to be part of a group allegedly responsible for the armed robbery and attempted murder that took place at a diesel depot in Louis Trichardt on Saturday 07 May 2022 at about 19:00, where a 43-year-old employee was shot and injured and fuel worth R5, 5 million stolen.

First to be arrested was a 43-year-old suspect after members pounced on a diesel depot at Vanderbijlipark in the Vaal area of the Gauteng province in the early hours of today, 13 May 2022 at about 01:00.

Upon arrival, the suspects sped off in a white Toyota Hilux Legend 50. One suspect was arrested following a high-speed chase and shoot out with the police. The other suspect fled on foot. Police recovered one 9mm pistol with ammunition and the getaway Toyota Hilux bakkie.

The Team continued with investigation at the depot and three trucks still filled up with diesel suspected to have been stolen from a depot in Louis Trichardt were confiscated.

The fourth truck was intercepted at the Lebombo border to Mozambique later at about 08:30 and a 38-year-old suspect was arrested.

It is alleged that on 07 May 2022, the manager of the depot which sells diesel in bulk opened the gate for a truck which entered the premises under the pretence of buying diesel. The occupants came out armed with firearms and took the remote control and cellphones from the manager and also robbed him of R6 000 cash.

All other four employees were locked in other rooms separately, robbed cellphones and tied with cable ties. A company driver at the premises was found shot and was taken to hospital in critical condition. About six trucks came in and filled up diesel.

“The excellent cooperation between the police and community members including security companies which resulted in this major breakthrough is highly commendable,” concluded Lieutenant General Hadebe.

Police have opened cases of attempted murder, reckless and negligent driving and possession of unlawful firearm and ammunition, armed robbery and possession of suspected stolen properties. The suspects will soon appear before the different magistrates courts

Police request the owner of the depot in Vaal Mr William Macholo to avail himself at the nearest Police Station as it is believed that he can assist with investigations.

The search for remaining suspects continues. Anyone with information is requested to contact Lieutenant Colonel Richard Boshomane on 0798945501 or call the toll free number 08600 10111 or may contact the nearest police station.

Police investigations are continuing.

Source: South African Police Service

FREE STATE – The police in Bohlokong are continuing their search for a missing elderly man, Matala Simon Mokoena (72) of Extension 1 Bohlokong near Bethlehem.

He was last seen on 2 May 2022 in the township, in the company of a friend. He left his house but notified his son that he was going to Bakoena Street to collect money from his tenants.

On the day of his disappearance, he was seen wearing a blue trouser, light brown shoes, grey and white jersey and a blue and white cap.

Any person with information of his whereabouts can contact Bohlokong Police Station on 058 307 5800, Captain Tshabalala on 082 453 0794 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Tip-offs can also be submitted on the My SAPS App.

Source: South African Police Service