Category: General

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has once again appreciated the court for doing their best to deter people from illegal hunting by imposing tougher sentences upon poachers. This gesture by the General comes in a wake of a hefty sentence that was handed down on Friday, 18 March 2022 by the Skukuza Regional Court to Mike Nyathi, aged 40 for poaching.

The court sentenced the accused after hearing how he was caught twice poaching inside the Kruger National Park. It is said that in the first incident, Nyathi and Janeiro Chunguane entered the Kingfisherspruit Section (inside Kruger National Park) on 17 September 2017 and began hunting illegally, where they shot and killed a white rhinoceros. Field Rangers working at the said section fortunately heard a sound of gunshots and became aware that there were intruders inside the park. The rangers then went out to investigate what was happening and they found the two men who were in possession of one rifle (a .458 Win Mag Zastava bolt action) without serial numbers, ten .458 Win Mag cartridges, an axe as well as a knife.

The rangers further found a carcass of a white rhinoceros that was killed next to where the two men were found. The men were apprehended by the rangers. Police at Skukuza were then informed about the incident and the two were arrested and charged for trespassing, possession of prohibited firearm, unlicenced firearm and ammunition, conspiracy to commit a crime, hunting of protected animals in a National Park, and possession of a dangerous weapon.

The men appeared in the said court where they were both granted bail. Thereafter Chunguane fled to Mozambique and a warrant for his arrest was issued. Police are still looking for him and he is yet to be re-arrested. Whilst on 13 May 2019 Nyathi got involved into the second incident of poaching whereby, he entered the Satara Section at Kruger National Park.

It is said that the rangers became aware and, with the assistance of a tracker dog they tracked the suspect who happened to be Nyathi. He was found by the rangers hiding under a big fallen tree. Once again police at Skukuza were informed and during his arrest, the field rangers recovered a .458 Win Mag CZ 550 bolt action rifle without serial numbers, two .458 Win Mag cartriges. The accused was identified as Mike Nyathi.

He was then charged and appeared before the said court where he was never granted bail until his cases were finalised. The accused was convicted and sentenced in relation to the two incidents to an effective 25 years imprisonment. The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Meanwhile the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela further thanked everyone that contributed in the said cases which led to the incredible conviction and ultimate sentence. “We commend the team of field rangers, the investigation team, the Prosecution Team as well as the Judiciary for the job well done. We hope that others who might think of poaching will be deterred by this sentence” said the General.

Source: South African Police Service

Three people including two men aged 28 and 39 as well as a 32-year-old woman have been arrested after the Louis Botha statue situated at the main entrance of Parliament was vandalized.

At about 14:42 this afternoon, members of the SAPS spotted the trio who were in possession of a ladder, grinder and generator near the statue. Members of the SAPS moved in swiftly and managed to confiscate the items. During a scuffle between members of the SAPS and the trio, one of the male suspects managed to spray paint as well as vandalize the statue with a hammer.

All three have been arrested and charged for malicious damage to property, resisting arrest as well as the assault of police officers.

Source: South African Police Service

In an attempt to address the proliferation of motor vehicle related crime, SAPS Pretoria Central is urging community members to remain vigilant when parking their vehicles in public spaces.

Safety tips to motorists:

– Ensure that no valuables such as money, cellphones, laptops, tablets or any other electronic devices are visibly left inside of the vehicle;

– When parking a motorist must physically test if the doors and windows are all completely locked;

– Do not hand anyone your keys no matter how well you think you know them;

– Preferably park at designated parking areas with the city.

Community members are urged to report crime to their nearest police station, Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or alternatively leave an anonymous tip-off on the MySAPS App.

Source: South African Police Service

LIMPOPO – Simphiwe Samuel Radebe (27) appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court today 16 March 2022, following his arrest by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation members.

Between 2017 and 2018 the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality requested quotations for accommodation from different hotels. It is alleged that the quotations were sent to the Municipality and the money was paid. The Municipality became surprised when the hotels started to demand their money amounting to R80 000-00 for services rendered.

The matter was reported to the Hawks and the investigation was instituted. During the investigation, it was discovered that the Municipality was furnished with the quotations bearing fraudulent banking details. After a thorough investigation, Radebe was arrested on 15 March 2022 at his workplace in Pretoria.

The accused was remanded in custody until 23 March 2022 and his case was transferred to Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes court. The search for his accomplices is still ongoing.

Source: South African Police Service

FREE STATE – Community members are reminded to practice water safety following five drownings at a river during religious rituals that were performed.

On Saturday, 12 March 2022 at about 13:30, Wesselsbron SAPS was informed about people who drowned at Vet river on the R719 Wesselsbron /Bultfontein road. On arrival, a female witness was at the scene and alleges that a mother was holding her 12-year-old daughter whilst standing in the river during a ritual when the child was swept away in the water. Four men attempted to save the child and also drowned.

Divers were summoned to the scene and the bodies were retrieved from the river.

Source: South African Police Service

GQEBERHA – While patrolling last night, 11 March 2022, observant SAPS Kwazakele Visible Task Team members spotted a suspicious vehicle, allegedly involved in house robberies in the area. The members followed the vehicle while waiting for back up to arrive.

It is alleged that at about 22:45, the vehicle fitting the description of a vehicle recently involved in a house robbery in Mgengo Street in Zwide was pulled over in Johnson Road by the Visible Task Team and Crime Prevention members. The driver of the vehicle was a well-known criminal. Follow up investigations were done and the complainant in the house robbery case in Mgengo Street, was contacted and positively identified the suspect as one of the men that robbed her on Thursday, 10 March 2022.

The complainant (25) alleged that on the mentioned date at about 16:45, two unknown males entered the house with firearms and threatened her and her friends. Two laptops and cellphones to the value of R13 500 was taken.

Further investigations led the team to a flat in Kobese Street in Izinyoka in Kwadwesi. A firearm, with the serial number filed off, ammunition and a gas gun was found in a plastic bag outside the flat.

The firearm will be sent to ballistics for testing. The vehicle was impounded for further investigation.

The 30-year-old suspect was detained on a charge of house robbery. Detectives will be investigating his possible involvement to other house robberies in the area. Further arrests are expected.

Source: South African Police Service