Category: General

LEBOWAKGOMO – The South African Police Service in Lebowakgomo outside Polokwane need assistance from members of the community to find a 44-year-old man, Oupa Makou Powana who went missing on Friday 10 September 2021 at about 20:00.

The victim is originally from Ga-Sekororo village outside Tzaneen and is a construction employee temporarily renting a room at Mamaolo village in Ga-Mphahlele.

Oupa allegedly informed his employer that he is going home for the weekend and later on this morning, his wife received a phone call from a Tracker Company enquiring about his Toyota Hilux bakkie because they attempted to contact him but both his cellphones are on voicemail.

She was further notified that the signal of the vehicle was spotted in Mpumalanga heading to Gauteng province where it suddenly went off until now. Attempts to locate the victim at friends and relatives did not bear any fruits.

Unfortunately, the type of clothes he was wearing during his disappearance are unknown.

Anyone with information that can assist to find the missing man should contact the Investigating Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Nyamanyawo Thomas Baloyi on 0825658234 or Crime Stop number 0860010111 or the nearest Police station or MySAPSApp.

Source: South African Police Service

NORTHERN CAPE – The Galeshewe Crime Prevention, SANDF and Crime Intelligence followed up on information of houses selling drugs in the area. A search warrant was sourced and an operation to get drugs off the streets of Galeshewe was arranged.

Four suspects were arrested and charged for dealing in drugs. The drugs confiscated from the four identified addresses ranged from Mandrax Tablets, Crystal Meth, Dagga and an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspects will appear before the Galeshewe magistrate court soon.

The Station Commander of Galeshewe Brigadier Belinda Rikhotso lauded the job well done by the members and promised to squeeze the space for the drug market in Galeshewe as drugs rob our children of their futures and fans criminality in the area.

Source: South African Police Service

GQEBERHA – SAPS Kwadwesi detectives are investigating a case of murder after a burnt body of an unknown man was found on Friday 10 September 2021 in Joe Slovo.

It is alleged that on Friday at approximately 21:30, SAPS Kwadwesi responded to a complaint at the Winnie Mandela informal settlement in Joe Slovo. On arrival the members were informed by a community member that he found the burnt body in the bushes next to the road while walking home. At this stage, circumstances surrounding the incident is unknown.

Anyone who can assist in identifying the deceased person or assist with the tracing of the next of kin or may know anything relating to the incident is asked to contact SAPS Kwadwesi Detectives on 082 442 0964 or Crime Stop 08600 1011 or their nearest police station.

Source: South African Police Service

THORNHILL – Police opened an inquest docket following the recovery of a woman’s body off the Van Staden’s bridge near Thornhill this afternoon.

On Saturday morning, 11 September 2021 just before 10:00, it is alleged that a passer-by contacted the police after seeing a white Nissan Tiida parked near Van Stadens bridge with no occupants. Moments later, the search and rescue teams launched a search operation. At about 13:00, the body of a 27-year-old woman was found floating in the water. The name of the deceased is being withheld until the next of kin formally identify the body. Police opened an inquest docket for further investigation.

Source: South African Police Service

DURBAN – A 22-year-old man appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court yesterday for bribery. On 8 September 2021 at 22:20, a Durban Central police officer was at the police station charging a suspect for possession of suspected stolen property.

The friend of the arrested suspect heard that his acquaintance was arrested and proceeded to Durban Central police station. It is alleged that the friend approached the police officer who was charging the suspect and offered a bribe of R200-00 in exchange for the release of his friend. The officer immediately placed the suspect under arrest for bribery.

Source: South African Police Service

DURBAN – Yesterday morning at 09:00, a northern KwaZulu-Natal pension pay point at Gunjaneni in KwaMsane was held up by a gang of approximately 15 armed men. It is alleged that the men held up officials at the pension pay out as well as security guards. The men shot one of the guards in the leg. The suspects escaped with a large sum of cash, four firearms belonging to the security guards as well as a vehicle stolen at the pension pay point.

Police officers at KwaMsane were notified of the robbery and immediately mobilised all police stations as well as specialised units in the area. All escape routes were shut down as the hunt for these men commenced. At one of the escape routes a vehicle with two occupants that appeared to be fleeing from the scene was stopped. The two occupants were interrogated and it was discovered that one of the men was a 25-year-old Constable from the neighbouring Hlabisa police station. Police seized the police officer’s firearm and took both men into custody for further questioning.

Further investigation, which continued until the early hours of this morning, resulted in the arrest of an additional seven men and seizure of four firearms, three of which belonged to the security guards. Four vehicles were seized, including the vehicle that was stolen from the pension pay point.

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi commended the speedy arrest of the armed robbers. “The rapid response by police officers based in KwaMsane and northern KwaZulu-Natal must be applauded. They worked throughout the night to ensure that these perpetrators are brought to book. We also welcome the arrest of a rogue police officer who was amongst this group, which is also an indication that the majority of our police officers do not tolerate criminal elements who have creeped into our ranks,” he said.

An undisclosed amount of cash was also recovered from the arrested suspects. The nine men, who are between 35 and 38 years old, were detained on charges of armed robbery and attempted murder pending further investigation. More arrests are expected as police continue the manhunt for the outstanding suspects as well as cash that was taken during the robbery. The arrested suspects will appear in court soon.

Source: South African Police Service