Category: General

POTCHEFSTROOM – In a bid to curb transnational crime, police at Kopfontein Port of Entry arrested a 53-year old Petrus Toppies for possession of illicit cigarettes.

Members were busy with their daily duties on Tuesday, 08 June 2021 at about 17:00, when they pulled off a MAN truck to the search area. The truck which was pulling a trailer, was entering South Africa from Zambia via Botswana. Moreover, the driver who was alone in the truck, declared that he was transporting liquid molasses for cows.

Upon further investigation by the customs officials, the driver reportedly disclosed that the middle compartment of the trailer contained illicit cigarettes. The resultant search revealed that the trailer’s flank compartments contained liquid molasses while the middle one was filled with 355 Master Cases of Pacific Blue Cigarettes to the estimated value of R4 805 200.00.

The driver was immediately arrested and liquid molasses had to be drained out as it is not suitable for use in South Africa. The truck and cigarettes were ultimately confiscated.

Meanwhile, Toppies appeared before the Zeerust Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 11 June 2021. He was remanded in custody until Friday, 18 June 2021, for a formal bail application.

The case is investigated by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI).

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of North West, Major General Dintletse Molefe lauded members and Customs officials for their vigilance and cooperation that resulted in the arrest. She pointed out that illicit cigarettes trade affects the economy of the country and the police will deal harshly with those who perpetrate the crime.

Source: South African Police Service

FREE STATE – Sibusiso Alfred Migai (33), Sipho Joseph Mdlalose (38), Phindile Florence Mdlalose (28), Donald Vusumuzi Rammusi (32) and Magala Petros Mohapi (42), as well as Victor Mdlalose (67) appeared before the Fochville Magistrate Court on Friday, 11 June 2021 where they were facing charges of fraud and theft.

They were arrested on Wednesday, 09 June 2021 by a multidisciplinary team that swooped on various premises in Gauteng. The joint team traced and disrupted the criminal network responsible for large-scale pre-paid electricity fraud and theft.

Their arrests was effected during the first phase of the project driven investigation carried out by the Free State Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in concert with Eskom Investigators, Hawks Digital Forensic Investigation (DFI), Tactical Response Team (TRT), Public Order Policing (POP) as well as Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC).

The case against the ghost vending accused has been postponed to Friday, 18 June 2021 for consultation and Friday, 25 June 2021 for formal bail applications.

Source: South African Police Service

LEVUBU- The South African Police Service in Levubu outside Thohoyandou seek information that can assist to find a missing woman aged 27, Shonisani Munyai from Ha Mashau Doli who went missing on Saturday 05 June 2021 in the morning.

She allegedly informed her brother that she is going to Thohoyandou and never came back. She was wearing a yellow jersey, black jeans and she was carrying a black handbag.

Police search operation was conducted at relatives and surrounding areas with no success.

Anyone with information can help find this missing woman may contact Detective Sergeant Christopher Tshivalo on 079 985 4586/015 583 7400 or the crime stop number 0860010111 or MYSAPSAPP.

Police investigations and search operation are still continuing.

Source: South African Police Service

EASTERN CAPE – Xolelwa Mbusi (44) a former Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality cashier at NU3 Mdantsane Municipal Rent office and Daluxolo Ndwangu(49) a resident at NU2 Mdantsane appeared at Mdantsane Magistrate court on 10 June 2021 for alleged charges of corruption.

It is alleged that in 2018, Ndwangu after buying a house in Mdantsane NU2 discovered that the house was sold to him with rates debt of R100 000. He is said to have gone to make an enquiry with the intention of making suitable arrangements.

It is further alleged that during the enquiry, Xolelwa Mbusi informed Ndwangu that the account was handed over to the lawyers but could assist with clearing the account on the system provided Ndwangu paid her an amount of R50 000 of which Ndwangu subdued to the enticement.

It is said that the duo went to the nearest Capitec Bank branch for Ndwangu to transfer the money into Mbusi’s bank account.

It is reported that after some time Ndwangu realised that the account had not been cleared by the official as agreed upon but instead the debt was escalating. Ndwangu is said to have contacted Mbusi who failed to cooperate and at a later stage ended up being unreachable.

Ndwangu lodged a complaint with the East London Serious Corruption Investigation team for probing. On finalisation of the investigations, warrants of arrests were issued for both the alleged Ndwangu and Mbusi hence their arrest on 10 June 2021.

The duo made their appearance at Mdantsane Magistrate Court immediately after the arrest where they got released on R2000 00 bail each and the matter is remanded for 18 August 2021 to set a trial date.

Source: South African Police Service

FREE STATE – Marius Smit (27) appeared before the Bloemfontein Regional Court on Thursday, 10 June 2021 where he was convicted and sentenced for fraud.

His conviction originates from an incident which took place on Wednesday, 3 July 2019 where Hawks’ Communication Services Bloemfontein received information about the fraudulent advertising of vehicles for sales on Facebook. It is alleged that Smit requested deposit from interested buyers for fuel money or delivery money of the vehicle. The victims will then deposit the money by means of ewallet or money market transfers. Smit will then withdraw the money and not deliver the vehicles to the victims as agreed.

A disruptive operation was then conducted by members of the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in Bloemfontein together with Hawks’ Communication Services where Smit was traced and arrested in Botshabelo while he was withdrawing the money at an ATM. Smit appeared in court on several occasions culminating to his recent conviction.

The court sentenced Smit to 3 years direct imprisonment.

Source: South African Police Service

GAUTENG – Gauteng police have launched a manhunt for a man known as Mali Dube who is suspected to be involved in the murder of eight people and the attempted murder one person in Zandspruit, Honeydew, on the 19 May 2021. Police are also looking for Joshua Given Mabodze who can help the police in the investigation of the same murder, attempted murder and kidnapping case.

Since the incident happened the two wanted people have not been seen in Zandspruit, police are calling for anyone who might have seen these two people to contact the nearest police station or call crime stop number 08600 10111 or download my SAPS App and give information without mentioning your name.

One of the victims is still in hospital.

Source: South African Police Service