Category: General

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

VUWANI – A joint rural crime awareness campaign was conducted by the Vuwani SAPS, the Departments of Transport and Community Safety and Agriculture on Wednesday 09 June 2021 at Vuwani Fire Brigade hall.

Communication officer, Captain Elias Chipangana spearheaded the campaign in company of Community Policing Forum (CPF) Chairperson, Mrs Girly Sadiki and other stakeholders.

Social crime prevention coordinator, Warrant Officer Mushungwa hinted the community about brand marking of livestock and methods to prevent stock theft.

In addition, Mrs Tlou Mabala representing the Department of Transport and Community Safety cautioned everyone about road fatalities that are caused by stray animals. Furthermore, the Department of Agriculture official, Mr Avhatakali Mafame highlighted was also afforded the opportunity to advice the masses about animals’ health and meat safety.

Lastly, National Prosecution Authority (NPA) official, Mr Erick Shibambu explained the procedure of bail conditions that are granted by the Magistrate’s courts.

Source: South African Police Service

CACAD – Perpetrators of serial crimes against defenseless victims whom they manipulated and brainwash continue to get hefty sentencing in different areas in Eastern Cape. Simpiwe Mehlo (26) was found guilty and was sentenced to undergo double life sentence on Tuesday 08 June 2021. The sentence will not run concurrently.

The sentence follows an incident that happened in January 2016 while the 16-year-old survivor was attending traditional ceremony at Gqebenya Administrative Area. She was allegedly grabbed by the suspect and dragged to his house where he raped her until the following day.

The rapes continued for several times until the victim reported the matter to her sister and a case of rape was opened. The docket was assigned to Detective Sgt Yongama Mkabile who took many hours investigating and collected evidence until the case was finalized.

Acting District Commissioner Brigadier Pumla Mavuka encouraged rape victims to immediately report rape attacks to the police or immediate family so evidence can be collected and perpetrators be brought to book. He also congratulated the member.

Source: South African Police Service

MAAKE – The South African Police Service in Maake outside Tzaneen need assistance from members of the community in locating a 15-year-old girl, Bongani Modjadji Maake from Callies Village who reportedly went missing on Sunday 06 June 2021.

The victim’s mother alleges that she left her at home with her cousin in the afternoon and when she returned, her daughter was nowhere to be found.

The victim’s cousin told her that she went out running without telling anyone about her destination. At about 21:00, the teenager called her mother and told her that she is at Pulaneng village and promised that she will come back the next day on Monday 07 June 2020.

The teenager never returned home and her cellphone is on voicemail. Attempts to locate the victim at friends and surrounding areas were not fruitful.

There is no clear description of the type of clothes the victim was wearing at the time of her disappearance.

Anyone with information that can assist to reunite the missing teenager with her family should contact Investigating Officer, Sergeant Rakgoale on 0714814540 or crime stop number 0860010111 or nearest police or MySAPSApp.

Source: South African Police Service

POLOKWANE – The police in Tshilwavhusikhu outside Louis Trichardt have launched a manhunt for the suspects who, last night at about 21h45 allegedly torched five houses at Ravele village.

Preliminary police investigations revealed that this incident of mob justice could be linked to the murders that were previously committed in the area but the suspects in these cases have already been arrested.

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has strongly condemned these incidents of mob justice and has directed the police to hunt down the suspects and bring them to book.

Anyone with information is requested to contact the Station Commander Lieutenant Colonel Maphefo Machaba on 082 461 7163 or the Crime Stop number 0860010111

Source: South African Police Service