Category: General

POLOKWANE – The South African Police Service in Limpopo have honoured the fallen hero, the late Brigadier Mametsa, the Provincial Head of Financial Services during a memorial service that was held at Airport Africa lodge outside the City of Polokwane, today on Thursday 27 May 2021.

The management led by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner responsible for Corporate Services, Major General Christine Morakaladi, the Deputy Provincial Commissioner responsible for the Detectives Major General Samuel Manala and Major General Hankins from the Saps National Head Office, Senior Officers, members and personnel including the Labour Unions were in attendance.

Brigadier Mametsa served the Police with diligence for thirty one years (31), without any interruption and unknowingly, prior to join the Service he was employed as a teacher.

Surprisingly, he had a calling to serve the country and ultimately joined the Service until his untimely death prior to his retirement on August this year. The Chaplain, Lieutenant Colonel Mahlangu blessed the memorial service with a prayer during the opening session.

Various speakers were afforded the opportunity to pay tribute to the fallen hero as friends, family and colleagues.

In her keynote address, Major General Morakaladi proudly presented Brigadier Mametsa as a dedicated and intelligent person who ensured that service delivery is achieved while executing his duties.

She laments that “My heart is filled with pain and sadness that is deep and personal, particularly because he was a person I knew very well. I would like to express my condolences on behalf of the SAPS management and all members in the province during this turbulent times. We will forever cherish his cheerful memories, love and passion for work and hope that we will one day meet in heaven.”

The memorial service concluded with a Biblical Sermon rendered by Chaplain, Captain Sefora.

Brigadier Mametsa will be laid to rest on Saturday 29 May 2021 at Mathibela village in Sebetiela policing area under the Capricorn District.

Source: South African Police Service

HLANGANANI – The Police in Hlanganani outside Giyani launched a search operation to locate a missing 47-year-old man, Thizwilondi Simon Mukwevho.

It is alleged that the victim was last seen on Sunday 16 May 2021 were he reportedly left his home at Hlanganani RDP Phase Two without informing anyone about his destination and has since disappeared.

Simon is light in complexion and during his disappearance, he was last seen wearing a blue short trouser and black T-Shirt.

Police conducted a search operation around the area and neighbouring villages with no success.

Anyone with information that can assist to find the missing man should contact Detective Warrant Officer Solly Enock Xitiva on 0787342160 or crime stop number 0860010111 or the nearest Police Station or MySAPSAPP.

Police investigation continues.

Source: South African Police Service

EASTERN CAPE – Sandiso Mgudlwa (34) got convicted by the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Wednesday, 26 May 2021 on charges of vehicle finance fraud.

It is reported that in July 2018, Mgudlwa met with Msikelelo Kasiphiwo to whom he introduced himself as a second hand car dealer who sold repossessed vehicles at a reasonable price. He then showed Kasiphiwo pictures of the vehicles that according to him, were on the market at the time. Kasiphiwe identified one of his choice and immediately transferred R66 000-00 into Mgudlwa’s bank account.

It is said that after the transfer, Mgudlwa disappeared and never took Kasiphiwo’s calls resulting in the victim lodging a complaint with the Mthatha Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team. The resultant probe led to Mgudlwa’s arrest on 17 September 2019. He made his first court appearance in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on 19 September 2019 where he was released on a warning.

Mgudlwa made a series of court appearances until he pleaded guilty on 26 May 2021. The case has been remanded to 02 June 2021 for sentencing.

Source: South African Police Service

The South African Police Service’s Management has sent messages of condolences to the family of a police reservist constable killed in the early hours of this morning when he and his two crew members were attacked in Jouberton near Klerksdorp in the North West Province.

It is reported that the members were conducting routine patrols in the area of Uraniaville, Jouberton Policing precinct at about 03:15. As the members were driving off from the Eskom Cable Storage facility, their vehicle was shot at by unknown assailants. R/Const Jabulani Njalinjali aged 43, was shot and he succumbed to his injuries on the scene while a Sergeant was taken to hospital in a critical condition for medical attention on her gunshot wound. The third member escaped the shooting incident unscathed.

R/Const Njalinjali was attached to the Jouberton Crime Prevention unit. He has been serving the SAPS with loyalty for the past 18 years.

The Management of the Province has afforded the members involved with a trauma debriefing from the Employee Health and Wellness.

The Provincial Management will also afford the family of the deceased member all the necessary support during their time of bereavement and beyond.

We are appealing to anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspects to call Crime Stop number 086 00 10111 or send tip-offs on MySAPS App.

Source: South African Police Service

GQEBERHA – The Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Liziwe has strongly condemned the unruly behaviour of individuals allegedly involved in service delivery protests in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro.

Last night, 26 May 2021 at about 21:05, a total of nine buses were set alight and completely destroyed at a depot in Motherwell. It is alleged that while the security guard was conducting his routine patrols around the depot, he noticed a bus on fire. He ran to get assistance and by the time he returned, other buses were burning. No injuries were sustained. The estimated value of the buses is R12 million. A case of malicious damage to property is under investigation by SAPS Motherwell detectives. At this stage there are no arrests.

The six suspects aged between 20-35 arrested on Tuesday, 25 May 2021 on charges under the Criminal Matters Amendment Act, 18 of 2015 – damage to infrastructure and public violence will be appearing today in the Motherwell magistrates’ court.

Lt Gen Ntshinga has warned protestors that even though it is their constitutional right to engage in protests, this must be done in a peaceful manner and within the confines of the law. ‘Damaging the infrastructure, destroying property, blockading roads and hindering basic services are criminal acts and will not be tolerated. I urge the residents of Nelson Mandela Bay metro to resolve their issues amicably with the relevant authorities and to refrain from committing criminal acts and protests especially when we are still in the midst of the corona virus pandemic. We will decisively deal with those offenders who are riotous and unruly during these protest actions,’ warned Lt Gen Ntshinga.

Source: South African Police Service

NORTH WEST – Russel De Beer (49), Archibald Mogale (34) and Charne Steyn (27) appeared before the Brits Magistrate’s Court following their arrest on Tuesday in Brits and Hartebeespoort Dam respectively during a takedown operation by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team assisted by members of the Local Criminal Records Centre and Forensic Science Laboratory.

De Beer who is a major supplier of dagga around the country was previously arrested in 2019 when his shop (Canapax) was raided and dagga with other products worth approximately R3 million were seized. The operation led the team to various Canapax branches around the country which were shut down.

During the search on Tuesday, R2 million worth of dagga, R54 000-00 in cash and a Toyota bakkie were seized. Meanwhile a preservation order was issued for cash amount of approximately R800 000-00 and a restraint order for a farm worth approximately R3 million.

The main accused now faces an array of charges which include, dealing in dagga, cultivation of dagga, fraud and money laundering to the tune of approximately R10 million.

A fourth accused, Ulrich Fritz (25) handed himself over and consequently joined the trio in court where De Beer and Mogale were each released on R100 000-00 bail. Steyn and Fritz were each granted R10 000-00 and R5000-00 bail respectively. The matter was postponed to 09 July 2021 pending further investigation.

Source: South African Police Service