Category: General

POLOKWANE – The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has greatly welcomed the hefty sentence meted out by the Limpopo Division of the High Court in Polokwane on Friday 04 June 2021 against a 52-year-old lawyer, Senyatsi Lucas Phasha who was convicted of killing his four children.

The accused was convicted on four counts of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment on each of the murders.

Lucas Phasha, who is a lawyer by profession was arrested on 17 February 2020, the same day he brutally killed his four children Katlego (9), Joyce (7), Tshepo (5) and Adel (2). The bodies of the four children were found in two separate locations at Ga-Phasha Selatole village outside Burgersfort in Limpopo.

Three children were found hacked to death with an axe, and the fourth, the youngest, had her head bludgeoned against a huge rock.

“This sentence should send a strong message that perpetrators of similar horrendous crimes will be dealt with harshly to put an end to any possible recurrence”, said Lieutenant General Hadebe.

“We take this opportunity to commend the investigators who were assigned with the mammoth task of probing these gruesome murders and also thank community members for providing valuable information that led to the arrest of this man”, she concluded.

Source: South African Police Service

NORTHERN CAPE – The Acting ZF Mgcawu District Commander, Brig Johnny Besnaar commended the ZF Mgcawu District Team who executed drug operations during the early hours of 04 June 2021 in Augrabries and Kakamas targeting drug dealers.

The collective team comprising of ZF Mgcawu District office, Upington K9, Upington Crime Intelligence and Kakamas detectives executed early morning raids at four(4) houses in the Marchand informal settlement in Augrabies and one(1) premises in the Hash Valley informal settlement in Kakamas.

The first location was swooped on at 01:30 in the Marchand informal settlement where a 39-year-old male was arrested and 281kg of dagga with an estimated street value of 2 million rand was seized.

The second location was raided at 02:00 and two males were arrested and 6,10kg of dagga valued at R42 700-00 was confiscated.

The third house was searched at 02:30 where one (1)male was arrested and 8,7 kg of dagga valued at R61 250-00 was seized and at the fourth house another male was arrested and 24,20kg of dagga confiscated valued at R169 400-00.

The last location was raided in the Hash Valley informal settlement in Kakamas where a 28-year-old male was arrested for dealing in drugs and where mandrax tablets and TIK with a street value of R6 975-00 were seized.

The five(5) male suspects will soon appear in the Kakamas Magistrates court on charges of dealing and possession of drugs.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner,Maj Gen Johan Bean applauded the collective team for their relentless efforts in eradicating and removing drugs from society.

Source: South African Police Service

WESTERN CAPE – Sivuyile Mpemnyama (38) was sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment by the Khayelitsha Priority Court yesterday, 03 June 2021.

Sivuyile was part of a group of armed suspects who robbed crew members from the Qiniseka Security Company in Vredenburg on 27 August 2018. The suspects threatened the guards with firearms before they fled the scene with an orange canvas bag, containing more than R89 000-00.

The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team swiftly linked the accused to the crime through DNA and was arrested on the same day at an informal settlement. An orange canvas moneybag was recovered close to where he was hiding in different clothing. It was also proved in court that the accused was indeed observing the financial institution by means of cellular evidence.

The team ensured that the accused remained in custody until he was ultimately convicted and sentenced. The court convicted Mpemnyama on three counts of robbery with aggravated circumstances, illegal possession of firearm and possession of ammunition. He was sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment.

The Acting Provincial Head of the Directorate Priority Crime Investigation, Brigadier Hoys applauded the team for sterling efforts.

Source: South African Police Service

DURBAN – Two suspects appeared before the Durban Magistrates’ Court on 2 June 2021. The matter was remanded for further investigation.

Their arrest follows an operation that was conducted by the police officers from the Provincial Drug and Firearm Unit at Durban Central. The operation was carried out on 1 June 2021 by the same team. A 31-year-old woman was caught on Dr Pixley KaSeme Street with a bag containing 181 blue and white capsules of heroin and 157 pieces of rock cocaine. The suspect was placed under arrest for dealing in drugs. The total value of the recovered drugs is R21 100-00. The suspect appeared in the Durban Magistrates’ Court yesterday. Ntombikhona Dlamini was granted bail of R4000-00. The case was remanded to 27 August 2021.

The same team proceeded to Gillepsie Street in Point and entered one of the premises. A 30-year-old suspect was found at the premises in possession of a 70,6 grams of methcathinone. He was placed under arrest for possession and dealing in drugs. The estimated street value of the seized drugs is R10 500-00. Emeka Nwankwo appeared before the Durban Magistrates Court yesterday. He was remanded in custody until 9 June 2021.

Source: South African Police Service

BETHLEHEM – The accused, Thapelo Samuel Mokoena (41) from Makwane Village in Qwaqwa who was now residing in Carletonville, Gauteng escaped from police custody in Makwane, 15 years ago, and his escapade was brought to a halt when Detective Warrant Officer Nkosana Radebe, pounced on him and ensured that he answers for his crimes.

This follows an incident, on the 23 August 2004 where four accused arrived at Dankbaarheid Farm District Bethlehem and brutally murdered Johanna Katherine Van Niekerk (79) and her gardener Tololo Elias Tsholo (43). They also attacked two domestic workers where one was missed by a bullet and another one shot in the hip.

Due to the swift reaction by the police, the suspects were forced to flee the scene without stealing anything and were arrested shortly not far from the farm.

The other three accused were found guilty and sentenced, whilst Thapelo fled from lawful custody in Makwane SAPS on the 28 July 2005.

He was listed in the top 50 most wanted suspects nationally and Top 30 in the Free State.

On the 28 August 2020 Thapelo was rearrested after a year-long search. He was found working at Hlanganani Mine in Driefontein near Carletonville and was staying there with his family.

On 02 June 2021, he was sentenced as follows:

2x life imprisonment for two murders

10 years each for two attempted murders. The sentences will run concurrently.

Source: South African Police Service

NORTHERN CAPE – The police in Upington are in search of a missing person, Willem Van Schalkwyk who was last seen on Monday, 31 May 2021 by a family member at their residence in Upington.

The assistance of the public is requested in locating the missing man. He was last seen wearing maroon pants and a jacket with blue training shoes.

Anyone with information can contact the investigating officer Captain Christa Kruger on 054 337 3400 or 076 022 3528.

Source: South African Police Service