Category: General

KWAZULU-NATAL – On Wednesday 12 October 2022 Hawks members from Durban Serious Organised Crime Investigation working together with Metro Police, Durban Central detectives and Ethekwini District Task Team arrested Thembelani Khuboni (28) for murder of Metro police official.

It is alleged that on Saturday Constable Xolani Cele (42) was sitting in his private vehicle at M section in Umlazi. Whilst chatting to someone, unknown suspects fired several shots at him and he died at the scene. He was then robbed of his service pistol with live round of ammunition. 

A case of murder and robbery was reported at Umlazi police station. Police members received information about the suspect who was involved in the shooting. A joint operation was conducted and Khuboni was arrested at K section in Umlazi.

He appeared in the Umlazi Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 14 October 2022 and the matter was remanded in custody. The case was postponed to 30 November 2022.

Source: South African Police Service

The Ministers of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan; Agriculture, Thoko Didiza and Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi, have urged parties in the Transnet wage negotiations to find a speedy resolution to the current wage offer dispute.

Union members have been engaged in industrial action for at least a week following an impasse in wage negotiations, which commenced as far back as May this year.

The two parties have, since this Monday, been in negotiations mediated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), which culminated in a new wage offer by the company.

“It is the view of government that it will be in the interests of the country to find a speedy resolution to this impasse and for parties to continue to engage and, where appropriate, to employ the facilitation services of the CCMA.

“Our country cannot afford further job losses in other sectors of the economy and the interruption of imports and exports to and from South Africa.

“Government urges both parties to return to the negotiating table and to adopt an approach which balances the rights of workers, who are affected by rising prices, against the long-term stability and growth of Transnet, and the economy as a whole,” the three Ministers said in a statement.

They emphasised that the impact of the strike at Transnet could have a lasting impact on the economy.

“Government is extremely concerned about the negative impact on the South African economy, particularly those sectors that are dependent on Transnet for their logistical services.

“We need to remind all that if we are able to, as soon as possible, resume exports of agricultural products, mineral resources and other manufactured products, we will be contributing to sustaining hundreds of thousands of jobs across the economy.” 

The Ministers said they have been engaging with all affected parties in order to “appreciate the extent of the impact of the strike on industry… and the gap that exists” in the wage negotiations.

“We appreciate the constructive engagement we have had with the unions. Equally, we acknowledge the offers of industry to assist where they can. Government commends the work of the Department of Labour and the CCMA in assisting the two parties to finalise picketing rules.

“Government understands that our labour relations regime allows for labour to exercise their right to strike and picket within the limits of the law. However, government reiterates its view that the right of workers to picket and strike must not be marred by violence and destruction of property,” the Ministers said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Tshwane Mayor Randall Williams has commended the city’s Metro Police Department (TMPD) after officers this week nabbed 11 Nigerian nationals for possession of drugs valued at nearly R700 000.

“I would like to commend the TMPD Drug Unit for a successful major drug bust in Pretoria East on Sunday evening. During the operation, a total of 11 Nigerian nationals were arrested for possession and dealing in drugs,” he said.

The suspects, aged between 31 and 50, were found in the process of packing nyaope (common street drug) at a house in Garsfontein.

The Mayor said the drugs recovered have an estimated street value of about R680 000.

“Our Drug Unit members received a tip-off about drugs that were going to be delivered to Pierre van Ryneveld in Centurion. An operation was initiated and during the stakeout, a male suspect arrived to deliver the drugs. The officers arrested him on the spot,” said Williams.

He said the Nigerian male suspect then led the officers to two properties that he owns, one in Pierre van Ryneveld where drugs were found, and another in Garsfontein where the officers found 10 more Nigerian nationals packaging the drugs.

The Mayor said all suspects were being detained at the Garsfontein SAPS station.

Williams thanked the officers “for doing a brilliant job protecting our communities and young people from drugs”.

“It is important that we all work together to ensure that Tshwane does not become a capital city for nyaope and other substances,” he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

PARKTOWN – The Serious and Violent Crime (SVC) unit in Gauteng has on Tuesday, 11 October 2022 at about 18:00, arrested Johannesburg’s most wanted suspected arsonist linked to a murder, burglary residential and 25 counts of arson committed in Johannesburg northern suburbs in the past two years.

The SVC team operationalised information received from National Crime Intelligence and mobilised SAPS Johannesburg K9, CAP Security and Fidelity Specialized Services for back-up.

At about 18:00, the suspect was located walking on foot in Emmarentia and he was apprehended.

It is reported that during the incidents, the suspect will break in at affluent houses and after stealing property he would then set the houses alight. In one of the incidents an elderly man lost his life due to smoke inhalation as he was in the house when it was set alight.

The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela would like to appreciate all the law abiding citizens of Gauteng for their tip-offs following the publishing of the wanted suspect’s photo early September. “Thank you to those that took the time to call in and share valuable information that has now led to this arrest. It goes to show that with the community on our side, we can do more to fight crime,” said Lt Gen Mawela who went on to commend the team that effected the arrest for a job well done.

The suspect will appear before the Randburg Magistrates Court on Thursday, 13 October 2022.

Source: South African Police Service

EASTERN CAPE – Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses alleged fraudsters Lindelwa Queen Makhaza (32) and Malibongwe Matiso (33) were released on R1000 bail each by Aliwal North Magistrate’s court on 12 October 2022. This is subsequent to their arrest by the East London based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team of the Hawks during the late hours of yesterday 11 October 2022.

It is alleged that during 2020, the duo is alleged to have sold RDP houses in the Aliwal North area. The RDP houses were not for sale and actually belonged to the persons who were deceased. One of the community leaders is reported to have brought the matter to the attention of the community and South African Police Services which prompted Investigation by the Hawks.

Makhaza purported to be employed at the Joe Gqabi Municipality. She is alleged to be instrumental in referring buyers of RDP houses to Matiso who was employed as a messenger at the Magistrate’s Office in Aliwal North. Matiso was permitted to perform duties that fell beyond his scope of work as an internal arrangement and an accepted practice at the Magistrate’s court in Aliwal North.

It is reported that these duties included inter-alia opening estate files.  It is alleged that Matiso opened two fraudulent estate files with fictitious executors and forwarded them to Bhisho High court for approval. The executors are reported to have taken control of the deceased estates and sold two RDP houses which were part of the estate of the deceased at R90 000-00 each thus adding to  a total prejudice of R180 000-00.

The matter was reported to the Hawks in February 2022 resulting in the arrest on 11 October 2022.  The duo was released on R1000-00 bail each and the matter is remanded to 12 December 2022 for further investigation.

Source: South African Police Service

FREE STATE – Three suspects arrested for multiple crimes on Saturday, 08 October 2022.

Zamdela Police members received a lookout for a hijacked white Toyota Corolla Quest on its way to Zamdela from Soshanguve on Friday 07 October 2022. The vehicle was spotted and stopped by Zamdela SAPS who upon searching found bank cards and a wallet.

Members further found two hidden firearms wrapped with a plastic on the left side of the passenger seat door.  Two firearms and five live rounds were recovered.

The three suspects, aged 40, 46 and 61 years, were arrested and will appear before Sasolburg Magistrates Court facing charges of hijacking, possession of unlicensed firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and possession of dangerous weapon.

Source: South African Police Service