Category: General

Dedication towards their vocation and the efficient training of our four-legged partners, led to the successful apprehension of a 30-year-old burglary suspect at a business in Kariega.

Alert SAPS Uitenhage K9 members responded immediately to a complaint of a burglary in progress at 05:30 on Saturday, 9 April 2022 in Durban Street, Kariega.

Members suspected that the suspect/s might still be inside the premises and with the assistance of the keyholder entrance was gained. Newly trained Uitenhage K9, Razor tested his expertise when he was released inside the premises. His senses immediately sniffed out a suspect that was hiding inside a part of the roof.

The 30-year-old male was arrested on the scene and detained on charges ranging from attempted housebreaking and theft, malicious damage to property and possession of suspected stolen property. (The suspect was found in possession of copper pipes and aircon pipes).

The suspect is due to appear in the Kariega magistrates’ court on Monday, 11 April 2022 on the said charges.

Source: South African Police Service

The speedy response and immediate action taken by members from the Uitenhage K9 and SAPS Kwanobuhle led to one man’s life being saved from an angry community and the arrest of two suspects.

According to police information, the group of angry community members severely assaulted two men, after accusing them of stealing. Whilst the incident was still happening, SAPS Kwanobuhle and Uitenhage K9 were notified and the members responded immediately. Police found two males lying tied up in Alexander Road, Area 11 at 09:55 on Thursday, 7 April 2022. It is further alleged that the group approached SAPS members and attempted to prevent police officers from removing the victims to receive the necessary medical attention. Bricks and stones were thrown at the police officials and their SAPS vehicles. Members managed to speed off from the scene with the injured, whilst the other SAPS members successfully apprehended two men on charges ranging from public violence, assault on police officers, obstruction of justice and damage to state property. The two suspects (ages 28 and 36) are due to appear in the Kwanobuhle magistrate’s court on Monday, 11 April 2022, on the said charges.

Police strongly condemned these actions taken by the community members, as they were taking the law into their own hands. Police are appealing to the community to refrain from actions like this and to rather report the cases to the police for thorough investigation.

Both victims were hospitalized but sadly, one male (35) succumbed from his injuries. The name of the deceased will be released once formal identification was completed. A case of murder was opened and all possible leads will be followed up on to bring those involved to book.

Investigations are continuing.

Source: South African Police Service

Montague Detectives are seeking the assistance of the public to help them locate the missing person Andrew Claassen depicted in the photograph. Andrew was last seen on 24 January 2022 when he left his residence at Botterboom Street, Ashbury, Montague. At the time of his disappearance he was wearing a yellow and cream shorts, a black vest with blue flip flops and he is mentally challenged.

Anyone with any information or who knows the whereabouts of Andrew can contact the investigating officer Detective Sergeant John Plaaitjies on 079 894 1784/023 614 8300 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111

Source: South African Police Service

POLOKWANE – The fight against drug smuggling across the province has been strengthened following the apprehension of three suspects on Tuesday 05 April 2022 who were reportedly dealing and being in possession of drugs in Modimolle policing area.

The suspects aged between 30 and 55 were arrested during a tactical intelligence driven operation that was executed by the members of the Belabela Crime Intelligence and Modimolle Public Order Policing (POPS) after receiving information about a white Toyota Fortuner motor vehicle which was transporting a large quantity of dagga to his fellow countrymen.

Police reacted swiftly to the information and the vehicle was spotted driving along Modimolle town and was followed up until it reached Susan Strydom Primary school.

They tactically approached the vehicle and found three male suspects busy counting the money. The vehicle was searched and Police discovered nine compressed sachets and four plastic bags of dagga concealed inside the said motor vehicle and they were immediately arrested on the spot.

During the arrest, a white Toyota Fortuner, white Toyota bakkie believed to be used by the other two suspects, R3300.00 in cash and dagga with an estimated street velue of R30000.00 were seized by the Police.

The acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Jan scheepers thanked the men and women in blue for combatting drug smuggling in the province promptly, and assured the communities by saying “it is through collective efforts that we will always emerge victorious against crime especially drug related” concluded the General .

The suspects are expected to appear before Modimolle Magistrate court soon facing charges of dealing and being in possession of dagga.

Source: South African Police Service

FREE STATE – Mangaung Metro Trio Task Team and members at Navalsig Police Station have launched a manhunt for an unknown number of suspects who robbed an elderly couple at their home in The Bend Avenue, Roodewal – Vaalbank Zuid area outside Bloemfontein.

The 73-year-old husband and his 58-year-old wife arrived at their home on Saturday 2 April 2022 at about 20:30 in the rainy evening. The husband remained outside to lock the gates and the wife walked into the house and was ambushed by an unknown African male wearing blue boiler suit with a mask on the face and white gloves.

The 58-year-old female was threatened with a knife and assaulted by the suspect. She could hear the commotion from outside and recognised that her husband was in trouble.

The suspect was joined by another unknown African male who helped to ransack the house. The suspects forced the complainant to transfer money from her bank account and stole an undisclosed amount of money and cards from the house and the fled the scene.

The victims raised alarm and the Neighbourhood Watch members arrived to help. According to the complainant, one of the suspects suffered an injury on the chest as she was trying to fight back. Both victims were rushed to the hospital by an ambulance to receive treatment.

A case of house robbery was opened at Navalsig Police Station. Any member of the public who might have information regarding the case is requested to contact Sergeant Kendrick Brendon Barnes at 082 466 7255. Alternatively the information can be submitted on MySAPS App or call the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111.

Source: South African Police Service

NCOP delegation urges Public Works and Roads Department to Assist Ratlou Municipality over Collapsed Kraaipan Bridge

The NCOP delegation in North West visited Kraaipan Bridge in Ratlou Local Municipality as part of the NCOP flagship programme of Provincial Week on Day 2.

The NCOP Delegation expressed shock at a collapsed Kraaipan Bridge as a result of seasonal rains in the North West Province in January this year. This resulted in about 1000 households in the area being inconvenienced and their access to essential services such as health, schooling and shopping being severely affected.

The bridge was built in 1985 and the seasonal rains caused severe damage to it.

Speaking at the site, the Leader of the Delegation and the Acting Provincial Whip Mr. China Dodovu called on the Department of Public Works to urgently do an assessment of the extent of the damage and quantify the financial implications. This is despite of the fact that the bridge falls under the local municipal mandate. Dodovu said “ we are urging the Department of Public Works to provide support to the Ratlou Municipality in ensuring that the bridge is restored for the benefit of the community.”

The Administrator from the Department of Public Works under Section 100 Intervention, Mr Molete Moremi committed to provide support to the Ratlou Municipality to ensure that the bridge is rebuilt so that normality is brought back to the community.

The MEC for Public Works, Mr Gaoage Molapisi said that his department is currently undergoing an assessment of all bridges in the province with the view to intervene where necessary. Out of the 1000 household affected by the collapse of this bridge, there are school learners as there is only one Secondary school in the area and it is on the other side of the bridge.

The Delegation also visited the Sethwathwe Village near Madibogo to assess the 28 km P 1502 road construction which has potholes that were adversely affecting road users.

The Delegation also visited Groot Marico Waste Water Treatment Plant where they were informed that communities were not consulted about the project resulting in unhappiness by communities.

Source: Government of South Africa