South Africa Vision

DURBAN – Yesterday, the Pinetown Regional Court sentenced Sboniso Msomi (33) to fifty six years imprisonment for charges of burglary, robbery, murder and attempted murder. He was also sentenced for the murder of his co-accused.

His sentence follows a series of cases that he had committed in the Kloof, Wyebank and Pinetown areas. Msomi and his deceased’s co-accused were terrorising the home owners and robbed them of their belongings. On 19 February 2018, six males entered houses in the Pinetown area and robbed the occupants in the houses of TV’s, cash, jewellery, laptops, cellphones and other belongings.

The suspects fled the scene in their getaway vehicle. The police were immediately alerted and the suspect’s vehicle was spotted travelling along the M13 in Fields Hill. The police officers from the K9 Unit tried to intercept the said vehicle but they were met by a hail of bullets. During the exchange of gun-fire, five males were fatally wounded and one survived with injuries.

Inside the suspect’s vehicle, the police found three illegal firearms with ammunition. All the property that was taken during the robbery was recovered and positively identified by the lawful owners. It was established that the vehicle used was stolen during a house robbery that was committed in Wyebank.

A water-tight docket was presented at court by the investigating officer from EThekwini District Trio Task Team and it led to the successful prosecution of the surviving accused. The accused made several court appearances until his sentence.

Source: South African Police Service

DURBAN – Yesterday at 17:00, Pinetown Trio Task Team members arrested a 29-year-old suspect during a suspect raid in Pinetown. It is alleged that on 17 May 2021 at 09:00, six suspects entered a clothing shop on Hill Street in Pinetown and one of them threatened a security guard with a knife.

A variety of undisclosed amount of male and female clothing items were stolen by the suspects. A case of business robbery was opened at Pinetown police station further investigation. Yesterday detectives received intelligence about the whereabouts of one of the suspects. Detectives proceeded Pinetown CBD where the suspect was and he was arrested.

Five other suspects are still at large and are being sought by police. The arrested suspect will be charged for business robbery and will make his first appearance at Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 31 May 2021.

Source: South African Police Service

GAUTENG – The community of Wedela was embraced with a visit of Police officers from 13 different Police Stations within the district.

On Friday 28 May 2021 at 08:30 Communication Officers and Social Crime Prevention Officers from thirteen stations within the district led by captain Havenga took Wedela residence by surprise.

Police visibility threw motorcade drew attention of the community.

The purpose was to able man and woman in blue a chance to interact with the community.

The saps members joined by community safety, Youth desk,Brigades, Cogta, Community Policing Forum members, Patrollers and Gender Based Violence held a Crime Awareness Campaign in Wedela and Elandsridge surrounding houses.

The members came in numbers to issue pamphlets and educate the community of the crimes happening around the area including dangerous areas which are becoming hotspots.

A loudhailer was also used to sensitize the community of Crimes affecting the area such as assaults, gender base violence, house robbery and street robberies and drugs.

Businesses were also visited to address Business Robberies and Selling of expired goods.

There most prevalent crime which are mostly caused by people mostly trusted within our area, the community was also given safety tips of how to deal with such crimes and to take cognisance of their surroundings.

One on one engagement with the community helped with rising concerns of criminal activities especially around Skopas and Extension 3 Wedela and other issues regarding the police.

The community was also encouraged to report any criminal activities, suspicious persons and vehicle and increase safety measures. Pamphlets contained safety tips and telephone numbers for the Station, Sector vehicles and the Community Service Centre cellphone number.

Crime Stop and Emergency numbers were given to the community for Anonymous callers for immediate response.

The Station Commander of Wedela SAPS, Captain C.C Botha thanked the members on behalf of the District Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana. He expressed his gratitude to the group for working tirelessly to ensure the safety of the community.

He also appreciated the help to educate and encourage the Community of Wedela to join forces with the Police as this is an outcry for the District.

Source: South African Police Service

GAUTENG – Two suspects, Lihle Manana (42) and Calvin Mzoli Mpemba (44) were remanded in custody on allegations of illegal dealing in drugs by the Germiston Magistrate’s Court this morning.

It is alleged that the suspects dropped off a package declared as documents at a courier company in Edenvale on Monday, 24 May. The said consignment was destined to an address in the United Kingdom.

The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Germiston were called by the courier company for investigation regarding a suspicious package delivered for shipment. Upon arrival and further inspection of the suspected package, the investigation team found 315 grams of suspected heroine concealed in an envelope.

Further investigation led the investigation team to a positively identified address in the Boksburg area where a suspect was brought in for questioning. On Wednesday, 26 May Manana and Mpembe were also brought in for questioning. They were consequently detained shortly afterwards. The authorities seized various items including a white VW Polo suspected to have been used in the commission of crime.

The suspects appeared in court and the matter is postponed to Thursday, 03 June 2021 for a formal bail application and further investigation.

Source: South African Police Service