THURSDAY, 15 MAY, 13:54
Cross-border HIJACKING kingpin bust!
VUSI Amos Zulu Malwane, a cross-border car smuggling kingpin that terrorised communities in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, has been convicted.
Malwane (44) has been sentenced to a collective 55 years imprisonment for kidnapping (6 years), robbery with aggravating circumstances (hijacking 30 years) possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition (15 years).
Cops spokeswoman Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said for more than a decade, Malwane led a syndicate that was behind a spate of car hijacking incidents in Emanguzi, KZN.
Mathe said he would thereafter smuggle the cars into neighbouring Mozambique through various borders in the province.
He escaped from lawful custody in 2014 and was rearrested by the Emanguzi cross-border operation task team deployed by the National Commissioner to clamp down on cross-border crimes, including vehicle theft, on 09 May 2023.
The Ingwavuma Regional Court also sentenced Malwane to 4 years imprisonment for escaping from lawful custody.
THURSDAY, 15 MAY, 11:55
Mop-up operations are underway in the Western Cape following a storm that damaged areas in the province on Wednesday, 14 May.
The City of Cape Town and Eskom are working to restore power in the Helderberg area after the Lourens River in Somerset West burst.
THURSDAY, 15 MAY, 11:23
Stock theft ends in tears!
Griekwastad cops in the Northern Cape received information of stock theft where 13 cows, valued at R120 000, were allegedly stolen from a farm on Tuesday, 13 June.
The cows were stolen during March, and cops managed to recover nine cows in the possession of the man on a farm about 25km outside Griekwastad after the owners positively identified the cattle.
Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said in a separate incident, the police in Prieska also arrested a man at his house with alleged stolen livestock products worth about R7000.
Further investigation also led the police to animal skins, meat, knives and ropes.
Kock said both suspect will be appearing in their respective courts soon.
THURSDAY, 15 MAY, 7:14
PICS: Body fed to the lions still HAUNTS family!
WHEN Nelson Chisale left home in 2004, he promised his wife he'd save money and buy her a house.
But his dream didn't come true, and Nelson was murdered in 2004 by his boss Mark Scott-Crossley and his colleague.
Click HERE to read more on this story.
WEDNESDAY, 14 MAY, 19:43
Wheelchair gang strikes kasi hospital!
SECURITY guards from KTC Day Hospital in Gugulethu saw a person pushed in a wheelchair on Tuesday morning, 13 June.
The guards quickly opened the gate thinking it was a patient.
Click here to read the full article!
WEDNESDAY,14 May, 13:04
PHOYISA’s sicknote saga!
SERGEANT Kagiso Motlele (43) appeared for fraud in the Setlagole Periodical Court on Tuesday, 14 May.
He was released on warning for further investigation and will appear before the Atamelang Magistrates Court on Friday, 07 July.
Police spokesman Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said it is alleged that Motlele, from the Madibogo police station, handed in a suspicious sick note to his commander in May 2023.
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“The matter was reported to the Provincial Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit (ACIU) for investigation, which confirmed that the accused purportedly altered the sick note and failed to report on duty,” he said.
Mokgwabone said a doctor permitted him to stay home for three days to get fit for work, but he illegally extended the leave by a day.
He was afterwards arrested at his workplace on Tuesday, 13 June.
WEDNESDAY,14 May, 12:28
Fire destroys womans home!
JOYCE Ramaala and her two kids have been left homeless by a fire that gutted their three-roomed shack in Dubai informal settlement in Soshangve, Tshwane on Friday, 9 June.
To read more on this story click HERE!
WEDNESDAY,14 May, 8:03
Man killed, suspects house TORCHED!
THE MURDER of a 19-year-old man, Sibongiseni Sithole, on Sunday, 11 June, is believed to have resulted in the torching of a house belonging to one of two men suspected of murder.
The two alleged suspects were rescued from an angry crowd by the cops in Delmas, Mpumalanga.
The grandfather of the murdered victim reportedly informed cops that he was at home on the morning of that fateful day when some people came to his house with the shocking news.
They then took him to Botleng RDP houses, and upon arrival, they pointed him to the lifeless body of his grandson.
“The Police, as well as the paramedics, were alerted about the incident and the young man was unfortunately certified dead at the scene. Police discovered that the victim sustained head injuries and stab wounds to his upper body. A murder case has been opened,” Cops spokesman Colonel Donald Mdhluli said.
Mdhluli said hardly two hours later, after attending the murder scene, police received a call about an angry crowd assaulting two victims.
Police finally managed to rescue the two men, and an ambulance was called.
“The 25-year-old man was taken to hospital for medical treatment after sustaining some injuries and is currently still under police guard,” Mdhluli added.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the two are suspects in the murder of Sithole. Hence the other man (28) reportedly sustained minor injuries, but he was locked up and charged with murder.”
TUESDAY, 13 MAY, 16:54
Help find teen after tavern disappearance!
THE police's Family Violence, Child, Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in Galeshewe is requesting assistance in locating Oratile Charity Matwe (17).
Oratile was last seen leaving Gums Tavern in Galeshewe in Northern Cape, with a man allegedly known as Dingaan Gilbert, on Sunday, 11 June 2023 at about 3am.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock said she was wearing black pants and a pink coat with lime and pink takkies.
"Anyone with information can call Captain Sebata Tsiu on 082 874 4613 or D/WO JJ Du Plessis on 082 495 4605. The investigation continues," said Kock.
TUESDAY, 13 MAY, 13:57
Hawks arrest UIF ‘FRAUDSTERS’
OVER seven people appeared in the Molopo Magistrates Court on allegations that they defrauded the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) of R2 million.
Seven people, including former Employment and Labour department employees, were arrested by the Hawks in the North West on Saturday, 10 May and are facing some 220 counts of theft, fraud and money laundering while an eighth suspect is still being sought.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) North West regional spokesman Henry Mamothame said an investigation by the Hawks found suspicion that the accused concocted a scheme of fraudulent claims from the UIF.
“The Hawks’ report further indicates that two of the suspects, who are former employees of the Department of Employment and Labour in the North West Provincial Government at the Mahikeng and Klerksdorp offices, and four recruiting agents allegedly recruited unemployed individuals between 2019 and 2020. Those individuals were allegedly recruited under various false pretences,” Mamothame said.
“Some of the claimants were allegedly informed that they were being assisted in lodging claims from the Drought Relief Fun, while others were allegedly claiming money from UIF. Others were allegedly informed that they would be employed at the South African Revenue Services,” he said.
He added that the unsuspecting recruits were given money and instructed to open bank accounts, the cards of which were kept by the alleged fraudsters.
“In addition, the claimants were allegedly made to complete UIF claim forms masquerading as former employees of the Impala Platinum mine and Sibanye Ashanti Gold mine. Subsequently, the suspects allegedly processed their claims, resulting in the Department of Employment and Labour suffering a loss of over R2 million,” he said.
UIF Commissioner Teboho Maruping has called for harsh sentences for those participating in illegal activities within the ranks of the fund.
TUESDAY, 13 MAY, 11:00
Fong kong pastor steals R3.7M!
A 33-year-old suspected fraudster is expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 13 June, for fraud.
It is reported that in September 2022, the victim, who was a police Colonel in Limpopo, was dating a foreign national boyfriend who introduced the victim to the suspect as his uncle, who also allegedly posed as a prophet.
"The duo (boyfriend and uncle) allegedly persuaded the victim to resign so that they could start a flourishing business. The victim indeed resigned in November last year. When she received her pension payout of R3.7 million in February this year, she allegedly handed it to the suspect so that he could pray for a successful booming business," Cops spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Matimba Maluleke said.
The victim was allegedly sent on a holiday for a few days by her boyfriend. When she returned to the boyfriend's apartment to check the progress, she, unfortunately, found that he had already vacated.
Maluleke said the victim tried to reach the boyfriend on the phone, but he was unreachable. That's when she realised that she was scammed and reported the matter to the cops.
"After conducting a thorough investigation, the suspect was successfully traced and arrested at Burgersfort police station, where he was detained for allegedly committing a similar offence.
TUESDAY, 13 MAY, 9:50
Ninth suspect bust in Bester escape saga in court
THE 31-YEAR-OLD man who was arrested in Johannesburg on Sunday, 11 June in connection with Thabo Bester's escape from prison is expected to appear in court.
The suspect, who is a Zimbabwean national, is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates court on Tuesday, 13 June.
He has been charged with helping a convicted prisoner escape from lawful custody.
The number of people who have been arrested in connection with Bester's escape has increased to nine. The Bloemfontein Magistrates Court has denied bail to four of the accused and released one with conditions.
TUESDAY, 13 MAY, 7:25
Police officer bust for theft!
A 48-year-old police captain was released on R500 bail following his appearance before the Vryburg Magistrates Court on Thursday, 8 June.
The officer was arrested for theft, and he is expected to reappear at the same court on Friday, 4 August.
It is alleged that Captain Baile Mokgoro, stationed at Vryburg, went to a petrol filling station in the Central Business District to fill up a state motor car.
He allegedly filled the state car with 40.14 litres of petrol, amounting to R926.43.
“Allegedly, he also filled up his private generator with 25 litres worth R577.00. The total amount paid by the state is R1 503. 45. After reporting the incident and investigation by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit (ACIU), the member was arrested,” Police spokesman Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone
said.
MONDAY, 12 MAY, 10:48
Businessman shot dead, friend injured
COPS in Limpopo, Motetema, have launched a manhunt for suspects of murder and attempted murder.
The suspects reportedly shot a famous businessman aged 43, and a friend was wounded by the suspects driving in a white Mercedes Benz sedan on Saturday, 10 June.
Cops' spokesman Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said, according to the information, the businessman Aubrey Maponya and his friend were driving in a white Toyota Hilux in Motetema when they were shot at.
Ledwaba said the emergency services were called to the scene, and on arrival, the victims were rushed to a local hospital.
"Aubrey succumbed to his injuries on arrival to the hospital while his friend was transferred to another hospital for medical attention," Ledwaba said.
Ledwaba said the attack's motive is unknown, but police investigations continue.
Police have opened a case of murder and attempted murder for further investigation.
MONDAY, 12 MAY, 7:31
MPUMALANGA cops have recovered a bakkie that was hijacked from an officer on Wednesday, 7 June.
The bakkie was recovered at Kabokweni on Thursday, 8 June.
Cops spokesman Colonel Donald Mdhluli said the officer arrived home during the evening of that Thursday at around 18:35. He came out of the bakkie to check if he had safely parked the state vehicle.
“Out of the blue, three alleged armed men suddenly appeared, and the member was held at gunpoint,” Mdhluli said.
According to Mdhluli, the officer further alleges that the three suspects then hijacked the state bakkie and drove off, leaving him behind.
The matter was reported at Calcutta Police Station, and a case of car hijacking was registered.
“The state vehicle was reportedly found the next day, 8 June, at Kabokweni after being abandoned in the bushes by the suspects.
The Police are still in pursuit of the suspects and are appealing to anyone who might have information that can assist in the investigation, which can lead to the arrest of the perpetrators, to contact Detective Lieutenant Colonel Sikhumbuzo Ceko on 082 922 9902,” Mdhluli added.
