Category: Crime & Corruption News

The Pretoria High Court has dismissed an application by legendary musician Arthur Mafokate to have his property released from a preservation order.

Mafokate’s luxury Midrand property – a guest house – was preserved following allegations that he was involved in a National Lotteries Commission (NLC) fraud and corruption scandal.

According to National Prosecuting Authority Gauteng regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, investigations revealed that the South African Arts and Development Organisation (SAADA) – of which Mafokate was a director – received R9.3 million to “assist unemployed youth in the poor and rural areas of the country, to impact skills in music, business video, film production dance and overall business of radio.”

Allegedly, only R1.8 million was directed towards the project with the remaining funds used to buy the property.

“In court, Mafokate argued that he was entitled to the R7.5 million as his businesses delivered the services as required by the NLC and that he had committed no offences. However, the NPA argued that although some kind of services were rendered, it was at most R1.8 million.

“The remainder of the funds was used to purchase the guest house, which was not the purpose of the grant allocation. The funds used to purchase the guest house was thus stolen from the NLC as it was not used for the allocated project,” Mahanjana said.

She added that in dismissing Mafokate’s application, the court agreed with the NPA’s argument that “it was against the terms and conditions of the grant for SAADA to carry over its obligations to any other organisation and that SAADA should have also returned any unused funds to the NLC”.

“The court also found that Arthur Mafokate could give no reasonable explanation on how he could afford to purchase the guest house if it was not for NLC funds, particularly as his business accounts contained negligible balances when the grant was received from the NLC.

“Therefore, the court dismissed, with costs, the application of Arthur Mafokate to have the guest house released from the preservation order,” she said.

It is expected that the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit will enrol the matter for final forfeiture and if that is successful, the property will be sold at auction with proceeds returning to the NLC.

Last year the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), together with the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), obtained an order to freeze at least five properties, including a luxury Midrand home linked to the musician.

Three suspects were shot and fatally wounded in a shootout with police at the Lungelani Informal Settlement in La Mercy in the early hours of this morning.

KwaZulu-Natal police said in a statement that police received intelligence that a group involved in serious crimes, including murders committed in the Inanda area, were hiding at the informal settlement.

“A team comprising various police disciplines, including members of the Hawks, descended on the location. Realising that they were surrounded, the suspects opened fire at the police and a shootout ensued,” said police.

Three suspects were fatally wounded during the shootout and two pistols were allegedly found in the possession of the suspects.

It is believed that other members of the group managed to escape during the shooting.

“The operation continues in search of other suspects who have been terrorising the residents of KwaZulu-Natal,” the statement reads.

Eight alleged fraudsters appeared in the Makhado Magistrate Court on Monday.

Between June and September 2019, the accused allegedly used fraudulent bank statements and Government Employee Pension Fund (GEPF) letters to apply for personal loans at a cash loans business in Makhado.

“After the applications were processed and approved, the applicants were paid over R250 000. The management of the cash loan business discovered the shenanigans and reported the matter to the Makhado police,” said the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).

The case of fraud was subsequently opened and transferred to the Polokwane based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation for further probing.

The Hawks’ investigations established that the accused were recruited by an outstanding suspect believed to be the mastermind.

After the case was thoroughly investigated in consultation with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) – warrants to arrest the suspects were applied for and authorised.

The accused are: Loba Mathonsi (52), Shogole Ramaisile (48), Johanna Ramodike (40), Winnie Molala (39), Raesibe Masopogo (38), Merriam Kekana (54), Oniky Morema (39) and Refiloe Ramokolo (28)

Between 28 and 29 January 2024, the accused were successfully traced and arrested in different areas around Lebowakgomo.

The accused were brought before the court and remanded in custody until Monday, 05 February 2024 for bail application.

The Hawks are still searching for the outstanding suspects, including the suspected mastermind.

Eleven licensing officials are expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Tuesday on allegations of fraud and corruption.

The officials were arrested in Ladybrand in the Free State, Elukwatini in Mpumalanga and Rayton in Gauteng after a three-year investigation that identified examiners who were fraudulently issuing driver’s licences and roadworthy certificates at various testing stations.

The investigation was initiated by the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and registered by the Hawks as a collaborative effort.

“The investigation has established a link in corruption in all three provinces. The majority of the arrested officials are based at Lengau Testing Centre in Bloemfontein. This is part of ongoing efforts to remove all risk factors that contribute to a high number of crashes, injuries and fatalities on the roads.

“Investigations continue and more arrests are expected. The RTMC commends all the officers who were involved in this investigation. Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected acts of fraud, corruption, and malfeasance to ntacu@rtmc.co.za or by WhatsApp to 083 293 7989,” the Corporation said on Monday.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng, together with other law enforcement agencies, has recovered over 400 firearms and 6 000 live rounds of ammunition during the month of January.

All these firearms and ammunition were recovered through different crime prevention actions, including Operation Shanela intelligence-driven operations, daily patrols, stop and searches, and vehicle checkpoints.

On 9 January, an intelligence-driven operation was conducted by members of Springs Crime Prevention at Everest informal settlement after receiving a tip-off from members of the community.

The identified premises was searched and a firearm with ammunition was found hidden inside a bin containing rice. A 20-year-old suspect was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and the unlawful possession of ammunition.

In another incident, Edenvale officers were conducting regular patrol duties when they arrested three suspects found in possession of two firearms with filed off serial numbers.

“One firearm removed from the wrong hands means a lot because it could have been used to take a life or destroy one’s property.

“The efforts and commitment of the police to remove illegal and unlicensed firearms with ammunition from the streets are greatly appreciated,” said Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela.

He thanked community members for their support and involvement in fighting crime by reporting criminal activities and giving tip-offs, as some of the successes are through information received from the public.

Mawela said firearms remain the weapon of choice in serious and violent crimes committed in Gauteng. He stressed that efforts will continue to be made to curb the proliferation of illegal and unlicensed firearms in the province.

Crime can be reported on the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 and anonymous tip-offs can be given via the MySAPS App, which can be downloaded on any smartphone. All information received is treated as strictly confidential.

About 23 foreign nationals and two South Africans are expected to appear before the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court today for contravention of the Immigration Act and bribery.

This after the South African Police Service arrested them on Saturday in Solomondale near Polokwane.

It is reported that members of the SAPS Limpopo Provincial Tracking Team, in conjunction with two private security companies, SPS High Risk and Tshimollo Security, operationalised information gathered regarding a white Toyota Quantum that was driving along the R81 in Solomondale, from the Beitbridge border.

It is reported that the operational team successfully spotted the said Quantum at a filling station along the R81 road in Sebayeng and upon checking, they discovered that 23 Ethiopian male nationals, aged between 20 and 38 years, were ferried in a 15-seater passenger mini bus by the driver, a 44-year-old male South African citizen.

Preliminary investigations revealed that all the passengers in the Quantum were illegally smuggled into South Africa from Ethiopia through Zimbabwe.

It is reported that while in the process of searching the Quantum and the passengers, a white Toyota Fortuner, being driven by a male foreign national, pulled up at the scene.

It is reported that the driver of the Quantum was found in possession of a licensed firearm and it was confiscated for investigation purposes.

Meanwhile, the driver of the Fortuner reportedly tried to bribe the police with R5 000 to let the Quantum and the passengers go free. The man was charged with bribery.

The two drivers were also arrested and are facing charges of human trafficking, bribery and contravention of Immigration Act.

The Acting Limpopo Commissioner, Major General Jan Scheepers, hailed the involved teams for their commitment and alertness in ridding the province of criminality.

Hundreds of vehicles have been impounded and scores of drivers arrested as traffic authorities intensified their national crackdown on unroadworthy vehicles transporting learners to school.

These arrests are part of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) back-to-school campaign, which started when schools re-opened this month. The campaign has so far resulted in 37 548 vehicles stopped and check in 484 law enforcement operations in different provinces.

The provinces with the highest number of vehicles stopped and checked are KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Gauteng.

“A total of 167 drivers were arrested for, among others, drunken driving, driving while having no driving licence and operating a public transport vehicle in violation of operating permit regulations.

“The campaign has highlighted that many scholar transport drivers were driving without fastening seatbelts, some do not have professional drivers’ permits, their vehicles were not licensed, while other vehicles had defects such as cracked windscreens, smooth tyres and faulty brakes.

“More than 6 240 were given fines for these vehicles, while 965 vehicles were impounded and 291 were suspended from operating,” the RTMC said on Thursday.

The RTMC has maintained that the safety of children remains priority and law enforcement authorities will remain vigilant throughout the year to deal with non-compliant operators.

However, parents also have a responsibility to ensure that the transport operators they choose are fit for purpose and licensed to transport their children safely to school.

Meanwhile, the RTMC has warned members of the public about a fake traffic officer learnership recruitment circulating on various social media platforms.

“The RTMC is currently not recruiting any traffic officer learners for the 2024 financial year. When positions become available, the corporation will advertise its traffic officer learnership posts through reputable online platforms, which include our website, mainstream media and our social media platforms.

“As a public institution, we do not charge applicants for any employment opportunities within the organisation. Members of the public are warned not to fall prey to any scams doing rounds online.

“We urge the public to verify the legitimacy of any recruitment drive purported to be from the RTMC by contacting our Human Capital Division on 012 999 5200. Alternatively, visit our website: www.rtmc.co.za,” the corporation said.

The RTMC said any scams seeking to take advantage of desperate unemployed youth should be reported to law enforcement agencies immediately.

A man is due to appear in the Chief Albert Luthuli Magistrate’s Court today following his arrest for possession of unlicensed firearms with ammunition, as well as for contravention of the Firearm Control Act of South Africa.

A multi-disciplinary team consisting of members from the Mpumalanga Provincial Organised Crime, Criminal Record Centre, Provincial Designated Firearms Officers, Elukwatini Detectives, VISPOL, as well as officials from the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) played a major role in the breakthrough.

According to a report, information was received by law enforcement agencies regarding a firearms cache stored by an old man inside a house at Elukwatini.

Further information indicated that the man, 67, was in some way part of a certain security company but was suspected to be non-compliant.

The team coordinated their resources to establish if he was compliant to the PSIRA regulations. As a result, the team paid him a visit at Elukwatini on Thursday afternoon.

A search warrant was obtained and upon arrival at the premises as per information provided, the law enforcement agencies conducted a search.

The members discovered a total of about 106 firearms as well as 1704 various assorted live rounds of ammunition.

Among the weapons found in the house are 14 rifles, eight shot guns, 84 pistols with ammunition, 718 9mm pistols, about 921 live rounds of ammunition for a rifle and 65 live rounds of ammunition for a shotgun.

It is further reported that the firearms were not kept inside a safe but rather stored underneath a bed while some were kept inside the wardrobe.

The members discovered that licences for some of the firearms, owned by a certain security company had already expired. The male suspect could not account for about 20 firearms.

In addition, the members established that he did not have licences for four pistols, which had ammunition hence he was arrested and charged accordingly. Part of the probe is to determine how he got hold of the firearms. Police investigations are continuing.

The firearms as well as the ammunition were confiscated for further investigation.

As a norm in the police, the confiscated firearms will undergo ballistic testing to determine any linkages to crimes committed in the country.

At this stage, police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against the suspect as the investigation continues, in relation to contravention of the Firearms Control Act.

Meanwhile the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has welcomed the arrest of the suspect as well as the recovery of the firearms with ammunition.

“Indeed the proliferation of firearms remains a thorn in the flesh in our endeavour to win the battle against crime.

“Therefore when we succeed in recovering these firearms as well as arresting suspects, it gives us courage that we are really moving towards the right direction whilst removing firearms from the wrong hands. We commend the whistle blowers and members for the job well done,” said the General.

The Hawks’ Bellville-based serious corruption investigation team have arrested Renay Claudine Ruiters for acts corruption.

Ruiters, 47, is a traffic official who allegedly extorted R15 000 from a person whom she arrested for driving under the influence of liquor in September 2023.

The matter was brought to the attention of the Hawks and the arrest was effected on Wednesday.

Ruiters is out on R1000 bail after she briefly appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court. The matter is postponed to 05 April 2024 for further investigation.

Head of the Hawks in the Western Cape, Major General Mathipa Makgato, appreciated the arrest as law enforcement officials are mandated to uphold and enforce the law.

He said this would hopefully send a strong message to other law breakers.

Nhlanhla Sizani (24) has appeared briefly before the Pretoria Magistrates Court on charges of fraud, alternative forgery and uttering after he was issued with a summons on 12 December 2023.

It is reported that during the 2021 Local Government Elections (LGE), Sizani submitted a fraudulent letter with the United Nations (UN) insignia, requesting South African Police Service (SAPS) escort to polling stations for the duration of the elections.

Sizani is said to have misrepresented himself as a United Nations (UN) Ambassador/Diplomat and thus was escorted by SAPS Diplomatic Police Unit to various polling stations as an observer.

Through an investigation by the Hawks’ Crime against the State within Serious Organised Crime Investigation, the UN confirmed that Sizani was not an Ambassador/Diplomat (observer) and the request for escort was not requested by them.

SAPS suffered financial loss as a result of the misrepresentation.

The case was postponed to 23 January 2024 for the accused to obtain legal representation.