Category: Crime & Corruption News

The Ministry of Small Business Development has warned members of the public about a number of fake Facebook accounts, which purport to belong to the Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.

The ministry has strongly condemned the fraudulent use of the Minister’s name, profile and pictures to create fake accounts, whose sole intention is to defraud and scam innocent citizens, especially small business owners.

“We would like to remind and advise all law-abiding citizens that neither the Minister nor the department will ever request ‘upfront fees’ from members of the public in exchange for accessing funding or business opportunities.

“To date, we have identified over 25 fake accounts that impersonate the Minister. We can confirm that the only legitimate Facebook account of the Minister is this one: https://www.facebook.com/stella.ndabeni,” the ministry said.

Anyone who has already fallen victim to this fraudulent activity is urged to report the matter to the police as soon as possible. The fake accounts have already been reported to Facebook.

South Africans have been urged to avoid joining foreign armed forces, which may contribute to the violation of domestic and international law.

“The South African government is gravely concerned by reports that some South African citizens and permanent residents have joined or are considering joining the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in the war in Gaza and the other occupied Palestinian territories,” the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said on Monday.

Such action, the department said, can potentially contribute to the violation of international law and the commission of further international crimes, making them liable for prosecution in South Africa.

In terms of the Regulation of the Foreign Military Assistance Act, the department said any person wishing to render foreign military assistance in Israel must first apply to the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC).

The NCACC will then make a recommendation to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans that such an application be granted or refused.

“Any person joining the IDF without the necessary permission of the NCACC is breaking the law and can be prosecuted,” the department said.

In addition, the department cited the South African Citizenship Act.

The Act provides that any person who obtained South African citizenship by naturalisation, in terms of the Act, shall cease to be a South African citizen if he or she engages under the flag of another country in a war that the Republic does not support or agree with.

“It is in this context that South African citizens should be made aware of the consequences of joining the IDF or any foreign armed forces involved in conflicts to prevent inadvertent complicity in international crimes or violations of domestic law,” the department said.

A man has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for defrauding the Unemployment Insurance Fund and unduly benefitting from the COVID-19 Temporary Employer/ Employee Relief Scheme (TERS).

The man, Dennis Patrick Lerato Modika, was sentenced in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, after being found guilty on eight counts.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Modika submitted some 1 358 fictitious employee claims over a period of two years to the Department of Labour to benefit from the fund.

“The accused and his company did not have the declared employees in their employ and were therefore not entitled to apply for the relief fund. The department paid an amount of over R5 million in total to a bank account which belonged to the accused.

“The accused was arrested on 10 July 2023 by the members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in a sting operation in Daveyton,” the NPA said.

TERS was designed by government to assist qualifying businesses that were affected by the national lockdown during the pandemic.

Employers were expected to submit applications to the scheme on behalf of employees and upon approval, were to pay a limited portion of salaries of those employees.

“In arguing for a harsh sentence, Senior State Advocate Frans Mhlongo argued that the court must impose a sentence that does not only reflect the looting of the UIF coffers but also the hardship and suffering imposed on the rightful recipients. He further argued that the accused was only concerned with gratifying the fleeting pleasures of life than with the welfare of his compatriots.

“The NPA welcomes the sentence and applauds Adv. Mhlongo and the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Siralile, for ensuring that the abuse of the much-needed relief fund did not go unpunished,” the NPA said.

North West Premier Kaobitsa Bushy Maape has condemned the fatal shooting of nine people on Saturday at Popo Molefe informal settlement, near Rustenburg, in the North West.

According to police, a group of individuals were sitting at the house of one of the injured people when a group of assailants opened fire on them.

Eight people died instantly, while the ninth victim was certified dead upon arrival at the hospital.

Meanwhile, the attack left eight people injured.

“We are extremely shocked and outraged at the mass killing of nine people at Popo Molefe informal settlement. We condemn the shooting of these people and send our condolences to the families, relatives and friends of victims of this hideous crime. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish those injured a speedy recovery,” said Maape.

Maape has since applauded the police for moving with speed in assembling a team of experienced and skilled officers to investigate the matter.

“I have all the confidence that the SAPS, under the stewardship of General Sello Kwena, will do everything in their power to follow all leads in investigating this matter. The perpetrators of these repugnant acts must be brought to book,” the Premier said.

Kwena has assured that justice will be served.

“The Provincial Commissioner strongly condemned this horrific and pointless incident and indicated that the police will work around the clock to ensure that justice is served. He also urged the community to remain calm and allow the police to do the investigations,” said provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone.

Nine traffic officers have been arrested in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal in a pre-festive season peak travel crackdown on fraud and corruption, said the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) on Wednesday.

This as two officers from the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) in Gauteng were arrested for soliciting a bribe of R1 500 from a taxi driver. During the encounter, the driver immediately alerted the RTMC’s National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit (NTACU) and a successful sting operation was conducted, resulting in the arrest of the officers.

The officers are set to appear in court today on corruption charges.

In another case, seven officers were arrested in Newcastle. The seven include five traffic officers employed by the provincial Road Traffic Inspectorate and two officers from the Newcastle municipality.

They were arrested in a joint operation conducted by NTACU and the Hawks following complaints from members of the public regarding the conduct of traffic officers on the road. An undercover operation was conducted and the seven were arrested for fraud and corruption.

According to the RTMC, these incidents highlight the ongoing battle against corruption in South Africa, particularly within law enforcement agencies.

The NTACU continues to work tirelessly to root out corrupt officials and restore public trust in traffic law enforcement.

“It is important for citizens to report all corruption they witness or experience to ensure corrupt officials are brought to book,” said the RTMC.

It added that it has taken a firm stance against fraud and corruption and will continue to investigate and prosecute those who engage in such activities without fear or favour.

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.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has urged police to act swiftly to arrest the criminals behind the murder of uMngeni Local Municipality Democratic Alliance Chief Whip, Nhlalayenza Ndlovu.

Ndlovu was gunned down in front of his children at his home in eMpophomeni Township on Tuesday night.

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has condemned the murder.

The Premier said this was yet another incident of violence shining the spotlight on the killing of political leaders in the province.

“We simply will not allow our province to become a killing field, especially of politicians and traditional leaders. This is a direct attack on the centre that holds our communities together which should serve as the last defence of all the people of our province.

“Those elected should be allowed the space and time to govern following elections. Attacks on politicians are invariably an attack on the very institutions which hold our democracy together, and should never be countenanced,” Dube-Ncube said.

Ndlovu’s murder comes after Police Minister Bheki Cele released a report of the Inter-Ministerial Committee tasked to probe all political killings in KwaZulu-Natal in September, which reported major advances against this phenomenon.

Given the arrests reported by the police, the Premier said government is making progress in ensuring that the perpetrators of political and traditional leaders end up behind bars.

“As we send our condolences to the family of Councillor Ndlovu, we want to state that we have no doubt that the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, and his team will ensure that no stone is left unturned to locate the killers.

“As we go into the festive season holidays, we also wish to sound a stern warning to all criminals that there will be no place to hide, as all organs of the State working together with all the law-abiding members of our communities, will continue to narrow the space for all forms of criminality in order to make our province a safer place to live in,” Dube-Ncube said.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Bongi Sithole-Moloi said it was disappointing that incidents of killing democratically-elected councillors continues to occur.

“As a department, we condemn violence in the strongest possible terms as we strive for stability and peace in all our councils, and it is always a matter of great concern when a ward councillor is killed in this manner, instilling fear in the public and fellow councillors.

“We call upon the public members or anyone who may have information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators to work with the police to seek justice for councillor Ndlovu.

“As the department, we extend our condolences to the Ndlovu family, who have lost a father, to his friends, colleagues, and the entire uMngeni  community, who have lost their representative in the council,” Sithole-Moloi said.

The Border Management Authority’s (BMA) port health team, working in the cargo section of the OR Tambo International Airport, on Thursday intercepted 865kg of skin lightning products, as well as unregistered medicine.

The BMA highlighted that skin lightening products are prohibited in South Africa as they cause harm to the skin.

“The products were coming in on a flight from Nigeria and will be destroyed. In accordance with the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965 and the Foodstuffs Cosmetic and Disinfection Act 54, when these products are found, the importer has to pay for the destruction of the products before the rest of the shipment is released.

“Only an approved destruction facility licensed to deal with hazardous waste is used for destroying the products,” the BMA said in a statement.

The BMA’s port health team also found unregistered medicines which were detained for destruction.

Port Health and environmental health practitioners work closely with officials from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) who play an important role in advising officials on product identification and what steps to take.

Port Health is a special function of the Border Management Authority which monitors and evaluates all foodstuffs, cosmetics, disinfectants, hazardous substances and medicines entering South Africa through the ports.

Commissioner of the BMA, Dr Mike Masiapato, has outlined detailed port health regulations that will be undertaken at ports.

“All arriving travellers must expect to be screened and searched on their arrival at the ports of entry. We have employed all our resources and intensified our work during this festive season to ensure our borders are secured. We aim to record significant success with interceptions around the ports of entry and border law enforcement areas,” Dr Masiapato said.

The BMA is responsible and accountable for the entire border environment ensuring legitimate movement of goods and people.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has moved to assure the country that no sensitive information, dockets or files were taken during a break in at the Director of Public Prosecution’s office in the Free State.

According to NPA Northern Cape regional spokesperson, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, the break-in occurred during the early hours of Monday morning at the prosecutorial body’s Bloemfontein office.

“These criminals managed to break into the Office of the DPP, offices of Deputy Directors of Public Prosecutions (DDPP), the office of the PA (Personal Assistant) in the office of the DPP, as well as other offices of the other PA within the Office of the DPP. One [thing] the NPA can confirm is that during this break-in, four laptops and voice recorders were taken.

“Even though these criminals managed to break into this Central Nerve of Prosecutions in the province, the citizenry of the Republic and the Free State Province can rest assured that no sensitive information, dockets or files were taken, as they are not stored in these offices but have a secure area where they are safely secured and kept safe,” he said.

Senokoatsane emphasised that the break-in will not discourage the NPA from doing its work.

“The National Prosecuting Authority, even though shocked, disturbed, and disdained by these cowardly acts, will not be discouraged to continue prosecuting all cases without fear, favour, or prejudice.

“The security at the NPA Offices is taken seriously as these offices always have 24-hour security warm bodies, seven days a week. This break-in, which is an isolated case, does not render the security at these important prosecutorial offices as not being taken seriously,” he said.

A case has been opened with the South African Police Service.

“The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Free State would like to send a heartfelt appreciation to the South African Police Service, who promptly reacted to this emergency state and began their investigations.

“The crime scene was closed off and specialised units of the SAPS including the Forensic, Intelligence, and Investigations were on the scene in no time, DNA and fingerprints were collected at the scene and sent to the SAPS Forensic Laboratory.

“Investigations that are led by the South African Police Service are continuing in this matter. Members of the community who might have information regarding this matter are encouraged to provide the information to their nearest police stations or HAWKS Offices in Bloemfontein,” Senokoatsane concluded.

Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has welcomed the commendable management of South Africa’s borders by the Border Management Authority (BMA).

This follows a successful sting operation at the Beitbridge port of entry on Saturday.

The BMA border guards, the Counter Corruption and Security Services Branch of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) conducted a sting operation at the port of entry wherein 42 buses from Zimbabwe were stopped and searched.

During the search, 443 unaccompanied minors under the age of eight were found in the buses being brought into South Africa with no consent of parents or guardians.

“The hard work of the Border Management Authority is commendable, showing we’re pulling out all stops to prevent acts of crime and illegal entry into the country. Clearly the BMA is hard at work and is making inroads in effective border law enforcement,” Minister Motsoaledi said in a statement.

All persons in the 42 buses were refused entry into South Africa, and after engaging with the Zimbabwean Authorities, they were all taken back to Zimbabwe, including the children.

All the children who were found, were handed over to the Zimbabwean authorities for processing.

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms these acts of criminality especially where the interest of the child is at stake. It’s unacceptable that these minors were not with their parents or guardians throughout this ordeal.

“Protecting children, especially in this period of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign, is paramount,” Minister Motsoaledi said.

In the same night, 150 adult Zimbabwean nationals were also apprehended and prevented from entering the country.

“The BMA, Home Affairs officials and members of the SAPS are on the ground establishing all relevant details of the incident,” BMA Commissioner, Dr Mike Masiapato said.

“Further work is being done and will continue to be done to ensure detection of all perpetrators in order to bring all of them to book,” he said.

“The entire episode at Beitbridge shows great achievements of the BMA and in a very short space of time. It’s a good sign in tackling sharply the outcry on porous borders.

“We’ll continue relentlessly to act swiftly in enforcing immigration and other laws in the interest of national security and safety of all persons in the country, especially during this peak period, the festive season, and beyond,” Minister Motsoaledi said.

Warrant Officer Busisiwe Ncula, who is attached to the Eastern Cape’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Investigations (FCS) Unit, has successfully secured 33 life term sentences and an additional 2 087 years’ imprisonment for 15 rapists.

This as the South African Police Service (SAPS) is observing this year’s 16 Days of Activism of No Violence against Women and Children by highlighting the work of its men and women in blue to put behind bars those involved in the abuse of our country’s women, children and vulnerable groups.

Ncula, 42, led the investigations into Khululekile Justin Ngqeza who raped 10 women in two years. Ngqeza pretended to be a model scout on Facebook. He would lure his victims to photoshoots and then rape them. His arrest was led by Ncula in 2020.

The man dubbed the Facebook rapist was targeting girls between 15 and 21 years of age from Mthatha and Queenstown. He was sentenced in May this year.

Ncula ensured the rapist was kept in custody from the time he was arrested to the day that he was sentenced.

The Warrant Officer is urging rape survivors or victims of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) to speak out and immediately open cases when such incidents happen.

“The more rape survivors or victims of gender based violence and femicide report these cases, the more police will make arrests and ensure we remove such perpetrators from society. Victims should come forward report to the police and trust the police that they would professionally handle their cases,” said Ncula.

Ncula has also secured the conviction of a Gqeberha serial rapist in October 2023.

Thabiso Klaas was sentenced to three life term sentences, plus 60 years imprisonment for raping women in and around the city.