Category: Crime & Corruption News

Eleven suspects, who were arrested on Sunday by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit and members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Boitekong, are expected to make their first appearance before the Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court today.

The Flying Squad, Bafokeng Public Order Policing and the Rustenburg Local Criminal Record Centre also formed part of the team that made the arrests. The suspects’ ages range between 19 and 39.

The team was following up on information regarding illegal mining activities, which were allegedly taking place at a house in Boitekong.

“Upon arrival, the house was searched and bags containing platinum material were found. Illegal mining equipment including compressors, gas bottles, cutting torches, hammers, iron balls, cutting discs, a welding machine, a grinder and a generator were seized.

“The owner of the house was arrested and charged with illegal possession of platinum, while the other 10 suspects were arrested and charged for contravention of the Immigration Act,” SAPS said in a statement.

A massive inter-governmental search and seizure operation across five provinces was carried out on Thursday to break the back of a sophisticated criminal syndicate of alleged coal-smugglers, who played a major role in exacerbating the energy crisis and loadshedding.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) was the lead agency in yesterday’s search and seizure operation because information became available regarding a host of tax crimes allegedly committed by members of the coal-smuggling syndicate.

“This success of today’s (Thursday) operation is due to exceptional inter-governmental co-operation and information-sharing under the auspices of the NATJOINTS Energy Safety & Security Priority Committee tasked with unmasking and bringing to book the criminals that have caused economic hardship and personal hardship to all citizens of the country,” said the South African Revenue Services in a statement.

“It is due to such hard work, often behind the scenes, that leads to these investigative breakthroughs and ensures that South Africans can return to a lifestyle without loadshedding. These targeted operations also help to prevent the loss of revenue to the fiscus, which in this case amounted to more than R500-million,” SARS said.

According to SARS, the alleged coal-smugglers and their related entities are active and have a presence in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and Limpopo.

The suspects targeted yesterday include former Eskom employees who facilitated procurement fraud, as well as other individuals involved in the diversion of high-grade coal.

SARS managed to establish links between individuals and related entities and confirmed possible gross contraventions from a tax perspective in terms:

• Non-registration for Income Tax, VAT and/or PAYE.
• Failure to submit tax returns.
• Under-declaration of income.
• Claiming undue VAT refunds.
• Making false submissions (Fraud)

The sophisticated network of coal-smugglers is suspected to consist of local and foreign nationals. Coal trucks destined for power stations are diverted to designated coal yards where high-grade coal is replaced with low-grade or sub-standard product.

The high-grade coal is then exported or sold to willing buyers. The low-grade coal is often blended with scrap or other materials and then delivered to power stations.

The low-grade coal damages the infrastructure at the Eskom power stations, which is a major factor in crippling the power utility’s ability to generate electricity for the South African grid.

SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter commended the country’s law enforcement agencies for this massive breakthrough in ongoing investigations.

“It is because of such naked greed that the country has experienced unprecedented loadshedding, which harms business, undermines foreign direct investment and leads to job losses – all of which negatively affect revenue collection,” he said.

“All law enforcement agencies must continue their aggressive fight against criminality, each according to its mandate. For its part, SARS will continue to pursue taxpayers involved in intentional and wilful non-compliance – without fear, favour or prejudice,” Kieswetter said.

SARS is encouraged that the message is clear and unequivocal to all those involved in organised crime – you will be hunted down and brought to book.

Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has commended members of the Ekurhuleni District and Edenpark police stations for arresting perpetrators responsible for attacking the police on Thursday.

The suspects will be appearing before the Palmridge Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

In the early hours of this morning, at about 02:00, the police arrested five suspects including the driver of the car that the police had stopped in an attempt to search it before they were attacked.

The suspects, aged between 32 and 57, will be charged with obstructing police in the execution of their duties, attack on police officers, assault on police officers, attempted robbery of a firearm and the driver will face an additional charge of reckless and negligent driving.

The Provincial Commissioner has reiterated that those that seek to undermine the authority of the State will be dealt with decisively.

“Let this be a lesson to those that think they are above the law. We should all have a common goal of fighting crime, we cannot allow a situation where some members of the community believe they do not have to abide by the law and decide to obstruct law enforcement officers while they perform their constitutional mandate,” warned Lieutenant General Mawela.

A Free State Member of the Executive Council (MEC), a political advisor to the Matjhabeng Local Municipality and a Chief Director are scheduled to appear before the Kroonstad Magistrates Court today.

They will appear in court on Friday, 13 October on allegations of fraud, corruption, money laundering, and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003.

They were arrested on Thursday afternoon by members of the Hawks` Serious Corruption Investigation unit based in Bloemfontein.

The matter emanates from a 2017 incident when the MEC was still the Executive Mayor.

It is alleged that the three suspects colluded to take over R150 000 belonging to Moqhaka Local Municipality, under the guise that the money would be spent on a sound system to be used during a Nelson Mandela memorial lecture.

The event never took place, despite money having been transacted out of the municipal bank account.

Free State Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Major General Mokgadi Bokaba has applauded investigators working on the case for their hard work, which led to the court issuing warrants of arrest.

She encouraged them to pursue all matters they are investigating with vigour.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has welcomed two judgments by the High Court against former members of the interim board of the SABC and its decision to award a multimillion rand security tender to Mafoko Security Patrols Pty Ltd.

According to the SIU, the court ruled that the decision to award the R185 million physical security services tender is “invalid” and is “reviewed and set aside”.

“The interim board took a decision to award Mafoko a security tender for a period of five years commencing 1 August 2017 at a total contract price of R185 519 425.61, which was R2 300 955.43 more than the contract price for Mjayeli Security. Mjayeli was recommended by three tender committees to the board for appointment.

“In terms of the High Court judgment, Mafoko Security Patrols must, within 30 days, submit an audited statement of the expenses incurred in the performance of its obligations in terms of the tender, the income received and the net profit it would have earned at the expiry of the contract.

“The High Court also ordered the SABC to obtain an independent audited verification within 60 days. After that, the Court will determine the amount of profits to be paid back by Mafoko to the SABC or the SIU,” the unit said.

SIU head Advocate Andy Mothibi said: “The Court’s reference to the King Code on Good Governance underscores the requirements, as also provided for in the Public Finance Management Act, for the Boards of Directors to always act in the interest of State Institutions”.

In another judgement, the court dismissed an application by members of the former interim board, which sought to review and set aside a SIU report that recommended that they be declared delinquent.

The application was brought by former interim board members Khanyisile Kweyama, Mathatha Tsedu, Febe Potgieter-Gqubule and John Matisohn.

“The SIU investigation found that the interim board had irregularly awarded the security contract to Mafoko Security Services, and their action was wrongful and irregular. The SIU believes they were supposed to consider launching an investigation, cancel the tender, or remitting it for reconsideration. The SIU found that the interim board failed to discharge their fiduciary duties in that respect and failed to act in the best interests of the SABC.

“The interim board members argued that the SIU report was irrational, the SIU’s investigation was unconstitutional and contravened the principle of legality, and the SIU went beyond the scope of the President’s Proclamation. Furthermore, they contended that the SIU acted irrationally and procedurally unfairly and exceeded its powers in reaching the findings.

“However, the High Court dismissed the application and ruled that the SIU acted in accordance with the Proclamation by the President, which included investigating maladministration,” the SIU said.

The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Asset Forfeiture Unit has obtained a preservation order against assets related to a PPE matter worth R27 million in the Northern Cape.

The order was granted against the assets of well-known Kimberley businessman Somandla Sibisi and his companies Macronym 37 and Aphiwokuhle Holdings.

The frozen assets include a residential property bought for some R900 000, a business property – known as Live Café – bought for more than R2 million, kitchen equipment bought for over R300 000 and a 2013 model Audi A1 car bought for R130 000.

NPA regional spokesperson, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, explained that the vehicle and property were allegedly bought with “the proceeds of the money received from the Northern Cape Department of Health” through PPE related tenders.

“This preservation order emanates from a case where…Sibisi, who is accused number nine, his company is accused number eight, in the Department of Health Northern Cape PPE-related matter amounting to more than R26 million, made his first appearance together with other twelve co-accused on 11 October 2023, in the Kimberley Magistrates’ Court.

“The accused are facing charges of Contravention of Provisions of Section 86(1) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), fraud, corruption, forgery, money laundering, uttering, and defeating or obstructing the course of justice concerning the amount of more than R26.9 million.

“The preservation order, the arrest as well and the appearance in court flow from a multi-disciplinary exertion by the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), the Special Commercial Crimes Unit (SCCU), the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), and the Directorate of Priority Crimes Unit (DPCI),” he said.

Sibisi’s co-accused in the case are:

• Northern Cape Department of Health former Head of the Department Dr Dion Theys
• The department’s former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the department Mosimanegape Gaborone
• Director of Supply Chain Management Montgomery Lifa Faas
• Deputy Director of Finance Victor Nyokong
• Director: Administration Assistant of Supply Chain Management Siyabulela Booi
• Retired Deputy Director Nursing Directorate: Communicable Diseases Elizabeth Dibueng Manyetsa
• Assistant Director Directorate: Communicable Diseases Goitsemodimo Piet Moseki
• Macronym 37 (PTY) LTD
• Administrative Clerk working for Macronym 37 (PTY) LTD Cleopatra Norman
• Employee of Macronym 37 (PTY) LTD Macdonald Mampe,
• Masedi Star (PTY) LTD a private company with limited liability
• Director of Masedi Star (PTY) LTD Obakeng Samane

“These assets will be preserved awaiting an application by the AFU for the final forfeiture to the State. Dr Dion Theys, Mosimanegape Gaborone, Montgomery Lifa Faas, Victor Nyokong, Siyabulela Booi, Elizabeth Dibueng Manyetsa, Goitsemodimo Piet Moseki, are also out on bail in another Department of Health Northern Cape PPE-related matter amounting to more than R16 million,  that will be back in the Kimberley District Court on 16 October 2023,” Senokoatsane concluded.

Police in Mogwase in the North West have rearrested two of the eight awaiting trial detainees who escaped from the Mogwase Magistrates’ Court holding cells on Tuesday.

According to police information, a member escorted the accused from the court room to the cells. The member had just unlocked the cell door for the awaiting trial detainee when those who were inside suddenly pushed the burglar door, overpowered the member and ran away in different directions.

The two accused, Lebogang Mokotleng and Tshepang Raselemane were rearrested a few minutes later at Mogwase Taxi Rank.

Lebogag Mokotleng (27) was arrested for robbery with a firearm, attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition while Tshepang Raselemane (25) is facing charges of robbery with a firearm, possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession of suspected stolen property.

The other six, Tebogo Mosito (29) Letlatsa Mpota (31), Katlego Mafatlhe (35), Keitumetse Lekolomi (25), Thabang Matlho (25) and Katlego Mkitle (26) were among others, arrested for murder, robbery with a firearm and possession of a firearm, attempted murder and possession of suspected stolen property.

Members of the community are encouraged not to try and re-arrest the detainees as they are dangerous, but to contact the Investigating Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Shimane Kubyadi on 082 856 1087 or Crime Stop number: ‪08600 10111.

Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the MySAPS App from a smartphone.

The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, has reassured that police will continue to deal decisively with criminals ahead of the busy festive season.

Through Operation Shanela, police continue to “dislodge and disrupt activities of organised crime syndicates” linked to serious and violent crimes, especially aggravated armed robberies such as cash-in-transit (CIT) heists.

Masemola said police remain on course to sniff out more syndicates. He said police “will not negotiate with criminals”.

“We are tailoring our operations to ensure that a strong presence of police is felt on the ground. We are investing in our police to ensure they are operationally ready and have the required resources,” Masemola said.

In the latest takedown operation, Gauteng police arrested four suspects linked to a CIT robbery, which took place in Kaalfontein, near Tembisa.

The suspects were traced to various addresses in Tembisa. In their possession, police found a Mercedes Benz alleged to be used as a getaway vehicle, dye stained money, explosives and an AK47.

In their preliminary investigation, the police have established that the Mercedes Benz that has been recovered was hijacked in Springs earlier this year. The owner of the vehicle will be traced and informed accordingly.

In KwaZulu-Natal, four suspects were shot and killed during a confrontation with police at a home utilised as a safe haven for the syndicate in KwaMashu on Friday morning.

In their possession, police found four firearms including an AK47, explosives and false vehicle number plates.

The Hawks also arrested a 38-year-old Zimbabwean national, who was found with explosives on Friday morning. The team was following up on information when a bus from Zimbabwe, heading to Johannesburg, was pulled over on the N14.

The team is investigating the possibility of such explosives being utilised in the spate of CITs in the country. Investigations continue to trace the origin of the explosives and where they were destined.

The police are also appealing to communities not to pick up money at CIT crime scenes, as this amounts to theft and defeating the ends of justice.

According to the police, CIT crime scenes are dangerous and can also pose a risk for the loss of life.

High-density operations are being intensified through regular roadblocks, stop and searches and the tracing of wanted suspects across the country to ensure the safety and security of all people living in South Africa.

“Day in and day out, we are taking down these criminals one by one! These takedowns must serve as a deterrent to those involved in these aggravated robberies. We are ushering in the festive season and we are prepared to deal decisively with crime and criminals in all forms and shape,” Masemola said.

Through the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Operation Shanela, at least 124 suspects and 137 daily wanted suspects were arrested for committing various crimes over the past weekend.

Operation Shanela’s disruptive actions were executed in hotspot areas across the Northern Cape province which included vehicle checkpoints, stop and searches, blue light and foot patrols, compliance inspections and tracing of wanted suspects by detectives across the province.

The outstanding success includes the arrest of two males, age 28 and 36, for possession of stolen property valued at R43 000 after the Kimberley Crime Prevention Unit received information of a tuckshop selling branded goods in bulk belonging to a local supermarket.

The police in Delportshoop recovered and confiscated a stolen vehicle and arrested a 62-year-old male for theft of a motor vehicle after the police were alerted by a tracking company about a stolen vehicle that was stationary around Ulco mine.

Another two male suspects, aged 37 and 40, were arrested and charged under the Northern Cape Nature Conservation Act 9/2009 sec 50 & 51 for alleged illegal possession of endangered plants on the R382 road between Steinkopf and Port Nolloth.

A white Isuzu Double Cab bakkie was stopped and searched and police confiscated ten 50kg bags containing 4485 Conophytum Bilobum plants.

Police also confiscated the Isuzu bakkie as it was allegedly utilized in the commission of a crime.

During the operation, the following items, such as alcoholic beverages, dangerous weapons, drugs including crystal meth, dagga mandrax and tik were confiscated.

A total of 56 compliance inspections at second-hand dealers, liquor outlets and premises, formal and informal businesses, farms and mines were executed.

Numerous roadblocks were conducted across the province during which 25 vehicle checkpoints and eight roadblocks were conducted which resulted in 1631 vehicles stopped and searched and 4637 persons searched.

Police across the province also conducted routine visits at ATM’s, business premises, National Key Points, Post Offices and tuckshops.

The Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, congratulated all SAPS personnel and other law enforcement agencies for ensuring that those who violated the laws are confronted and dealt with decisively.

She also appreciated community structures for their role and assistance in the fight against crime.

The police in Gauteng continue to make inroads in dealing with counterfeit goods and contraband.

On Wednesday, the police consisting of various units including Public Order Policing, Commercial Crime, Crime Intelligence, Crime Prevention in partnership with other law enforcement agencies such as Gauteng Traffic Police, Tshwane Metro Police Department, Wardens, Brand Protectors and Customs (SARS) conducted a search and seizure operation at Marabastad, in Pretoria, with the aim of addressing peddling and dealing of counterfeit and contraband goods.

Over the years, Marabastad has been a business district with a lot of consumers coming to buy clothing items and other goods however, a number of businesses allegedly owned by foreign nationals, are running illegal businesses of selling counterfeit goods.

To address this, the team seized clothing items and other goods with notable brands from both local and international to an estimated street value of about R13.7 million.

Three people were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act.

It is a criminal offence for a business to seek profit or use someone’s trademark without permission and the counterfeit goods Act 37 of 1997 prohibits such sales as this has a negative impact on the economy of the country.

“The police in Gauteng will continue unabated with these kind of operations to disrupt the counterfeit goods market,” the South African Police Service said in a statement.

The community is urged not to buy counterfeit goods and to report any criminal activities to their nearest police station or by calling Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can be directed to MySAPS App. Tipsters may opt to remain anonymous.