Category: Crime & Corruption News

Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has mobilised extra resources to crackdown on robberies on the Mabopane highway following a blockade of the road on Tuesday by community members.

Residents had raised concerns about the high incidence of crime on that stretch of the road.

On Wednesday, a team from the Organised Crime Unit conducted an operation in the area with the aim of targeting the alleged robbers.

One of the members stopped next to the road under the pretense of relieving himself while the others were doing surveillance. As he walked towards the trees, two men emerged from the tunnel that runs under the R80 with firearms pointing at the member. The members on surveillance swiftly reacted and pounced on the suspects.

The suspects had a backpack with two jackets and two different hats suspected to be used as a change clothes after robberies. The firearms were also established to be toy guns.

A preliminary investigation led the members to an address where they found a woman who confirmed that she bought the cellphone from one of the suspects and she pointed the police to another woman who also allegedly bought a cellphone from the same suspect.

The two women were arrested for possession of suspected stolen property

Lt Gen Mawela applauded the members for their swift response and assured the public that the police will continue to deal decisively with crime in the province.

The suspects are expected to appear before court soon and police investigations continue.

The public has been encouraged to be vigilant when using that road and not to stop next to the freeway but rather drive to the nearest filling station.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has welcomed the imprisonment sentence imposed on a provincial traffic officer in Limpopo in connection with bribery of an undercover agent.

The Mokopane Magistrate court on Monday, 2 October 2023, found the traffic officer guilty on charges relating to accepting a bribe of R200 from an undercover anti-corruption agent from RTMC.

The court sentenced Vincent Madiga (53) to three year’s direct imprisonment without the option of a fine.

“The arrest took place during a joint operation, named Operation Siyabangena, by the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit of the RTMC and the Hawks in 2018. The RTMC believes that the conviction of this officer will send a message to others that are still hell bent on committing such crimes, that crime does not pay.

“The officer now no longer qualifies to work as a traffic officer because of his criminal record and this means that we have succeeded in removing a bad element from the ranks of our traffic officers,” the RTMC said on Tuesday.

A total of 13 traffic officers were arrested as part of Operation “Siyabangena” and their cases are continuing in different courts in the province. Some have already been imprisoned for their offence.

The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, has commended the swift reaction by Gauteng police in tracing and apprehending cash-in-transit (CIT) suspects within three hours of the commission of the crime.

The heist took place at 17:15 on Wednesday in Springs, when armed suspects forced a cash van to come to a halt.

The security guards had just picked up money from various outlets and were on their way back to their base when they were disarmed and the cash van bombed.

The suspects got away with an undisclosed amount of money.

Gauteng police immediately operationalised information and maximum resources were mobilised. Vigilant members attached to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and the Johannesburg Flying Squad traced the suspects at 20:20 on the M1 south, just before the Booysens off-ramp.

A shoot-out ensued with the suspects, who were travelling in a Toyota Quantum. One suspect was certified dead at the scene, while two others were apprehended.

Three rifles were recovered, and cash and two cell phones were seized.

Two empty cash bags, as well as implements used in armed robberies were found in their getaway vehicle. A manhunt is underway for the remaining suspects.

During the shootout, one police officer sustained a gunshot wound and is recovering in hospital.

Mosikili said police remain on high alert and ready to take down syndicates.

“Well done to the team for the swift reaction. We continue to deal decisively with serious and violent crime in various provinces. We continue to take down syndicates and groups involved in these crimes. Either they surrender or we will continue to hunt and take them down. A speedy recovery to our member who is in hospital,” said Mosikili.

In the past week, 10 158 suspects were arrested for various crimes ranging from murder and armed robberies.

Operation Shanela continues to register commendable progress. Since its inception on 8 May 2023 , 155 970 suspects have been arrested.

The Middleburg High Court in Mpumalanga has reaffirmed the regulatory role played by the Department of Water and Sanitation when it found Msukaligwa Local Municipality guilty of eight counts relating to water pollution.

The case, which was brought before the court on Wednesday, relates to non-compliance by the municipality with several directives issued by the department, in terms of sections 19 (3) and 53 (1) of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act no. 38 of 1998).

The municipality failed to take reasonable measures to prevent the pollution of water resources and engaging in water use without authorisation at the Ermelo Waste Water Treatment Works.

This comes after the department’s Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement Unit undertook numerous investigations since 2016, and subsequently issued notices and directives to the municipality.

“The outcomes of the investigations revealed that the Ermelo Waste Water Treatment Works was not authorised to engage in water uses, not functioning adequately, and the sewage was bypassing the process units and discharged straight into water resources, and there were poor operations and maintenance of the plant,” the department said.

Judge Bruce Langa ordered Msukaligwa Local Municipality to:
•    Immediately cease unlawful water use at the Ermelo Waste Water Treatment Plant.
•    Apply for registration of water use, as set out in section 21 (f and g) of the National Water Act.
•    Immediately take corrective measures to stop the discharge of poor quality effluent to prevent further pollution of water resources.
•    Appoint a suitably qualified environmental consultant to compile a rehabilitation plan, which must include the nature and impact that pollution has had or may have on water resources, and the measures that will be implemented to remediate the impact (with clear timeframes).

The rehabilitation plan must be compiled within 30 days from the date of the order of the court and submitted to the department for approval.

The municipality must implement all remedial action contained in the rehabilitation plan within 30 days from the approval of the plan by the department.
•    The municipality must compile a closeout report after the completion of the rehabilitation, to be submitted to the department within 14 days of completion of the rehabilitation activities.

The costs of the application by the department are to be paid by the municipality.

Judge Langa said the Department of Water and Sanitation acted in good faith and made many reasonable efforts to make the municipality account for its actions or non-actions, including the issuing of notices and directives.

“The applicant, in my judgement, was entitled to approach the court for relief once it became clear that the respondent was not responding to the various notices, in terms of which it was directed to take certain measures to correct the issues identified repeatedly in various reports dating as far back as 2016.

“In this case, the respondent clearly remained supine, despite the critical problem that was raised many times by the applicant,” Langa said.

The department said it will issue a letter of intent to open a criminal case against Msukaligwa Local Municipality, should they fail to submit an action plan with clear timeframes and budget.

“The department is pleased by this court order and hopes that it will send a strong message to other institutions and serve as a deterrent to transgress provisions of the National Water Act,” the department said.

Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, has called on the public to be wary of cybercriminals targeting unsuspecting individuals on various social media platforms.

“The public must be aware of cybercriminals, who target unsuspecting individuals on various social media platforms with the purpose of causing harm, demanding ransoms and scamming,” the MEC said on Thursday.

This follows the kidnapping of a University of the Witwatersrand student on Tuesday in Johannesburg.

The student was reported missing by his roommate on Tuesday in Johannesburg.

According to reports, the student was lured to the suspects through the dating site, Grindr. The suspects demanded an amount of R30 000 from the student’s family for his safe return.

A team comprising members from Gauteng Crime Intelligence, Organised Crime Investigations, Hillbrow Detectives, Johannesburg Trio Detectives, Johannesburg Metro Police K9, security companies – including Vision Tactical, JT VIP, CAP Security, Fidelity Strategic Team – and Cellular Data Investigation, operationalised the information that led them to an ATM, where one of the suspects was expected to withdraw the ransom money on the M2 Road.

The police held an observation and placed the suspect under arrest as soon as he arrived. He then led the team to Denver Men’s Hostel, where the victim, aged 18, was found bound and unconscious.

Seven suspects were arrested, while three knives and the student’s personal items were also recovered. The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, has commended the swift response by a multi-disciplinary team for the rescue.

The MEC commended the rescue team for their efforts.

“I would like to commend the heroic law enforcement officials, who carried out the rescue operation. The successful apprehension of the suspects is a result of collaborative efforts by various law enforcement agencies and private security companies,” said MEC Mazibuko.

The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, has commended the swift response by a multi-disciplinary team that rescued a University of the Witwatersrand student, who was kidnapped on 19 September 2023 in Johannesburg.

In a statement on Thursday, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said the team arrested seven suspects and recovered three knives and the student’s personal items.

“The student was reported missing the same day by his roommate. It is reported that he was lured to the suspects through a dating site called Grindr. The suspects demanded R30 000 from his family for his safe return,” the SAPS said.

On 20 September 2023, the team comprising members from the Gauteng Crime Intelligence, Organised Crime Investigations, Hillbrow Detectives, Johannesburg Trio Detectives, Johannesburg Metro Police K9, security companies including Vision Tactical, JT VIP, CAP Security, Fidelity Strategic Team and Cellular Data Investigation, operationalised the information that led them to an ATM where one of the suspects was expected to withdraw the ransom money on the M2 Road.

The police held an observation and then placed the suspect under arrest as soon as he arrived. He then led the team to Denver Men’s Hostel, where the victim, aged 18, was found bound and unconscious.

“Six more suspects were arrested and the victim was rushed to hospital for medical attention.

“The team is currently investigating the possibility of linking these suspects to cases in Gauteng with the same modus operandi. All seven will be charged with kidnapping and extortion and they will be appearing before court soon.” the SAPS said.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is expected to launch an investigation into allegations of maladministration and corruption in the affairs of the Amajuba District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.

The probe will also recover any financial losses suffered by the State uncovered during the investigation.

This after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a proclamation authorising the SIU to launch the probe.

“Proclamation R 137 of 2023 authorises the SIU to probe the procurement of/or contracting to construct reinforced concrete for Braakfontein Reservoirs in Amajuba District Municipality. The contract under investigation included work like earthworks, fixing of reinforcement steel, concrete and forming of construction joints for the new water-tight reservoir and associated valve and flow meter chambers.

“Furthermore, the municipality sought a service provider to supply and install steel interlinking pipelines and refurbish existing pipe manifolds and valve chambers to connect the new reservoir to the existing reservoirs,” the SIU said.

The corruption busting unit added that it will also investigate “any unauthorised, irregular, or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by Amajuba District Municipality or the State”.

“The scope of the investigation also covers any unlawful or improper conduct by officials or employees of the Amajuba District Municipality, the applicable suppliers or service providers or any other person or entity.

“The Proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that took place between 1 August 2019 and 11 September 2023, the date of the publication of the Proclamation or before 1 August 2019 and after the date of the Proclamation that are relevant to, connected with, incidental to the matters or involves the same persons, entities or contracts investigated.

“In addition to investigating maladministration, malpractice, corruption and fraud, the SIU will identify system failures and make systematic recommendations to improve measures to prevent future losses,” the SIU said.

Any evidence of criminal conduct that may be uncovered will be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority “for further action”.

“The SIU is empowered by the SIU Act to institute civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during its investigation caused by acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration,” the unit concluded.

Law enforcement agencies have been called to swiftly rearrest a man who is allegedly involved in the kidnapping of a nine-year-old girl.

According to a report, the child from Sigedleni in Ixobho, in Southern KwaZulu-Natal was reported missing on 30 August 2023 and found in a harrowing situation on 02 September 2023.

It was reported that the child was being locked inside a house by a neighbour who allegedly sexually abused her.

The accused was initially apprehended and brought before the local magistrate’s court. However, he was released last week after a rape case was not placed on the court roll.

KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza has expressed deep dismay at the incident and called for rearrest of the accused.

“Cases of rape and gender-based violence (GBV) are very serious and should not be allowed to go unpunished. We expect the police and relevant authorities to take immediate and decisive action to ensure that justice is served and that the perpetrator does not evade accountability,” Khoza said.

The MEC said it was disappointing that the suspect was let off the hook after the case was not put on the court roll.

“The department is committed to working closely with law enforcement agencies, community organisations and all stakeholders to provide support and assistance to the affected child and her family. We are also dedicated to implementing measures that will help prevent such heinous acts from occurring in future,” the MEC said.

Khoza said the department has dispatched a team of social workers to meet with the family and ensure the safety of the girl.

Campaign against substance abuse

Meanwhile, Khoza will today spearhead a campaign aimed at combating substance abuse and eradicating the illegal drug trade within the Mpembeni area of Umhlathuze, particularly in Ward 13.

The campaign seeks to address the significant challenges posed by drug peddling, including prevention, rehabilitation, community education and law enforcement efforts.

The key objectives of the campaign include:
• Engaging with local residents to raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse and the importance of community unity in fighting this issue.

• Collaborating with law enforcement agencies to increase patrols and intelligence efforts to combat drug trafficking and apprehend those involved.

• Ensuring that individuals struggling with substance abuse have access to treatment and rehabilitation services to aid in their recovery and reintegration into society.

• Implementing educational programs in schools and community centres to prevent the initiation of drug use among youth.

• Offering support to families affected by substance abuse, providing guidance, counselling and resources to help them cope.

“Khoza, along with key stakeholders from law enforcement agencies, local government officials, community leaders and experts in the field will roll out this critical campaign,” the department said.

The event will be held at Mpembeni Sportsground.

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has welcomed measures and extra resources put in place to track down the suspects who opened fire on patrons at a tavern in Daveyton on Saturday.

The committee has learned with great concern that six men were killed and one injured during this horrific incident and requests members of the public, who have information that might lead to the arrest of those responsible, to bring the information to the attention of the police.

“The committee is of the view that the swift arrest of these suspects will contribute to bringing some form of closure to the families who lost their loved ones during these senseless killings,” the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety said in a statement.

While at this stage the motive of the killings is unknown, the committee is worried that the trend seen in 2022 of mass shootings in taverns is once again rearing its ugly head.

“The committee advocates for more tighter laws to regulate and control areas where alcohol is sold and consumed, as alcohol can be seen as major driver of crime related incidents in the province.

“Owners and operators of places where alcohol is consumed are urged to put stricter measures in place to ensure that patrons are safe at all times and avoid such incidents from taking place.

“Places where alcohol is consumed should be seen as places of leisure and not crime scenes, as witnessed during this past weekend,” the Committee said.

The Committee says it will continue to monitor developments around this matter until those who are responsible are brought to book and face the full might of the law.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been granted a preservation order by the Special Tribunal to freeze approximately R2.4 million held in four bank accounts linked to a KwaZulu- Natal National Lotteries Commission’s (NLC) official and his wife.

According to the SIU statement, the money was paid into the accounts by non-profit organisations that received funding from the NLC to improve the conditions of ordinary South Africans, but made its way into the bank accounts for self-enrichment.

“An investigation by the SIU into the affairs of the NLC revealed that [Sibonelo] Vilakazi approached daycare centres and football clubs in KZN to apply for grant funding. Immediately after receiving funding, football clubs and care centres would transfer large sums of money into 05 ZZET ENTERPRISES (PTY) LTD’s bank account and those linked to Zuma and Vilakazi.

“A report by the Financial Intelligence Centre states that 05 ZZET Enterprises received multiple electronic fund transfer payments from several care centres and football clubs of approximately R 32 259 707. SIU investigations show that more than 400 care centres and football clubs made payments to accounts linked to Vilakazi and Zuma from money received from the NLC between 2019 and 2023,” SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago said.

In terms of the order dated 13 September 2023, the suspended NLC official Sibonelo Vilakazi, his wife Nosipho Zanele Zuma and 05 ZZET ENTERPRISES (PTY) LTD, solely owned by Zuma, are prohibited from dealing in any manner with funds held in the frozen bank accounts.

“In August 2023, the Tribunal granted a similar order pending the intervention application by the SIU in a matter brought by Zuma against First National Bank (FNB) before the High Court of South Africa: Kwa-Zulu Natal Local Division, Durban, and the subsequent conclusion of the main application to be brought by the SIU in the Special Tribunal.

“The bank had frozen Zuma’s bank accounts through its own processes. The High Court granted the order in favour of Zuma [and] as a result, the SIU approached the Special Tribunal to vary the order so that it was not dependent on any other court process,” Kganyago said.

The SIU was, in terms of Proclamation R32 of 2020, authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration in the affairs of NLC and the conduct of NLC officials and to recover any financial losses suffered by the State.

The SIU has been granted a preservation order to freeze approximately R2.4 million, pending the final determination of a civil action to be brought by the Unit within 60 days.