Category: Crime & Corruption News

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has appealed to members of the public to refrain from sharing a video of a policewoman allegedly forcing her son to have sex with her.

The video, which was widely shared on social media, showed a Limpopo police constable forcing her 10-year-old son to have sex with her.

The policewoman, who cannot be identified to protect the boy’s identity, was arrested on 20 January 2023 and charged with rape of a minor child, with additional charges of creating and distributing child pornographic material and sexual grooming of a child.

She appeared in court last week and the case was postponed to 30 January 2023.

Commission spokesperson, Javu Baloyi, said CGE is saddened by all forms of sexual violence against children and called for harsher sentences against the perpetrators.

“Chapter 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa stipulates that every child has the right to be protected from neglect, abuse, or degradation.”

Baloyi said the commission will be monitoring the case, as per its legal mandate to ensure that the matter is treated with urgency.

“We are calling upon the citizenry to report gender-based violence cases to our nearest offices in all provinces or alternatively call our toll-free number 0800 007 709,” Baloyi said.

The Police ministry has urged detectives to pursue all available avenues to find the killers of a Port Edward warrant officer and his family at the weekend.

Led by Police Minister Bheki Cele, the ministry made the call while visiting the bereaved family of slain warrant officer, Roger Mavundla and three of his family members.

Cele, Police Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale and the SAPS management, led by General Fannie Masemola, on Tuesday descended on Port Edward in KwaZulu-Natal.

Mavundla was gunned down with his family just meters away from their family home.

He and his fiancé, Khanyisile Mthulisi, 39, their children Siyamthanda Mthulisi 10 and 17-year-old Thando Mavundla all succumbed to their injuries.

Simthandile Mthulisi, seven, the sole survivor of the incident, is in a critical condition in hospital.

Ministry spokesperson Lirandzu Themba in a statement said: “While the motive is yet to be confirmed, investigators from the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigations (DPCI) are following-up on leads with the aim to find and prosecute the perpetrators of the heinous crime.”

The 49-year-old policeman was on Tuesday described by his colleagues and many in the community as a respected and dedicated public servant.

Minister Cele has assured the bereaved family and community at large that this crime will not go unpunished.

“While we are aware that policing is a dangerous job, it is very shocking and truly disturbing that an officer who has been described as a good man dedicated to his work, is killed along with his young family so brutally. Our thoughts and prayers are with the young girl who is fighting for her life in hospital and hope she recovers from this tragedy. Ours as law enforcement is to ensure a thorough job is done during the investigative work and the results can bring the affected families the community and the nation, some closure,” Cele said.

Warrant Officer Mavundla and his family will be laid to rest at the weekend.

Four people believed to be kingpins associated with a crime syndicate involving the fraudulent sale of driving licences in the North West have been arrested.

The suspects who include driving licence examiners and driving school operators were arrested on Tuesday in Klerksdorp and Stillfontein. An additional two suspects are expected to be added soon.

The arrests followed a two-year investigation, dubbed operation KPS, conducted by the Road Traffic Management (RTMC) national traffic anti-corruption unit together with the South African Police Service (SAPS) anti-corruption and crime intelligence units.

“The investigation revealed that examiners of driving licences were colluding with driving school operators to have learner’s and driving licences fraudulently issued to aspiring driving without requiring them to undergo the required tests. It was established that the syndicate had hijacked driving licence centres in Klerksdorp, Potchefstroom and Stillfontein to conduct its corrupt activities.

“Driving school operators play a pivotal role by booking for aspirant drivers, arranging eye tests with local optometrists and co-ordinating examiners to ensure that licences are issued. In some instances, driving schools organise jockeys, that are qualified drivers who undertake driving tests on behalf of aspirant drivers or applicants,” the RTMC said.

The suspects were detained in police custody at Jouberton police station and are expected to appear in the Klerksdorp Magistrate Court on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, 10 other licensing officials from Harrismith in the Free State are due to appear in the local regional court on 25 May on similar charges of fraud related to the issuing of driving licences.

Five other officials will appear in the Bethlem regional court on similar charges as well. They were all arrested in 2021.

“Sixteen suspects who include former Mpumalanga provincial government officials, staff from municipal offices and vehicle fleet owners will appear at the Nelspruit Commercial Crimes Court in connection with the alleged R60 million vehicle licence fee corruption on 21 February 2023.

“They are facing charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering after it was discovered that they allegedly conspired to ensure that vehicles licence fees and arrears worth tens of millions were written off and officials pocketed half of the fees due to the state,” the RTMC said.

The RTMC has urged members of the public to work with it to root out corruption in driving licence centres.

Anonymous tip offs can be sent via WhatsApp on (083) 293-7989. Alternatively, emails can be sent to ntacu@rtmc.co.za. All information provided will be treated with strict confidentiality.

Management at the South African National Parks (SANParks) has welcomed the sentences handed down by the Skukuza Regional Court to two Mozambican nationals convicted of rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park (KNP).

Lucky Shihlangu, 33, and Sergio Mathebula, 32, we found guilty and sentenced to a total of 22 years but will serve 18 years effectively. They faced six charges related to the case and were found guilty on all six charges.

Field rangers in the Malelane Section of the KNP arrested the two on 21 September 2022. Rangers began searching for the pair after shots were heard and a fresh rhino carcass was discovered nearby.

The pursuit of the suspects resulted in the two poachers being discovered, and they were found in possession of a heavy calibre hunting rifle, live ammunition and two fresh rhino horns.

The State led evidence that linked the rifle and the horns to the carcass that was discovered nearby.

The Managing Executive of the KNP, Oscar Mthimkhulu, congratulated everyone who contributed to the arrest and conviction.

“We are glad to have removed a pair of criminals and poaching equipment from the system. We know there are big role players who still need to come to trial and hope they too will face the might of the law like their ground troops.

“Collaboration between all law enforcement agencies is important for us to get on top of the situation.

“The recent arrests, convictions and sentences should serve as a warning to criminals that we are serious about protecting our natural heritage and will continue in memory of our colleagues, who paid the ultimate price in their work,” Mthimkhulu said.

The Skukuza Regional Court has had a 100% conviction rate since the beginning of the year and has vowed to continue to convict anyone who hunts illegally in a national park.

Police in Northam, in Limpopo, on Monday arrested seven suspects for being in possession of alleged stolen copper cables valued at R250 000.

Provincial SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, said the seven were apprehended while allegedly transporting suspected stolen copper cables along the Middeldrift-Koedosdorp public road.

He said police received information about suspects who were driving in a white Ford Ranger bakkie, believed to be responsible for theft of copper cables from the local farm on Sunday 22 January 2023 at about 9pm.

“A tactical joint operation in collaboration with farmers was conducted in the area and subsequently, the motor vehicle fitting the description given was spotted along the said road and was tactically stopped by the Police.

“The motor vehicle with four male occupants was searched and Police found copper cables and the four could not be able to accounted for their origin. The four male suspects were immediately arrested for possession of suspected stolen property,” said Ledwaba.

In the process, the owner of the farm arrived at the scene and positively identified the stolen copper cables.

Ledwaba said preliminary investigations revealed that the copper cables were destined to be sold at Northam RDP Section and police proceeded to the said place.

Upon arrival, police found a 42-year-old woman believed to be the buyer of the copper with two other males in possession of various bags containing newly stripped copper cables, bathroom taps and Transnet copper wires. Ultimately, the woman admitted that she was illegally dealing with copper cables and the trio were immediately placed under arrest.

“Further police investigations may possibly positively link the suspects with a series of burglaries committed in the area following theft of taps, copper pipes, air conditioners, copper pipes and crop circle motors.

“The suspects aged between 29 and 46 will appear before the Northam Magistrate court soon, facing charges of possession of stolen property valued at R250 000,” said Ledwaba.

Police investigations are continuing, he said.

Police Minister, Bheki Cele, has called on the courts to mete out the harshest possible sentence to criminals who murder police officers.

This comes in the wake of the killing of yet another policeman in Port Edward, KwaZulu-Natal, at the weekend.

Cele and South African Police Service (SAPS) management, led by National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, will visit the family of the deceased warrant officer.

Police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said Warrant Officer Roger Mavundla, alongside three family members, including his 10-year-old daughter, was shot and killed when they were ambushed while travelling in their vehicle.

“According to police reports, on the 21st of January 2023, 49-year-old Warrant Officer Mavundla and his wife and children, aged between 17 and 10, were ambushed and shot at, while inside their vehicle.  The officer, his wife and two children sustained fatal wounds and died on the scene, while a third child is being treated at a local hospital,” she said.

Mathe said the visit to Port Edward will see the provincial SAPS brief the Police Ministry on the crime patterns in the policing area and interventions in place to deal with violent crime and other contact crimes. The visit will also include a comfort visit to the Mavundla family home.

A total of 22 SAPS members were killed betwee July and September 2022.

Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has welcomed a High Court Gauteng North judgment confirming that Atul Gupta is a fugitive from justice and therefore does not qualify for a South African passport, as the Department had contended.

The Court issued the judgment on Friday.

On 25 September 2018, having fled South Africa in the advent of the Gupta Leaks, Atul Gupta approached the Consul General of South Africa in Dubai to apply for a passport.

In a statement, the department said it rejected the application after receiving confirmation from the National Prosecuting Authority that a warrant of arrest was issued against him in connection with criminal offences of fraud and money-laundering related to the Vrede Dairy Project.

“In February 2021, Gupta approached the court seeking to force the department to issue him with a new South African passport. He claimed that he had a Constitutional right to a passport as a citizen of South Africa. He further said that the Constitution states that nobody should be deprived of their citizenship.

“The Department defended that court application, arguing that he was a fugitive from justice and therefore does not have a right to challenge the Department in a court of law in this country. The Department challenged Gupta to indicate if he would be prepared to come to South Africa if the court were to order him to do so,” reads the statement.

Gupta said he would have to take legal advice on the issue.

On Friday, Judge Kumalo found that “if he (Gupta) indeed is not a fugitive from justice, why would he need legal advice whether he ought to come to this country for whatever reason. This is more telling for a person who owns property and had owned businesses in this country”.

Judge Kumalo also noted that Gupta did not give a particular address in Dubai.

“All that he seems prepared to state is that he is a South African citizen resident in Dubai. Nothing further is disclosed. I am of the view that this was not oversight on the Applicant’s side but was deliberate,” reads part of the judgment.

Judge Kumalo ordered that:

• The Applicant is a fugitive from justice.
• Applicant has no locus standi to approach this court for relief in the circumstances.
• Applicant (Gupta) is to pay the cost of this application.

Welcoming the judgment, Minister Motsoaledi said the court had delivered an important confirmation that the laws of the country must be respected and they are applicable to all.

“Friday’s judgment shows that you cannot want to escape accountability in a country and seek to enjoy the use of documents that are exclusively reserved for law-abiding citizens of that country,” he said.

The Minister further welcomed the cost order against Gupta in favour of the department, saying it “ensures that public funds are kept for service delivery. Minister Motsoaledi instructed the Department to immediately start the process to recover the costs”.

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) has condemned in the strongest terms the robbery that took place at the studios of INX Prime, in Houghton.

INX Prime, broadcasts across sub-Saharan Africa and can be accessed through DStv on channel 345.

“The news of the robbery is indeed disturbing. It is particularly disheartening as INX Prime has only been on air for four months, with their broadcast reaching people in sub-Saharan Africa. It is vital that we have such platforms to tell the African story,” said Acting Director General of the GCIS, Michael Currin.

Currin said that the GCIS is confident that the South African Police Services will move with speed to apprehend the perpetrators.

“Crimes committed, especially against the media, not only robs them of expensive equipment, but also puts the lives of journalists in danger and robs viewers of accessing crucial information.

“The media is a platform to amplify voice, facilitate meaningful participation, disseminate key information and foster social change. South Africa’s media landscape is strong, dynamic and independent and free and we must do all in our power to protect the media,” Currin said.

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has sent his condolences following the death of a student at Reneilwe Community Learning Centre in Mamelodi East, Gauteng.

According to a report, Mabutho Jenamo (18) was stabbed to death during a mugging incident, where a group of men took his cellphone and wallet, while on his way back from school after the orientation day.

At the time of the incident, Mabutho was in the company of his fellow students whose belongings were also taken during the robbery.

Nzimande said Mabutho’s passing is a loss to the entire Post School Education and Training (PSET) sector.

The four alleged killers were arrested by law enforcement agencies following a tip-off by the members of the community who witnessed the incidence.

Nzimande has sent his condolences to the Jenamo family, friends and the entire Reneilwe Community Learning Centre.

He also expressed his appreciation to the community of Mamelodi who responded swiftly by identifying the perpetrators and helping the police to apprehend them.

“Through the Gauteng Community College, and Higher Health, the Department of Higher Education and Training will continue to provide the necessary support to the family,” Nzimande said.

The four perpetrators made a brief appearance at the Mamelodi West Court on Wednesday, 18 January 2023, and the case was postponed to 25 January 2023 for a formal bail application.

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) says one of its officials has been arrested for allegedly selling application forms for learnerships at the department.

The department cautioned members of the public not to pay any sum for these forms.

“The National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Makgothi Thobakgale, is calling upon members of the public to refrain and outright refuse to pay any money for Learnership Application Forms as this is unlawful and will never be a prerequisite for placement. One Correctional Official has already been arrested for selling these forms and shall face the full might of the law.

“DCS officials assisting with the process of submissions are not supposed to ask for money or any favour of kind, but are instead expected to guide applicants on where to submit and sign the submission register,” the department said.

Thobakgale condemned those taking advantage of the unemployed for their own personal gain.

“Although harsh realities of unemployment may leave citizens vulnerable, we urge people not to fall prey to these unscrupulous agents or those that may pose as DCS officials promising false placements,” he said.

The department called on the public to report any person selling these forms “to the nearest police station so that they can be arrested accordingly”.

“It is important to reiterate that there is no requirement for people to pay money when applying for learnership placements or employment in the public service.

“An advert for the learnership opportunity does highlight the requirements and competencies to be considered. There are no third parties or middle persons appointed by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) to recruit nor process such applications,” the department said.