Category: Crime & Corruption News

Police Minister General Bheki Cele has urged police to utilise use all available resources at their disposal to root out violent crime, which is anticipated to increase during the festive season.

The Minister made the call during the Gauteng leg of the Safer Festive Season Inspection Tour in Kagiso, West Rand, on Thursday.

Police in the district — accompanied by Cele, Police Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale and National Police Commissioner General Khehla Sitole — were out in full force stamping the authority of the State in Gauteng. They monitored heightened crime prevention and combatting police operations activated for the festive period.

The ministry in a statement said the increase in illegal mining in the West Rand was setting back the country’s economy by billions of rands, and claiming lives through underground wars.

“The SAPS management in the province has assured the ministry that an operational plan to shift resources to counter this kind of criminality is in place and gaining momentum,” police said.

Cele called on police to act swiftly on illegal mining, and make arrests and seize the firearms used in eliminating competition in the fight over stolen minerals.

Cele has also called on police to have a zero tolerance approach to those who harm women and children and those who are terrorising communities.

“Cash-in-transit heists, car-jackings and home invasions remain some of the crimes most feared by South Africans, and we know there will be increased attempts of these types of crime during this holiday season.

“This is why Gauteng police are shifting resources to counter these violent acts. Each day officers must, through their actions, send a strong message to criminals that these callous acts don’t have space in our society,” Cele said.

The Minister urged police to go into the festive season “with caution and agility”.

“Police must use all available resources at their disposal to root out violent crime in communities and intercept would-be gangs or anyone with the intent to create lawlessness.

“Going into the peak of the festive season, officers must be mindful that they are mandated by the law to protect lives and property, at all costs.”

The Police Ministry assured that interventions in place by the SAPS in Gauteng will contribute towards a safe festive season for all those in the country’s economic hub.

The Safer Festive Season Inspection Tour continues on Friday in the Free State.

The National Development Agency (NDA) granted an amount of R300 000 funding to Umtata Women’s Support Centre (UWSC) to implement a Victim Empowerment Programme at King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality in O.R Tambo District municipality.

The programme, led by UWSC, uses an approach called Masiphunge (Let’s Have a Cup of Tea) Women Empowerment Programme (MWEP), which provides a safe space for women to heal and encourage holistic wellness physically, spiritually and psychologically.

As a result, the women who complete the programme are now whistle-blowers of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in their own communities.

The programme specifically targets women living in rural areas, including Baziya, Mpheko, Tabase, Ntshabeni, Msana and Bumbane, and bring them together to share a cup of tea whilst discussing matters that affect their daily lives.

Through conversations, the women share their dreams, pains and achievements.

The UWSC is an Eastern Cape-based organisation founded in 1999 that deals with gender-based violence, women’s human rights, HIV/AIDS, sexual reproduction health and rights, and human trafficking in the area of O.R. Tambo District municipality.

The support centre is the brainchild of Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) that set up the Centre because of approaches from desperate women, police and media reports on crime especially on women, which also affects children.

NDA Provincial Manager, Nokulunga Skeyi said it is through NDA strategic partnerships and an effective capacity building programme that the agency is able to reach disadvantaged communities and contribute to critical causes such as GBFV.

“O.R Tambo district was identified as a hot spot for GBFV, I believe serious work has been achieved through the Masiphunge Programme. It is a pleasure to come and observe the outcome of the programme and we hope to do more in future,” Skeyi said.

Social Worker and Programme Director at Umtata Women Support Centre, Kholiwe Nongauza said the launch of the MWEP brought together, beneficiaries of the programme, and officials from various government departments and stakeholders, including community leaders and traditional leaders led by Chief Thanduxolo Mtirara, as well as the South African Police Services, National Prosecuting Authority and Women Rights International, amongst others.

“Masiphunge Women Empowerment Programme is a powerful instrument that is intended to heal women holistically – mentally, physically and economically by implementing National Development Plan pillars 2, 3, 4 and 5 that focus on various interventions starting with prevention, through the justice system, care and healing and finally the economic emancipation of the participating women.

“We have seen significant changes and growth in all the women, particularly the women of Ntshabeni Village who have even mastered our last module that deals with forgiveness,” Nongauza said.

The Department of Social Development, has also pledged continue support the programmes, and expand it to other villages in the district and beyond.

Self-defence classes are lauded to be one of the additional services that will be included within the programme.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Hawks have requested the public assist in their pursuit of a woman who is alleged to have scammed unsuspecting investors of about R10 million.

In a joint statement, SAPS and the Hawks said from June 2019 to date, Swereen Govender allegedly lured family and friends to invest in her personal protective equipment (PPE) business by promising lucrative dividends in return.

“Further investigation revealed that Govender initially payed minimum dividends to investors and then completely stopped at a later stage, and she has allegedly been lying to her investors that she cannot be contacted, as she has been placed in a witness protection programme,” reads the statement.

Multiple cases have been registered at various police stations in Gauteng, and have since been referred to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in Germiston for further investigation.

The SAPS and Hawks said the investigation team had further revealed that Govender created fraudulent suppliers’ certificates from different government departments for PPE.

They said Govender has since been positively linked and is wanted in relation to fraud cases in Gauteng. In some of the cases, she is alleged to have taken people’s life savings, retirement and disability pensions, etc., leaving these people absolutely destitute.

“People are reminded to be extremely cautious when investing money with individuals. If an offer appears too good to be true, know that it probably is and one should rather consider investing one’s capital with long standing reputable investment companies,” reads the statement.

A warrant has been issued for Govender’s arrest, and the investigation team circulated her on the local and international movement control system.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Govender or anyone who has fallen prey to her scam is urged to come forward with information to the investigating officer, Captain John Marepa, on 082 822 6351.

“Anyone caught harbouring Ms Swereen Govender must know that this is a criminal offence,” the authorities said.

The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), together with the Hawks, has seized more than R11 million in assets belonging to fraud convicted Eskom financial controller, Mosia Moraka and Megra Transport owner, Victor Tshabalala.

According to regional National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, Moraka and Tshabalala were convicted of fraud in September for colluding to defraud Eskom through the creation of fictitious invoices for Tshabala’s company – costing the State-owned power utility losses of at least R35 million.

Mjonondwane said assets belonging to the two were seized on Tuesday.

“The assets that were identified in the restraint order included immovable properties linked to the two accused, as well as 32 vehicles registered to Megra Transport… which were used in the business.

“A further three agricultural holdings in Springs, linked to Tshabalala, were found and are restrained. The AFU will proceed with an application to institute a confiscation enquiry aimed ultimately at the recovery of the stolen funds,” Mjonondwana said.

She said the two had pleaded guilty to defrauding Eskom and are expected to appear in court in February for sentencing.

“The fraud was uncovered by Eskom’s forensic investigators following a whistleblower’s report about alleged corruption between Eskom employees and the service provider, Megra Transport.

“The investigations revealed that Moraka, whilst employed at Eskom… colluded with Tshabalala to create fictitious invoices for the payment of a [transport] route not covered by Eskom in terms of the [coal delivery] agreement between Eskom and Megra Transport,” Mjonondwane said.

Three suspects between the ages of 55 to 65 are expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates court soon on multiple charges of fraud surpassing R299 million.

Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant, Colonel Philani Nkwalase, said the trio were served with court summons (J175) by the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team on Friday and Monday for their alleged involvement on a series of tax and VAT evasion.

“The suspects worked under the same company over the period between 2010 and 2016. In the process of performing their duties they have on diferent occasions, reportedly submitted false tax and VAT document to the South African Revenue Service (SARS).”

He said it was further alleged that in the same period fraudulent tax clearance certificate documents were submitted to gain security tenders from local government procurement processes.

“They will appear in court on the 27 January 2022 facing an assortment of fraud charges, more arrests are imminent,” he said.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has condemned the continued poaching of rhino, as this month’s statistics show that 24 rhino were poached since the beginning of December.

According to this month’s statistics, provinces that have reported carcasses include KwaZulu-Natal with six, Western Cape with four, Mpumalanga with seven and the Kruger National Park with seven.

“In the first 14 days of December, nine alleged poachers were arrested. The department commends the work being done by rangers and security officials over the festive period to stem the killing of rhino,” the department said on Tuesday.

The department will in early 2022 provide an update on the total number of rhino killed this year for their horn.

“Members of the public are encouraged to assist with any information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of poachers by calling 10111 or the environmental crime hotline on 0800 205 005,” the department said.

As part of efforts to ensure a safe festive season, Gauteng Traffic Police have arrested five people for the alleged possession of two unlicensed firearms.

“The confiscation of the illegal firearms augurs well in our quest to create a safer province, since most of them are used in the commission of serious and violent crimes,” Gauteng Traffic Police Spokesperson Sello Maremane said on Tuesday.

The suspects were arrested on Monday during a stop and search operation conducted on the N12 freeway in Zuurbekom as part of the Safer Festive Season operations.

The suspects comprising of one foreign national and four South Africans aged between 29 and 41 years were intercepted while driving a silver Ford Mondeor sedan.

The Gauteng Traffic Police has commended the officers for the swift arrest of the alleged criminals and for ensuring that Gauteng citizens are and feel safe during the heightened festive season period.

After the arrest, the suspects were detained at Bekkersdal police station. They are expected to appear in Westonaria Magistrates Court on Tuesday to face charges relating to unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

“The Gauteng Traffic Police calls upon the general public to work closely with the law enforcement authorities to expose criminal elements in their respective spaces to ensure a safer festive season,” Maremane said.

The management of the South African Police Service in Gauteng has expressed concern at a video circulating on social media platforms of a gender-based violence (GBV) victim complainant who could not get assistance in Mamelodi as the police station was closed.

The unidentified complainant then proceeded to open a case of domestic violence and assault at the Silverton Police Station.

Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili in a statement said the Silverton police arrested the suspect in the early hours of 12 December 2021.

“The case docket as well as the arrested suspect were then transferred by the Silverton police to SAPS Mamelodi for further investigation as the incident occurred in Mamelodi,” she said.

A Mamelodi Detective who was allocated the case then charged the 46-year-old suspect with assault and before releasing him on a warning to appear in court on 30 December 2021

Muridili said preliminary investigations revealed that the Mamelodi Police Station was closed due to decontamination as there had been a COVID-19 case reported.

“The Community Service Centre was operating from the back entrance of the station,” she said.

She said the Mamelodi Station Commander, Brigadier Matji, has apologised for any inconvenience caused with regards to the closing of the police station.

“He has committed to ensuring that the next time the station has to be decontaminated, there will be clear and visible signage to direct clients to the place where the Community Service Centre will be operating.

“The Station Commander has also instituted an internal disciplinary investigation into the detective member that released the suspect on warning and failed to liaise with the complainant,” she said.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has warned the public of scams that are defrauding taxpayers.

The syndicate saw fraudulent incidents or unauthorised changes of tax practitioners and/or taxpayers’ eFiling profiles changed with the sole intention to defraud SARS and affected taxpayers.

SARS in a statement said the fraudulent activities were carried out by individuals who gain access to eFiling profiles through phishing or other nefarious scams to change a legitimate taxpayer’s bank details to divert refunds.

The revenue collector said the individuals also submitted fraudulent tax returns to generate refunds.

It said: “SARS takes all necessary steps to mitigate security breaches of our information systems and there is no evidence of the SARS systems being hacked; instead they remain secure.

“In the past week, several changes were implemented to augment the integrity of the SARS systems”.

The changes include a process to advise tax practitioners when their access to taxpayer/client profiles are removed as well as an enhanced personal income tax and eFiling registration process, amongst others.

SARS said the changes were done to make it difficult for criminal elements to obtain sensitive information and then perpetrate fraud.

To safeguard eFiling profiles, SARS has urged tax practitioners to ensure that profile credentials were not shared within their practices or companies.

“All eFiling user access within practices or companies must be routinely reviewed and where required employee access should be revoked, particularly when an employee leaves the practice or company. The public is urged to always be alert for phishing scams that call for the sharing of sensitive identity and banking details,” SARS said.

Incidents of fraudulent or unauthorised changes of eFiling profiles can be reported to the SARS Anti-Corruption and Fraud Hotline on 0800 00 2870. Taxpayers and tax practitioners are urged not to use social media platforms, such as Facebook, to report such incidents or disclose sensitive information.

SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter has sent a strong message to fraudsters engaged in the swindle. “Let me leave no one in doubt about SARS’ capacity and capability to deal a massive blow to those hell-bent on these criminal activities.”

Working with other law enforcement agencies, SARS said it would leave no stone unturned to hunt and find these criminals.

“This is no idle threat, be warned,” said the Commissioner.

Former Gauteng Health senior and executive officials are among nine suspects expected today to appear before court as police pounce on those who allegedly fleeced the department of R221 million, between 2006 and 2010.

In a statement, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) said the group, who handed themselves over on Tuesday, was among private individuals and entities charged with fraud, corruption, money laundering and a pattern of racketeering activity perpetuated against the department.

“Eight of the nine have handed themselves over at SAPS Johannesburg Central for processing and will thereafter appear at Johannesburg Magistrate court. The ninth is said to be out of the country and the process of applying for his extradition is in progress,” said Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Nomthandazo Mbambo.

She said the development formed part of the second leg of investigation into allegations of gross irregularities committed at the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH), between the period of 2006 and 2010.

The case was referred to the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation unit by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) in September 2011 for further criminal investigation.

Mbambo said the department awarded several contracts to an entity or juristic person which was initially meant for a period of two years, at a cost of R68 million (incl. VAT) per annum. “However, this amount was allegedly overspent to the tune of R221 million without any consequences to the individuals involved,” she said.

The main contract was the establishment of a “Project Management Unit (PMU)” which was first awarded on 4 July 2007 and was extended again on the 17 February 2009 for another three years without putting it out on an open tender and at a cost of approximately R273 million per annum.

Several senior and executive officials of the department allegedly received gratifications from the main service provider and subcontractors in the form of cash, loans, gifts and all-expense paid holiday, local and international trips. It is further alleged that none of the Gauteng Health Department officials ever declared such gifts.

The first leg of investigation was concluded in October 2020, when four senior officials from the Gauteng Health Department, Sybil NgcoboSybil Ngcobo, Mmakgosi Mosupi, Valdis Romaano and Obakeng Mookeletsi were charged for similar offences and appeared at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court for corruption charges worth R1.2 billion tender. They will appear again on 28 January 2022.

National Hawks Head, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, applauded the team for the arrest and said: “Although this investigation had challenges of its own, I am satisfied that our prioritisation has resulted in securing the attendance of the accused who shall also face the charge of pattern of racketeering activity which is in general terms organised crime.

“The investigation team and prosecutors are commended for the efforts invested in the matter since prioritisation.”