Category: Crime & Corruption News

Eight foreign nationals, aged between 33 and 52, were on Tuesday morning arrested for their links to an alleged R100 million internet scam during a large-scale operation in Cape Town.

The group was arrested in a joint operation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United State Secret Service (USSS) Investigations, Interpol and with assistance from the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit.

Also assisting in the operation was Crime Intelligence (CI), K9, National Intervention unit, Special Task Force (STF), Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS), Criminal Record Centre and Cape Town Metro police.

The suspects are alleged to have been involved in money laundering and international-wide scale financial fraud.

In a statement, the Hawks said the operation was initiated based on the Mutual Legal Assistance from Central Authorities of the United States of America that was approved by the Republic of South Africa.

Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale, said all suspects will be charged with a variety of financial crimes, including conspiracy to commit wire/mail fraud and money laundering.

“The suspects in this investigation are alleged to have ties to a transnational organised crime syndicate originating in Nigeria.

“It is alleged that these suspects preyed on victims, many of whom are vulnerable widows or divorcees, who were led to believe that they were in a genuine romantic relationships but were scammed out of their hard earned money.”

Mogale said the suspects used social media websites, online dating websites to find and connect with their victims.

Another modus operandi used by the suspects was business emails, where email accounts were diverted in order to change banking details.

“They assumed fake names and trolled dating sites.

“Once they had ingratiated themselves to their victims, they allegedly concocted sob-stories about why they needed money – i.e., taxes to release an inheritance, essential overseas travel, crippling debt, etc., and then siphoned money from victim’s accounts to the amount of R100 million.”

Mogale said the crimes allegedly committed by the suspects hit close to home.

“Neighbours, parents, friends and family would be targets of this organisation.

“The fraudsters intimidated and berated their victims, ruined their lives and then disappeared. We are confident that this investigation will have a significant impact on this region and beyond,” said Mogale.

The FBI estimates that more than 100 people lost more than R100 million in romance scams from 2011 till to date.

To report any suspected online scam fraud, file a report via the nearest police station.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has warned that incidents such as the shooting of the owner of Max’s Lifestyle, has the potential of derailing government’s efforts of growing township tourism and the township economies in general.

Zikalala was reacting to the shooting of the owner of the world-renowned Shisanyama, Max’s Lifestyle in Umlazi, on Thursday night.

The Durban entrepreneur, Max Mqadi, was attacked by unknown gunmen, as he was leaving the establishment.

Despite being injured, Mqadi managed to drive himself to Florida Road in Durban where he received help.

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has strongly condemned the attack and called on police to act swiftly and ensure the arrest of suspects responsible for the shooting.

Zikalala warned that the provincial government will do everything possible to ensure that Mqadi’s shooting does not lead to negative sentiment towards township tourism in the province.

“Law enforcement agencies must ramp up efforts to hold accountable those behind this senseless attack. This barbaric act has left many citizens shocked and fearful.

“Incidents such as these have the potential of derailing our efforts of growing township tourism and the township economies in general,” Zikalala.

Zikalala added that Max’s Lifestyle remains one of the premier drawcards to local and international tourists, and has contributed immensely to creating jobs in uMlazi.

“Attacks such as these may therefore reverse the gains we have made in this regard. As part of government’s plan of building better communities, we will ensure that security especially in townships is strengthened and that the latest technology such as drone technology is used to police some of our areas.

“The province cannot afford to have gun totting thugs roaming our streets freely especially in our townships and rural areas where we are stimulating economies. Building safer communities remains one of our key priorities. We will be watching the developments around this case very closely,” the Premier said.

In a statement issued by Max’s Lifestyle Village family, Mqadi was discharged from hospital on Monday and he is recuperating.

“We wish Mqadi a speedy recovery, but most importantly we look forward to those behind this heinous act being brought to book,” Zikalala said.

The inquiry by the Department of Employment and Labour to investigate events leading into the Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) fatal incident is set to get underway from today until Thursday this week.

This is the second sitting since the incident took place at the premises of Rheinmetall Denel Munition in Macassar at the magisterial district of Somerset West in 2018 where an explosion at the plant led to the deaths of eight workers and fatal injury to one worker.

The first sitting took place in May 2021 where 13 witnesses were cross examined before the commission.

Since the incident in 2018, the Department of Employment and Labour says its inspectors continued with the investigation in terms in terms of section 31 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 85 of 1993 and concluded the investigation in 2019 and the report was submitted to the Chief Inspector.

The department then ordered the establishment of a section 32 inquiry to investigate violations of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) thus appointing Mphumzi Dyulete as the Presiding Inspector but the inquiry could not continue in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

According to the presiding officer Dyulete, a total of 17 witnesses are lined up to give evidence.

“The inquiry is continuing this week and the commission will hear testimony from all interested parties as to what transpired during that fatal day. Once the commission of inquiry has established what had happened it will compile a report and recommendations to the department’s Chief Inspector who in turn will hand over the report to the National Prosecutions Authority for consideration,” Dyulete said.

Interested parties in the inquiry include the employer, employees, organised labour, family members and the Department of Employment and Labour.

The sitting will be held from this morning until 16:30 at the Community House in Salt River at 47 Salt River Road.

Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, has sent condolences to the family of Warrant Officer Jan Christoffel Esterhuysen, who was killed on Saturday evening during a roadblock in Khutsong, in the West Rand.

In a statement, Gauteng SAPS said it was reported that a 20-year-old driver failed to stop at the roadblock, hitting a stationary vehicle and Esterhuysen, who was controlling the traffic.

“The suspect tried to flee the scene but other members managed to stop him and it was established that he was drunk. Esterhuysen was rushed to hospital where he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries,” said provincial SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili.

Esterhuysen was stationed at the Fochville Visible Policing Unit. He had 27 years of loyal service in the South African Police Service.

Mawela commended the contribution Esterhuysen made to the organisation during his years in the service.

Meanwhile, Mpumalanga police have launched a manhunt for murder suspects after an incident in which two people were fatally shot next to a liquor outlet on Saturday.

One of the victims was Detective Constable Nkosinathi Lucky Ngwenya and civilian Jaftha Mnisi, aged 35.

Mpumalanga SAPS spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli said the incident was brought to the attention of the authorities by Hightech Security Company officials.

“It was indicated that two people were shot. Upon arrival at the scene, SAPS members as well as paramedics discovered two lifeless bodies of males with multiple gunshot wounds.

“They were unfortunately certified dead whilst some empty cartridges were retrieved at the scene. A case with two counts of murder was opened, with the launch of a manhunt for the suspects,” said Mdhluli.

The SAPS member was off duty during the time of the incident and he was attached to Detective Services in Nelspruit.

The motive for the killing is unknown at this stage. Circumstances surrounding the said incident will form part of the probe.

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has obtained a court order interdicting violence between two Johannesburg rival taxi associations.

This is in the wake of the Witwatersrand African Taxi Owners Association (WATA) and the Nancefield Dube West Taxi Association (Nanduwe) engaging in suspected battles at the weekend.

On Sunday, reports emerged of taxis being burned and others damaged in the city.

“According to the Johannesburg High Court, the ‘Chairpersons of both associations and their members are interdicted from preventing, obstructing, or otherwise interfering with the rights of taxi operators and or any public transport operators to operate their transport businesses between Soweto and Johannesburg CBD’,” said the department.

It further interdicts the associations from intimidating, committing, or threatening to commit acts of violence against any public transport operator. This includes their agents or employees and members of the public who make use and who wish to make use of the bus services between Soweto and Johannesburg CBD.

The Department of Roads and Transport approached the court on an urgent basis, seeking the interdict which empowers the South African Police Service and the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, Gauteng Province to take necessary steps to ensure that the associations comply with this court order.

MEC Jacob Mamabolo said: “Whilst in our view the situation has returned to normality, we urge law enforcement to enforce the law, hold criminals accountable and secure the safety of commuters and other road users.

“We held positive consultations with both the leadership of WATA and NANDUWE together with their mother body structures, the Gauteng National Taxi Alliance (GNTA) and the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) respectively and we are buoyed by the fact that all parties have condemned the violence and committed to peace.”

At a meeting held on Sunday, according to the department, all parties committed to the cessation of hostilities and ensuring the transport services between Soweto and the Johannesburg CBD continue safely, without endangering the lives of commuters.

“We are pleased that all parties involved have agreed to urgently address the root cause of the violence, which are disputes over routes. In this regard, the platforms for negotiations we have created as the provincial government remain available,” said Mamabolo.

The department said it remained steadfast in its programme of modernising and corporatising the taxi industry for it to be a competitive, safe and reliable mode of public transport.

About 56 suspects were arrested on Thursday in Centurion after they allegedly held hostage two Cabinet Ministers – Mondli Gungubele ([Presidency) and Thandi Modise (Defence and Military Veterans) and her Deputy Thabang Mokwetla.

In a video posted on Twitter later in the evening, Gungubele confirmed the incident. According to reports, the incident occurred at the St Georges Hotel in Irene, Centurion.

He said: “We found ourselves in a situation which I consider untenable, legally unacceptable, where we thought we were in a meeting [which] its intention was to attend to matters that affect military veterans.

“We could not agree on how the meeting should take place. We reached a point where I thought we were agreeing that it should adjourn.”

As the Ministers attempted to leave the meeting venue, he said members of the military veterans’ contingent closed the doors.

“It is at this point that we realised that we were being held hostage. It is a situation that was averted by the security forces, very effectively and successfully. We want to thank [Police] Minister Bheki Cele and all other security forces, whatever branch that was involved for the prompt and timeous intervention,” he said.

He said they expected the law to take its cause “in dealing with the behaviour of this nature”.

The intervention was on Thursday evening confirmed by the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJoints) in a statement.

NATJoints spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said: “This evening police successfully rescued at least three hostages at a hotel in Centurion, Pretoria”.

The drama is said to have begun at 7:15pm when police received a report of a possible hostage situation in which two Cabinet Ministers and a Deputy Minister were allegedly taken hostage.

He said: “After attempts to negotiate with the hostage takers to release the hostages had failed, police resorted to a tactical approach and successfully rescued the hostages”.

There were no shots fired during the rescue.

Naidoo said at least 56 people, including seven women, were arrested and were likely to face charges of at least three counts of kidnapping.

“While processing the suspects, three of them have been taken for medical checks after they complained of pains,” he said.

The Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business Development, Tourism, Employment and Labour has appealed to the Somali community leaders and taxi associations in Gqeberha to meet urgently and find a solution to defuse the reported tensions.

The call follows the burning of about eight minibus taxis allegedly by Somali shop owners at Durban Road in Korsten, Gqeberha, on Wednesday afternoon.

According to police reports, violence broke out following a motor vehicle accident between a taxi and a sedan believed to belong to a local businessman.

It is alleged that retaliation between local businessmen and taxi drivers ensued and resulted in eight taxis being set alight, two taxis damaged and a civilian vehicle set alight.  No injuries were reported.

In a statement on Thursday, Committee Chairperson, Mandla Rayi, said the committee condemns any act of violence directed either at minibus taxi operators or at Somali owned spaza shops.

“The reported violence should not occur and certainly our people should not allow to be divided by these acts of violence. The leaders of the Somali community in that area and the management of minibus taxi operators should urgently meet and seek a resolution on this matter.

“The revival of the economy after it was negatively affected by the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic in March last year is the responsibility of all. Regional economies like Gqeberha are a key component and should be used as a point of strength,” Rayi said.

Rayi appealed to the leaders of the Somali community, taxi associations in Gqeberha and other peace role players to find a solution to the problem, and defuse the tensions that have the potential to perpetuate violence.

“[This] is an antithesis to the call for the revival of the economy in Gqeberha,” said Rayi.

Rayi said the brandishing of heavy weaponry among citizens, as reported in Gqeberha, is a matter that needs to be investigated and acted upon by relevant law enforcement agencies.

Meanwhile, Police Minister, General Bheki Cele and Deputy Minister of Police, Cassel Mathale, are today visiting Gqeberha following violence and wanton destruction of property.

“The Police Ministry and senior South African Police Service officials will travel to the area and receive a full report from the provincial SAPS management on this incident, as well as the spate of murders that have taken place in the Walmer township over the weekend,” Police Ministry spokesperson, Lirandzu Themba, said.

Police Minister, General Bheki Cele, and his Deputy Cassel Mathale are today expected to visit Gqeberha following violence and wanton destruction of property, which saw several businesses and taxis torched.

On Wednesday, violence broke out in the city’s Durban Road in Korsten after a motor vehicle accident between a taxi and a sedan believed to belong to a local businessman.

In a media advisory, the Police Ministry said initial investigations revealed that the single incident led to the torching of several vehicles and property.

“According to police reports, alleged retaliation between the local businessmen and taxi drivers ensued, resulting in eight taxis being set alight. Two taxis were damaged and a civilian vehicle was also set alight.  No injuries were reported,” said Ministry spokesperson Lirandzu Themba.

During the visit, Cele, Mathale and national SAPS management are expected to receive a full report from the provincial police top brass on the incident, as well as the spate of murders that have taken place in the Walmer township over the weekend.

A former police crime intelligence officer in the Eastern Cape has been has found guilty of corruption.

In a statement, provincial Hawks spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, said: “During May 2013, information was received by the East London-based Serious Corruption Investigation team that Khangelani Ngejane, then a member of the Crime Intelligence Division in Mount Frere, was extorting money from a State witness, claiming that the murder case she was acquitted on by virtue of being a State witness was reinstated.”

Mgolodela said Ngejane, 52, further claimed that he was assigned to investigate the case.

“He demanded R20 000 from the witness to make the said case docket disappear. The witness paid R5 000 and agreed to pay the balance in instalments.

“After paying the first instalment, the witness decided to lodge a criminal complaint with the East London Serious Corruption Investigation team.”

Mgolodela said in the second instance, a sting operation was conducted and the trap money was recovered from Ngejane.

“Ngejane was then arrested and released on bail. He was further subjected to an internal disciplinary hearing, which left him jobless.”

The ex-officer was convicted on Tuesday after numerous court appearances. The matter is remanded to 19 October 2021 for sentencing at Lusikisiki Regional Court.

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has launched an investigation into the conduct of Elgin Fruit Juice (PTY) LTD, following a recent recall of 100% apple juice by Coca-Cola Beverages, Pioneer Foods and Woolworths.

Acting National Consumer Commissioner, Thezi Mabuza said that based on information provided to the NCC, the Commission has reasonable grounds to believe that Elgin Fruit Juice, the supplier of 100% Apple Juice Concentrate, supplied goods that are unsafe or pose a potential risk to the public.

In a statement on Wednesday, Mabuza said the investigation will help the NCC understand the nature, causes, extent and degree of the risk to the public.

“The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) emphasises that every consumer has a right to receive goods that are safe and of good quality. If the investigation reveals that Elgin Fruit Juice (PTY) LTD contravened the provisions of the CPA, the Commission will refer the matter to the National Consumer Tribunal where we will be praying for an administrative fine of 10% of their total annual turnover or R1 000 000, whichever is the greater.

“The purpose and policy of the CPA amongst others, is to promote fair business practices while protecting consumers and ensuring that consumers enjoy their right to safe and good quality goods.

“We will not allow a situation where the health of consumers is compromised,” Mabuza said.