Category: Crime & Corruption News

A three-day operation in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro has seen police exert their authority in an effort to ensure the safety of all citizens.

The operation, which started on Thursday and concluded during the early hours of Sunday, saw police pounce on wanted suspects, drug peddlers and Disaster Management Act infringers.

In a statement, provincial spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, said 74 suspects were arrested over the three days.

“On Friday, 1 October, detectives conducted operations from 6pm until 6am the following morning, hunting down wanted suspects. In the 12-hour operation, 48 suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from murder, house/business robbery, carjacking, housebreaking, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm etc.”

Operations continued on Saturday until yesterday morning, where visible policing members conducted blue light patrols and concentrated on vehicle hijackings, compliance of DMA regulations, illegal firearms and drugs in hotspot areas.

During this operation, 26 suspects were arrested, during which three hijacked vehicles, a large quantity of drugs (mandrax), a replica firearm, a stolen iPhone and a shotgun with rounds were recovered.

Fines were also issued to illegal liquor outlets in Motherwell for trading without a licence. Fines totalling R60 000 were issued for various violations by the metro police.

On 1 October 2021, at about 8:15pm, while SAPS Bethelsdorp Crime Prevention members were conducting blue light patrols with the Anti-Gang Unit members in Gelvandale, they noticed a male running and members chased after him. As he ran, he threw a firearm in a yard in Borchard Street.  A shotgun with two rounds of ammunition was recovered. The suspect managed to evade arrest.

In another incident on Saturday, SAPS Bethelsdorp CPU members, while patrolling on Adriaans Street in Bloemendal, they noticed a white Mazda 323 Sting driving with its lights off. Members followed the vehicle and when the driver noticed them, he sped off.

Naidu said the vehicle was pulled over in Barberry Drive, Ext 31.

“The vehicle was searched and a bag containing 990 mandrax tablets with a few halved tablets was found in his possession.  The 37-year-old suspect was arrested for possession of drugs. His car was also confiscated. The estimated street value of the drugs is R44 745,” she said.

Later that evening, SAPS KwaZakhele Vispol Task Team members recovered a Datsun Go vehicle, which was allegedly hijacked earlier. The vehicle was found abandoned in Tambo Street with its battery, key and wheel jack missing.

All the arrested suspects will today appear in their respective court jurisdictions.

Acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Brigadier Luntu Ngubelanga, hailed the three-day operation as a success and applauded the commitment and dedication of all the police units. The operation included SAPS Vispol and detectives from all stations in the metro, specialised units (K9 and Flying Squad), Public Order Policing, Anti-Gang Unit and metro police officials.

“As the Country in Blue operational concept was launched countrywide last week, aimed at intensifying police visibility across our policing precincts, these operations in the metro will be ongoing.

“We will be squeezing the space for criminals everywhere until they have no place to hide. Police visibility will be heightened with all operational SAPS vehicles on the road switching on their emergency warning blue lights from sunset to sunrise (18:00 to 06:00).

“We call on the communities to play an active role in preventing and combatting crime by exposing criminals within their communities,” he said.

The trial involving the R40 million Beitbridge Border fence repair and construction contract awarded by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is expected to be heard in the Special Tribunal sitting in the Johannesburg High Court this week.

The trial gets underway today.

The 40km border fence project was initiated by the department in March 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Special Investigating Unit is now seeking to have the contract reviewed and set aside.

According to the Special Tribunal, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) alleges that the department did not follow state procurement regulations when it awarded the border fence contract to construction companies Caledon River Properties (Pty) Ltd and ProfTeam CC.

The two companies were allegedly paid in advance by the department for the construction of the razor mesh fence before the SIU applied for and received an order preventing any more payments and freezing the bank accounts of the two companies.

“The SIU approached the Special Tribunal on [an] urgent basis to preserve the amount pending the finalisation of the review proceedings. The Special Tribunal granted the preservation order on 16 October 2020.

“The interim preservation order interdicted, prohibited and restrained the Department of Public Works from making further payments to the contractors beyond the R21.8 million of the R40 million that had already been paid and subsequently preserved,” the Special Tribunal said.

Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi has warned the public to beware of yet another scam which purports to be communication from the Ministry about supposed projects and funding.

In a statement on Wednesday, the department said that in the latest scheme, the scammers are impersonating the Minister as inviting people on social media to take up new opportunities.

The scammers are inviting citizens and corporates of the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) member states who are interested and dedicated to development in their respective communities and organisations to apply for funding.

“Neither the Ministry nor the Department of Employment and Labour has issued an invitation to assist individuals or businesses with the funding,” the department said.

The scammers claim that: “The SADC and BRICS has utilized funding in the form of budgetary support provided to Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, amongst others, totalling €58 billion in the period of 2018-2022. Individuals are liable to get up to the amount of R20 million and cooperate organizations and NGO’s could get up to the sum of R45 million”.

The Ministry and the department has pointed out that it has not invited any citizens or corporates to participate in any so-called SADC or BRICS funding project.

A businessman linked to allegations of money laundering, fraud and theft at Transnet and its pension fund has been granted R150 000 bail in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court.

Kuben Moodley was arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport before he could board a flight to Dubai.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, Moodley faces offences relating to at least R300 million in fraud, money laundering and theft.

“The money laundering charges relate to the proceeds received in two Albatime business bank accounts, one held at ABSA and the other at the Bank of Baroda, from contracts improperly awarded by Transnet to Regiments Capital and Trillian Capital, as well as theft by Regiments Fund Managers from the Transnet Second Defined Benefit Fund,” the NPA said.

Moodley allegedly allowed more than R100 million to flow through his business (Albatime) bank accounts and received gratification for this.

“The payments relate to a criminal scheme in which Moodley would receive kickbacks of 3% of a R189 million payment that Transnet made to Regiments Capital and a payment of R56 million that Regiment Fund Managers stole from Transnet’s Second Defined Benefit Fund.

“He is charged with allowing Albatime accounts to be used to launder 75% of the R189 million and R56 million through to entities controlled by the Gupta family,” the NPA said.

The NPA said at least R93 million of that money was “laundered” through Gupta company, Tegeta, back to Trillian Asset Management.

“Moodley is also accused of using these proceeds to assist members of the Gupta family to acquire Optimum Coal Mine for Tegeta,” the prosecuting authority said.

He is expected to appear again in court on 28 February 2022 next year.

The Special Investigating Unit says it will continue its investigation into the infamous R150 million Digital Vibes communications contract.

This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa released the unit’s report into the awarding of the contract by the National Department of Health.

The corruption busting unit found that the awarding of the National Health Insurance (NHI) and COVID-19 communications contracts to Digital Vibes was “fraudulent, irregular”.

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the unit will be engaging more work regarding the contract.

“We can … say that the investigation is still continuing because we are now looking at further evidence that came to our attention after we have given the report to the president,” Kganyago said.

He added that the SIU has approached the Special Tribunal to have the contract set aside to ensure that any money acquired illegally is returned to state coffers.

“We … want to make sure that all the R150 million that was spent irregularly should be taken back to the department of health. Secondly, we have made referrals to the department and that has resulted, among others, with the suspension of [National Health Director General Dr Sandile Buthelezi] and we are having seven other people who need to be dealt with in terms of disciplinary hearings,” Kganyago said.

He said criminal prosecutions are also being considered by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

“We have also sent referrals to the [NPA] in terms of the criminality that we have found. We hope that all of this will be dealt with speedily,” Kganyago said.

In response to recent media reports on high rates of learner pregnancy across the country, Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu in collaboration with Lulwazi Lwethu and Kwanele Foundation will today embark on an outreach programme targeting high school learners in Delft, Western Cape.

The purpose of the dialogue is to create awareness around rape and sexual violence, encourage open discussion and effective community supportive networks for adolescents within the context of the National Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Framework Strategy.

The outreach programme forms part of build-up activities for the Social Development Month on 1 October.

The department says that the recent SAPS crime statistics show that Delft, which is one of the 30 gender-based violence and femicide hotspots, recorded the highest incidents of rape in the first quarter of 2021/2022.

“The intersection between gangs, drugs and gender-based violence means that rape and sexual violence has a daily presence in the life space of many learners who live in the area,” the department said.

During the outreach, Minister Zulu will also donate educational toys to local Early Childhood Development (ECD) facilities, face masks and sanitary towels to learners.

The Minister will hold a dialogue with learners at Rosendaal High School, in Delft.

Police have instituted a 72-hour activation plan for the mobilisation of resources in search of those who shot and killed three young women execution-style at Khayelitsha on Monday evening.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), reports from the scene indicate that residents at the TT Block informal settlement recall hearing gunshots after 20:00.

“A few minutes later the bodies of young women aged 17, 20 and 21 were discovered in a passage between the shacks. The victims had all been shot in their heads,” the Western Cape police explained.

As investigations into the murders continue, SAPS said the motive for the shooting incident is yet to be determined.

Anyone with information about the incident that could assist the police investigations is urged to contact the police on Crime Stop 08600 10111 or submit information via the MySAPS app.

According to the statement, the information received will be handled in strict confidence.

Gauteng Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure MEC, Jacob Mamabolo, has strongly condemned the murder of four people in Hammanskraal, in an apparent taxi violence related incident that took place on Sunday.

Police are investigating the shooting incident which left four members of the Simunye Taxi Association dead at the Rainbow Shopping Centre.

It is alleged that two men driving in a white Audi hatchback opened fire before fleeing the scene and no arrests have been made yet.

Mamabolo has called on those who might have leads in the case to come forward and assist the police with the investigation of the gruesome murders.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victim of this barbaric crime at the hands of ruthless and blood thirsty criminals. We call on those who may have leads to come forward and assist the police in apprehending those behind the murders.

“We condemn those who orchestrated the murders which have robbed families of their loved ones. These elements are doing the taxi industry a disservice and continue projecting this industry as an inhumane and violent industry,” Mamabolo said.

The MEC has commended the police for launching their 72-Hour Activation Plan to ensure that perpetrators are arrested and that they face the full might of the law.

“We believe that those who continue using violence are becoming isolated in our province as more leaders in the taxi industry reject such barbaric methods in their business. While this incident is disheartening, it will not stop us in our efforts to rid the industry of murders,” Mamabolo said.

The MEC said that the Department of Roads and Transport has adopted an open-door policy that allows taxi operators a platform to raise their concerns without the use of violence.

This is in line with its Growing Gauteng Through Smart Mobility vision which has prioritised support mechanisms to assist the taxi industry to modernise and shed its negative reputation and become sustainable.

Civil proceedings against architect Minenhle Makhanya – the architect behind upgrades to former President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla homestead – are expected to get underway today in the Special Tribunal.

According to the Special Tribunal, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is attempting to recoup at least R155 million from Makhanya in what the unit called “irregularities” in the contract to build the homestead.

“It is contended… [that the contract] was awarded and amended several times in alleged violation and disregard to the legislative prescripts governing procurement in public institutions,” the tribunal said.

The SIU wants to hold Makhanya personally liable for the alleged inflation of prices and irregularities in the procurement of goods for the building of the homestead.

The tribunal said the proceedings were first instituted against Makhanya at least seven years ago but have seen substantial delays, even up to earlier this year.

“The matter was first enrolled in the Pietermaritzburg High Court in September 2014 and transferred to the Special Tribunal by agreement of the parties. The hearing was initially scheduled for July but was postponed to end of September after Mr Makhanya told the Special Tribunal… that he did not have funds to cover the trial costs. He had applied to the Legal Aid Board for legal assistance, which was declined,” the tribunal said.

The trial will be heard by the Special Tribunal sitting in the KwaZulu Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg from today until Friday, October 1.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has expressed shock and sadness at the gruesome murder of a teacher at Heinz Park primary school in Philippi, Western Cape.

The teacher was gunned down on the school premises on Tuesday.

Motshekga has condemned the number of violent crimes taking place against teachers in schools and else in the communities.

“We condemn any form of violence in our schools. We are working with the police to ensure the safety of our teachers, learners and the entire school community against criminals who continue to terrorise them in a safe environment that school premises are supposed to be,” Motshekga said.

The Minister said the department’s programme of safety in schools continues to advocate for no violence of any form in schools.

“Government, led by the Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Dr Reginah Mhaule, and other Deputy Ministers from the South African Police Service, Justice and Constitutional Development, Social Development and many other partners will intensify the campaign against violence in schools, including gender-based violence, in Limpopo on 15 October 2021,” the Minister said.

She said the safety of teachers, learners and staff is a collective responsibility of the entire society and everyone must play their part to end the violence and criminal activities that occur, especially on school premises.

The Minister conveyed her condolences to both the family of the deceased teacher and the school.

Motshekga has called upon the police to ensure that those who carried out this brutal murder are arrested, charged and jailed as soon as possible.