Category: News

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has commended law enforcement’s swift response to an armed robbery at a jewellery shop at Clearwater Mall, in Roodepoort.

“The swift action of all law enforcement agencies has once again shown our commitment to safeguarding our communities. This incident demonstrates that we are on the right path, as evidenced by the quick turnaround time in apprehending the suspects,” Mchunu said on Tuesday.

The Minister commended the efforts of the SAPS’ Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department and private security teams for their swift and coordinated response that led to the arrest of seven suspects.

The operation, which also saw the recovery of four firearms, reflects the exceptional collaboration between the police and private security companies in combatting crime.

“The determination and bravery displayed by the officers, even in the face of armed resistance, is highly commendable. The recovery of the stolen jewellery, along with the arrests made, underscores our resolve to strengthen the implementation of measures aimed at reducing serious crimes.

“We remain dedicated to reinforcing these efforts and ensuring that our communities feel safer and protected. We hope that this serves as a stern warning to those who threaten the safety and security of our people—criminal activities will be met with decisive action by law enforcement.

“We are determined to strengthen our efforts in ensuring that law enforcement remains effective and vigilant, working towards a future where such incidents are a rare occurrence. We extend our best wishes to the two injured police officers, and we commend their courage and sacrifice.

“Our thoughts are with them as they recover, and we wish them a speedy return to full health,” the Minister said.

Seven people – including a former Member of Parliament – have been arrested for alleged corruption related to a R27 million tender.

The seven were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit in Gauteng on Wednesday morning.

Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Thandi Mbambo said the arrests were related to the awarding of a 2016 tender at the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD).

“Their arrest follows a forensic report by the Special Investigating Unit [SIU], which discovered that in October 2016, the [GDARD] issued a tender requesting proposals to integrate and formalise waste operatives… into the mainstream waste management economy. A tender of around R27 million was then awarded to Enviro-Mobi in March 2017.

“The contract agreement between the department and Enviro-Mobi stipulated that the department may consider to pay, on condition that 50% of the work has been completed and no upfront payments may be made to the service provider.

“During investigation, it was established that the Chief Director and Chief Financial Officer processed and paid over R25 million to Enviro-Mobi for 200 motorised three wheelers, though all goods were still in the possession of the service provider,” Mbambo said.

The suspects are expected to face charges of fraud, theft, and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act and Prevention of Organised Crime Act.

A 45-year-old man suspected of the murder of 18 people in the Eastern Cape has abandoned his bail application in the Lusikisiki Magistrates’ Court in the Eastern Cape.

Siphosoxolo Myekethe – who was on parole during his arrest – appeared in the court on Tuesday.

“During his brief appearance, he informed the court that he would not be applying for bail, which the prosecution had already indicated it would be opposing.

“Myekethe has two previous convictions for escaping from lawful custody and murder,” National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said.

Tyali said the case has been postponed to 26 November 2024 for further investigation, as “there are outstanding suspects on the matter”.

“He is facing 18 charges of murder and one count of possession of an unlicensed firearm, an AK47 assault rifle.

“The accused was arrested on 7 October 2024 at his home in Mthide location… in the district of Lusikisiki.

“His arrest comes after the shooting that occurred on 28 September 2024, at two neighbouring homesteads in Ngobozana village near the town of Lusikisiki. Eighteen people were killed, and five others were injured,” Tyali said.

Cabinet has condemned the mass shooting and welcomed the progress made in the case.

“Cabinet has welcomed the swift deployment of a team of specialist law enforcement officers — whose work is already bearing fruits — to investigate these shooting incidents, with one suspect, who is directly linked to the murder of 18 people in Lusikisiki, having already appeared in court,” Cabinet said in a statement on Thursday.

READ | Cabinet welcomes crime fighting efforts 

Myekethe made a first appearance in the Lusikisiki Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday in connection with the massacre.

President Cyril Ramaphosa  had previously also conveyed his condolences to the families of the 18 people killed last month.

Former Eskom Safety Risk Officer Thandi Ruth Magagula has been convicted of fraud and corruption in relation to the fraudulent awarding of contracts at the power utility.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, Magagula pleaded guilty to seven counts of corruption and two of fraud.

She was subsequently convicted in the Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court under Section 17(1) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004.

“The offences stem from contracts valued at over R58 000 awarded to a company named Mantoza Engineering Projects CC during the period between April 2015, while Eskom employed Magagula and simultaneously served as a director of Mantoza Engineering Projects.

“Magagula failed to disclose her financial interest in the company to Eskom’s management and continued to conduct business with the public entity while holding a directorship position,” the NPA said in a statement on Monday.

The matter has been postponed to 24 October for sentencing.

“This behaviour violated laws governing public officials and Eskom’s conflict of interest policies During plea proceedings, Magagula was convicted in line with her admissions of guilt confirming her role in the corrupt activities.

“The NPA views this conviction as a significant step in the fight against corruption, particularly within critical public entities like Eskom. The NPA remains committed to holding individuals accountable for corrupt practices, reinforcing public service integrity,” the prosecutorial body concluded.

Last week Cabinet welcomed the arrest of six engineering firm directors accused of Black Economic Empowerment fronting and tender fraud of R400 million at Eskom and Sasol.

READ | Cabinet welcomes crime fighting efforts 

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) spent R4.1 billion on toll roads, while expenditure on non-toll roads came in at R23 billion in the 2023/24 financial year.

Of the R23 billion that was spent on non-toll roads, R12.3 billion went towards capital projects and R10.7 billion on maintenance.

“The significant investments in both toll and non-toll roads underscore our dedication to enhancing South Africa’s road infrastructure, ensuring safer, more efficient mobility for all,” SANRAL CEO, Reginald Demana, said on Friday.

Looking at the financial performance, total assets stood at R772 billion, 17% up from the previous year, while both operating activities and investing activities increased by 23% and 7%, respectively.

Demana explained that many targets were not just achieved, but significantly exceeded.

“On an engineering level, we set out to resurface 1 200km of our network but had in fact achieved 1 984km. This is significantly up from 687.9km in the previous year and speaks to a robust commitment to maintenance and management of our assets,” Demana said.

While engineering is a core focus, SANRAL far exceeded its target for work on transformation, job creation, road safety and capacity creation.

Against a target of 75%, SANRAL achieved 99.6% on Routine Road Maintenance (RRM) work performed by Black-owned small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).

The total target for the number of SMMEs participating in SANRAL projects was 1 800. SANRAL achieved 2 249, significantly up from 1 928 the previous year.

SANRAL had set out to create 12 000 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs but had achieved 12 652, also up from 11 366 the previous year.

“Looking at the road ahead, SANRAL is on solid financial standing, with R87 billion allocated by National Treasury for the next three years.

“Borrowing capacity has increased to R16.5 billion, allowing for larger-scale project funding. The acceleration of spending on projects is resulting in reduced cash balances through faster project execution,” the agency said.

Demana attributed the achievement to steady operational and strategic growth.

“We are a growing organisation with an increasing network size that currently stands at 24 384 km, plus an additional 3 350 km of roads under assessment for transfer from provincial authorities.

“It has been a challenging year on many fronts, but we have risen to those challenges, guided by our unwavering commitment to infrastructure development that fosters economic growth and drives transformation.

“SANRAL’s role in creating opportunities, particularly for Black-owned enterprises, remains central to our mission. As we move forward, we will continue to ensure that our projects contribute meaningfully to job creation, community upliftment, and the economic empowerment of South Africans.

“Our dedication to these developmental outcomes is steadfast, and we will use our investments to catalyse positive change for generations to come,” the CEO said.

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has commended the collaboration between the South African Police Service (SAPS) Gauteng Counter Narcotics Intelligence unit and the Ethiopian Federal Police after a South African female suspected to be a drug trafficker was arrested in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

A team from the SAPS Gauteng counter narcotics covert unit flagged a 29-year-old South African woman, through SAPS Interpol, on suspicion that the woman was travelling to Brazil to collect drugs and fly back to South Africa via several countries.

The woman indeed travelled to Brazil from OR Tambo International Airport during the first week of October.

According to the drug trafficker’s itinerary, she was supposed to travel from Brazil, via Addis Ababa and via Sudan, and back to South Africa.

SAPS intelligence immediately notified the Ethiopian Federal Police about her movements.

“On arrival in Addis Ababa on Saturday, she was flagged and her luggage was checked, which confirmed that she was carrying 13kg of cocaine. She was immediately apprehended and is expected to be charged and appear in court in Ethiopia,” said a statement from the police.

Masemola applauded the determination and meticulous operationalisation of information by SAPS Gauteng intelligence, Interpol SA and the Ethiopian Federal Police.

“The cooperation between SAPS and the Ethiopian Federal Police must be commended. When African police organisations unite, more can and will be achieved by working together.

“We are stamping the authority of the State on a larger scale and sending out a clearer message that the long arm of the law will find you, no matter which route you utilise to try to traffic drugs into SA.

“We are intensifying our fight against transnational organised crime and the trafficking of drugs. SAPS intelligence is relentless in their pursuit to be one step ahead of criminals. This is commendable,” Masemola said.

The police said that through Interpol SA, SAPS Gauteng Counter Narcotics Covert Intelligence will work closely with the Ethiopian Federal Police to investigate the masterminds behind the consignment.

Eskom has welcomed the arrest of four contractor employees who were allegedly paid R10 000 by a resort owner to bypass an electricity meter.

According to the power utility, the four were arrested “for facilitating the unlawful consumption of electricity without payment” and face charges of electricity theft and meter tampering.

“These actions not only constitute a serious criminal offence but also place a financial strain on Eskom and in turn its ability to return to profit and remove itself from being dependent on the fiscus. We strongly condemn such illegal activities as they violate the law and undermine efforts to provide reliable and sustainable electricity,” Eskom said.

The power utility explained that the scheme was halted following a report from a member of the public.

“Eskom commends the member of the public who reported the incident, our internal security team for their thorough investigation, and the South African Police Service for their swift action in arresting the suspects. Such cooperative efforts are crucial in the fight against crime and corruption.

“Eskom reminds all customers that tampering with electricity meters is punishable by law, and anyone found guilty may face prosecution, fines, or imprisonment. Customers are urged to report any suspicious electricity-related activities, theft, illegal connections, meter bypasses, and other illegal operations on the network,” Eskom said.

Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) Municipality has condemned the killing of a young woman in Motherwell, allegedly by an off-duty Metro Police member.

NMB Metro Police Acting Commissioner, Advocate Andrew Moses, said the incident took place in Maku Street, Motherwell NU2, on Sunday afternoon.

The officer, who is now facing a murder charge, is believed to have been in a relationship with the deceased.

The Acting Commissioner has, on behalf of the Metro Police management expressed shock and dismay at the incident and sent condolences to the family of the deceased.

“As a department, we are saddened by this incident, but we want to assure the community that we will work with the South African Police Service during the investigation,” Moses said.

The suspect is detained at Ikamvelihle police station, where he had handed himself over to the police.

“We wish to reiterate to the community that as a department, we condemn any and all kinds of violence, especially against women and children… We will be seeking the immediate suspension of the member to allow the legal process to unfold without any undue delays or interferences,” Moses said.

The Acting Commissioner noted that the police member was not on duty at the time of the incident.

“The preliminary report suggests that it was not an official firearm that was used, but rather an illegal firearm,” Moses said.

Through various high-density operations, commonly known as Operation Shanela, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested 12 187 suspects from Monday, 30 September to Sunday, 6 October 2024.

Through Operation Shanela, SAPS has taken a bold and decisive approach to dealing with crime in the country through tracking and tracing operations, roadblocks, high visibility patrols, as well as stop and searches.

All Shanela operations are led by the Provincial Commissioner of each province.

Just this week alone, the following successes were recorded:

• 1 640 suspects were arrested, who were wanted for crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape and house robbery.
• 157 suspects were arrested for murder.
• 94 suspects were arrested for attempted murder.
• 242 suspects were arrested for rape, with KwaZulu-Natal making the majority of arrests with 108.
• 266 drug dealers were also arrested during this period.
• 1 621 suspects were arrested for being in possession of drugs, and 814 of these arrests were made in Western Cape.
• 1 496 suspects were arrested for assault GBH [grievous bodily harm] — 364 more arrests than the previous week.
• 109 suspects were arrested for being in the illegal possession of firearms, and 33 of these suspects were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal, while 30 were arrested in the Western Cape.
• 535 suspects were arrested for illegally dealing in liquor, with 199 of these arrests being made in Mpumalanga and 180 in KZN.
• 430 drivers were arrested for drunken driving, with 117 of them arrested in Mpumalanga.

Under recoveries and confiscations, police registered the following successes:

• 131 firearms were confiscated during operations. Thirty of these firearms were confiscated during police operations in KwaZulu-Natal, while 23 were confiscated in the Western Cape.
• 2 969 rounds of ammunition were confiscated.
• 58 hijacked and stolen vehicles were also recovered during this week’s operations.

A highlight of major takedowns and other successes include the following:

• Every week in the last month, SAPS has arrested at least one drug mule at OR Tambo International Airport.
• This week alone, police arrested three drug mules, which include two Dutch traffickers, who were found with 80kg of Khat.
• On Sunday, 6 October, police arrested a 43-year-old Paraguayan national at the airport. He has so far released 117 bullets suspected to contain cocaine.

National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, applauded SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) detective, Warrant Officer John Tlala Mokoena, for securing 42 life terms and 791 years for serial rapist Nkosinathi Phakathi.

The North Gauteng High Court, sitting in the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court, sentenced Phakathi on Friday.

More boots on the ground

On Friday, 4 October, 1 812 graduates who underwent a six-month Introductory Police Learning Development Programme (IPDLP) stood on parade during passing out parades held at various SAPS academies.

This is the first at batch of the 2024/2025 Project 10 000 cohort to graduate from Police College. They will be deployed at various police stations across the country to capacitate and boost grassroots level policing.

Meanwhile, Operation Vala Umgodi continues to make significant strides in preventing and combating illegal mining activities in the country.

This past week, 93 illegal miners were arrested, and 58 of them were arrested in Mpumalanga.

“Police will continue with their operations by asserting the authority of the state to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans and visitors to the country,” the South African Police Service said in a statement.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep sorrow following the tragic killing of six community patrollers in Tina Falls/Godini near Qumbu in the Eastern Cape on Sunday night.

The patrollers were reportedly preparing for duty at their base at Lugongozo Senior Secondary School when attackers struck with an assortment of firearms.

In addition to the six fatalities, four other patrollers were injured in the attack.

The President offered his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and extended wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured.

He condemned the violence, describing it as a grave loss to the community and an assault on the efforts of ordinary citizens to maintain safety in their area.

“Our thoughts are with the families of these community members who died in the course of playing their part to keep their area safe. Following so soon after an equally tragic shooting at Lusikisiki, this new incident saddens and outrages us,” President Ramaphosa said on Tuesday.

Last month, in the same province, 18 people lost their lives in a mass shooting in Ngobozana village, in Lusikisiki. In that tragedy, the President assured the grieving families that the South African Police Service (SAPS) had mobilised all available resources to bring the perpetrators to justice.

READ | Condolences for Lusikisiki mass shooting victims’ families

In his statement on Tuesday, the President vowed that justice would be served, warning that criminals, along with anyone who sheltered or protected them, would face the full might of the law.

He reaffirmed government’s commitment to working with communities to ensure safety in homes, neighbourhoods, and public spaces.

“However, it should also add to our resolve to stop criminals from terrorising communities in the mistaken belief that they’re untouchable. They will be brought to justice alongside anyone who harbours such criminals and does not report information to the authorities.

“Government will continue to work with communities to ensure our homes, neighbourhoods and public spaces are safe and that criminals know they will pay for their deeds.”

The President welcomed the progress made in the investigation into the incident by the police, which has reportedly yielded a positive lead in the case.

Police update

This as the National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, said he was confident that police were following a positive lead in apprehending suspects linked to the killing of the six community patrollers.

Masemola visited the crime scene on Monday.

In a statement, the police said a team of specialised detectives from the district office of the SAPS in Mthatha, were hot on the heels of the suspects wanted in connection with the incident.

“The investigation is ongoing, and arrests are imminent in this regard; as the detective leads are pointing at ongoing stock theft related matters between the affected village and other neighbouring villages,” said Masemola.

With regards to last month’s killing of 18 family members, police said investigations “are at an advanced but sensitive stage in relation to the arrest of the suspects linked to the gruesome murder of 18 family members and relatives in Lusikisiki last week”.

A multi-disciplinary team and detectives from specialised operational environments has been on the ground, since last week and significant progress has been made.

“To date, the joint provincial and national teams are working around the clock to apprehend the wanted suspects and to maintain law and order in the affected areas.”