ZiMoja updates on the latest crime news in parts of the country.
EASTERN CAPE: Two suspected extortionists were fatally shot during an exchange of fire with the police yesterday in Mthatha. According to spokesperson Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa, the police received information about the suspects who were allegedly collecting money from the local business places at Gaduka Administrative area, Ngcengane Location outside Mthatha.
"Members from the National Intervention Unit speedily responded, and while approaching the village, they spotted the identified vehicle. They managed to stop it; the suspects stepped out of the vehicle and started shooting towards the members, who then returned fire," Mawisa said. She said the suspects were shot dead while police members got away unharmed. "On investigation, police recovered two unlicensed firearms and ammunition and an undisclosed amount of cash. The vehicle was confiscated as it was used in the commission of crime," Mawisa added. The case will be transferred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate for investigation. Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene commended the bravery by police members in facing the suspects, who were armed and yet escaped uninjured. "This sends a stern warning to the perpetrators that police are compressing crime and stamping the authority of the state," Mene said.
EASTERN CAPE: Two kidnapped women were successfully rescued from kidnappers in the Eastern Cape yesterday. This is after the different units of SAPS pressured the kidnappers into releasing the women who were kidnapped last week, Tuesday and Friday, respectively, in two different incidents. It's alleged that a 39-year-old victim was accosted by unidentified suspects whilst she was driving an SUV travelling to Umngazi Resort Port St John's. In another incident, a 34-year-old victim was also accosted by unidentified suspects on 17 September 2024 between Barkley East and Elliot. Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said an investigation by the joint team ensued, where the police were working around the clock. "As a result, the victims were dropped off by a white single-cab bakkie nearby Sulenkama Police Station. Both victims were released unharmed but traumatised and were taken to a health care facility for medical assistance," Mhlakuvana said.
NORTH WEST: The Hawks arrested a 41-year-old suspect in Lichtenburg yesterday on charges of corruption after he allegedly demanded bribes from desperate job seekers. It's alleged that the suspect, who is a former School Governing Body (SGB) chairperson at a local school, solicited bribes from four victims in exchange for administration clerk and teacher assistant posts at a primary school in Lichtenburg.
Hawks North West spokesperson Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said investigation revealed that one complainant allegedly paid the suspect R14 500, another paid him R10 000, while the other two paid him R1 000 each between 2022 and 2023. The accused will appear in the Lichtenburg Magistrate's Court today on four counts of corruption.
KWAZULU-NATAL: The National Counterfeit Unit, together with their KwaZulu-Natal counterparts, including Pietermaritzburg public order policing and K9 unit, seized counterfeit goods worth over R6.3 million at a mall in Pietermaritzburg yesterday. The fake goods include clothing items and electronic devices. The operation to establish the origin of the recovered goods is underway.
