Zimoja brings you the most current updates on crime and court news nationwide.
GAUTENG: The Hawks have arrested four police officers attached to crime intelligence and two civilians for alleged corruption, extortion, kidnapping, and assault. Spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha said a victim was approached by police officers dressed in civilian clothes. They drove with him and parked outside Fairlands police station and told him that they were investigating a case of fraud against him. They took him to his house in Fourways, assaulted him and took his phone, and transferred R180 000 from his bank account into one of theirs. They then threatened him before they dropped him off in Roodepoort. The suspects, Macdonald Musundwa Nethavhani (31) Ayanda Meya (29) Fhumulani Netsianda (31), and Wisani Ngobeni (31) all Constables attached to crime intelligence in Johannesburg, were arrested over the weekend while two civilians, Ramiel Singh (37) and Mphoto Cyril Sehoene (28), handed themselves over to the Hawks this morning. They all appeared in the Randburg Magistartes Court this morning and were granted R3,000 bail each. Their case was postponed to 30 September 2024, for further investigation.
LIMPOPO: The police in Limpopo are continuing to clamp down on car smugglers. Last week alone, three suspects were arrested en route to smuggle the cars in Zimbabwe. In the latest incident, a 32-year-old man was arrested by the provincial anti-smuggling task team for possession of a suspected stolen car following a tip-off. The team responded promptly, and a white Toyota Prado VX worth more than R900 000, which was reported stolen a week ago in Pretoria, Gauteng, was spotted at the R37 from Lebowakgomo to Polokwane. The police stopped the vehicle, and upon searching it, the driver was unable to produce the valid documents for the car. Last week, a car belonging to a member of Parliament was recovered while en route to Zimbabwe. A suspect was arrested.
GAUTENG: More than 900 suspects were arrested over the weekend during the high-density operation carried out across all districts in Gauteng. The suspects were charged with serious crimes, including murder, attempted murder, rape, business robbery, drug dealing, possession of drugs, assault, hijacking, possession of unlicensed firearms, and ammunition. The collaborative effort involved multiple law enforcement agencies. In the Tshwane district, 43 suspects were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, while 79 were illegal immigrants, two were involved in drug dealing, one for employing illegal immigrants, one for dealing with illicit cigarettes, and ten unlicensed liquor outlets were closed for non-compliance with regulations.
MPUMALANGA: Three people, including a learner, died when three vehicles, a midi bus, a bakkie, and a truck were involved in an accident this morning in Mbombela. According to the police, the midi bus was transporting learners who were travelling to various schools in Mbombela when the incident took place. In addition, twenty-seven people sustained injuries varying from slight to serious, and they were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. The injured include the driver of the bus and twenty-six learners. Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security, and Liaison MEC Jackie Macie sent his condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes those in hospitals a speedy recovery.
MPUMALANGA: Two taxi drivers, a bakkie driver, and 38 Mozambican nationals have been remanded in custody after appearing in the Barberton Magistrates Court today on charges of kidnapping, aiding, abetting, and contravention of the Immigration Act. The drivers are believed to be involved in criminal activities where they allegedly fetch foreign nationals from Mozambique and bring them to South Africa illegally. The drivers and the undocumented Mozambican passengers who are aged between 17 and 40 were all arrested on Friday at Kaapmuiden in Mpumalanga. Their case was postponed to Thursday for formal bail applications.
