ZiMoja updates on the latest crime news in parts of the country.

GAUTENG: Four suspects were arrested after the police's prompt response to an anonymous tip-off regarding a kidnapping in the Brakpan CBD in Ekurhuleni yesterday. The police received information that there were four men who were seen assaulting one male and then forced him into a vehicle and drove off with him. Captain Mavela Masondo said after receiving the tip off, the Brakpan police acted swiftly and searched for the suspects. "They spotted the vehicle matching the description and attempted to stop it, but the driver accelerated, and a high-speed chase ensued. The suspects were cornered and ordered to get out of the vehicle," Masondo said. He said the police noticed a male inside the vehicle who was bleeding with injuries on the face. All four suspects were found with replica firearms, and they were arrested and charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and kidnapping, while the victim was taken to the nearest medical care centre for treatment.

NORTH WEST: Two Department of Education employees appeared in the Rustenburg Magistrates Court yesterday facing charges of fraud, forgery, and uttering. MargarethMokone (46) and Mankwane Raleru (52) were arrested yesterday morning following an investigation into allegations of submitting fraudulent matric certificates when they applied for advertised posts in the Department of Education at the North West. Police spokesperson Sivenathi Gunya said Raleru was hired as an Early Childhood Development Fieldworker at the Kgetleng River APO following an advertisement for a post in August 2008. She allegedly submitted a matric certificate, which she claimed to have obtained in 1992. Investigation revealed that she did write matric, but never passed. Raleru submitted a fraudulent matriculation certificate when applying for the post. In a separate incident, Mokone applied for an administration assistant position at the Kana Primary School in March 2011 using a forged matric certificate and she was hired. Investigation has since revealed that Mokone never sat for matric examinations. The department of education paid the duo a combined R4.5m in salaries. They have been granted R10,000 bail each, and their matter was postponed to 14 November for further investigation. 

 Margareth Mokone and Mankwane Raleru used fake matric certificates to apply for jobs. Photo: SAPS

LIMPOPO: Tawurai Muranda (28), Sinbarashe Moyo (30), Syton Muzemba (32) and Eric Mudau (33) appeared briefly before the Lulekani Magistrate's Court facing charges of illegal mining and contravention of the Immigration Act. The four's arrest comes after the members of the SAPS Operation Vala Umgodi team, together with the SANDF and other stakeholders, continue to clamp down illegal mining activities in Mopani District. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the team was on operation when they received information about active illegal mining at Scheiding Farm, Gate 03, in the Lulekani policing area. "They swiftly went to the location and found a group of people illegally mining minerals. The suspects noticed the police and ran in different directions. Four suspects were then arrested, and police also seized the illegal mining equipment,' said Ledwaba.They were remanded in custody until 25 October for further police investigations.

EASTERN CAPE: Four suspected thugs were fatally shot and one was injured during a shoot-out with the police in Qoboqobo, Keiskammahoek, yesterday. The police had followed up on information about suspects allegedly in possession of unlicensed firearms, and on arrival at the scene, the police struggled to enter the identified house due to a long boundary wall, but they eventually managed to scale it. SAPS spokesperson Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa said as members were tactically entering the premises, the suspects tried to flee using back exits but they were cornered and they allegedly started shooting at the police. "Members retaliated, and during the process, four suspects were fatally wounded and one suspect sustained gunshot wounds and was taken to the nearest hospital," Mawisa said. She added that the deceased suspects, aged between 29 and 40, are known, but their identities are withheld. Mawisa said the fifth suspect, aged 38, is currently under police guard in the hospital after being injured during the shootout. Police members escaped unscathed. Police recovered three unlicensed firearms with ammunition, two bakkies, and a sedan, which are believed to be stolen. The case has been transferred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for further investigation.