ZiMoja updates on the latest crime news in parts of the country.
KWAZULU NATAL: Police discovered two warehouses used to store expired food during an operation in the Bluff area, south of Durban, yesterday. Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said food items such as canned fish, fizzy drinks, beans, baby food, and spices were found stored with hazardous chemicals such as pesticides. Netshiunda added that counterfeit prescription medication, body lotion and expired alcoholic beverages were also found in the two warehouses. "During the operation, police also discovered another two warehouses that were storing counterfeit big-brand clothing items worth millions of Rands. Investigations are underway to locate the people responsible for the sale of expired food, which is mostly sold at the township and village spaza shops, as well as the importers of fake clothing items," he said.
LIMPOPO: Two foreign nationals were arrested after being found in possession of illegal explosives worth R2 million on Tuesday in Makhado. Limpopo police said the suspects, aged 35 and 37, were stopped by members of the Vhembe Flying Squad during a stop and search along the N1 south ,a few kilometres outside Makhado town heading towards Polokwane, where they discovered four bags in the boot containing explosives. The explosives unit that was called to the scene confirmed that they were commercial explosives. Both the driver and the passenger were arrested and their car was confiscated as part of the ongoing investigation. Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe commended the officers for their vigilance and swift action in curbing the threat posed by illegal explosives, which she said could have been used in serious and violent crimes. The suspects will appear in the Makhado Magistrate's Court today on a charge of possession of illegal explosives.
MPUMALANGA: A 34-year-old doctor who worked for a public hospital was shot and killed outside a gym in Nelspruit around 5 am yesterday. Police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said the police and paramedics responded to a call and found the victim outside her car. She was certified dead at the scene. "Though circumstances surrounding the tragic incident are still under investigation, preliminary investigation by the police indicates that the woman was reportedly shot by two suspects who are now being sought by the police," Mdhluli said. The motive for her killing is unknown at this stage. The police have called on anyone who might have information that might lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact the Nelspruit detective branch commander, Colonel Thami Mkhaliphi, on 082 408 9831 or the Crime Stop number 08600 10111.
Acting Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi has strongly condemned the senseless killing and reassured the public that the investigation team will leave no stone unturned to get those responsible behind bars. "The formidable team of investigators is working around the clock to ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to book, "said Mkhwanazi.
