Zimoja updates on the latest crime news in parts of the country.
LIMPOPO: Limpopo police are offering a R20,000 reward for information that will lead to the arrest of a notorious suspect, Lovemore Musoyi. Musoyi, a Zimbabwean national believed to be around 35 years old, is wanted in connection with more than 10 criminal cases, including murder, attempted murder, armed robberies, house robberies, business robberies, kidnapping, assaults, stock theft, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and ammunition in different areas of Sekhukhune District. Musoyi has been on the run since last year after escaping from a police vehicle while being transported to prison and continuing his reign of terror. Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has assured the community that a team of specialised detectives is working tirelessly to trace the suspect and bring him to book. Anyone with information about Lovemore Musoyi should contact Lieutenant Colonel Boshomane on 079 894 5501 or Warrant Officer Phaladi Makola on 082 749 2233 or crime stop number 08600 10111 or the nearest police station or use MySAPSApp.
WESTERN CAPE: The police in the Western Cape have arrested a 17-year-old for the murder of a grade 10 learner, Deveney Nel (16). Nel's body was found in a storeroom at Overberg High School last week Wednesday. Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said that the Serious Violent Crimes detectives made a breakthrough and arrested the teenage boy last night. "The 17-year-old suspect was arrested by the detectives on Friday evening and charged with murder. He is expected to appear in the Caledon Magistrate's Court on Monday," Potelwa said.
GAUTENG: Serial rapist Thapelo Malatji (45) has been sentenced to two life terms by the Protea Regional Court for a series of crimes committed in Dobsonville since 2011. Malatji's modus operandi involved robbing victims at gunpoint, then taking them to a secluded area where he repeatedly raped them. One victim was robbed of a laptop, R6 000 in cash, a cellphone, a handbag, bank cards, and shoes, in addition to being assaulted. The accused was initially apprehended in the North West on charges of theft, and further investigation revealed a connection to a string of cases in Soweto. As a result, Malatji was subsequently taken into custody on 31 July 2020 in the Soweto case. He received a 30-year sentence for two counts of aggravated robbery. Additionally, he was given a double life sentence for two counts of rape, furthermore, he was sentenced to an additional 30-year imprisonment for two counts of kidnapping.
FREE STATE: A man who was initially arrested for house robbery has been linked to 12 rape cases through DNA. Richard Bongani Mazibuko (42) who also goes by the surname Dlangezwa appeared in the Welkom Magistrates Court on Friday charged with rape, housebreaking, armed robbery, and possession of a stolen vehicle. Police spokesperson Captain Loraine Earle said some of the rape cases date back as far as 2011. The cases were reported in Welkom, Thabong, Bultfontein, Bothaville, Odendaalsrus, and Virginia. According to Earle, Mazibuko would break into houses, rob occupants, and in some instances rape the women. The case has been transferred to the serial and electronic crime investigations unit in the Free State to tie all the strings together in collaboration with the NPA. The case was postponed to next week Thursday for further investigation.
