ZiMoja updates on the latest crime news in parts of the country.
EASTERN CAPE: The police in the Eastern Cape have launched a manhunt for four men they believe may have been involved in the Lusikisiki massacre over two weeks ago. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the suspects who are armed and dangerous are 20-year-old Songezo 'Mashiya' Vuma, Bonga 'Rico' Hintsa (31) , Aphiwe 'AP' Ndende (25) and 31-year-old Lwando Anthony "Abi" Shakes. Mathe said through preliminary investigations, police believe that the wanted suspects would be vital in solving the Lusikisiki mass murder case. She added that the investigations are at an advanced stage, and tracing operations are underway for these four wanted suspects. She cautioned members of the public not to confront these suspects, as they are considered to be dangerous and may be heavily armed.
Anyone with information on their whereabouts is encouraged to contact the SAPS organised crime or the SAPS Serious and Violent Crimes Investigation team on 082 302 7762.
The four suspects are also advised to hand themselves over at the nearest police station.
GAUTENG: The Pretoria North Regional Court has found Sarathamoney Devi Sigamoney (67) guilty on charges of perjury, fraud and theft after she defrauded the South African Social Security Agency's (SASSA) pension payouts. The Independent Directorate (ID) spokesperson Henry Mamothame said Sigamoney was the sole director of a company that was awarded tenders worth millions from the SAPS to supply office furniture. On the 13th of April 2017, Sigamoney applied for an old age grant with SASSA, attaching a supporting affidavit wherein she stated that she has never worked for a period of 20 years. On 18 April, SASSA provided Sigamoney with a letter of approval, which she signed for as received. She is alleged to have received grant money from SASSA amounting to approximately R123 000 from July 2017 to July 2022. Mamothane said subsequent to charges being registered against her, Sigamoney continued to receive the grant for a further sixteen months.
The matter was postponed to 31 October 2024 for the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) to apply for a forfeiture order to recover the money that was lost by the state and for the sentencing date to be determined.
LIMPOPO: A 52-year-old suspect, Mashudu Hector Netshifhefhe, appeared before the Vuwani Magistrate's Court yesterday facing charges of extortion related to incidents that occurred in September within the Levubu policing area.
SAPS spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the suspect was previously convicted for armed robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Ledwaba said for this arrest, Netshifhefhe allegedly approached an elderly businessman in Levubu, claiming he had been hired to kill him. He demanded a substantial sum of money for protection and continued to extort additional funds until the victim reported the matter to the police. He said the suspect was arrested on Sunday afternoon at his residence in Mashau Tenga village by the Vhembe District Illegal Mining Task Team following an intelligence-driven operation. Investigations are ongoing to connect the suspect to other criminal activities, and further arrests are expected as the investigation progresses.
The case has been postponed to next week Thursday for a formal bail application.
