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

GAUTENG: The Hawks in the Vaal have arrested three suspects in a job for cash corruption at Emfuleni Municipality. The Hawks spokesperson, Captain Lloyd Ramovha, said a case of corruption was registered at the Ratanda police station earlier this month after complaints were received from community members stating that there was a recruitment scheme by a syndicate pretending to be working at the municipality. The community members were allegedly given a bank account number to deposit money with details belonging to an alleged Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) of Public Works. In return, the applicants received fraudulent employment contracts. An investigation by the Hawks led to the identification of those involved in the syndicate, and three accused Teboho Prince Mabote (28), Rocky Moholola (29) and Matshediso Motseare (40) were arrested.

The trio is alleged to have benefited more than approximately R200k from the scheme. They briefly appeared in the Heidelberg Magistrate's Court on Monday, and they will reappear today for bail application.

GAUTENG: The Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Palm Ridge has sentenced Sifiso Ndlovu (24) to 15 years in prison for fraud, corruption and violating the Cybercrimes Act. Ndlovu, who was a financial administrator at First National Bank (FNB), transferred over R5 million from a dormant account into the accounts of his accomplices, who made subsequent transfers into his account between June 2022 and July 2022. The 24-year-old was investigated and found to have engaged in fraudulent activities by a bank fraud investigator. Ndlovu pleaded not guilty but was convicted on five counts and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for each offence, with the court ordering the sentences to run concurrently

FREE STATE: Anele Hlaba (20) has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape of a 65-year-old woman and 12 years for the attempted rape of an 85-year-old gogo. On 15 March 2024, just after midnight, an 85-year-old woman from Mafora Section in Mangaung was attacked in her home by Hlaba, who attempted to rape her. The gogo's screams alerted neighbours who intervened and apprehended the suspect, and he was handed over to the police and subsequently granted bail. Just 15 days later, on 30 March 2024, also after midnight, Hlaba attacked and raped a 65-year-old woman in the same street. The rape case was reported immediately, and he was arrested the same day. The cases were assigned to Detective Sergeant Bokamoso Peter of the Mangaung Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit. During the investigation, Peter discovered that Hlaba was already on parole for a previous sexual assault of a 22-year-old woman in 2023.

Sergeant Peter, known for her expertise in handling serial rapists, concluded the investigations and secured a verdict within just five months.

 KWAZULU-NATAL: Members of the Provincial Organised Crime Unit who specialise in narcotics have arrested two undocumented foreign nationals for the possession and dealing in drugs in two separate incidents. The police followed a tip-off and immediately pounced on a suspect who was spotted in Umbilo. Upon searching his vehicle, the police found 900 heroin capsules. Follow-up investigations led the police to the suspect's house on Sphiwe Zuma Avenue in Umbilo, where more heroin capsules and powder were found. The recovered drugs are estimated to be worth a street value of R2 million. The 34-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with possession and dealing in drugs as well as being in the country illegally. In a separate incident, a 38-year-old illegal immigrant was arrested after he was found in possession of heroin powder in Berea. The suspect was put on surveillance following his suspected involvement in narcotics-related activities. Further investigations pointed to his apartment on Riley Road in Essenwood, where a search was conducted, leading to the recovery of more heroin powder worth a street value of approximately R1 million.

Both suspects are due to appear in the Durban Magistrate's Court soon.