Zimoja brings you the latest updates on crime and courts around the country.
LIMPOPO: The police in Limpopo have arrested a man for trying to smuggle a car worth R4 million into Zimbabwe. The car belongs to a member of Parliament. The vehicle was stolen yesterday at a parking lot in Menlyn Mall, Pretoria. According to the police, the car was on its way to being smuggled into Zimbabwe. The suspect was apprehended later in the evening in the Lebowakgomo policing area outside Polokwane. The 42-year-old Zimbabwean national was charged with possession of a presumed stolen motor vehicle and contravention of the Immigration Act after it established that he was in the country illegally. He is expected to appear before Polokwane Magistrates Court on August 12. Police investigations are still continuing.
JOHANNESBURG: The Joburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has arrested two women who were impersonating police officers while attempting to extort money from a job seeker who wanted to join the South African Police Service. JMPD said they followed a tip-off from an e-hailing driver, who reached out to them about an alleged recruitment drive within the SAPS. Upon verification, through official channels, it was confirmed that no such recruitment was occurring. The driver is said to have informed the officers that a woman claiming to be a captain from the Hawks had contacted him, stating she could facilitate his application for a police job if he met specific requirements, including possessing a matric certificate and a driver’s license and R8 000 in cash to Diepkloof police station where he was to meet the women. Being watched by JMPD, then women went with the said driver to Diepkloof Square to withdraw the funds, and that’s when they were arrested. JMPD warned the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or solicitations that may seem fraudulent, especially those involving recruitment within law enforcement.
KWAZULU-NATAL: Four people have been shot dead in Westham, Phoenix, in Durban, and police have launched a manhunt for the perpetrators. Police said they received information that four suspects, who were travelling in a red car got out of their vehicle and fired shots towards security guards who were reportedly performing their duties at an office. They said four security guards were declared dead at the scene, whereas the fifth one was rushed to the hospital with gunshot injuries. Police said it is believed the suspects robbed the victims of their firearms before fleeing from the scene. The police said they are looking for at least four suspects after five people were shot and four died on scene. The survivor was taken to the hospital for further medical
JOHANNESBURG: A former project manager at the City of Johannesburg was sentenced to seven years imprisonment by the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Palmridge in a case involving the theft of diesel amounting to over R1 million. Sipho Machuene Dikhoba (50), got a five year suspended sentence from the seven year sentence on condition that he ensure his pension fund pays the amount of over R500 000 to the employer who is the complainant in the matter. The Department of Social Development’ s finance department identified irregularities in diesel invoices between 23 August 2019 and 22 October 2020. Investigations revealed multiple daily diesel purchases and found that the intended generators were non-functional. Dikhoba pleaded guilty to a string of 224 counts of theft and cooperated with the state by testifying against his accomplice, who is currently on trial.
