The Sutherland police are requesting assistance in tracing an elderly woman, Lydia Van Wyk (73) who was reported missing by her daughter on 26 January 2022. Van Wyk, who originates from Calvinia, was last seen at the De Bron Farm near Sutherland, where she was visiting her daughter.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said, at the time Van Wyk went missing, she was wearing a brown dress.
“She is 1.5-metre-tall, slender build, has grey hair and speaks Afrikaans. The Sutherland Police, SAPS Search and Rescue team and the community fine combed the mountainous areas and all around Sutherland, but could not find the elderly person.
“The police request anyone with information to call Capt Marius Malan on 082 495 6638. The investigation continues,” said Kock.
The murder case against five accused has been postponed 16 January 2024 by the North West High Court sitting in Ga-Rankuwa. Mamokgethe Gertrude Mashimbi (41), Thandi Margaret Khumalo (38), William Maluleka (32), Nicholas Malope (35) and Jan Chauke (28) were arrested in connection with a former policeman, Thomas Mashimbi’s murder.
It is alleged that, Mashimbi was married to Mamokgethe Mashimbi. The five accused are further charged with two counts of conspiracy or incitement to commit murder, housebreaking with intent to kill, murder with aggravating circumstances, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, fraud on accused one only, and perjury on accused one only.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, the state called on the investigating officer to give an account of the evidence he gathered, linking the accused to the murder.
Mamothame further said the investigating officer is expected to continue giving evidence and put through cross-examination when the matter resumes next year in January.
“The state has completed leading its evidence with an expert from the cell phone network provider, demonstrating the link in communication between all accused persons in plotting the murder. The defence attorneys have also completed cross-examining the witness.
“The police investigations reveal that, between 7-24 January 2018, Gertrude Mashimbi approached two individuals, now state witnesses, and incited them to commit a planned robbery at their marital home in Lebanon, near Winterveldt.
“The two then failed to commit to the proposition, but reported the matter to the police. She then approached Khumalo, who arranged a meeting with the other three accused. Reports reveal that meetings were conducted between 7-24 February 2018, to plot the execution of the plan to murder Mashimbi,” he said.
Mamothame added that, on 21 February 2018, Gertrude Mashimbi allegedly ensured that the gates and kitchen door were not properly closed to facilitate entry into the premises. He said it is further alleged that, Gertrude Mashimbi went to the police on 10 November 2017 and complained that her husband was abusing her, thus requesting a protection order.
“The order was granted and Mashimbi’s firearm was confiscated as a result, pending the outcome of the SAPS internal process to ascertain his fitness to possess a firearm. The state argues that this was part of the plan to disarm the deceased, to prevent him from defending himself when the attack is executed.
“It is alleged that, on 21 February 2018, Maluleka, Malope, and Chauke entered the house and shot at the deceased, subsequently escaping the scene with two cell phones, a TV set, and money estimated at R20 000. It is alleged that, Gertrude and two of their children were in the house when the plan unfolded, and she was unharmed during the commissioning of the crime,” said Mamothame.
He said they were all arrested between 18 and 19 September 2019. Mamothame said five will remain in police custody until the matter is concluded.
Setshwantsho: Bo rra ditekesi magareng ga Taung le Vryburg
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Ntwa ya ditekesi magareng ga bo rra ditekesi ba Vryburg le Taung e sentse e tsweletse. Ntwa e, fa e sala e runya ka Laboraro morago ga gore borra ditekesi ba Vryburg, ba latofatse ba Taung ka go ba utswetsa bapalami.
Go begwa fa borra ditekesi ba Taung, ba pega bapalami kwa ntle ga renke, gonne ba sena ditlankana tse di maleba tsa go pega go tswa Vryburg go ya Taung. Seno, se ile sa baka gore bo rra ditekesi ba Vryburg bat swale tsela e e yang Taung.
Go begwa fa sepodisi se ile sa tsereganya, mme tsela ma gareng ga Vryburg le Taung e ile ya bulwa.
Modulasetulo wa South African National Taxi Association (SANTACO) kwa Sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Ebusang Tladi are, ba ile ba nna le kopano magareng ga maphata a le mabedi ka Labone, mme ba setse ba emetse pegelo ya tsereganyo.
“Se re se itseng ke gore, bo rra ditekesi ba Taung, ba pega bapalami kwa ntle ga renke ya Vryburg, mme ba kaetse ba Vryburg gore bone ba ka nna ba pega kwa renke. Fela, seo se ile sa baka tlhaka-tlhakano. Bo rra ditekesi ba Vryburg ba kaile fa borra ditekesi ba Taung ba seka ba pega.
“Jaanong re nnile le kopano mo letsatsing la maabane go ka rarabolola bothata jo. Se re se emetseng fela, ke tshwetso mo ntlheng eo gore e tsenngwe tirisong. Borra ditekesi ba Vryburg, bone ba na le tetla ya go pega bapalami go tswa mo Vryburg go ya kwa Taung,” Tladi wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, lekala le le ikemetseng la sepodisi la IPID, le kaile fa le batlisisa kgetsi ya maiteko a polao kgatlhanong le lepodisi lengwe. Seo se tla morago ga gore, lepodisi le, le thuntse tekesi nngwe ya borra ditekesi bano ba kwa Vryburg.
Sebueledi sa IPID mo Bokone Bophirima, Robbie Ramokgola are: “Re le IPID, re tlhaloganya gore go na le lepodisi le lene le kgweetsa tekesi ya lone, mme le ile la tlhaselwa ke borra ditekesi ba. One a siela kwa seteisheneng sa sepodisi kwa Huhudi, mme go begwa fa borra ditekesi ba, ba ile ba mo sala morago le go senya tekesi ya gagwe.
“O ile a thuntsha, mme a senya tekesi ya borra ditekesi bano. Fela, ga gwa nna le dikgobalo, kgetsi ya maiteko a polao e butswe kgatlhanong le lepodisi leo.”
The police in Mogwase request the community’s assistance in locating Judy Gadifele Nkuna (68), who is mentally challenged and residing in Lerome, Thabeng Section in Krugersdorp. The North West police spokesperson, Captain Aafje Botma said, Nkuna was last seen by her sister in Mogwase Township on 20 July 2023
“A search was conducted around the township and surrounding areas of Mogwase without any success. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing a brown jacket, maroon dress and brown shoes. She is dark in complexion, with a medium built and grey hair.
“Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts can contact the investigating officer, Capt Lefty Motswadi of Mogwase Detectives on 083 416 2223, your local police station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the My SAPS App from your smart phone or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111,” she said.
A 28-YEAR-OLD man from Pampierstad, Cornelius Jacobus Jacques Lombard and an entity, Quick Cash Loans briefly appeared before the Pampierstad Magistrate’s Court on 21 September 2023 for Contravention of National Credit Act 34 of 2005. This comes after Lombard was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi said the preliminary investigation indicated that, Lombard was running his business, whilst retaining clients’ bank cards, birth certificates, pin codes, proof of residence documentation, SASSA cards and Identity Documents (IDs) in order to enforce credit agreement.
“He was also charging his clients exorbitant interest rates. A search and seizure disruptive operation was executed at No. 2 Quick Cash Loans in Pampierstad. During the search, documentation, automatic teller machines and a total amount of R10 200 were seized.
“Lombard was released on R10 000 bail and the matter was postponed to 6 November 2023 for further investigation,” she said.
A bus ferrying passengers allegedly caught fire between Klerksdorp and Wolmaranstad on 21 September 2023. The North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botma said that even though there is no case opened, the Intercape Bus Company is investigating the cause of the fire.
“No case was registered and the Intercape Bus Company investigation team is investigating the cause of the fire. No loss of lives or any injuries were reported,” said Botma.
A bus ferrying passengers allegedly caught fire between Klerksdorp and Wolmaranstad on 21 September 2023. The North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botma said that even though there is no case opened, the InterBase Bus Company is investigating the cause of the fire.
“No case was registered and the InterBase Bus Company investigation team is investigating the cause of the fire. No loss of lives or any injuries were reported,” said Botma.
Picture: The illicit cigarettes confiscated by police/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
Three men who were arrested for allegedly dealing in illicit cigarettes were granted R10 000 bail by the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on 20 September 2023. Badu Mohammed (42), Kibru Akuri (37), and Shadikur Rayman (21) were arrested during a joint operation by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation and the South African Revenue Services (SARS) Customs on 19 September 2023.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Capt Tlangelani Rikhotso said the trio was arrested in their respective shops around Potchefstroom and a variety of illicit cigarettes worth over R1 million were seized for further investigation.
“All three accused were charged with contravention of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964. They were each released on R10 000 bail and their cases were postponed to 3 November 2023 for further investigation,” she said.
Picture: Two suspects who allegedly raped a woman at Barkley West Resort/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit is investigating a kidnapping and rape case at Delportshoop.
On 29 August 2023, two unknown assailants allegedly forced a woman (22) into their black sedan, a Mercedes Benz vehicle at Borrelskop in Delportshoop, and drove with her to the Barkley West Resort, where they allegedly raped her.
Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said, that during the time of the alleged offence, one of the suspects was of slender build, wearing a white t-shirt and brown trousers. He said the other man was medium build, also wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans.
“It is alleged that both suspects had a Nigerian accent. Anyone who may have information that may lead to the apprehension and arrest of the suspects can contact the investigating officer, Detective Constable Liberty Mamapula at 083 369 3589 or 08600 10111 or either SMS anonymously to 32211 or use the MySAPS App. All information received will be treated confidentially,” he said.
Picture: The Director of Obontse Trading and Projects CC, Macdonald Peloebuang Gaelejwe/LinkedIn
By OBAKENG MAJE
A Director of Obontse Trading and Projects CC, Macdonald Peloebuang Gaelejwe has been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment or a fine of R50 000 by the Kimberley Specialised Commercial Crime Court on 20 September 2023.
Gaelejwe was arrested for contravention of Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011. Between 2014 and 2018, Gaelejwe failed to register the said companies for VAT within 21 business days.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi said, the total value of taxable income supplies made by Obontse Trading and Projects CC in 12 months exceeded R1 million. Mnisi further said Gaelejwe was given a fine of R2000 payable before or on 7 October 2023.
“Thereafter, R2000 before or on 7 of each cumulative month until the fine is fully paid off. Gaelejwe was not declared unfit to possess a firearm,” she added.
Meanwhile, the acting Provincial Head, Brigadier Prince Mashimbye, is pleased with the investigating team and thanked the members for securing a successful conviction.
The Guardian 