Two men have been jailed by the De Aar Regional Court for rape. On 27 February 2016 at around 2am, a woman (20) and her boyfriend were on their way home, when two unknown men approached them.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the accused persons took the woman by force before raping her. Shemane further said the boyfriend was threatened by the two men and he ran away.
“The two suspects forcefully dragged the victim into the bush and undressed her. They both raped her and fled the scene afterwards. The victim reported the matter and a case of rape was opened for further investigation.
“The victim, her boyfriend together with community members, followed up on information that led to the arrest of the two suspects. Later, the DNA results linked them to the rape incident,” he said.
Shemane further said, Richard Johannes (23) was sentenced to 10 years in imprisonment, while Karolus Zolani (23) was sentenced to 12 years in imprisonment. He added that both accused were declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Meanwhile, Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, applauded D/Sgt Ilse Fan for a sterling investigative work and appreciated the community for their assistance that led to the removal of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F) perpetrators from society for a lengthy period.
Picture: The acting Station Commander at Springbok Magistrate’s Court, Lieutenant Col Nomvula Jacobs/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
The corruption case against the acting Station Commander at the Springbok Police Station, Lieutenant Col Nomvula Jacobs (49) was postponed to 1 November 2023. Jacobs briefly appeared at the Springbok Magistrate’s Court for theft. Jacobs was arrested by the Hawk’s Serious Organised Crime Investigation team after she allegedly stole an amount of R291 700 from the station safe (SAP13), where exhibits are kept.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Col Tebogo Thebe said the amount is made up of R102 700, which was confiscated on an ongoing enquiry matter.
“The amount was supposed to be deposited into a criminal asset recovery account (CARA) after the Northern Cape High Court recently issued an order to that affect. The balance of R189 000 is made up of other matters, which are still pending.
“The investigation team made the discovery after several attempts were made to access the safe, but the key was missing. The safe was finally opened on 30 August 2023, resulting in the case of theft being opened against her,” he said.
Thebe said Jacobs was granted a R4000 and the matter was postponed 1 November 2023 for further investigation.
Two vehicles that were allegedly used during the commission of crime were seized by the Hawk’s Priority Crime Specialised Investigation team in Kimberley. This comes after the Springbok Serious Organised Crime Investigation team received a tip-off that an alleged diamond dealer will be travelling from a diamond deal using the main road.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Col Tebogo Thebe said, the police conducted a vehicle stop and search point at the identified road. Thebe further said during the search, the police found the amount of cash to the value of R510 000 on the identified accused.
“The police seized the amount and applied for preservation order, while a case dealing in diamonds is under investigation. The Northern Cape High Court in Kimberley duly granted the orders.
“The Hawks secured preservation orders on two vehicles with a combined value of R230 000. The two vehicles, a VW Golf worth an estimated value of R80 000 and a Mercedes Benz C180 worth R150 000 were both seized after being used in the commission of crime in two different incidents,” he added.
Thebe said the VW Golf was seized by police during March 2023 after a tip-off regarding the transportation of drugs on N12 road. The police pounced and two suspects were arrested for dealing in mandrax to the value of R250 000.
“The main case is ongoing and the second vehicle, the Mercedes Benz was confiscated in July 2023 during a multi-disciplinary operation conducted by various policing units, which included members of Kuruman Serious Organised Crime Investigation team,” said Thebe.
“Two suspects were arrested during a buy and bust operation. The duo was charged with dealing in endangered species after they were found with a pangolin valued at R250 000,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Kimberley, Major General Stephen Mabuela lauded the team for a job well done.
The police urge business and house owners to be more vigilant. This comes after the number of business and house robberies were reported recently. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said the police understand the impact that these crimes have on individuals and businesses.
He said they are committed to working with the public to combat this kind of crime.
“The police are urging the public to adhere to and implement safety measures to ensure their safety. We urge business owners to install extra security gates and appoint security guards. Install security cameras and alarm systems and also ensure that all doors and windows are secure.
“They should always remember to keep minimal cash on the premises and bank regularly. They should also train staff on how to handle robberies and emergency situations. Keep a record of serial numbers of valuable items and tuck shops and other small businesses must adhere to the operating and closing times and not be open until late,” he said.
Kock further urged tuck shop owners to refrain from sleeping in their tuck shops as this makes them a bigger target for business robberies. He added that the house owners should get a guard dog, install security gates and burglar bars.
“Always lock doors and windows when leaving the house, consider installing an alarm system and CCTV cameras. Do not open the door for strangers and be aware of your surroundings when entering or leaving the house. Immediately contact the police when you notice suspicious persons loitering around and sitting on street corners.
“Do not leave spare keys in an obvious place like post boxes. In general robberies, avoid walking alone at night in dimly lit areas. Keep your valuables out of sight in public places. Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious behaviour,” said Kock.
He said individuals should not carry large amounts of cash or valuable items with them. Kock said they should also keep their cell phones and other electronic devices hidden when walking in public.
“Do not resist during a robbery as this may escalate the situation and increase your risk of harm. At ATMs, do not speak to strangers while using an ATM. Use ATM that is well lit and not hidden away and do not give your pin to anyone. Cover your pin when doing ATM transactions and do not withdraw a large amount of cash, rather use debit or credit cards for purchases.
“Always be aware of your surroundings and if possible, withdraw money at the tellers in supermarkets. Be aware of card scammers and tricksters that say they can increase your money when withdrawing cash from ATMs or banks. Do not use an ATM that you suspect might be tampered with,” he said.
Kock said the police care about the residents’ safety and by adhering to the safety hints, they can reduce the risk of falling victim to a robbery. They should remember that prevention is key.
“If you witness or experience a robbery, kindly report it immediately to the police. Working together, we can help create safer crime free communities for everyone,” said Kock.
One of the alleged killers of the prominent North West businessman, Ben Gumbi (49) was denied bail by the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court. Sibongiseni Ngubane (33) applied for bail after his arrest a few months ago in Germiston.
Ngubane was arrested by the members of a multi-disciplinary team, which was established after the ruthless murder of Gumbi. He was arrested on 12 September 2023 after attending a court case in which he is facing a charge of armed robbery, wherein he is out on R3000 bail.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said Ngubane also has a pending case of possession of a firearm and ammunition in Alberton, wherein he was granted an R1000 bail. Mamothame further said the police reports revealed that Gumbi was gunned down by men outside a restaurant in the Rustenburg Central Business District (CBD) on 23 August 2023.
“The suspects then fled the scene with a blue Volkswagen Polo car, which was found a few minutes after the incident, abandoned at the corner of Helen Joseph and Lourie Streets. The car was confirmed to have been stolen, and the number plates that were on the car were false.
“The accused wanted the court to grant him bail, but the state successfully opposed it. Ngubane is facing a premeditated murder charge for the death of Gumbi. The state argued strongly against the granting of bail after consulting with the investigating officer, Colonel Patric Murungwa.
“The state prosecutor, Faith Mogaki, argued that the state has a strong case against the accused. In her corroboration, she indicated that the accused’ fingerprints were discovered on the vehicle that was used in the commission of the crime and further that he was identified by witnesses in an identity parade,” he said.
Mamothame added that the state also highlighted the fact that Ngubane voluntarily did the pointing out of the scene, as well confessing, albeit his argument that he did all of that involuntary as he alleges the police assaulted him.
Magistrate Tshenolo Mekgwe agreed with the state and denied Ngubane bail. The matter was postponed to 9 January 2024 for further investigations.
Meanwhile, the police investigations are still underway to track down three other suspects who are believed to be on the run.
Picture: The crime scene where the alleged drug lord was gunned down/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
The alleged drug lord (41) in Vryburg has been shot dead by unknown suspects. on Tuesday. According to the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said the deceased was gunned down in Church Street, next to Boxer Store.
“The suspects fled from the scene after the shooting and the motive is unknown. A murder case was opened for further investigation. As the police, we cannot confirm whether the deceased was selling drugs or not. However, investigations are still conducted,” she said.
Picture: The former Municipal Manager, Henny Smit/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Former Municipal Manager at Mahikeng Local Municipality, Henny Smit (70) briefly appeared at Molopo Magistrate’s Court after being arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation and Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Units.
Smit’s arrest is related to the unlawful sale of municipal land to the value of R144 million without council approval. He allegedly did this while ignoring the competitive bidding process.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said on 31 October 2007, Smit allegedly illegally agreed with a company for the sale of land belonging to the municipality. Mamothame further said the said company only paid R5 million as a deposit to purchase the land.
“The investigations reveal that the company went into liquidation in December 2011 without paying the municipality the outstanding debt. The assets of this company were subsequently sold to another company for an amount of R16 million at an auction.
“In April 2012, the new owners of the land changed their company name and between 2013 and 2015, they sold and transferred portions of the land to five other companies and a trust account. Investigations by the Hawks revealed that directors and shareholders of these companies had links to the company that was liquidated and they acted in common interest in illegally making gains from the municipal land that was acquired irregularly,” he said.
Mamothame added that, it was further revealed that, the company that bought the land from the auction, entered into an unlawful agreement with the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA) to build 2400 units at the value of over R301 million. He said an amount of R54 million was allegedly authorised by the North West Department of Human Settle for the start of the project.
“This contract however failed to materialise, as it was not budgeted for by SHRA. Investigations also revealed that an amount of over R550 000 was paid as gratification to one suspect and it was further traced to a purchase of a house to the accused’ daughter.
“The charges drawn from this alleged offence are fraud, theft, contravention of Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), four of the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Activities Act (PRECCA), two of corruption, money laundering, contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PMFA) about the loss by the Human Settlement department. More arrests are expected to be effected in this case, and investigations are completed,” said Mamothame.
He said Smit was granted a R150 000 bail and the case was postponed to 8 December 2023 for the arrest of other suspects. Mamothame said Smit’s bail conditions are that, he should not interfere with the state’s witnesses and inform the investigating officer should he travel outside Gauteng Province jurisdiction, where he resides.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari together with the Provincial Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho, lauded the teams from their respective entities for ensuring that perpetrators are brought to account for their alleged offences.
The Guardian 