A man (25) who was arrested for business robbery, has been remanded in custody until 17 January 2024 for legal advice. Asley Morake briefly appeared in the Swartruggens Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said Morake was arrested in connection with a business robbery at Borolelo Market Tuck Shop. Myburgh further said a victim (36) was closing his business on Saturday night (13 January 2024), when three unknown suspects, one armed with a knife, allegedly confronted him.
“Two of the suspects allegedly closed the shop’s door and the other one guarded the door of the shop. They ordered him to hand over his cell phone and the victim started to scream when one of the suspects stabbed him twice in the back with the knife. One of the suspects jumped over the counter and took the money.
“Meanwhile, the community members heard the noise, came to the rescue of the victim, and one suspect was arrested. The police are still looking for the other two suspects. A victim was taken to hospital for medical treatment,” she said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, thanked all members and the community for their collaborative efforts and quick response that resulted in the arrest.
A woman (24) briefly appeared in the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court for fraud and money laundering. In October 2022, Phindile Zamahlubi Hadebe and other suspects allegedly intercepted an email communication between South African and Zimbabwean companies.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Warrant Officer Amogelang Malwetse said Hadebe allegedly amended the South African company’s banking details and the money was paid into another unknown account to be paid into various accounts.
“Following an investigation by the Hawks Serious Crime Investigation, eight warrants of arrest were issued. On 15 January 2024, information was received regarding the whereabouts of one of the suspects.
“A sting operation was planned between the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation teams from Klerksdorp and Mahikeng, as well as the Hawks Head Office’s Tactical Operational Management Sections (TOMS), the warrant of arrest was executed and the suspect was arrested in Johannesburg,” she said.
Hadebe appeared before Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court on fraud and money laundering charges worth R24 million. Malwetse said the case was postponed to 18 January 2024.
Setshwantsho: Meyara wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, Tumisang Gaoraelwe a buisana le baagi
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Baagi ba motse was Itireleng, gaufi le Taung, ba kaile fa ba amogela kago ya tsela ya dikilomitara di le 10 e golaganyang motse wa bone le tsela-kgolo ya N18. Seno se tla morago ga kopano ya baagi, masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, Lefapha la Ditsela mo Bokone Bophirima, ga mmogo le Kantoro ya Mo premiere (Office of the Premier) mo letsatsing la gompieno.
Baagi ba Itireleng, ba lobaka ba ikuela gore puso e ba agele tsela dingwaga-ngwaga tse di fitileng. Jaanong, meyara wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, Tumisang Gaoraelwe, o kaetsr baagi fa masepala o tlile go ba agela tsela ya paving, mme ele ka tshwaragano le Lefapha la Ditsela mo Bokone Bophirima.
“Re dumalane le Lefapha la Ditsela ka tsiregayo go tswa go District Development Model (DDM) ga mmogo le Office of the Premier, go ka nna le kgokagano. Mme maitlhomo le maikaelelo a rona ele go agela baagi ba rona tsela e kgale ba lela ka yone.
“Mo kgokaganong e, badiri ba tlile go duelwa go ya ka seelo sa EPWP. Ga go tle go thapiwa rakontera, mme go tla thapiwa fela baagi ga mmogo le mogokaganyi magareng ga badiri le botsamaisi. Re tlile go thapa badiri ba le 80, mme molekgotha wa kgorwana e, o setse a thapile batho ba le 40,” Gaoraelwe was tlhalosa.
Gaoraelwe are go fitlha ga jaana, go setse go dirilwe tsela e tla dirisiwang ke baagi fa e sentse e baakangwa. Gaoraelwe o kaile fa porojeke e, ele e e kgethegileng.
“Dilo tsotlhe tse di tla tlhokagalang go aga tsela, di tla bo di tswa kwa Lefapheng la Ditsela. Mme ditirelo tse dingwe di tla tswa kwa masepala. Se batho ba sa se tlhaloganyeng ke gore, ke rona jaaka masepala re ile ra tsaya tshwetso ya gore re tlile go aga tsela. Morago ga dipalopalo tse re di dirileng, , re ne ra beela thoko tekanyetso-kabo ya R10 million.
“Fela, se ene ele tsitsinyo fela, mme go ne go sena madi a re a beetseng thoko. Fela, morago ga moo, re ne ra itemogela gore tsela e, ga e wele mo masepaleng. Rona jaaka masepala, re ikarabela mo ditseleng tse di mo gare ga motse. Jaanong, tsela e, e golaganya tsela ya N18 le motse wa Itireleng,” Gaoraelwe wa tlhalosa.
Fela mongwe wa baagi are ga ba kgotsofadiwa ka mokgwa o tsela ya bone e tlileng go agiwang ka teng. Boitshepo Seoloseng are, jaanong ba tlile go e koma e galaka gonne se ba se tlhokang ke tsela.
“Re lela thata ka ledi le badiri ba tlileng go le amogela. Di ura tse di berekiwang kwa EPWP ga di tshwane. Gona le mo go berekiwang di ura dile robedi, fa tse dingwe go diriwa di ura dile nne. Jaanong, re bolelelwa ka madi a lekanang. Fa go agiwa tsela, re tlile go dira ka setene, mme re tla bo re inama re inamologa.
“Ka jalo, re tlile go tsenwa ke manokonoko, mme fela re itumelela gore Office of the Premier, ba ile ba kgona go utlwa selelo sa rona morago ga dingwaga-ngwaga re ikuela mabapi le tsela,” Seoloseng wa tlhalosa.
Moagi o mongwe, Tlhalefo Sekgetho are jaaka baagi, ga ba amogele se masepala o tlileng go se ba bolelela. Sekgetho are tsela e, e tlile go tsenngwa ka sebopego se eleng gore ga ba se tlhaloganye.
“Ba re e tlile go berekwa ka mokgwa wa EPWP mo sebakeng sa dikgwedi dile lesome, kgotsa go feta. Jaanong, re ipotsa gore a tsela e ka berekiwa sebaka se se telele jalo.
“Nagana fela go tsholetsa ditene, mme o be o tla go duelwa ka selekanyo sa EPWP. Fela, re tla reng gonne ga re kgone le go ya toropong, jaanong ke gone fela gore re amogele,” Sekgetho wa tlhalosa.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said it has noticed with concern the number of business robberies reported and urged the community, especially business owners to become more vigilant and alert.
Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said, they understand the impact that these crimes have on individuals and businesses. Kock further said they have committed to work with the public to prevent the occurrence thereof.
He added that, the police are urging the public to adhere to and implement the safety hints to ensure their safety.
“The businesses are requested to be extra vigilant around closing times and never lock their business premises alone. kindly install extra security gates and appoint security guards. Install security cameras and alarm systems and ensure that all doors and windows are secured.
“Always remember to keep minimal cash on the premises and bank regularly. Train staff on how to handle robberies and emergency situations. Keep a record of serial numbers of valuable items. Tuck shops and other small business must adhere to the operating and closing times and not be open until late,” he said.
Kock said business owners should refrain from sleeping in tuckshops as this makes them a bigger target for business robberies. He also advised business owners to get a guard dog and install security gates, including burglar bars.
“Always lock doors and windows when leaving the house. Consider installing an alarm system and CCTV cameras and not open the door for strangers. Be aware of your surroundings when entering or leaving the house. Immediately contact 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. Avoid walking alone at night in dimly lit areas. Keep your valuables out of sight in public places and be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious behaviour,” said Kock.
He urged them not to carry large amounts of cash or valuable items with them. Kock said they should keep their cellphone 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. Do not speak to strangers, while busy at ATM. Use ATM that is well lit and not hidden away. Do not give your pin to anyone and cover your pin when doing ATM transaction.
“Do not withdraw large amount of cash, rather use debit or credit cards for purchases. Always be away of your surroundings and if possible, withdraw money at the tellers in supermarkets. Be aware of card scammers and tricksters that say they can make your money more when drawing cash from ATMs or banks,” he said.
Kock said people should not use ATMs that they suspect were tampered with. He said the police care about their safety and by adhering to the safety hints, can reduce their risk of falling victim to a robbery.
“Remember, prevention is key. If you witness or experience a robbery, report it immediately to the police. Working together, we can help create safer crime free communities for everyone.
The Guardian 