Picture: The drugs worth R275 000 seized by the police/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Two Somalians aged 38 and 42 were arrested for allegedly being in possession of drugs on 20 April 2024. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said the suspects were allegedly arrested by the Northern Cape Provincial Organised Crime Investigations Unit and the Colesberg Highway Patrol after they received a tip-off.
Kock further said the investigation led the police to Kraaifontein in the Western Cape. He added that, with the assistance of the Western Cape Organised Crime Investigations Narcotics Unit, the two suspects were arrested with boxes of khat worth R275 000.
“The suspects will appear in the Kraaifontein Magistrate’s Court soon. The police encourage the community to participate in the “RATE OUR SERVICE” QR code online survey and assist the police in improving our service to the public,” said Kock.
Picture: Some of the cattle allegedly stolen/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
In a continuous effort to address stock theft, three suspects aged 30, 31 and 45, were remanded in custody until 26 April 2024. Aobakwe Kenewang, Lebogang Dithejane and Mosimanegape Bogatsu briefly appeared before the Sannieshof Magistrate’s Court for stock theft on 19 April 2024.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said, the accused were arrested on 16 April 2024, after being linked with the theft of 40 cattle that were allegedly stolen at a farm, near Delareyville.
“The cattle were stolen on Monday night (15 April 2024), after the accused allegedly gained entry through the gate of the kraal. It is alleged that the herdsman noticed on Tuesday morning that some of the cattle were stolen and informed his employer.
“The farmer and his employees followed the foot trails of the livestock, which led them to a farm next to Setlagole village, where the suspects had put the cattle without the owner’s knowledge,” said Funani.
She further said the suspects allegedly called the owner of the farm where they had put the stolen cattle and informed him that they were on their way to collect the livestock. Funani added that, as a result, the police were called and pounced on the suspects.
“The police recovered the cattle worth R400 000 and handed them over to the lawful owner,” she said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, praised Sannieshof Stock Theft Unit for their quick response, which led to the recovery of the livestock and the arrest of the suspects.
Picture: The Tosca Primary School, near Ganyesa torched/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said her department is dismayed by the burning of seven classrooms of Tosca Primary School in Tosca village, near Ganyesa. Motsumi said the incident allegedly took place on19 April 2024.
“It is reported that on 16 April 2024, the Department of Labour closed a block of three classrooms, alleging that the conditions were not in good standard for teaching and learning. Later the community came to close the entire school.
“It is further alleged that on the day of the incident around 11am, a group of people entered the school premises and burnt down seven classrooms, school furniture, school files, and textbooks and damaged the Grade R equipment,” she said.
Motsumi further said they condemn the incident in the strongest terms. She added that this is extremely sad and disturbing.
“It is disturbing that there are still communities in this province, who vent their anger by burning school properties. A school is a centre of knowledge for the community. Really, how do we expect learners to acquire information when we burn schools?
“Already learners have lost five days of learning and teaching. We have lost all the records of learners due to this horrible incident. As a department, we condemn this incident in the strongest terms and call for the immediate arrest of all those behind this fire,” said Motsumi.
She said on 21 April 2024, the department dispatched a team of officials led by the acting Superintendent General, Maropene Seshibe to meet with leaders in the area to discuss a possible solution. Motsumi said the department committed that mobile classrooms will be delivered on 22 April 2024, in order to assist with teaching and learning.
“A team of counsellors from the department has been put on standby to counsel learners and teachers as soon as teaching and learning resumes,” she said.
Two men aged 28 and 21 respectively, have been sentenced to 38 years by the Calvania Regional Court for raping a minor (14) in Calvania. On 6 November 2022 at around 10pm, the girl was on her way home from a tuckshop when she met the two men.
Janere Rossouw (28) and Randall Snyders(21) were accompanied the girl and later dragged her into a nearby veld, where they took turns raping her. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said the suspects were arrested on the same day and remained in custody until they were sentenced.
“Both the accused pleaded guilty on 19 April 2024. Rossouw was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment of which 5 years is suspended for 5 years. Snyders was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment, of which 6 years is suspended for five years,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the Detective Warrant Officer, David Matthys of the Calvinia Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for his meticulous investigation that led to the outstanding GBVF sentences.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) said it was disappointed to see players involved in a brawl during a Hollywoodbets Super League match. Now the football body said it will crack the whip against ‘rebels’, who put the organisation in disrepute.
The incident that was caught live on SABC 1, took place between Royal AM FC and Lindelani Ladies FC at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu Township, Kwazulu Natal.
The SAFA president, Dr Danny Jordaan said: “SAFA is disappointed by the violence displayed by players during the Hollywoodbets Super League match between Royal AM and Lindelani Ladies at the Princess Magogo Stadium, in KwaMashu.
“What was meant to be an entertaining KZN derby in women’s football, turned out to put the integrity of the women’s game in disarray. SAFA has received the Match Commissioners report following the incident caught live on SABC 1.”
Jordaan further said the referees’ report will also be studied before the two teams are called into a disciplinary hearing. He added that a fight broke out on the pitch and forced the referee to give five red cards in the dying minutes of the game.
The South African Food Sovereignty Campaign (SAFSC) calls for solidarity with International Day of Peasant Struggle. The SAFSC coordinator, Qhawekazi Mahlalela said in support of agro-ecology and food sovereignty against the corporate food system’s expansion, their organisation joins the International Day of Peasant Struggle, a worldwide mobilisation of farmers and their allies.
Mahlalela said SAFSC re-confirmed its dedication to community-led solutions and grassroots activity in the face of difficulties posed by corporate dominance in food systems, having emerged from ten years of campaigning, notably during the greatest drought in South Africa’s history.
She further said at the heart of the movement are the voices of peasants and small-scale farmers, often marginalized and overlooked.
“We recognize their vital role in the fight for food sovereignty and climate justice. The corporate conquest of agriculture, which aims to commercialise and dominate every facet of food production, is something that SAFSC vehemently opposes.
“We oppose the digitalization of farming methods because we know it will negatively affect farmers’ independence and expertise. Under the pretext of innovation, digital agriculture advances the goals of large agri-business corporations at the expense of local authority over food production, commerce, and consumption,” said Mahlalela.
She added that, to support this cause, they invite individuals to engage with their resources, such as the food sovereignty activist guide, which aims to equip activists with a comprehensive understanding of hunger’s societal roots, connecting it to broader injustices and wealth disparities. Mahlalela said this will happen, while empowering them to build alternative food systems grounded in solidarity, food sovereignty, and agro-ecology.
“We also have a comprehensive water tool, which functions as an educational tool for communities and grassroots activists, empowering them to comprehend the complexities of the water crisis and its associated power dynamics.
“It equips them with foundational knowledge of water resources, practical techniques for water conservation, and the capacity to organise responses to water policies, while promoting the protection and celebration of local and indigenous water science,” she said.
Mahlalela said they also stand with peasant struggles to protect the ocean commons and advance the rights of small-scale fishers. She said in addition, they recently hosted a webinar titled “The Ocean Commons: Risks and Challenges for Food Sovereignty”, which individuals can find linked to them.
“Together, let us amplify the voices of peasants and small-scale farmers, defend agro-ecology and food sovereignty and build a future, where communities have control over their food systems,” said Mahlalela.
More than 382 suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Shanela. The suspects were arrested for murder, attempted murder, rape robbery, assault, burglary, malicious damage to property, dealing and possession of drugs.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said, this includes illicit mining, possession of counterfeit goods, possession of suspected stolen stock, undocumented illegal immigrants, possession of precious metals, as well as illegal dealing in liquor that resulted in the closure of 10 liquor outlets.
Kock said 143 wanted suspects were traced and arrested by detectives for evading court appearances and contravening court orders.
“Operation Shanela is a weekly multi-disciplinary high density operation and commenced from 15 until 21 April 2024, with a focus on the reduction of contact and violent crimes in crime hotspots. Actions and police activities, executed during the disruptive actions.
“Activities include vehicle check points (VCPs), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, smuggling of drugs and other commodities. VCPs and roadblocks were conducted across the province during which 2270 vehicles and 4617 persons were stopped and searched,” he said.
Kock further said the police have executed several actions, which included numerous compliance inspections at second-hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, farms and mines.
He added that the police confiscated large volumes of alcoholic beverages and non-ferrous metal items during inspections.
“The police also seized a large amount of drugs and cash believed to be the proceeds of drug dealing during different raids and operations across the province,” said Kock.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, indicated that the success of Operation Shanela is due to the support of various communities and the multi-disciplinary approach with several role players. Otola said they will unabatedly continue to combat any unlawful actions and ensure special care to victims of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F).
“The police invite the public to rate the police efforts in fighting contact crimes by participating in the “RATE OUR SERVICE” online survey to assist the police in improving services,” she said.
The Ad Hoc Committee on the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill conducted the public hearings at the Recreation Hall in Galeshewe Township, in Kimberley, where the committee welcomed approximately 204 members of the public.
The Chairperson of the AD HOC Committee on the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill, Kenneth Mmoiemang said among the inputs made, were in support of the re-establishing the intelligence academy to capacitate the country’s intelligence services.
“The community members also supported the independence of the National Intelligence Coordinating Committee (NICOC) and the Inspector General of Intelligence (IGI), the need for a Deputy IGI, and for the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI) to have a Deputy Chairperson.
“The members of the public also proposed that the JSCI should have regular meetings with the president of the country. Proposals to amend the Secret Services Act of 1978 to provide for an Evaluation Committee within 12 months after the Act is passed, were also proposed,” he said.
The police in Orkney are investigating a case of double murder after two unknown bodies were found at Skoonspruit River between Orkney and Kanana Township on Friday morning. It is alleged that a passerby called the police after he saw the bodies, which were in bags.
It is alleged that one of the bodies was floating and the other was next to the river.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said the lifeless bodies are suspected to be in their early twenties. Funani further said the bodies, which were found with hands tied at the back, are believed to be those of illegal miners, commonly known as zama-zamas.
“The preliminary investigation showed that the victims were allegedly shot on their heads. At this stage, the motive for the killing is still unknown and investigations are ongoing. No arrest has been effected.
“The police request anyone who may have information that can assist in the investigations, to contact Captain Brent Browning of Orkney Detectives on 082 416 4080 or the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number on 08600 10111,” she said.
Funani added that, alternatively, information can be shared via MySAPS App on the smartphone.
Five suspects aged between 30 and 52, were arrested for business robberies, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. The suspects were nabbed by a multi-disciplinary team comprising of Bojanala District Detective Task Team, Marikana Visible Policing, Vala Umgodi deployment, Rustenburg Crime Intelligence, Operational Command Centre Unit (OCCU), Sun City and Mogwase Detectives and Rustenburg Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) during a crime intelligence-driven operation on 18 and 19 April 2024.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Amanda Funani said, the suspects were arrested after intelligence regarding a bolt driver, who was suspected to be using his two taxis to commit business robberies was received and operationalised. Funani said subsequently, the police allegedly traced and arrested a suspect (34) at Phokeng Township, near Rustenburg and a firearm was found inside his vehicle.
“The suspect admitted during questioning that he was involved in a business robbery committed last month in Sun City. Furthermore, he implicated four other suspects, who are Lesotho nationals and apparently in the country illegally.
“The four suspects were arrested on Friday morning at their residential places. Three of them were found in possession of unlicensed firearms, of which two were found to be replica firearms. Two cases of business robbery, four counts of contravention of Immigration Act, 2002 (No. 13 of 2002) and counts of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition were registered,” she said.
Funani further said the suspects are expected to appear before the Rustenburg, Mankwe and Bafokeng Magistrate’s Courts on different charges on Monday.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated all units involved for a sterling job that led to the arrests of the five suspects. Kwena also encouraged businessmen to report cases as it was discovered that, out of nine business robberies that the suspects allegedly committed, only two were reported to the police.
The Guardian 