Daily Archives: January 19, 2025

Three brothers nabbed for robbery, kidnapping and possession of suspected stolen goods

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Picture: Police Tape

By REGINALD KANYANE

19 January 2025- Three brothers were arrested for various offences ranging from house robbery, kidnapping to possession of suspected stolen goods during crime intelligence-driven operation by members of Brits Trio Task Team. This comes after Nyiko Sithole (26), Bennett Sithole (24) and Derrick Sithole (27), were arrested individually between 7 and 8 January 2025, in Winterveldt and Garankuwa. 

The North West police spokesperson, Captain Mpho Manyoba said Nyiko was arrested after being linked with house robbery and kidnapping cases through fingerprints. Manyoba said crimes were committed in Hartbeespoortdam in November 2024. 

“The police seized several suspected stolen goods during the arrest. Upon interview, the suspect implicated his brother, Bennett who was traced to Garankuwa and arrested. Similarly, Bennett implicated his younger brother Derrick who was eventually arrested on 8 January 2025. 

“A search conducted at Derrick’s place in Soshanguve, resulted in the recovery of a Chevrolet Utility bakkie and other items. Further investigation led the police to Morgan Mphela (51), who allegedly bought a suspected stolen Isuzu bakkie from the trio, then chopped it to sell parts,” she said.

Manyoba further said Mphela was charged for possession of suspected stolen goods. She added that the Sithole brothers are expected to make their third court appearance on 22 January 2025, subsequent to initial appearances on 10 and 15 January 2025.  

“Mphela is appearing separately in the Garankuwa Magistrate’s Court for possession of suspected stolen goods,” said Manyoba.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, hailed the police involved for their dedication that resulted in the arrests and recoveries.

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State opposes Loma’s bail application

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By OBAKENG MAJE

19 January 2025- The Johannesburg High Court postponed the bail application by Michael Harry Lomas to 24 January 2025, for further hearing. The legal representative placed it on record that the state opposes the application and an affidavit will be provided detailing the reasons for opposing.

The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said: “Following the successful extradition from the United Kingdom (UK) in September 2024, Lomas made his first appearance at the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court and the matter was subsequently transferred to the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court, which eventually transferred it to the high court to be joined with that of the 11 others, who are charged with him.

“In all these court appearances, he reserved his right to apply for bail. Lomas later in December 2024, following his first appearance at the Johannesburg High Court, filed a notice with the high court indicating his intention to formally apply for bail.”

Mamothame further said Lomas and 11 other are facing 41 counts of corruption linked to the R1,4 billion that was meant for the upgrade of Eskom’s Kusile Power Station in Mpumalanga between 2014 and 2017. He said their matter will appear on 5 March 2025, for pretrial.

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SAPS: “Stop peddling misinformation”

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Picture: Stilfontein mine shaft

By BAKANG MOKOTO

19 January 2025- The South African Police Service (SAPS) said it wishes to clarify certain issues pertaining to matters related to Stilfontein and condemns the ongoing peddling of misinformation and lies. The police said the first matter is that of the personal information of suspects arrested in the Stilfontein retrieval operation.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the police have since the commencement of the resurfacing of illegal miners, shared a list of those that have resurfaced and retrieved them with two community leaders. Mokgwabone said this was firstly done to ensure transparency with communities, but to also ensure that community members assist the police in finding the next-of-kin of those involved in the illegal mining operations.

“The police have since learnt with dismay that these lists which include names, nationalities and birth dates have been widely shared on various social media platforms. The police are therefore investigating the sharing of suspects personal information in public.

“The second issue is the peddling of lies and misinformation on the blasting of shaft 10 by police. Upon receipt of such an allegation, the police instructed its explosives team to inspect shaft 10 for any sign of explosion,” he said.

Mokgwabone further said it was found that no such blasting or bombing as is referred to – took place. He added that, the police remind those behind this peddling, that according to the Explosives Act 26 of 1956 Section 27 (1A), it is an offense to communicate false information regarding any explosion or alleged explosion.

“Those that do will be guilty of an offense. The SAPS is engaging its legal team on a way forward. Thirdly, the allegation that police arrested one of the volunteers, Mzwandile Mkwayi, in this operation is devoid of truth.

“Mkwayi, according to the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is a parolee and allegedly contravened his parole conditions. The SAPS refers this matter to the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) for further information and clarity. It should be noted that the volunteer is not in police custody,” said Mokgwabone.

He said Vala Umgodi deployments continue to prevent and combat illicit mining activities in Stilfontein.

Meanwhile, the Department of Correctional Services spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo said Mkwayi was not arrested or detained by the DCS. Nxumalo said he was taken to the Klerksdorp Community Corrections Office for administrative purposes, as he is currently a parolee.

“Mkwayi has been on parole since 15 April 2021. His sentence, which commenced following a conviction for murder on 16 September 2013, is set to expire on 15 September 2028. Parole violations include leaving designated jurisdiction.

“So, Mkwayi violated his parole conditions by leaving his designated jurisdiction without prior notification or approval from his monitoring officials. Adherence to jurisdictional boundaries is a critical aspect of parole conditions to ensure proper monitoring,” he said.

Nxumalo said Mkwayi also engaged with media outlets without securing prior authorization, which constitutes another breach of his parole conditions. He said the DSC has issued a formal warning to Mkwayi for these violations.

“He remains on parole and will continue to be monitored in accordance with the conditions of his parole placement until the sentence expiry date,” said Nxumalo.

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A man arrested for possession of suspected stolen goods  

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

19 January 2025- In an endeavour to address serious and violent crimes, a disruptive operation by the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Task Team and other role players culminated in the apprehension of a man (48), on Wednesday night, 15 January 2025, at Lethabong, outside Rustenburg, for possession of suspected stolen goods.

Eric Ngwenya was arrested after the team of Rustenburg Tactical Response Team (TRT), Public Order Police (POP), Crime Intelligence, Bafokeng Royal Security and Bidvest Security, allegedly intercepted a grey Volkswagen Passat vehicle.

The North West police spokesperson, Captain Mpho Manyoba said it was established on investigation that the vehicle was stolen in Garsfontein, Gauteng Province in May 2024. Manyoba further said the investigation into the matter, led the police to the accused’s residence in Lethabong, where a Nissan NP200 vehicle was discovered.

“The said vehicle was linked to cases of murder and house robbery committed in the policing area of Swartruggens in June 2024. Ngwenya briefly appeared in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 17 January 2025, for possession of suspected stolen motor vehicles. 

“He was remanded in custody until 20 January 2025. In Rustenburg North, where the police were tracing suspects possibly involved in theft of motor vehicles, two Mozambican foreign nationals were arrested and detained for contravention of Section 49 (1) (a) of the Immigration Act, 2002.  

“The pair appeared in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 17 January 2025,” she added.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, commended all the role players for their collaborative efforts and the sterling work to ensure that an apparent repeat offender is put behind bars.   

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Two suspects to appear in court for double murder

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By REGINALD KANYANE

19 January 2025- Two suspects aged 23 and 28, nabbed for two counts of murder. The suspects were arrested during crime intelligence-driven operation by Brits Trio Task Team and Letlhabile Visible Policing on 17 January 2025, in Letlhabile Block I and G respectively.

The North West police spokesperson, Captain Mpho Manyoba said this transpired after the police received a tip-off regarding a double murder incident and operationalised it. Manyoba said it is alleged that, the suspects shot and killed a man and a woman in the early hours of Thursday morning, 16 January 2025, inside a tuck shop at Checkers Section, Maboloka village, near Letlhabile.

“The motive of the incident is yet to be determined. The first suspect was arrested at Block I and following the interview, he led the police to Block G, where his accomplice was located and arrested.

“In effecting the second arrest, the team confiscated firearms that included 12 Gauge shotgun with filed off serial number, four ammunition as well as a silver 9mm star pistol with filed off serial number and one ammunition, which were found hidden in the garden,” she said.

Manyoba further said the suspects are expected to appear in the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 20 January 2025. She added that the 28-year-old suspect will be facing additional charges of unlawful possession of firearms and unlawful possession of ammunition.

“Investigations into the matter, including the tracing of the other suspect/s are underway,” said Manyoba. 

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, welcomed the arrest of two suspects for two counts of murder. Asaneng lauded the police for their relentless efforts to ascertain that the suspects are arrested within hours after the commission of the crimes.

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Three men nabbed for forgery and uttering

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By OBAKENG MAJE

19 January 2025- Three men were arrested by the police in Meriting village, near Rustenburg, for forgery and uttering. The men were arrested during a crime prevention-driven operation on 15 January 2025.

 The North West police spokesperson, Captain Mpho Manyoba said the accused, Takalani Netangule (45), Sphelele Bangiso (34) and Bangani Anele (38), briefly appeared before Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court and were granted R2000 bail each on 17 January 2025.

“They will reappear before the court on 23 January and 13 February 2025 respectively. The accused were arrested after the members of the crime prevention unit followed up on a tip-off from members of the community during the back to school campaign operation at one of the local schools.

“As a result, a search and seizure warrant was obtained and executed at the identified place. During the search, forged documents and fake certified copies, certification stamps bearing the names of Rustenburg Station and Boitekong Vispol Commander were found,” she said. 

Manyoba said in addition, there were certified copies with false persal numbers of police officers, a doctor’s blank sick notes, pay slips, mine and South African Revenue Services (SARS) certificates. She further said it transpired that members of the community were issued with fake medical and mine qualifications related certificates produced at the internet cafe.

“The preliminary investigation conducted with one of the mines confirmed that the pay slip was false. All the equipment including computers used to reproduce

 fake medical and mining certificates were confiscated.

“Investigation into the matter continues and police request members of the community to come forth with information that can assist in the investigation by calling the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Otladisang Moremi on 060 987 8626,” added Manyoba.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, appreciated the work the police carried out jointly with the public. Asaneng reminded the communities that they are the eyes and ears of the police and that safer communities are enhanced by working together towards the fight against crime.   

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