31 October 2025- The double murder accused, Tebogo Mnisi (38) from Extension 17 in Mamelodi East, has abandoned his bail application at the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court on 28 October 2025. Mnisi is facing two counts of premeditated murder, attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and possession of unlawful ammunition.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said it is alleged that during the early hours of 26 October 2025, at approximately 2am, the accused shot and killed his girlfriend, Tshiyamo Sweetness Moramaga (22) and her cousin, Boleseng Mirandah Moramaga (21). Mhanjana said Mnisi also allegedly attempted to kill their friend, Desmond Semang (27), who was with the two women at Small Konka Tavern in Mamelodi East that night.
“Following police investigations, the accused was arrested at a garage on Solomon Mahlangu Drive on 27 October 2025. In court, Mnisi abandoned his bail application, and the matter was postponed to 19 January 2026 for further investigation. He remains in custody pending the finalisation of the case.
“The NPA condemns acts of gender-based violence and femicide and remains committed to ensuring that perpetrators face the full might of the law,” she said.
23 October 2025- The Vryburg Regional Court has sentenced Osvaldo Julia Cumbane (32), a Mozambican national, to an effective 25 years’ imprisonment following his conviction on multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit an offence, murder, attempted murder, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, two counts of pointing a firearm, and possession of ammunition.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in the North West, Sivenathi Gunya said the court heard that on 2 May 2022, Cumbane left Welkom in the Free State, where he was residing, and travelled with a group of men to Ganyesa in the North West. Gunya said upon their arrival, they conspired to commit a robbery.
“The police investigations led by the Warrant Officer Calvin Koope from the Mahikeng Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit (Hawks), revealed that on 4 May 2022, the group proceeded to Tlaakgameng Trading Store to execute their plan to rob a Fidelity Security Services cash-in-transit vehicle.
“When the vehicle arrived at the store, the robbers ambushed the guards. During the robbery, gunfire was exchanged, and one of the security officers, Lebogang Leager Kakgola, was shot. He was rushed to a nearby clinic, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Following intensive investigations, Cumbane was arrested on 15 January 2024,” he said.
Gunya said he was denied bail and remained in custody throughout the trial. He said during proceedings, Cumbane pleaded guilty to all charges in terms of a plea and sentence agreement with the state.
“Advocate Ayanda Mzamo told the court that the accused was driven by greed when he planned to rob the cash-in-transit vehicle, an act that resulted in the senseless loss of an innocent life performing his duties. The court sentenced Cumbane seven years imprisonment for conspiracy to commit an offence, 25 years’ imprisonment for murder, 7 years imprisonment for attempted murder and 15 years imprisonment for two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances.
“He was also sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for kidnapping, 15 years imprisonment for two counts of pointing a firearm and 7 years imprisonment for possession of ammunition. In accordance with Section 280 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, some sentences will run concurrently, resulting in an effective 25 year term of imprisonment,” said Gunya.
Welcoming the sentence, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended both the prosecution and the investigative teams for their diligence and dedication. Makhari reaffirmed the NPA’s commitment to combating violent crime and ensuring justice for victims and their families.
Picture: One of the firearms confiscated during raid/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
23 September 2025- A murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, robbery and malicious damage to property case against twelve accused has been postponed to 6 October 2025, by the Zeerust Magistrate’s Court. Twelve accused aged between 21 and 48, were remanded in custody.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said the accused were arrested in connection with the murder of Mzomuhle Themba Zulu (35), attempted murder, kidnapping, robbery and malicious damage to property. Myburgh said this comes after a team of detectives was established to investigate shooting incidents at Marula Kop village in the Masebudula area, close to Nietverdiend on Tuesday morning, 16 September 2024.
“The initial investigations indicated that an alleged conflict between two security companies led to the attack, wherein Zulu was fatally wounded. Furthermore, a driver of a taxi was kidnapped, but shortly rescued by the police after the incident.
“Five people were wounded, firearms were robbed and numerous vehicles were rammed by a Nyala (armoured vehicle). The information about the suspects were gathered and operationalised, leading to their arrest on the same day,” she said.
Myburgh further said the police also confiscated an assortment of rifles, pistols and ammunition alleged to be used during the commission of the crime.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Dintletse Molefe, applauded the detective team for working diligently until all suspects were arrested, shortly after the incidents were reported. Molefe added that the police will continue to work hard to ensure that the criminals face the full might of the law and successful prosecution is achieved in court.
31 August 2025- More than 308 suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Shanela. The suspects were arrested for murder, attempted murder, rape, assault, burglary, theft, illegal possession of ammunition, malicious damage to property and illegal dealing in liquor.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said this includes possession of dangerous weapons, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, theft out of motor vehicles, possession and dealing in drugs, illicit mining, stock theft, as well as undocumented immigrants.
Sam said several wanted suspects were traced and brought to book for evading court appearances and contravention of court orders.
“The police confiscated large volumes of alcoholic beverages, drugs and cash that are believed to be the proceeds of crime. Numerous awareness campaigns aimed at women emancipation and gender-based violence were activated across the province in conjunction with the Women’s Network and Men for Change, as well as community policing structures.
“Operation Shanela remains focused in clamping down on crime in the province. This is evident in the weekly arrests and police actions executed from 25 until 31August 2025, with the focus on the reduction of contact and violent crimes in crime hotspot areas which netted 308 suspects,” he said.
Sam further said actions and police activities executed during the operations include, vehicle check points (VCPs), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, drugs and other commodities smuggling actions. He added that several VCPs and roadblocks were conducted across the province during which a total of 3546 vehicles and 6663 persons were stopped and searched.
“Numerous compliance inspections at second-hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, farms and mines were executed,” said Sam.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, expressed her gratitude to all law enforcement agencies for the collective efforts and actions executed during this period. Otola said Operation Shanela II successes are due to improved collaboration between the private sector and communities in the fight against crime.
Picture: Some of dagga seized by the police/Supplied
By AGISANANG SCUFF
9 July 2025 – The police in North West, working together with other law enforcement agencies, said they will continue to put suspects behind bars through Operation Shanela. This comes after suspects were apprehended between 30 June and 6 July 2025, for various crimes.
The police said the suspects were arrested for robbery aggravating, murder, attempted murder, assault common and with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, dealing in drugs, illegal dealing in liquor, possession of drugs, burglary on business and residential premises and many others.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said additionally, 30 suspected undocumented persons were taken in for processing by Immigration Officials. Myburgh said out of 871 suspects, 319 suspects were wanted and nabbed during detectives’ suspect raiding operations.
“The police were able to shut down 20 unlicensed taverns/liquor stores and arrested 41 suspects for driving under the influence of liquor. The fight against Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) continues to be a primary objective of the police, whereby 27 suspects were arrested for rape, 52 for possession of dangerous weapons and 218 for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm and common assault around the province.
“In the province, a total of 96 arrests were made for possession of drugs. At Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke on Friday evening, 4 July 2025, information received led police to a house in Extension 5, where a man (37) was arrested after nearly 2kg of dagga was found in his possession,” she said.
Myburgh further said the dagga and cash were seized by police. She added that, the suspect appeared before the Schweizer Reneke Magistrate’s Court on 8 July 2025, on a charge of dealing in dagga.
“As part of the actions executed during the operations, 330 premises, 2884 persons and 948 vehicles were searched. The operation also led to the confiscation of alcohol, ten firearms, 144 rounds of ammunition, a variety of drugs and cash,” said Myburgh.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng said the weekly High Density Operations, which are coordinated, conducted and commanded by District Commissioners and Senior Officers in the province, are gradually decreasing the high levels of crime particularly in the Province’s High Contact Crimes and Priority Crimes Police Stations with a few of the North West Police Stations now featuring on the National Top 30 high crime volumes Stations.
Asaneng said these targeted, intelligence led operations in identified hotspots are intended to address the proliferation of drugs, dangerous weapons, illegal firearms and liquor related crime.
Picture: Police busy with stop and search during Operation Shanela/Supplied
By AGISANANG SCUFF
9 June 2025- The police in Northern Cape said high density multi-disciplinary operation, Operation Shanela, remains steadfast and intentional in its quest to stabilize crime in high crime areas throughout the province. The police said a week long operations in the province, has netted 244 persons for various crimes including murder, attempted murder, rape, assault GBH, dealing in drugs and illegal dealing in liquor.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson,
Brigadier Mashay Gamieldien said detectives also executed tracing operations during which 63 wanted suspects were apprehended for evading arrests or failing to honour court appearances. Gamieldien said compliance inspections at numerous liquor outlets, second-hand dealers, recyclers, informal business establishments, hostels and unlicensed liquor outlets were conducted.
“Disruptive actions included roadblocks, VCPs, intensified blue light patrols, high visibility actions at shopping malls and complexes. Large volumes of alcoholic beverages were seized, while homebrewed concoctions were destroyed during compliance inspections at illegal liquor outlets.
“Drugs were also seized during stop and searches as well raids at identified locations. This week also seen numerous social crime prevention initiatives and programmes conducted at schools as part of the Child Protection Week campaign,” she said.
Gamieldien further said police convened community meetings to encourage collaboration between law enforcement and the community to prevent and combat crime. She added that, illicit cigarettes were also seized during a joint operation on 6 June 2025, in Rosedale amounting to almost R1.8 million.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola and the Northern Cape MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Limakatso Koloi, together with stakeholders and departments hosted a very successful Crime Indaba in Mothibistad. Otola cited that, Operation Shanela will continue to promote better relationships between law enforcement and the community.
“We encourage cooperation and collaboration in crime prevention efforts. We highly appreciate and commend the support and assistance of all external stakeholders in this collective fight against crime,” she said.
Picture: George Barnett Peters back in the Northern Cape High Court for trial/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
18 March 2025- The accused, George Barnett Peters and 16 others aged between 21 and 36, are expected to appear in the Northern Cape High Court sitting in Kimberley for trial. The trial is scheduled to take place from 17-28 March 2025.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe said the group is facing numerous charges of aiding and abetting of criminal gang activities, 350 charges of money laundering, racketeering, murder, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearm, insurance fraud, kidnapping, rape, assault, conspiracy to commit murder and contravention of Section 9 Act 121 of 1998 Gang related offenses.
Thebe said Chane Adams (28), Shawnwin Smith (25), Henry Blom (28), Estee Sade Lawan (25), Bincent Rosen (37), Michael Peters (30), Semone Rose (30), Thabo Sekopano (36), Stephanie McAnda (22), Britney Arends (21), Janine Plaatjie (22) and Abigail Van Wyk (24), were arrested on 4 and 6 May 2023, in a multi-disciplinary approach consisting of Hawks Serious Organized Crime Investigation and Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team, Provincial Serious Organized Crime team and Crime Prevention.
“The accused persons were arrested in Kimberley and Kuruman simultaneously. It is alleged that between August 2020 and March 2023, a well-known gang from Kimberley was engaged in the above-mentioned criminal activities.
“During the arrest, one of the accused was found in possession of mandrax tablets and an undisclosed amount of money, which were confiscated for further investigation. An additional case against the accused (Shawnwin Smith) was registered for dealing in drugs,” he said.
Thebe further said members of Kimberley Serious Organised Crime Investigating team managed to successfully oppose bail against the group and only two (Chanaaz Mentor and Henry Blom) of the accused managed to be granted bail in October 2023, after a lengthy bail application process. He added other members of the group whom were arrested at different times and locations, include accomplices Deon May, Clive Peters, Nico Hofuza, Pameston Mentoor and Tshepo Malimbi.
“The case continues before the Northern Cape High Court sititng in Kimberley on 18 March 2025,” said Thebe.
4 February 2025- More than 780 suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Shanela across the North West. The suspects were arrested for various offences such as murder, attempted murder, driving under the influence of alcohol, dealing in drugs, assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and common.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said this includes illegal dealing in liquor, possession of drugs, as well as burglary at business and residential premises. Mokgwabone said of these arrests, 468 were effected during detectives’ suspect raiding operations.
“Still in arrests, Mmabatho Family Violence, Child Protection & Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit members apprehended a wanted suspect, Tshepo Lebotso (36) during crime intelligence-led operation on Tuesday morning, 28 January 2025.
“Lebotso was arrested in Lonely Park village after a warrant was issued for his arrest in June 2022. He was wanted in connection with a rape committed in August 2018. In Vryburg on Thursday morning, 30 January 2025, a multi-disciplinary operation conducted at the taxi rank led to the confiscation of 18 small packets of dagga with estimated street value of R900,” he said.0
Mokgwabone further said 11 suspected undocumented foreign nationals were detained following the operation. He added that this brought a number of suspected undocumented persons taken in for processing by Immigration Officials in the province, to 55.
“As part of the operations, 449 premises, 1380 persons and 955 vehicles were searched. Moreover, the operation led to confiscation of alcohol, 37 rounds of ammunition, tobacco products, and 10 cellular phones,” said Mokgwabone.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, committed that police working together with other law enforcement agencies and role players remain steadfast in ensuring that Operation Shanela puts criminals behind bars. Asaneng also lauded all law enforcement officers and other role players for their dedication in ensuring the safety and security of the communities.
28 January 2025- More than 186 suspects arrested during Operation Shanela, that is a weekly multi-disciplinary high density operation which commenced on 20 until 26 January 2025.
The suspects were arrested for various crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape robbery, assault, burglary, malicious damage to property, dealing and possession of drugs, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as well as undocumented illegal immigrants and wanted persons.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel, Sergio Kock said Operation Shanela focuses on the reduction of contact and violent crimes in crime hotspot areas. Kock said in total, 9900 actions and police activities were executed, which included vehicle check points (VCPs), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, drugs and other commodities smuggling.
“Numerous vehicle check points (VCPs) and roadblocks, were conducted across the province
during which 1929 vehicles and 4623 persons were stopped and searched. Various compliance inspections at second hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security companies, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, farms and mines were executed.
“Random schools were also visited with Safer Schools representatives of both the Education Department and South African Police Service (SAPS) as part of the disruptive actions,” he said.
Kock further said the police confiscated large volumes of alcoholic beverages, drugs, non-ferrous metal items and cash that is believed to be the proceeds of crime.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, indicated that the success of Operation Shanela in the province is as a result of stakeholder collaboration. Otola said the robust involvement of the community and all other relevant role players in crime fighting endeavours is pivotal in dismantling criminal activities, thus ensuring that no one is left behind.
“We 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.
Picture: Some of suspects arrested by the police during raid/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
20 January 2025- The police in the Northern Cape have stamped the authority of the state as learners returned back to school throughout the province. The disruptive actions across all five districts in the province secured the arrest of 228 suspects for serious crimes including dealing in drugs, possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of drugs, attempted murder, business robbery, murder, rape and assault GBH.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said this includes the arrest of five wanted suspects, who were traced by detectives and successfully apprehended. Ehlers said collaboration between the police and other government departments to address priority crimes, resulted in these arrests and confiscation of drugs such as dagga, Tik and mandrax as well the seizure of alcohol, dangerous weapons and money believed to be the proceeds of crime.
“A total of 5687 persons and 2777 vehicles were stopped and searched at roadblocks, vehicle check points, high visibility patrols and stop and search actions. Compliance inspections were conducted at liquor outlets, second-hand goods dealers, scrapyards, and recyclers.
“More than 17 unlicensed liquor outlets were closed during these inspections. In an effort to promote rural safety, several farms and mines were visited. The police, in partnership with other government departments and Community Police Structures (CPS), embarked on numerous back to school awareness campaigns in all five districts to promote school safety and address significant issues such as bullying, dangerous weapons and drug abuse,” she said.
Ehlers further said the engagements at schools will continue. She added that communities are encouraged to assist the police, share valuable information and to continue aiding the police by reporting incidents via the MySAPS app or 08600 10111.
The Guardian 