On The BLOCK News

01/02/2025

*A Man (29) sentences to two life imprisonment and fifteen years imprisonment for r**e and housebreaking with intent to commit attempted r**e*


Polokwane regional court has, on Thursday, 30 January 2025, sentenced the accused, Moremi Moyahabo Solomon (29), to Life imprisonment for the r**e of a 28-year-old, life imprisonment for housebreaking with intent to commit r**e to a 29-year-old victim, and fifteen years for housebreaking with the intent to commit attempted r**e to a 15-year-old girl.

The court noted that on 16 April 2015, at Lipsig village, a 15-year-old victim was asleep in her room when she heard someone on top of her touching her naked body.
The victim overpowered the accused, and her mother also managed to save the victim from the accused. He then fled the scene. The incident was reported, and police investigations were activated.

On another incident, on 21 August 2016 at about 00:41 at Sikiding village, the victim was asleep in the bedroom with her mother when she heard the footsteps in the kitchen.
Her mother thought footsteps was her younger sister, who was sleeping in the other room.

The victim opened the door of the bedroom before she could enter the kitchen. The accused assaulted her with an iron rod and switched off the light.
She managed to escape outside and hide herself with a tree with her child on her back. The suspect hit the younger sister with sharp objects and went outside.
The accused found the complainant hiding. He then forcefully bent the victim down and r**ed her.

The incident was reported, and the investigation was activated.

On the third incident, at Blackhill village, on 02 July 2016, another victim was asleep with her sister and their children. She heard the sound of a window opening in the bedroom.
The accused entered through the window holding a knife and went to the victim, grabbed and pulled her threatening to stab her with a knife.
The sister tried to intervene and fought the accused who threatened to kill her. He thereafter went to the victim and r**ed her.

All incidents were reported to the police, and Warrant Officer Khomotso Lefowa (FCS Seshego) and Warrant Officer Robert Tsiri (Seshego FCS) were tasked with investigations through their investigative skills;
the accused was arrested on 27 August 2016 at about 11:20 and denied bail.

The samples were taken from both the accused and the victims. The DNA result was positive.

The accused was found guilty and sentenced by Polokwane regional court on Thursday 30 January 2025 on three counts as follows:

Count 1: R**e : Life imprisonment,

Count 2: housebreaking with the intent to commit attempted r**e : fifteen years.

Count 3 :housebreaking with the intent to r**e: life imprisonment.

The accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm, be included in the National Register for Sexual Offenses, and not suitable to work with children, and his particulars must be included in Part B of the National Child Protection Register.

The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has welcomed the sentencing and commended investigating officers and their team for their excellent work in making sure that those who commit gender-based violence are given harsher terms.

Issued by Colonel Malesela Ledwaba
South African Police Service
Office of the Provincial Commissioner :Limpopo

Pictures:

1. Accused Moremi Moyahabo Solomon (29)

2. Investigating Officer Warrant Officer Khomotso Lefowa (FCS Seshego)

01/02/2025

*SUSPECT INVOLVED IN A MURDER OF A FARMER AT GROBLERSDAL SET TO APPEAR BEFORE COURT*

A 51-year-old suspect, Tobias Moyo, who is a foreign national involved in a farm-murder at one of the farms in Groblersdal, was arrested on Sunday, 26 January 2025, at Etwatwa in Daveyton, Gauteng province, through a positive information. He appeared before Groblersdal Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, 28 January 2025, and he was remanded in custody until Monday, 03 February 2025.

Meanwhile, Fanie Sergio Makwakwa (31) still required to avail himself to the nearest police station as it is believed that he may be of assistance in solving serious cases that happened on the farm.

This is following an incident of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, housebreaking, unlawful possession of firearm, and ammunition that took place at a farm near Groblersdal, on 06 August 2017.

According to reports, a group of men attacked the farm owner together with his family and assaulted the farmer to death. Family members were taken to the hospital for medical treatment and were later discharged.

Among the group, four suspects were arrested, two on 06 August 2017, and another two on 08 August 2017. When they initially appeared in court on 08 August 2017, they were not given bail. However, they were eventually granted bail.

In the course of time, one of the suspects passed on when they were expected to appear before the court, and the second one was subsequently released by the court.

The case docket was eventually referred to Polokwane High Court, and the remaining suspects were given a date of 23 August 2017 for their second court appearance, but they failed to appear and absconded.

Warrants of arrest were issued against the two suspects who were supposed to appear before court, but they were nowhere to be found.

Anyone who can identify a person on the picture or with information on the whereabouts of the suspect should contact Groblersdal Detective Commander Lieutenant Colonel Edrick Mukwevho on 082 303 9927 or Detective Constable Isaac Lebyane on the number 065 907 5141, crime stop number 08600 10111, the nearest police station, or share information on MySAPSApp.

Issued b6 Colonel Malesela Ledwaba
South African Police Service
Office of the Provincial Commissioner :Limpopo

01/02/2025

PROVINCIAL FLY SQUAD APPREHENDS THREE SUSPECTS FOR DEALING IN DRUGS

An intelligence-driven operation executed by the Provincial Flying Squad led to the arrest of three suspects for dealing in drugs in two separate locations in Ga-Mphahlele Lebowakgomo policing areas on Thursday, 30 January 2025.

Members of the Provincial Flying Squad were busy with patrol along 37 Road, R71, and R526 roads when they received information about a suspicious man selling dagga in the area.

An African male was spotted, and he was tactically approached and searched. During the search, he was found in possession of suspected dagga.

A 28-year-old suspect was placed under arrest immediately.

In a separate incident, two male suspects between the ages of 24 and 36 were arrested after they were found dealing in drugs.

Both suspects will appear before Thabamoopo Magistrate's Court soon, facing charges related to possession of suspected dagga and dealing in drugs.

Investigations continue.


Issued by: Colonel Malesela Ledwaba
South African Police Service
Office of the Provincial Commissioner :Limpopo

01/02/2025

*Limpopo Provincial Commissioner enchanted as members surpass expectations at the 10th National Excellence Awards*

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe applauded members performance during the 10th National Excellence Awards ceremony held at the Durban International Convention Centre, KwaZulu-Natal, recently.
The event was held under the theme "Saluting those who shine in the line of duty.

Limpopo team's exceptional performance was recognized with a multitude of prestigious awards, including : Certificates of excellence, trophies, gifts and vouchers symbolizing their outstanding achievements.

These accolades serve as a testament to the team's dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence.

Sergeant NS Mabunda attached to Malamulele SAPS, under Trio Crime Investigation was bestowed Man of the Year award.
He resolved multiple cases by recovering stolen vehicles and tracing suspects, even collaborating across provinces socially.

Brigadier ML Matseba, Limpopo’s Provincial Head of Supply Chain Management, was awarded first runner-up on Senior Administration Manager of the Year.
She achieved 100% compliance in performance assessments through improved procurement, supplier management, and reduced irregular expenditure.

Brigadier V Masingi, Provincial Head of Serious and Violent Crime Investigation in Limpopo, was placed on first runner-up in the Senior Operational Manager of the Year : She boosted informer numbers by 9.4% and led her team to solve high-profile murders, including Mayor Moses Maluleke’s case (240 years sentencing) and Dr. Johannes Mehlape.

Brigadier MHJ Van Staden received first runner-up recognition for Senior Operational Manager of the Year: Policing.
Brigadier Van Staden led 22 compliance inspections at event venues and strengthened stolen vehicle recoveries and CIT heist prevention through private security partnerships via the Eyes and Ears (E2) Project.

Colonel RS Sekgota’s leadership at Mahwelereng Police Station, Waterberg District, claimed first runner-up on Station of the Year, he has delivered exceptional results, including a 54.7% reduction in contact crimes and a 13.03% drop in property crimes.

Colonel Manasoe and Team Sekhukhune Crime Tracking Team scooped first runner-up on Operations Team of the Year. The team removed Nebo and Jane Furse from South Africa’s Top 30 high-crime stations.
They arrested suspects linked to high-profile cases, recovered stolen property, and reduced trio crimes like robberies and hijackings.

Colonel MM Mampa and Team from the Multi-Dimensional Organized Crime were awarded the second runner-up position on Crime Intelligence Team of the Year.
The team addressed trio crimes in Vhembe and CIT robberies in Mpumalanga, targeting the Jerusalem gang, the team arrested nine members, dismantling extortion and gang networks.

Captain G Van Der Merwe and Team Modimolle Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences received first runner up Team of the Year awards.
This team handles 60 crime scenes and 40 dockets monthly, utilising informers and stakeholders.

Warrant Officer J Baloyi from LCRC Modimolle was awarded second runner-up on Forensic Services employee of the year level 5-7.
As a Crime Scene Investigator in Waterberg, he demonstrated exceptional attention to detail during a murder investigation.
His collection of a critical fibre from a wire fence led to a breakthrough when forensic analysis linked it to a suspect’s jacket, significantly advancing the case.

Reservist Sergeant MM Tshabalala of Giyani Crime Prevention Unit secured second runner-up in the category Reservist of the Year.
He plays a key role in weekend crime prevention, conducting stop-and-searches, roadblocks, and attending to community complaints.
He introduced a team focusing on newly opened dockets, resulting in numerous arrests with suspects either on bail or in custody.

Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe expressed her joy at Limpopo team's performance at the glittering function, adding, "This recognition will motivate others to work harder to achieve similar accolades.
We are proud of our team’s performance, this was made possible by the support of all stakeholders in the fight against crime.
A special thanks to the MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Ms Violet Mathye for rallying behind team Limpopo.
The team can only grow from strength to strength.”

Issued by: Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Thakeng
South African Police Service
Office of the Provincial Commissioner :Limpopo

Pictures:

1. Sergeant NS Mabunda Trio Malamulele

2. Brig ML Matseba SCM Provincial Head

3. Brig V Masingi Serious and Violent Crimes Unit

4. Brig Van Staden POCC Provincial Head

5. Colonel RS Sekgota SC Mahwelereng

6. Colonel Manasoe, Sekhukhune Crime Tracking team

7. Warrant Officer Baloyi LCRC Modimolle

8. Reservist, Sergeant MM Tshabalala from Giyani Police Station

01/02/2025

Sebokeng Community Helps Police Capture Murder Suspect

Sebokeng, Gauteng – Police in Sebokeng are investigating a murder case following the fatal stabbing of a man on the night of Thursday, January 23, 2025. The victim, an African male, was allegedly attacked with a knife by a known suspect. The motive behind the killing remains unknown, and authorities are appealing to anyone with pertinent information to come forward.

On the morning of Sunday, January 26, 2025, residents of Zone 14 in Sebokeng organized a search for the suspect in the vicinity. Upon locating him, they requested police assistance to facilitate a citizen's arrest. Upon arrival, officers transported the injured suspect to Sebokeng Hospital for medical treatment. He is currently under police custody and is expected to appear in court soon.

Sebokeng police spokesperson, Sergeant Nthabiseng Mokhachane, expressed gratitude to the community for their role in apprehending the suspect. She emphasized the importance of refraining from acts of vigilantism, stating, "You cannot defeat violence with violence."

Acting Station Commander, Colonel Stofina Mofokeng, urges community members to engage in organized community patrols to enhance safety. Residents are encouraged to report any criminal activities or suspicious behavior to Sebokeng SAPS at 082 498 9563, 08600 10111, 10111, or 112.

This incident underscores the critical role of community-police collaboration in maintaining public safety and ensuring justice is served.

https://reamediahouse.co.za/breaking-news/f/sebokeng-community-helps-police-capture-murder-suspect

01/02/2025

DRJSMLM Internship opportunities

31/01/2025

Broken MRI machine at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital
by Jack Bloom MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC


A broken MRI scanner at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital (CMJH) is jeopardising the treatment of hundreds of patients as it is needed for a proper diagnosis.
The machine has been broken for weeks, but there has been no speedy action to fix it.

It is unbelievable that this major hospital has to cope with the failure of a vital machine that is needed to save the lives of emergency patients.

Cancer patients are also vulnerable as a delayed diagnosis decreases their chances of survival.

Gauteng hospitals are plagued by equipment failures, which are aggravated by the Gauteng Health Department's freeze on buying new equipment as they will run out of budget in the next few weeks.

Hospital CEOs need more powers to purchase and ensure maintenance of equipment, instead of waiting a long time for the provincial department to respond.

The DA Gauteng is pushing for a total shakeup of top management at this notoriously corrupt and inefficient department, which needs capable and honest staff to provide a quality health service.

31/01/2025

Corrupt Defence officials implicated in SIU COVID-19 probe deserve full might of the law
by Nicholas Gotsell MP - DA NCOP Member on Security & Justice


The Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) decision to cancel an irregular R200m contract by the Department of Defence to purchase unapproved COVID-19 medicine from Cuba is overdue. Those implicated must now be swiftly brought to book in yet another corruption scandal within the Department of Defence.

The DA has written to the Ministers of Police and Justice to establish progress made in the investigation and when cases will be brought for prosecution. We further demand the Defence Ministry’s full cooperation with the SIU.

In 2022, the DA laid criminal charges against Department of Defence officials implicated in malfeasance surrounding Operation Thusano—an agreement with Cuba costings South African taxpayers at least R1.4 billion.

A report by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AG) indicates that all expenditure under Operation Thusano since 2015, when the project commenced, to December 2021 were irregular, with no proper procurement procedures followed or deviations obtained prior to entering into supplementary agreements.

It was under the guise of Operation Thusano that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) irregularly procured interferon (Heberon Alpha-2B) from Cuba at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic to reportedly “cure Covid” at a cost of $20 million, of which $2 million was irregularly paid.

Further, the drug was purchased without approval for treatment of COVID-19 by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA). Despite this, Defence officials proceeded. After only 15 of 970,885 doses were used, the Department of Defence was instructed by the SAHPRA to return the medicine, yet they failed to recover $2 million used (R33 million).

From the AG’s report, it is clear that Operation Thusano should have been cancelled as early as 2022. The SANDF cannot afford the further R1.2 billion Cuba is expected to make from Thusano.

The SANDF has been captured by the ANC for laundering money through Cuba under the guise of contracts for technical services and educational purposes, and the DA will ensure that those responsible for looting an already cash-strapped, budget-deprived SANDF face the full might of the law.

The influence of ANC cronies to in the SANDF’s constitutionally mandated priorities have led to a watered-down, defenceless, and resource-drained force that paid the ultimate price when 13 of its soldiers were killed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo this past week.

They have led our country into a grave crisis and must be held fully accountable.

31/01/2025

Urgent action needed to save Great North Transport
by Jacques Smalle MPL - DA Provincial Spokesperson for LEDET


The Democratic Alliance in Limpopo calls on the LEDET (Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment, and Tourism) portfolio committee to urgently convene an enquiry into the ongoing collapse of Great North Transport (GNT).

Not only must GNT account for its failures, but so too must the Limpopo Government, the MEC for LEDET, LEDA, and the Board and Management of GNT for allowing this crisis to spiral into near-collapse—despite repeated DA warnings and calls for intervention.

GNT plays a crucial role in providing affordable transportation for Limpopo’s poor and working-class citizens, ensuring access to employment, healthcare, and essential government services, particularly in rural areas.

For years, the DA has been at the forefront of exposing the crisis at GNT and advocating for urgent action.

We have repeatedly:

Warned about financial mismanagement and operational collapse.

Proposed considering the privatization of the service to ensure sustainability.

Called for GNT to be placed under administration.
Yet, our calls have been met with silence, inaction, and blatant disregard. One must ask: whose interests are truly being protected? Certainly not those of the poor and vulnerable who rely on this failing service.

More recently, there have been even more alarming developments. A liquidation application has been served on GNT by the Sheriff on behalf of Macheri Group (Pty) Ltd for R10 million due for diesel supplied last year—still unpaid.
Other creditors include SARS and a security provider, leading to zero security at GNT depots.

Employee pension and medical contributions remain outstanding, raising serious concerns about the well-being of workers.
Less than 50 buses are operational from a fleet of over 400—crippling the public transport system.

Despite this crisis, GNT is currently seeking to lease buses from various companies, including from KwaZulu-Natal, raising further concerns over its governance and financial mismanagement.

We demand urgent action! GNT’s Board and Management must provide a full, detailed report outlining its current financial position and operational capabilities, and reasons why GNT should not be placed under administration.

The LEDET Portfolio Committee must immediately initiate an enquiry into GNT’s collapse. The Limpopo Provincial Government must explain its failure to intervene in this worsening crisis.

It is clear that the ANC-led provincial administration, LEDET, LEDA, and GNT’s Board and Management lack both the capability and the political will to rescue the entity.

The DA will continue to fight for a functional, affordable, and effective public transport system in Limpopo.
We will not stand by while the poorest members of our society are left stranded due to government incompetence and mismanagement.

The time for action is now. GNT cannot be allowed to collapse while the ANC government looks the other way.

31/01/2025

DA rejects NERSA's approved electricity tariff increases and vows to continue to figh
by Kevin Mileham MP - DA Spokesperson on Electricity & Energy


"The DA will continue to stand up for South Africans, and we will not rest until Eskom is held accountable for its failures. We will continue to explore all avenues to oppose this decision..."

The Democratic Alliance (DA) firmly rejects the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (NERSA) approval of electricity tariff increases, including a staggering 12.7% for the 2025/26 financial year, followed by further hikes of 5.36% for 2026/27 and 6.19% for 2027/28.

Tariff increases announced today build on the NERSA's 4% increase to recover Eskom's losses of R8 billion in the 2021/22 financial year. Effectively this is an increase of 16.7%.

The increase afforded to Eskom is 3x the national inflation rate and will put massive additional pressure on the prices of goods and services across the spectrum.

While this is significantly lower than the nearly 40% tariff increase Eskom applied for, a tariff hike of this magnitude undoes the economic progress and stability of the past six months.

The DA has been at the forefront of fighting against these unjustified hikes. We launched a national petition that has already gathered over 130 000 signatures from South Africans who stand with us in opposition to Eskom’s proposed tariff increases.

We have marched, rallied, and participated in public hearings in all provinces to make our voice heard and to amplify the concerns of millions of South Africans who simply cannot afford to pay more for increasingly unreliable service.

Despite our best efforts to present a compelling case against these increases, NERSA has chosen to pass on Eskom’s failure to manage its finances and operations to consumers.
The DA has consistently opposed any tariff increase and will continue to do so. South Africans should not be forced to pay for Eskom’s years of financial mismanagement, operational failures, and wasteful expenditure.

The Auditor General’s latest report on Eskom’s financial and operational performance highlights the core issues that continue to drive Eskom’s crisis—rampant corruption, wasteful spending, and a shocking inability to meet operational targets. Higher tariffs will only deepen the financial strain on households and businesses, without addressing the root cause of Eskom’s failure.

Rather than raising tariffs, Eskom must be held accountable for its operational inefficiencies and financial mismanagement.
Eskom must stop the wasteful spending, address its failure to collect billions in unpaid municipal debts, and ensure that its operations are run efficiently and transparently.
Only when these reforms are made can we even begin to consider any future price increases.

The DA will continue to stand up for South Africans, and we will not rest until Eskom is held accountable for its failures.
We will continue to explore all avenues to oppose this decision, and we will fight with all our might for a fair and affordable energy future for all South Africans - through the courts, in parliament and every other forum possible.

The people have spoken, and we will not stop until Eskom is reformed, and South Africans are no longer forced to pay for Eskom’s failures.

31/01/2025

Expungement of a Criminal Record in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act 51 of 1977)
https://www.justice.gov.za/expungements.html

31/01/2025

31/01/2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 🎂 LEADERSHIP

The African National Congress Women’s League wishes NEC Member Cde Thembeka Mchunu well on the occasion of her birthday.

31/01/2025

All systems ready

31/01/2025

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party said that the charges against its member of Parliament, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, were a political stunt.

This after Zuma-Sambudla made her first appearance in the Durban Magistrates Court on incitement and terrorism charges linked to the 2021 July unrest.

The State believes the accused had an impact on the unrest which saw widespread looting and over 350 people killed.

"The mere fact that they can use such senior members of the NPA to participate in combing through tweets, I mean that alone just tells you, and then four years later you want trumped up charges that don’t even lead to an amount of bail," said MK Party spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela.

He said the move was directed at former President Jacob Zuma.

"That’s just a clear indication that this is just a political ploy, it’s a political witch hunt against the Zuma family and like I said, there are Zuma laws and then there are everyone's laws."

State prosecutor Yuri Gangai says while bail will be heard under schedule 6, the state is not opposed to bail because the accused has been cooperative to the investigations, her employment and home address have been verified and that she’s not a flight risk.

PUBLISHED in Eyewitness News 30/01/2025.
https://www.ewn.co.za/2025/01/30/mk-party-says-charges-against-duduzile-zuma-sambudla-a-political-ploy
IMAGE: Eyewitness News.

31/01/2025

30/01/2025

*FIFTEEN SUSPECTS APPREHENDED DURING OPERATION VALA UMGODI IN LIMPOPO*

The South African Police Service (SAPS) with other law enforcement agencies have successfully apprehended 15 suspects during the Operation Vala Umgodi, which was conducted across all five districts of Limpopo on Wednesday, 29 January 2025.

The multi-disciplinary operation, aimed at combating various forms of crime, was strategically executed in identified hotspot areas throughout the province.

The operation received crucial support from the MAJOC Roving Team, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the Department of Home Affairs, and traffic officials, all working collaboratively to ensure high visibility and maximum impact.

The operation utilized intelligence-driven tactics, with a focus on stop-and-searches and manned operations.
This approach helped ensure heightened security and proactive crime prevention, particularly in crime-prone areas.

Among the suspects arrested, 11 individuals were detained for contravening immigration laws, while two were arrested for possession of dagga and two for violating the Road Traffic Act.

These arrests are part of ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal activities and enforce the rule of law in Limpopo.

Issued by: Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Thakeng
South African Police Service
Office of the Provincial Commissioner Limpopo