Saps News

23/10/2020

21/10/2020

Longwe Twala shot Senzo Meyiwa during an argument with Zandi Khumalo, claims family

Johannesburg - There were no robbers who shot dead Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa on that fateful evening in October six years ago. Instead, the former captain was shot dead by Longwe Twala during an argument with Twala’s then girlfriend Zandi Khumalo.

This was the sensational claim made by Siyabonga Miya, the former footballer’s cousin, who has become the family spokesperson since Meyiwa’s father Sam died last July.

Meyiwa was at Kelly’s Vosloorus home when he was shot dead. At the time of his death, police said armed gunmen had stormed the home and shot Meyiwa dead during the melee.

In the house that fateful day was Meyiwa, Kelly and Zandi, their mother Ntombi Khumalo, Twala, Meyiwa’s friends Mthokozisi Thwala and Tumelo Madlala, and Kelly’s then 4-year-old son, Christian, and Thingo, Kelly’s daughter with Senzo.

In November last year, the Sunday Independent reported that Meyiwa had been “mistakenly shot”, allegedly by one of the seven people present, but witnesses claimed it was an imaginary robbery gone wrong in part of a cover-up which involved senior police officers.

A senior officer involved in the case had been charged with defeating the ends of justice, but while the matter was ongoing, he was transferred to KwaZulu-Natal, the newspaper reported.

The Sunday Independent also reported that Ntombi had handed Meyiwa’s phone to a neighbour after the shooting, supposedly in a bid to strengthen the robbery story.

Meyiwa family spokesperson Miya claimed on Tuesday that they had learned of the reports of a gun used in his killing through the media and they had not been contacted by the police.

Miya alleged that National Police Commissioner General Khehla Sitole had assembled his own team to probe the murder and, he claimed, that the country’s top cop also knew that Meyiwa had been shot by someone inside the Khumalo home that day.

“The police right now are supposed to be arresting Longwe Twala for killing Senzo. Senzo was shot by Longwe Twala, there was no one who entered the house.

“Then after that they must arrest all the police in the case for defeating the ends of justice.

“Senzo was shot by Longwe Twala,” alleged Miya.

Miya claimed that Meyiwa’s childhood friend, Tumelo, who had travelled to Gauteng to visit Meyiwa that weekend, called the family and uttered the words “Zandi’s boyfriend has shot Senzo”.

“A call was made by Tumelo, the first call to the Meyiwa family, to say Senzo was shot.

“He said Zandile’s boyfriend, of which he did not know him by name, has shot Senzo.

“And then in the background, Kelly was crying saying ‘kodwa ngizothini ku maka Senzo (what will I say to Senzo’s mom)’.

“That information was given to the SAPS, why they did not arrest Longwe Twala, I do not know. You can quote me on that one. Zandi’s boyfriend shot and killed Senzo Meyiwa in cold blood,” claimed Miya.

Miya alleged that it was up to the police to make arrests on the case.

“If they do not want to do the investigation, they must leave it.

“For me and my family, whether they arrest him or not is up to them, because we have said several times, there was no one who entered the house,” said Miya.

Miya said the family, and Senzo’s mother in particular, was not well.

“God will heal us one day,” he said.

Editor Phenomenal'Neoza

20/10/2020

20/10/2020

Suspect arrested for murder of 15-year-old boy

NORTHERN CAPE - Barkly West Police made a breakthrough by bringing a 23-year-old man, linked to the murder of a 15-year-old boy, to book. The suspect is due to appear before the Barkly West Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, 21 October 2020 on a count of murder.

The deceased was found on Saturday, 17 October 2020 with head injuries near the grave site in Mataleng.

The Northern Cape Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Phiwe Mnguni commended the community members for sharing information which led to the arrest of the murder suspect.

http://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=28935

20/10/2020

East Africa, especially Kenya, remains the exit point for smugglers transporting Africans to the Middle-Eastern countries to be exploited in ways described as equivalent to modern day slavery.
https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/east-africa-exit-point-for-human-trafficking-syndicates/

20/10/2020

The bail hearing of Sekola Matlaletsa and Sekwetje Mahlamba is expected to resume on Tuesday at the Senekal Magistrate's Court in the Free State.

20/10/2020

An East London couple were nabbed by the Hawks for alleged tax fraud amounting to R2.6 million.

20/10/2020

Four suspects including a pastor aged between 25 and 39 have been arrested for alleged involvement in fraud and money laundering worth R102 million.

20/10/2020

Police in Gauteng recover 41 fi****ms and 169 ammunition over the weekend


Gauteng Police's commitment to bring a halt to the proliferation of illegal fi****ms is materialising as 41 more fi****ms and 169 ammunition were recovered this past weekend. These are the fi****ms believed to be used in the commission of serious and violent crimes.

These weapons were recovered during police operations and through tip-offs from the community members.

A 54-year-old man was arrested at Wanderers Taxi Rank in Johannesburg after he was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition on Sunday morning. Police were conducting routine crime prevention duties at the taxi rank when they saw a suspicious man standing next to the taxi to Durban. When he saw police he started to move away and he was cornered. After he was searched, police recovered an unlicensed firearm with serial number filled off and live ammunition in his possession.
A trigger happy man was arrested in Orange Farm on Saturday evening after police received a tip-off. Police were patrolling when they were alerted about a man that was firing shots randomly in Extension Four. A man matching the description given was spotted and searched. Police found a pistol with a loaded magazine on his waist and he couldn't produce a licence for the firearm. He was arrested and charged with possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

Another allegedly drunk man who was boasting with a firearm and shooting randomly was arrested in Orlando, Soweto, on Sunday evening. Police received a complaint of shooting and immediately responded. The suspect was pointed out and police found a firearm in his possession.
Most other fi****ms were recovered when police were conducting stop and searches in the province.

The seizure of these fi****ms might also help in solving cases where fi****ms were used as the weapons have been taken for ballistic tests.
Police still appeal to those who possess illegal fi****ms and those who no longer need their legal fi****ms, fi****ms parts and ammunition to surrender them during this time of firearm amnesty, which will continue until 31 January 2021.
http://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=28920

19/10/2020

Three suspects arrested on alleged business robbery


FREE STATE - Two hours after a business robbery was committed at Vrede Golf Club where a man was robbed of his vehicle and cell phone, the police acted swiftly and arrested three suspects at Thembalihle near Vrede.

The first suspect was arrested immediately after police made a follow-up on a stolen vehicle found abandoned in the township. Later that night after interrogating the first suspect, other two suspects were traced and also arrested.

It is alleged that on Saturday the 17 October 2020 at about 19:00 a 39-year-old man residing at Vrede was busy locking the doors at the Golf club.

He was allegedly grabbed from behind and forced to the ground by three suspects who tied his hands with a rope and covered his face with his Tshirt. One of the three suspects took his cellphone and car keys from his trouser pockets whilst while the other two were busy in the bar.

They left with his Ford Bantam and after a few minutes he managed to untie himself and pressed the panic button to alert the security service.

Later that night at about 21:45 the stolen vehicle was spotted on the Volksrust road by members of Vrede Farm Watch.

At about 22:20 the first suspect who is a former employee at the Vrede Golf Club was arrested.

Two more were arrested at Extention 3, Thembalihle. All three suspects are expected to appear before the Vrede Magistrate court on Monday, 19 October 2020 on charges of business robbery and theft of motor vehicle.
https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=28895

19/10/2020

Suspect arrested for possession of crayfish worth R3.5 million

WESTERN CAPE - The luck of an abalone smuggler (a 38- year-old man from Hawston) ran out this morning (Monday, 19 October 2020) when he was arrested at about 06:40 for possession of crayfish to the value of R3.5 million.

A security officer from Gordon's Bay security was patrolling in the vicinity when he received information of a suspicious looking vehicle in the Lwandle area.
https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=28911

16/10/2020

Second arrested suspect for R3.2 million Covid-19 social relief funds fraud

LIMPOPO – The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation members have arrested a second suspect aged 75 in relation to R3.2 million COVID-19 social relief funds in Giyani area on Wednesday, 14 October 2020.
Members of the Hawks received a tip off that the suspect withdrew over R150 000-00 from the account of Mtititi Drop-in Centre company in order to conceal it from the ongoing investigations.

The Director of the company Hlamalani Dorris Mashimbye (47) was arrested by the same team on 9 October 2020 for allegedly claiming COVID-19 social relief funds from the UIF on behalf of her former Extended Public Works Program (EPWP) workers.

Our investigations revealed that the workers contract was terminated before the country was placed on lock down.

Mashimbye has since appeared in the Malamulele Magistrate’s Court on Monday and remanded in custody until 19 October 2020 for formal bail application.

The suspect will appear in the Malamulele Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 16 October 2020 to face fraud charges. The investigations are still continuing.
http://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=28850

16/10/2020

Suspects sentence for murder of businessman

FREE STATE - Three accused, Thandolwenkosi Mayo (35), William Rakgoale (41), and Michael Bheku (61) were today sentence as follows:

Murder count 1- life imprisonment
Murder count 2 - 18 years
Kidnapping - 12 months
Attempted Business Robbery - 7 years and attempted murder - 2 years.

This follows an incident where on Sunday 03 March 2020 at about 17:00 four men went to a filling station on the R57 Road between Heilbron and Sasolburg. The garage owner was busy inside the shop when the accused arrived adriving a white Polo Vivo with GP registrations. They went in the shop to buy cool drinks and sat outside the shop drinking it.

After a few minutes they went back inside the shop to rob the owner, several shots were fired inside the shop and the garage owner died at the scene along with one accomplice who was also fatally shot. The other three accused fled the scene leaving behind their accomplice.

On Monday the 04 March 2019 the case was assigned to the Provincial Organised Crime Unit and on the 08 March 2019 at about 02:50 all three accused were arrested in the area of Grasmere Ennerdale. A White Polo Vivo that was used was recovered as well as two fi****ms.
One firearm was positively linked to the shooting at the garage and it belongs to the owner of the Polo Vivo.
https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=28864

14/10/2020

Controversial investment company owner convicted for fraud

KWAZULU-NATAL – The Durban Specialised Commercial Crime Court has convicted and sentenced Jan Hendrik Van Zyl (59) for fraud by means of misrepresentation.

The crime was committed around Durban between 2009 and 2014.
The accused, Jan Hendrik Van Zyl also known as Henk owns a company called QPT Trading which is based in Newcastle with branches in Amanzimtoti and Ballito. The court heard that he informed the victims that he is investing their cash in Forex Trading and promised them a 5% return of per month.

The contracts were signed and he then paid out few monthly returns and abruptly discontinued paying. The matter was reported to the police and the case docket was allocated to Hawks members from Durban Serious Commercial Crime to investigate. As a result almost R 4.5 million was recovered and paid back to the investors.

On 6 October 2020, Van Zyl was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment wholly suspended for 5 years on condition that he is not found guilty of the same offense during the period of suspension.

Furthermore, Van Zyl will pay back the outstanding amount of R2.4 million in instalments of R 40 000.00 on monthly basis through the clerk of the court. He is further sentenced to perform community services.
http://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=28818

14/10/2020

Four years direct imprisonment for RAF fraudster


KWAZULU-NATAL – On Tuesday, 13 October 2020 Durban Specialised Commercial Crime Court have convicted and sentenced Mamazane Maphumulo (31) to four years direct imprisonment for fraud, corruption, forgery and uttering which happened at King Shaka International Airport in March 2018.

Maphumulo purporting to be an employee from Road Accident Fund, lured the complainant and promised to fast-track his claim on condition that he pays her R90 000.00. The matter was reported to the Hawks members from Durban Serious Corruption Investigation unit and an undercover operation was swiftly conducted.

Maphumulo was caught red handed taking cash from the complainant and was subsequently placed under arrest. She was charged accordingly and appeared in court several times until her sentence.
http://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=28816

14/10/2020

Suspect arrested for an attack at a farm


FREE STATE - A 33-year-old man will make his first court appearance in the Hennenman Magistrate court for house robbery on Thursday 15 October 2020.

This follows an incident that happened on the 03 Saturday 2020 at about 22:10 when an elderly couple was sitting and chatting with their neighbour at a farm in Hennenman District. Two unknown suspects allegedly entered the farm house and started shooting.

The 60-year-old woman was shot two times in the chest and in the knee and her husband (62) was also shot two times in the leg whilst the neighbour escaped unharmed.

The suspects then fled the scene with the victim’s cellphones. Both victims were referred to hospital for treatment.
A manhunt for suspects was then launched which led to the arrest of the suspect.

On the 13 October 2020, the Free State Provincial Organized Crime Unit working together with Hennenman Detectives responded to a crime intelligence led information to a farm near Hennenman where one of the suspects who was a herdsman in the cattle post was found hiding and arrested. His friend is still on the run and investigation continue.
https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=28807

13/10/2020

Two men in custody for possession of SASSA cards

KWAZULU-NATAL – Last night, police officers from Alexandra Road SAPS and Pietermaritzburg K9 Unit were conducting their duties when they spotted a bakkie with two occupants. They followed the vehicle and intercepted it on the N3 near Ashburton.

A search was conducted and police seized 495 SASSA cards and 84 bankcards from the occupants.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Thulani Gonya praised the police officers for their alertness which has resulted in saving millions of rands which could be used to help the poor and the needy.
https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=28761

06/10/2020