logo
Barberton police conduct sting operation, arrest Zimbabwean for illegal mining activities

Barberton police conduct sting operation, arrest Zimbabwean for illegal mining activities

IOL News19-07-2025
Boxes of cough medication seized during a sting operation in Barberton. Police suspect the medicine was intended for use in illegal mining activities.
A 32-year-old Zimbabwean national was arrested in Barberton, Mpumalanga, on Friday, July 18, during a multi-agency sting operation that led to the seizure of explosives, gold-bearing material, and large quantities of medicine believed to be linked to illegal mining.
The operation, which began at approximately 5am, was executed by members of the Mpumalanga Organized Crime Investigation, Crime Intelligence (CI), Tactical Response Team (TRT), the White River K9 Unit, and Hi-Tech Security Company.
'Acting on reliable intelligence regarding individuals engaged in illegal drug activities, the dedicated members obtained a search warrant and commenced with the operation,' said police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli.
'While conducting a thorough search of the premises, the team received further details indicating that there was a male person that was reportedly involved in selling of some explosives within the same residence.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Gauteng police bust car theft syndicate, recover four high-performance vehicles
Gauteng police bust car theft syndicate, recover four high-performance vehicles

The Star

time7 hours ago

  • The Star

Gauteng police bust car theft syndicate, recover four high-performance vehicles

Gauteng police have arrested a suspect and recovered four high-performance vehicles linked to a notorious car theft syndicate operating across the province and beyond. Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said on August 1, Crime Intelligence received credible information about a syndicate involved in the theft of high-performance vehicles nationwide. Masondo added that acting on the tip-off, a specialised team comprising SAPS Counter-Intelligence from Head Office, Gauteng Highway Patrol Flexi2, Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing, CAP Specialised Operations, and Tracker Connect was assembled and dispatched to Midrand, where they launched an operation to locate and apprehend the suspects. 'One of the suspects was spotted driving a Toyota CHR, which was affixed with false registration plates, and he was intercepted. It was established that the vehicle was reported stolen in Krugersdorp in June 2025.' During the arrest, police recovered a substantial cache of equipment and tools used in vehicle theft, including a signal-jamming device and a computer box. Masondo further stated that ongoing investigations led police to a complex in Midrand, where they discovered additional tools used in vehicle theft, along with three more high-performance vehicles that had been reported stolen in Johannesburg and Tshwane. The arrested suspect is set to appear in the local Magistrate's Court soon, where he will face charges including motor vehicle theft and hijacking. The Star [email protected]

Gauteng police bust car theft syndicate, recover four high-performance vehicles
Gauteng police bust car theft syndicate, recover four high-performance vehicles

IOL News

time10 hours ago

  • IOL News

Gauteng police bust car theft syndicate, recover four high-performance vehicles

Police have dismantled a major car theft ring, recovering four high-performance vehicles that were stolen. Gauteng police have arrested a suspect and recovered four high-performance vehicles linked to a notorious car theft syndicate operating across the province and beyond. Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said on August 1, Crime Intelligence received credible information about a syndicate involved in the theft of high-performance vehicles nationwide. Masondo added that acting on the tip-off, a specialised team comprising SAPS Counter-Intelligence from Head Office, Gauteng Highway Patrol Flexi2, Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing, CAP Specialised Operations, and Tracker Connect was assembled and dispatched to Midrand, where they launched an operation to locate and apprehend the suspects. 'One of the suspects was spotted driving a Toyota CHR, which was affixed with false registration plates, and he was intercepted. It was established that the vehicle was reported stolen in Krugersdorp in June 2025.' During the arrest, police recovered a substantial cache of equipment and tools used in vehicle theft, including a signal-jamming device and a computer box.

R446,000 cash and Toyota Fortuner forfeited to the State as driver fails to explain money's origins
R446,000 cash and Toyota Fortuner forfeited to the State as driver fails to explain money's origins

IOL News

time13 hours ago

  • IOL News

R446,000 cash and Toyota Fortuner forfeited to the State as driver fails to explain money's origins

Police in Limpopo searched a Toyota Fortuner driven by a Zimbabwean national on the N1 freeway and found R446,000 in a bag, which was then seized by the law enforcement authorities. Image: SAPS The High Court in Limpopo has granted a forfeiture order for a cash amount of R446,000 and a Toyota Fortuner sport utility vehicle, which were seized by police. The Hawks' asset forfeiture investigation unit and the National Prosecuting Authority's asset forfeiture unit (AFU) worked tirelessly to ensure the forfeiture of the money and the vehicle. 'This emanates from the arrest conducted by members of the South African Police Service attached to Musina in 2024. On 4 July 2024, police conducted a stop and search operation along the N1 road in Musina,' said Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks in Limpopo. During the operation, the police officers stopped the Toyota Fortuner which was driven by a foreign national. 'During a search, police found a plastic bag that contained South African bank notes underneath blankets inside the boot. Police interviewed the driver, and he failed to give a clear explanation for carrying the large amount of money inside the vehicle,' said Mmuroa. The driver was immediately arrested and the money was seized. The Hawks' asset forfeiture investigation unit was consulted for asset investigation. 'After completion of the investigations, the Hawks referred the matter to the National Prosecuting Authority's asset forfeiture unit for further handling. Following court processes, the High Court in Limpopo granted a preservation order for the Toyota Fortuner and the money in February, before the forfeiture order was granted last week. 'The cash was deposited into the criminal asset recovery account on 29 July. The forfeited Toyota Fortuner is about to be sold on auction,' said Mmuroa. Earlier this year, IOL reported that a 49-year-old man was arrested on charges of money laundering after being found in possession of about R1.2 million in cash. At the time, provincial police spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, said the arrested man had allegedly tried to bribe police officers after the money was found. 'This achievement is the result of the dedication by members deployed for Operation Vala Umgodi, and the man was nabbed on 16 March 2025 at Tonga near Komatipoort,' said Ndubane. She said police officers received a tip-off about a man who was allegedly in possession of an unlicenced firearm. 'They then responded swiftly and followed the information, and upon arrival at Tonga View, they found the owner of the house and conducted a search and it was during that time when they discovered the large sum of money hidden under the bed as well as inside the wardrobe,' said Ndubane. 'The astute members continued searching in other rooms where they further found a bag full of money. It was during the process when the man tried his luck to bribe the police officials with R50,000, but his attempts failed dismally.' Ndubane said the money amounted to R1.2 million in banknotes and coins, while there was also Mozambican currency. [email protected] IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store