Tsakane and Langaville sting ops lead to arrest of suspects with illegal guns
Tsakane and Langaville sting ops lead to arrest of suspects with illegal guns
Tsakani – The EMPD's Community Liaison Unit (CLU) arrested two men, aged 23 and 31, for possession of unlicensed firearms during operations in Tsakane and Langaville on May 21.
According to CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, officers received information from the Crime Intelligence Unit about a person believed to have an unlicensed firearm.
'The individual was reportedly terrorising the community through a series of robberies in the area,' said Dlamini.
'In response, officers swiftly launched a sting operation to apprehend the man. They proceeded to an address on Khotavhushika Street, where they found someone matching the description provided.
'The officers explained the purpose of their visit and requested permission to do a search, which the suspect granted.
'They found identity documents and bank cards that the suspect could not explain and two unlicensed black firearms hidden beneath the mattress,' explained Dlamini.
Dlamini said officers cornered a 23-year-old male in Langaville Ext 3.
'Upon arrival, officers explained the reason for their visit and asked to search the premises, which the uneasy suspect allowed. Officers found a silver unlicensed firearm in his trousers, and the man failed to provide satisfactory answers for having a weapon,' he added.
Both suspects were detained at the Tsakane Police Station. The confiscated unlicensed guns with an estimated value of R1 650 were booked at the police station.
The two face charges of possession of a dangerous weapon and will soon appear in the Tsakane Magistrate's Court.
ALSO READ: Help police identify body found in ditch
ALSO READ: WATCH: Tragedy strikes as family of six perishes in shack fire, seven-year-old sole survivor
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
9 hours ago
- The Citizen
WhatsApp group linked to July 2021 unrest lands four in court
The Hawks confirmed that more arrests are imminent. The Roodepoort Magistrates Court has granted R1 500 bail each to four suspects who appeared for incitement to commit public violence in connection with the July 2021 unrest. Bekuyise Cebekhulu, 58, from KwaZulu-Natal; Jimmy Sibeko, 44; Busisiwe Skhosana, 52; and Bogadi Mahisa, 49, from Gauteng, made their first appearance before the court on Tuesday morning. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) authorised arrest warrants for the suspects, who then handed themselves over through their legal representatives. Bail for suspected instigators of July 2021 unrest The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) said they arrested the four suspects in connection with the unrest that took place in July 2021. The unrest in 2021 resulted in more than 350 people losing their lives and cost R50 billion in damages. The protests, violence, and looting erupted across the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Gauteng provinces following the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma. ALSO READ: Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla wants terrorism charges dropped as trial dates set Hawks' spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the suspects, who were allegedly supporters of Zuma, participated in a WhatsApp group named ZUMA REAL ACTIVIST 100% and other chat groups on the platform. 'They'd post inciting messages which it is believed to have led to the public violence as well as the looting of retail stores in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal at the time,' Mogale said. The Hawks' Serious Organised Crime, Crimes Against the State (CATS) in Gauteng carried out extensive investigations. Accused of fuelling the unrest through WhatsApp messages Upon completion of the investigations, the DPP decided to prosecute those who posted messages which led to the unrest. The Roodepoort Magistrates Court granted Cebekhulu, Sibeko, Skhosana and Mahisa bail of R1 500 each. The suspects are expected to appear in court again on 2 July. Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, welcomed the arrests and commended the investigating team. ALSO READ: Will your insurance cover loss and damage due to civil unrest? 'DPCI shall continue to secure in court the attendance of anyone against whom sufficient evidence of committing a national priority offence is obtained, without fear, favour or prejudice,' Maj Gen Kadwa said. The Hawks confirmed that more arrests are imminent. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla charged with terrorism The former president's daughter and uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla is also a suspect. She appeared at the Durban Magistrate's Court in January. In January last year, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) found there was no discernible connection between Zuma's incarceration and the violent unrest that occurred in July 2021. The SAHRC concluded that the timing of the events of the July unrest 'coincided' with Zuma's jailing and, therefore, 'it could not find evidence to link the two events'. NOW READ: July unrest: Ex-security guard sentenced to 20 years in jail for killing Verulam father
eNCA
16 hours ago
- eNCA
Joshlin Smith's traffickers sentenced while the search continues
CAPE TOWN - In a landmark ruling that sent shock waves through South Africa, three individuals have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the trafficking and kidnapping of six-year-old Joshlin Smith, who remains missing more than 15 months after her disappearance. Judge Nathan Erasmus of the Western Cape High Court handed down sentence on 29 May to Joshlin's mother, Racquel "Kelly" Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen "Boeta" Appollis, and their friend Steveno van Rhyn. Each received life imprisonment for human trafficking and an additional 10 years for kidnapping, with the sentences to run concurrently. The trio was convicted earlier this month after an eight-week trial that captivated the nation. The court heard damning testimony that Joshlin had been sold for R20,000 to a traditional healer who reportedly wanted the child for her "eyes and light skin". "The accused did not show remorse and up until the eve of sentencing, still lied," Judge Erasmus said during the sentencing. The Judge further noted that, 'With the overwhelming evidence against the accused, I could find no mitigating circumstances for the court to deviate from the minimum prescribed sentence'. In a packed courtroom at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Saldanha Bay, Judge Erasmus declared: "Even if I were not bound by a prescribed minimum sentence, I would still impose the harshest sentence possible. In weighing all the factors and circumstances, your actions reveal significant moral blameworthiness". The matter began on 19 February 19, 2024 when Joshlin disappeared from her home in the Middelpos informal settlement in Saldanha Bay. Kelly Smith had claimed she left her daughter in the care of Appollis while she went to work, reporting the child missing when she returned that evening. What followed was one of South Africa's most extensive missing person investigations, involving more than 300 police officers, including 150 detectives, specialised units, K9 teams, helicopters, drones, and even the South African Navy. The search extended internationally through Interpol, including a two-and-a-half-day search of a ship in a London port after a reported sighting. Key testimony came from Lourencia "Renz" Lombaard, who turned state witness. She testified that Smith had confessed to selling Joshlin to a sangoma and had offered her R1,000 to keep quiet about the transaction. A local pastor also revealed that in 2023, Kelly Smith had spoken about plans to sell her three children for R20,000 each. The conviction represents a significant legal precedent in South Africa as it was the first successful prosecution for human trafficking where the victim has not been found. In an official government statement, Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi welcomed the sentencing, calling it "a measure of justice in what has been one of the most distressing and emotionally charged cases in recent memory … Our hearts remain heavy for Joshlin and for every child who suffers harm ... No court ruling can undo the trauma or return what was lost. But today's sentence sends a strong and clear message that those who violate the innocence and trust of our children will face the full consequences of the law". The timing of the sentencing during National Child Protection Week added significance to the ruling. Despite the convictions and sentences, Joshlin's father and the community are disappointed she is still a missing person without any answers as to her whereabouts. Western Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile, says the search for Joshlin is continuing. Meanwhile, the defence has indicated it plans to appeal the convictions and sentences. Van Rhyn's legal representative, Advocate Nobahle Mkabayi, maintains her client's innocence. As part of the sentencing, Judge Erasmus ordered the names of all three convicted individuals be entered into the National Child Protection Register, preventing them from having contact with children in the future. The case has had a profound impact on the Saldanha Bay community and the nation as a whole. Joshlin would be celebrating her eighth birthday in October 2025, but her whereabouts remain unknown. With the search for Joshlin Smith continuing, authorities are vowing not to rest until they discover what happened to her. by Nkateko Muloiwa
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Two nabbed by EMPD for hijacking, vehicle theft
Two nabbed by EMPD for hijacking, vehicle theft Two suspects were arrested by EMPD Intervention Unit officers on May 22 in connection with a suspected stolen truck and a separate attempted hijacking and kidnapping incident. According to the EMPD, officers received a tip-off regarding the location of a vehicle reported stolen in Germiston. The truck was located on the M2 freeway heading towards Johannesburg, near the George Goch off-ramp. ALSO READ: EMPD urges caution after pedestrian dies in R24 collision Officers stopped the vehicle and questioned the 60-year-old driver, who failed to provide a valid reason for being in possession of the truck. A system check confirmed that the vehicle was linked to a Sebenza SAPS case number. The suspect was arrested on the scene and taken to Jeppe Police Station. In a related incident on the same day, EMPD officers responded to an attempted hijacking in progress on the N3 freeway in Germiston involving a Hino truck. ALSO READ: E-hailing vehicles impounded by EMPD A group of hijackers, travelling in a charcoal VW Polo TSI, attempted to force the truck driver into their vehicle. With assistance from the police Flying Squad, EMPD officers intervened. While several suspects fled the scene, a 50-year-old man was apprehended and arrested. The victim later opened a case of attempted hijacking and kidnapping at the Germiston Police Station. Both suspects are expected to appear in the Johannesburg and Germiston magistrate's courts soon. The EMPD reaffirmed its commitment to tackling vehicle-related crimes and enhancing public safety throughout Ekurhuleni. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
