Boshielo dismisses speculation surrounding deaths of 3 FS police constables
Cebekhulu Linda, Boipela Senoge and Keamogetswe Buys died when the car they were travelling in plunged into the Hennops River in Centurion.
Family, friends, and members of the police force gathered at the St Rose Catholic Church in Bloemfontein on Friday to bid Linda goodbye.
READ: Police attending Constable Cebekhulu Linda funeral describe him as a 'rising star'
Police Deputy Minister Polly Boshielo was among the mourners.
The three constables were missing for several days before their bodies were discovered in the Hennops River in Centurion.
Before the grim discovery, their CSR tracker signal was last picked up near Shell Ultra City in Midrand.
It's also within this vicinity that all three of the police officers' phone signals were lost.
At the time, they were being deployed to Limpopo under Operation Vula Umngodi, which tackles illegal mining.
Addressing speculation around the circumstances surrounding their death, Deputy Police Minister Polly Boshielo had this to say at Linda's funeral.
"Some were saying we sent them to Limpopo, the mafias of the zama zamas have killed them. How could you do that? We don't do that in the SAPS, we take care of each other."
The officers' deaths have been ruled an accident.
Boipelo Senoge was laid to rest on Thursday, while an official funeral for Keamogetswe Buys will be held on Saturday.
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Daily Maverick
2 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Spike in illegal gold mining alongside Blyde River devastates ecosystems and threatens social order
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Sediment stirred up by an estimated 2,000 zama zamas has smothered the eggs of the yellowfish, which have become aquatic versions of the canary in a coal mine, their fate a stark warning of what may befall ecosystems downstream, including in the Kruger National Park, and the water that supplies towns and provides irrigation for the area's burgeoning citrus industry. The Unesco-affiliated Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region has detected a surge in zama zama activities over the past couple of years alongside the Blyde River, near Pilgrim's Rest — a town with a deep vein of gold mining history. 'An aerial survey conducted on the 28th August 2024 detected over 50 active illegal mining sites along the river and its tributaries (above the dam), in contrast to less than 10 found by a similar aerial survey in October 2022,' says a recent technical briefing note by Kruger to Canyons and the South African Environmental Network. MTPA spokesperson Simphiwe Shungube said the agency had identified and GPS-located illegal mining sites across the Blyde catchment and near Pilgrim's Rest twice in the past three years. 'The illegal mining activities around Pilgrim's Rest have been addressed by the SAPS on several occasions over the last two years,' Shungube told Daily Maverick. The consequences of this unfolding tragedy are many, with its swirling currents flowing from global markets to transnational organised crime networks preying on the poverty of young men who scrounge for gold. One upshot is critical water systems fouled by a toxic combination of sediment and chemicals. The MTPA, which, together with the SAPS, has taken action against zama zamas since 2017, acknowledged that illegal mining had negatively affected the biodiversity of the area, including the fish populations in the river and the dam. It also noted an increase in alien vegetation around the illegal mining sites within the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve and worsening water quality. 'Water quality is being impacted due to the situation, with an increase in the E. coli and total coliforms … tested in the Blyderivierspoort Dam,' it said in an emailed response to Daily Maverick queries. There are also suspicions that the illegal miners are using cyanide and mercury. 'Toxic chemicals, including cyanide, are reportedly used in open ponds alongside the river, where the risk of contamination is high,' said Kruger to Canyon. 'In addition, the social impact of an estimated 2,000 zama zamas settling in nearby communities is significant and growing.' The Department of Water and Sanitation said that its monitoring had not detected cyanide and mercury in the water — yet. Watch video of illegal mining in Pilgrim's Rest here Ruined riffles Ruined riffles — shallow, fast-flowing sections of the river where the water surface is broken by rocks and gravel — are among the red flags. 'The yellowfish eggs are laid in the riffles, but the riffles are now smothered with silt,' said Roux. 'So these eggs can't develop because they are deprived of oxygen. The riffles are the lungs of a river. But these riffles are no longer riffles because they are filled with sediment. 'The zamas work next to the rivers, and they work with sediments, and these sediments are then loosened into the river, and it is red-brown at present because of the washing of gold.' Nicholas Theron, the senior programme manager at Kruger to Canyons, likened it to 'strip mining by hand'. The riffles Roux spoke about are upstream from the Blyde River dam, which is filling with sediment at an accelerating pace. Sediment has now filled 20% of the dam, according to the technical report cited above. Kruger to Canyons has been monitoring this situation with growing alarm. If the sedimentation continues to accumulate at its current rate, the technical report said, 'The supply of bulk water downstream of the dam will soon become compromised. The dam currently supports an irrigation scheme for over 8,000 ha of citrus and other crops, as well as the town of Hoedspruit and the SANDF Air Force Base Hoedspruit. 'This sediment does not just cloud the river — it settles in the dam, displacing millions of cubic metres of water and dramatically reducing its storage capacity during the critical dry season.' Vala Umgodi operation Joint enforcement efforts involving the MTPA, Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the SAPS and other government departments are under way to address illegal mining, with the MTPA undertaking targeted operations at sites identified as actively mined. 'Recognising the critical importance of these river systems … the department is actively engaged in enforcement actions in collaboration with other organs of state,' said DWS spokesperson Wisane Mavasa. Daily Maverick asked for comment from the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources on 25 July about its role and interventions in the matter, but had received no response by the time of publication. Minister Gwede Mantashe usually says it is a police matter. The SAPS, which has been active on the zama zama front in Mpumalanga recently, had not responded to our queries by the time of publication. The Vala Umgodi operation against illegal mining launched last year by the SAPS — which stirred a hornets' nest with its 'surrender or starve' strategy during the Stilfontein siege — has rolled into Mpumalanga, focusing on the Barberton region, with mixed results. In early August, almost 500 suspected illegal miners in the area were arrested in a joint operation between the gold producer Pan African Resources and the SAPS. 'Illegal mining has been rife in the Barberton area for a long time, and an increasing number of arrests have been made in the past year. Since September last year, some 4,000 arrests have been made,' said Pan African. 'It was evident that local police could not cope, and many of the illegal miners, mainly foreign nationals, were found to be repeat offenders. This culminated in [the] week-long operation at Sheba Mine, where mine security teams aided the national police's Vala Umgodi deployment.' Illegal mining is a thorn in the side of all South African gold producers, and it is often mine security teams that do much of the work to curtail it, but they can only do so much, with most arrests linked to trespassing. Those arrested often slip through the gaping mesh of state failure. Zama zamas target operational and defunct mines as well as deposits that have not yet been exploited. Australian-listed Theta Gold Mines has a project in the Pilgrim's Rest/Blyde River area, but did not respond to Daily Maverick's queries about the zama zama issue. Forestry companies in the area have flagged illegal mining as a concern. JSE-listed York Timbers, which has plantations in the Blyde River area, cited illegal mining activities in its latest annual report as among the top 10 risks the company faced. 'Illegal mining activities on our properties are limiting access to key areas, causing damage to our plantations and equipment and devaluing our assets,' it said. It also noted that the illegal mining endangered 'employees, contractors and local communities, disrupting livelihoods, damaging infrastructure, and contributing to increased crime in the area'. Work stoppages and increased security costs are other challenges cited. This underscores the mounting costs to businesses inflicted by the scourge of illegal mining, which are spreading across a wide canopy of sectors: mining, forestry, agriculture and tourism. In a parallel stream is an ongoing ecological disaster. The ripples will have far-reaching consequences, and with gold's price not far off its record peak of $3,500 an ounce, the criminal syndicates have incentives galore to accelerate their plunder. DM
Daily Maverick
8 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
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The disrupted rocks are visible signs of the illegal harvesting of Conophytum subterraneum, a rare succulent species found in rocky habitats. (Photo: CapeNature) The hardest hit is Clivia mirabilis, or the 'miracle clivia', which grows naturally in the remote mountains between Vanrhynsdorp and Nieuwoudtville, on the boundary of the Western and Northern Cape. 'What's unique about this one is that the closest relative is in the Eastern Cape around the Alexandria area… which is way out of distribution, that's why they call it the miracle clivia,' said Brown. Listed as vulnerable on Sanbi's Red List of South African Plants, it is targeted for ornamental horticulture, particularly by lucrative markets overseas. 'It's being targeted by illegal collectors and being sent out by the hundreds – and the species is at risk.' Brown explained that these plants are targeted to satisfy demand for ornamental displays. 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Organised crime Believe it or not, while it might not make it onto Narcos, the illegal harvesting and trade of plants in South Africa is highly organised, driven largely by international demand for ornamental species. 'The market for those plants is not really in South Africa… the primary market for Clivia mirabilis is actually the Far East,' Brown said. Brown said overseas traffickers often use social media platforms such as Facebook or TikTok to identify species and locations. They then contact local harvesters, sometimes supplying GPS coordinates or detailed descriptions of target areas. The plants are then smuggled out, often via courier companies. Enforcement involves CapeNature working with the South African Police Service (including the Hawks and Endangered Species Unit), landowners, tourism operators, freight companies and other partners. 'They are responding sometimes twice, three times a week… but they're not always catching people,' Brown said. One of the biggest challenges in tackling succulent poaching is the vast and remote terrain, which makes it difficult to spot and report illegal activity. 'They're quite isolated and remote, so actually seeing people doing the illegal activities and reporting them is difficult because… they will use back roads,' Brown said. Observation posts are sometimes set up in targeted areas, similar to anti-rhino-poaching operations, with landowners playing a key role. 'People are watching those areas… especially the landowners, because they want to protect the plants that they have on their properties,' he said. People and places behind the trade 'In a lot of the towns, especially in the Northern Cape, the old mining areas are no longer functional, so a lot of those people who were employed in the mines are now sitting without jobs,' Brown said. He noted that while some individuals exploit the trade for extra income, many harvest plants out of necessity. 'There are those people that are legitimately doing it because they don't have any other choice – there's no other functional economy where they can actually go and get jobs. So there's a socioeconomic challenge that needs to be addressed.' Legal alternatives, such as community-run nurseries selling indigenous plants, offered livelihoods without threatening wild populations. 'Tourists come from all over the world to see these plants. The key message we promote is 'take only photographs, leave only footprints'. There are managed nurseries that sell these plants legally and support local livelihoods.' Why it matters Biodiversity crime might not be as high-profile as violent crime, but its impacts go far beyond a few missing indigenous plants. It affects ecosystems, climate adaptation and local, ethical ecotourism. The Western Cape is home to the Cape Floristic Region, one of the world's six floral kingdoms and a Unesco World Heritage Site. Yet nearly 16% of the province's species and more than half of its ecosystems are considered threatened. Illegal harvesting damages more than just the targeted plants. Poachers often uproot hundreds of specimens at a time, disturbing soil and destroying habitats. 'Because rainfall in those areas is episodic… that can have impacts on soil erosion and other plants,' Brown explained. Some plants act as 'incubators' for other species, providing shade and shelter for germinating seeds. Removing them disrupts regeneration and the broader ecosystem. The region's biodiversity also plays a crucial role in water retention, particularly in mountain catchments. 'Healthy vegetation means water is retained and released slowly,' Brown said. When mountainsides are bare, water runs off quickly, eroding soils and degrading habitats. At a constitutional level, protecting biodiversity supports the right to a healthy environment. The South African Constitution guarantees this right, ensuring an environment that maintains ecosystem services, supports water security and sustains local economies. 'The framework of the Constitution actually thought that it's quite important to have an environment that works for us, that's healthy for us, that benefits us,' noted Brown, adding that this is especially true in the Western Cape, given the catchment areas that helped the region through the Day Zero drought period. What you should know While much of the problem is driven by organised crime, Brown said some illegal activity stems from ignorance – people simply don't know that they can't pick certain plants or take protected species. Of the 19 fines issued under the Nature Conservation Ordinance, 15 involved wild animals, mainly the possession of tortoises and the snaring, or attempted snaring, of bushbuck along the Garden Route. Some cases appear opportunistic, such as picking up a tortoise found on the roadside, while others are deliberate. Advice I'd give to my mother To make sure you aren't accidentally committing a biodiversity crime, here's a guide for you, or as Brown says, things he tells his mom: ''No, mother. you may not pick that flower. We're in a National Park.' This is a standing family joke that I have with my mom when we go to visit protected areas. 'My folks have always been supportive of my career in nature conservation, and we have had some interesting adventures and wildlife sightings since I made that career choice many years ago.' Brown's advice or the average protected area visitor Respect the land: All land belongs to someone – the government, companies or private owners. Always get permission before picking plants or interacting with wildlife; Follow the law: All indigenous wild animals and plants are protected. Legal permits or licences are required to pick, hunt or collect them; and Understand the consequences: 'Just like there are consequences for taking other people's stuff, there are consequences for picking plants or catching wild animals without permission or without permits,' says Brown. Common plants often taken unknowingly Arum lilies; Proteas (various species); Pincushions (Leucospermum); and Other flowering indigenous species. 'So, remember, don't pick the flower if it belongs to someone else, and don't take the lonely tortoise crossing the road home with you,' said Brown. 'It's just trying to get to the other side.' DM
The Star
10 hours ago
- The Star
Gauteng police close probe into missing mayoral chain worth R465 000
Gauteng police have shut down their investigation into the disappearance of Sedibeng's R465,000 mayoral chain, with no arrests made and the symbolic piece of regalia still missing more than two years later. This follows the mysterious disappearance of the R465 000 mayoral chain after the State of the District Address on June 23, 2023. Mayor Lerato Maloka had allegedly placed it on a shelf in her office, but it was never seen again. A case of theft was only officially opened in November 2023, nearly five months after the chain disappeared. The lengthy delay in reporting the matter has fuelled speculation about possible cover-ups and raised questions about why immediate steps were not taken to recover the costly ceremonial item. Gauteng police have since closed their investigation into the missing ceremonial mayoral chain, with no arrests made and the valuable symbol of office still unaccounted for. Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that no arrests had been made and directed inquiries to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). 'A theft case was opened and investigations were conducted, and the docket was brought before the Deputy Public Prosecutor, who declined to prosecute; hence, the matter was closed on 25 July 2025. 'For more information on reasons not to prosecute, kindly contact the NPA. No one was arrested in this matter. Like any other case, should there be new information/evidence, the case can be reopened to investigate the new info.' DA MPL Kingsol Chabalala described the case closure as disturbing, criticising SAPS for failing to provide a clear reason. 'It is disturbing to learn that the SAPS has closed a case relating to the missing mayoral chain in Sedibeng District Municipality without citing the reason. This is a serious matter that leaves suspicions as the case has been suddenly closed without any arrests or recoveries of the mayoral chain. Chabalala has submitted a letter to MEC for COGTA Jacob Mamabolo and Premier Panyaza Lesufi, demanding an explanation for why the investigation was closed without any resolution. He also called on Premier Lesufi's office to initiate an urgent, independent investigation into the disappearance of the mayoral chain, aiming to uncover the circumstances surrounding its loss and why the theft was not immediately reported to the police. Additionally, he requested clarity on why the police closed the case, including access to any documentation or findings that informed their decision. 'The disappearance of a ceremonial asset valued at nearly half a million rand, coupled with the lack of transparency and accountability, undermines public trust in the municipality's leadership. Your intervention is critical to restoring confidence and ensuring that those responsible for any negligence or misconduct are held accountable. I trust that your office will treat this matter with the urgency and seriousness it demands. Please keep me informed of any actions taken or progress made in addressing this issue.' The letter reads. Chabalala further said that political interference may have played a role in the case's closure. He added that if Premier Lesufi is serious about tackling corruption, he must intervene to ensure justice for the mayoral chain, a valuable symbol belonging to the residents of Sedibeng. He also confirmed that questions will be tabled in Parliament to demand answers. The case has sparked public outrage, with the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) holding protests in June 2024 to demand an investigation into the missing mayoral chain. Previously, as reported by IOL, five mayoral chains have been lost across South Africa, including the recently missing Sedibeng mayoral chain. In KwaZulu-Natal, Msunduzi Municipality saw seven out of 34 gold links vanish from its mayoral chain, once valued at R800 000. Kimberley, diamonds donated by Harry Oppenheimer, mysteriously disappeared from the city's chain, later replaced with fakes. Molemole Municipality in Limpopo lost a R100 000 chain in 2011, allegedly at the hands of the mayor's brother, while neighbouring Mogalakwena only realised its chain was gone during a mayoral inauguration in 2011. The NPA had not responded to our questions by the time of publication. The Star [email protected]
