Nine arrested, four bakkies seized after looting of maize truck
Nine people were arrested for looting a maize truck that overturned on the N5 on its way to the Durban Harbour.
Additionally, four bakkies that were used to load the maize meal were seized.
The police were summoned to the scene where they discovered several community members looting and loading maize into the bakkies.
Following the incident, more vehicles kept arriving at the scene and unlawfully removed the maize cargo.
The Harrismith Public Order Police Unit arrested the nine suspects, aged 30 to 63, in possession of suspected stolen property.
The four bakkies were loaded with maize estimated to be worth R90 000.
Two police officers have been arrested for allegedly demanding a bribe from a liquor store in Harrismith, Free State.
According to a police statement, the police officers visited the liquor store in March 2025 and presented themselves as officials from Bloemfontein.
They claimed that they were conducting an inspection to verify the authenticity of the liquor being sold.
After completing their inspection, the police officers allegedly demanded a R5000 bribe from the liquor store owner.
The owner said that she only had R2 500, which the officers accepted.
The Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit arrested the two suspects, aged 44 and 45 respectively, who are from Bethlehem Public Order Policing Unit.
Captain Loraine Earle confirmed with The South African that the suspects appeared at the Harrismith Magistrate's Court today and their case was postponed to 18 June 2025 for them to apply for bail.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in the Free State, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, said that they will continue their fight against crime, even if SAPS members are involved.'
'We will continue to fight corruption relentlessly. If those involved are from within our own ranks, we will not hesitate to take decisive action. No one is above the law, and we remain committed to ensuring accountability and upholding the integrity of the SAPS,' said Motswenyane.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
12 hours ago
- IOL News
News you should know tonight: Top 5 stories you may have missed on June 13, 2025
SAPS has announced the deployment of additional detectives to the 30 highest contact crime stations across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape. Good evening, IOL News family! It's Friday, June 13, 2025, and it's time for a wrap of the biggest headlines making waves in South Africa and beyond. Don't forget to join the IOL WhatsApp Channel to stay in tune, informed, and in the know. 'This is our new reality': Ramaphosa links deadly Eastern Cape floods to climate crisis President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised the government's commitment to providing urgent support to affected communities and addressing the growing threat of climate change. To read on, click here. Is Friday the 13th truly cursed, or do you have paraskevidekatriaphobia? It's Friday the 13th and you will either be holding on to your lucky charm or having a Friday the 13th movie marathon. But did you know there is a word for people who are scared of the date. To read on, click here. NPA heads to the Supreme Court of Appeal over Cholota ruling appeal The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is set to petition the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) following a controversial dismissal by Judge Loubser of their application for leave to appeal. To read on, click here. Taxi violence signals systemic failure, says Cape Chamber The Cape Chamber of Commerce has condemned the growing violence in the taxi industry, calling for calm following a wave of deadly shootings in the Western Cape. To read on, click here. More detectives and forensic experts deployed by SAPS to combat serious crime SAPS has announced the deployment of additional detectives to the 30 highest contact crime stations across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape. To read on, click here. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
IOL News
13 hours ago
- IOL News
SAPS plan to deploy more detectives lacks prevention strategy, expert says
Security strategist Andy Mashaile says the SAPS plan to boost detective numbers will aid investigations but warns it won't prevent violent crime. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers Security strategist and former Interpol ambassador Andy Mashaile has praised SAPS's initiative to deploy additional detectives to the 30 police stations with high rates of contact crime; however, he cautioned that this measure will not prevent crimes but rather assist in solving them. 'Sending additional detectives will only lead to a decreased number of crimes from an investigative point of view. It is not a preventative measure,' Mashaile told IOL News on Friday. 'While I see wisdom in beefing up detective services, throwing bodies into the system will add huge value in addressing cold cases and reducing backlogs at the top 30 stations.' Mashaile pointed to an overwhelming backlog as a major obstacle to the effective prosecution and conviction of criminals. 'In some precincts, a single officer might handle as many as 300 dockets. Some of them are bound to fall through the cracks. Some disappear and only God knows where they go.' He said such volume can push officers toward corruption, including selling case dockets. 'There are cases where police officers have been arrested, prosecuted, and convicted for selling dockets,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ However, he welcomed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola's efforts to strengthen the detective division. 'I am more than impressed and support the minister and commissioner's turnaround strategy for detective services, so that crimes can be solved, cold cases reduced, and backlogs cleared,' he said. Earlier on Friday, IOL News reported that Masemola said on Friday that over 4,000 new officers will join SAPS detective services this year, with many recruited from newly trained constables. SAPS will also re-enlist former officers, hire retired detectives, and deploy 300 intelligence operatives and 675 forensic experts currently in training. Masemola added that 5,000 public order officers and 575 emergency call centre operators have been deployed, and 150 station commanders appointed in high-crime provinces to boost service delivery. Meanwhile, Mashaile welcomed the additional 785 detectives being assigned to the Hawks, calling it a 'much-needed relief.' 'The challenge now is ensuring these officers receive the rigorous training required for the Hawks,' he told IOL News. 'This is a specialised unit. Officers need to be upskilled in areas such as cybercrime and forensic investigations.'
TimesLIVE
14 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Unregistered ‘doctor' busted consulting patients in Mpumalanga
A 38-year-old man from the Democratic Republic of Congo was arrested in Embalenhle, Mpumalanga, on Wednesday for allegedly posing as a medical doctor. He was arrested after a compliance inspection conducted by a health inspector at a local medical practice. Police spokesperson Lt-Col Jabu Ndubane said the health inspector visited consulting rooms operating under the name of a registered medical doctor, located at Extension 7 in Embalenhle. 'On arrival, the inspector observed a patient exiting the consultation room. He then entered the room and found an adult male conducting medical consultations, who identified himself as Jonathan Ilungwa Kilimba,' Ndubane said. When questioned, the suspect produced five patient files, including one belonging to the patient who had just been seen. 'During the inspection, the suspect admitted that he was working under the practice owner, a registered medical doctor, and further confessed that he is not registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa,' said Ndubane. The man was detained at Embalenhle police station for violating the Health Professions Act. The patient files were confiscated as evidence for further investigation. The suspect is set to appear in the Evander magistrate's court on Tuesday to face charges related to impersonating a healthcare professional. Police have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges being filed. Ndubane said investigations will establish the extent and duration of the suspect's unlawful practice and to assess the working relationship between him and the registered doctor. Authorities are also verifying the authenticity of the suspect's asylum documentation. Mpumalanga police commissioner Maj-Gen Zeph Mkhwanazi welcomed the arrest and urged the public to remain vigilant. 'We urge the public to always verify the credentials of medical professionals before consulting them. The SAPS remains committed to protecting the public from unqualified individuals who put lives at risk by operating illegally,' said Mkhwanazi.
