Latest news with #BrigAthlendaMathe
TimesLIVE
29-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Two suspects in Olorato Mongale case on bail for kidnapping, robbery
Two of the three suspects sought by the police in connection with the killing of Olorato Mongale are currently out on bail. This was revealed by national police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe during a briefing outside the Pretoria magistrate's court on Thursday. Mathe said Philangenkosi Makhanya and Bongani Mthimkhulu were arrested for kidnapping and robbery and released in April. On April 20 we arrested them on a charge of kidnapping and robbery in the Brakpan area, where a vigilant police officer was conducting his regular patrols Brig Athlenda Mathe, national police spokesperson 'We had actually arrested two of the three suspects that we are looking for. On April 20 we arrested them on a charge of kidnapping and robbery in the Brakpan area, where a vigilant police officer was conducting his regular patrols. He came across a suspicious-looking vehicle, a VW Polo — the same VW Polo in question — and when he confronted the suspects, he found that they had just kidnapped a woman and robbed her. 'We immediately placed these two suspects under arrest. On April 22 they appeared in court on a charge of kidnapping and robbery, and on April 26 they got bail. So they are currently out on bail,' Mathe said. The suspects are linked to various other cases, she said. Mongale's lifeless body was discovered over the weekend, abandoned in Lombardy outside Alexandra, northern Johannesburg. On Wednesday night, police issued a statement where they identified Makhanya and Fezile Ngubane as people of interest in the murder. This after the white VW Polo that picked up Mongale from her Joburg residence for a date was found at a panel-beating workshop in Phoenix, KwaZulu-Natal. On Thursday morning police identified the third man as Mthimkhulu, a friend of Makhanya, as the additional suspect. The police are looking for all three men. Mathe urged anyone who spots the suspects to immediately contact Brig Edwin Nama on 082-778-9035.
TimesLIVE
23-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
'Drug trafficker' from Brazil nabbed at OR Tambo
A 39-year-old suspected drug trafficker was arrested on arrival from São Paulo, Brazil at the OR Tambo International Airport on Friday morning. Police said the Brazilian landed at 9am from São Paulo and was in transit to Benin when he was intercepted by police officers at the airport. 'He was pulled aside and during a body search cocaine worth R1.4m was found wrapped around his legs,' police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said. The man was arrested and is expected to appear before the Kempton Park magistrate's court soon on a charge of drug trafficking. Mathe said the police were intensifying their efforts to clamp down on the illicit trade of drugs. She said between January and March, 23,306 suspects had been arrested nationally for being in possession of drugs. These included drug traffickers who continued to be apprehended at OR Tambo International Airport. 'Most of these drug traffickers are coming into the country from Brazil and are found to have swallowed these drugs. Through targeted intelligence operations, we have been able to intercept more than 20 drug traffickers in the last six months at this port of entry.' Mathe said 3,471 suspects had been arrested for dealing in drugs. These included six Mozambicans and three South Africans who were arrested in Standerton, Mpumalanga, after police dismantled a clandestine drug laboratory in that area. Drugs, high performance vehicles and machinery valued at R27m were confiscated in this operation including R3m in cash that was found in the boot of a Mercedes-Benz. During this same period, a clandestine drug laboratory was also shut down in Westonaria in Gauteng.
TimesLIVE
19-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Seven girls arrested after violent bullying seen on video
Seven girls between the ages of 13 and 15 have been arrested for assault. They are due to appear in the Johannesburg magistrate's court on Monday, police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe confirmed. They were nabbed after the bullying of a 14-year-old girl was captured on video footage and shared on social media. The girls were released into the care of their parents according to Child Justice Act after their arrest. This is a developing story TimesLIVE
The Herald
01-05-2025
- The Herald
Vehicle parts found as police continue search for vehicle after bodies of three missing cops found
Experts are trying to establish if vehicle parts found in the Hennops River are linked to the VW Polo driven by three police officers whose bodies were found in Centurion earlier this week. Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe confirmed on Wednesday that vehicle parts, including front and rear bumpers, were found by search and rescue teams. She said all three families had been notified of the latest development. She said experts were trying to establish if these vehicle parts were linked to the VW Polo that the three police officers were travelling in. The bodies of the three officers, constables Cebekhulu Linda, 24, Keamogetswe Buys, 30, and Boipelo Senoge, 20, were retrieved on Tuesday. The trio were last seen on April 23 at the Engen garage near the Grasmere toll plaza on the N1. Their bodies were found with two other bodies, including that of an admin clerk attached to the Lyttelton police station. ' A police reflector jacket belonging to one of the deceased police officers has also been found. SAPS divers, City of Tshwane divers and EMS, SAPS special task force (STF) divers, Search and Rescue South Africa, have located a metal object that they suspect may be the missing vehicle,' Mathe said. She said this metal object was found by divers 4km from the N1. 'There is no confirmation as yet that this metal object is covered by debris.' SAPS crime intelligence, the cybercrime unit, detectives, Lyttleton Community Police Forum (CPF) and private security groups were also taking part in the operation. On Thursday morning, police were clearing debris at the river as they continued a search for the missing vehicle. TimesLIVE
SowetanLIVE
01-05-2025
- SowetanLIVE
Vehicle parts found as police continue search for vehicle after bodies of three missing cops found
Experts are trying to establish if vehicle parts found in the Hennops River are linked to the VW Polo driven by three police officers whose bodies were found in Centurion earlier this week. Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe confirmed on Wednesday that vehicle parts, including front and rear bumpers, were found by search and rescue teams. She said all three families had been notified of the latest development. She said experts were trying to establish if these vehicle parts were linked to the VW Polo that the three police officers were travelling in. The bodies of the three officers, constables Cebekhulu Linda, 24, Keamogetswe Buys, 30, and Boipelo Senoge, 20, were retrieved on Tuesday. The trio were last seen on April 23 at the Engen garage near the Grasmere toll plaza on the N1. Their bodies were found with two other bodies, including that of an admin clerk attached to the Lyttelton police station. 'A police reflector jacket belonging to one of the deceased police officers has also been found. SAPS divers, City of Tshwane divers and EMS, SAPS special task force (STF) divers, Search and Rescue South Africa, have located a metal object that they suspect may be the missing vehicle,' Mathe said.
