Latest news with #CrimeIntelligence
The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
Zimbabwean national arrested for illegal possession of medication
Police in Barberton, Mpumalanga, arrested a 32-year-old Zimbabwean national on Friday, 18 July, during a coordinated sting operation targeting criminal networks. The Zimbabwean national suspect was found in possession of explosives, gold-bearing rocks, and a large quantity of cough medication. The operation began around 5:00 and was carried out by a joint team comprising the Mpumalanga Organised Crime Investigation Unit, Crime Intelligence, Tactical Response Team, White River K9 Unit, and Hi-Tech Security Company. Furthermore, officers acted on reliable intelligence indicating illegal drug activity at the suspect's residence. The team then thoroughly searched, uncovering 89 electronic detonators, 49 superpower blasting cartridges, a six-metre detonating cord, four safety fuses, and nine boxes of cough medication. Authorities also discovered gold-bearing material and two portable scales, raising suspicions that the Zimbabwean national suspect may have been supplying resources to illegal mining operations in the area. Police subsequently charged him with unlawful possession of explosives, illegal possession of gold-bearing material, and illegal possession of medication. The Zimbabwean national suspect will appear in the Barberton Magistrate's Court on Monday, 21 July. In response to public criticism of law enforcement efforts in the area, police leadership emphasised their commitment to tackling crime. 'This operation underscores our commitment to combating criminal activities and ensuring the safety of our communities,' said Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi. '[The] Barberton area has been our concern, and we made a promise to deal with the situation. So far, our continuous operations are yielding positive results,' Mkhwanazi added. He encouraged community members to remain alert and report suspicious activities. 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.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Barberton police arrest man tied to suspected illegal mining operations
During a sting operation conducted in Barberton on Friday, July 18, a Zimbabwean national (32) was arrested in possession of explosives and medication, which were seized. A media statement issued by the Office of the Provincial Commissioner in Mpumalanga stated that, despite negative narratives suggesting police in Barberton are reluctant to address crime, continuous operations show the clear determination of Mpumalanga's men and women in blue to eradicate criminal activity in the area. ALSO READ: Two arrested with gold-bearing material According to the statement, the operation that led to the arrest was jointly executed by several specialised units, including Mpumalanga Organised Crime Investigation, Crime Intelligence, the Tactical Response Team, the White River K9 Unit and Hi-Tech Security. Acting on reliable intelligence about individuals engaged in illegal drug activities, police obtained a search warrant and commenced the operation at approximately 05:00. While searching the premises, the team received further details indicating that a man residing there was allegedly involved in the illegal sale of explosives. Police apprehended the suspect and recovered several illegal items, including 89 electronic detonators, 49 Superpower blasting cartridges, six metres of detonating cord, four safety fuses, about nine boxes of cough medication, gold-bearing material (ore) and two portable scales. The suspect was charged with illegal possession of explosives, illegal possession of gold-bearing material and illegal possession of medication. Preliminary investigations suggest that he may have been supplying these items to illegal mining operators in the area. He is expected to appear in the Barberton Magistrate's Court on Monday, July 21. The acting provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, welcomed the swift response. 'This operation underscores our commitment to combatting criminal activities and ensuring the safety of our communities. The Barberton area has been a concern and we made a promise to address the situation. So far, our continuous operations are yielding positive results. We will continue to work tirelessly to dismantle networks involved in that area. We urge people to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, and we will swiftly act on such information without hesitation,' he said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Barberton police conduct sting operation, arrest Zimbabwean for illegal mining activities
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.'
The Citizen
7 days ago
- The Citizen
M4 takedown nabs syndicate behind break-ins across Ballito and Durban
M4 takedown nabs syndicate behind break-ins across Ballito and Durban A high-speed takedown on the M4 last Friday led to the arrest of six men believed to be behind a string of housebreakings along the North Coast and greater Durban area. The group – allegedly part of a sophisticated housebreaking syndicate – were apprehended during a coordinated operation involving Marshall Security's Special Operations Team, the Durban North Saps Trio Crimes Unit, Crime Intelligence and Durban North Crime Prevention. The arrests followed months of surveillance and intelligence gathering. The suspects are linked to more than ten break-ins across Ballito, Salt Rock, Glenashley, La Lucia, Greenwood Park and Umbilo. According to Marshall Security, the group used professional tactics to access homes – climbing through roofs, disabling alarm systems and ransacking properties while residents were away. Stolen items typically included jewellery, laptops, safes, televisions, firearms and watches. Marshall Security began tracking the suspects on Friday when they entered Ballito. Officers followed their movements south toward Glenashley and La Lucia. Once their identities were confirmed, two vehicles were intercepted on the M4 near the Virginia off-ramp. A search uncovered housebreaking tools, gloves and backpacks filled with jewellery and watches, believed to be stolen. Investigations are ongoing, with police working to link the group to additional cases. Locally, Ballito Neighbourhood Watch chairman Morné Steffens confirmed a recent spike in opportunistic crime, particularly in Marion, Zen and Sandra Roads. 'A repeat offender, previously arrested several times, is suspected of several incidents,' said Steffens. 'This individual typically enters through unlocked doors or windows and flees before detection. In many cases, residents had failed to activate alarms or perimeter beams.' Vehicle theft is also on the rise, with high-end SUVs, particularily Toyota Fortuners, being targeted. Criminals reportedly gain access by removing front passenger windows. Steffens urged residents to be cautious about where they park and to invest in added security. Despite the increase in incidents, Steffens praised the partnership between police, private security, the Community Policing Forum (CPF) and the Neighbourhood Watch. 'Ballito is fortunate to have excellent security services and committed volunteers. However, our patrollers are stretched thin. We urgently need more residents to volunteer for just two hours a week or every second week,' he said. To get involved, visit Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Daily Maverick
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Ramaphosa's new police inquiry — while sitting on two previous reports
The President's inaction on both previous reports raises questions about how effective he will allow this third commission into the same topic to be. President Cyril Ramaphosa has ignored two previous reports from commissions into corruption, including those of the police and Crime Intelligence, after national security crises. Yet he has again established a judicial commission of inquiry, this time under Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. The 63-year-old judge, who is acting deputy chief justice and retires later this year, was SA's youngest high court judge at 34. He was an evidence leader at the State Capture commission. Madlanga will probe the explosive allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi into political interference in crime fighting and organised crime in the police service, and also in three metropolitan police services. Ramaphosa also appointed Prof Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister. Incumbent Senzo Mchunu has been placed on special leave until the commission makes its findings. For 14 months, since May 2024, Ramaphosa has sat on a report which advised him on exactly what needed to happen to stabilise the police service and clean up Crime Intelligence. The report by Prof Firoz Cachalia (now acting police minister) and his fellow councillors of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council (Nacac) has gathered dust on his desk at the Union Buildings. The President has neither engaged with nor released the Nacac report from a commission he set up to make recommendations after the State Capture commission made its findings. For three years, Ramaphosa has sat on another report which advised him on exactly what needed to happen to stabilise the police service and clean up Crime Intelligence. This report by Prof Sandy Africa was commissioned after what Ramaphosa called an 'attempted insurrection' in July 2021 (the July riots), which saw confidence in South Africa rattled as looting and lawlessness went on for days and days. Prof Africa made recommendations about stabilising the police service, depoliticising it and cleaning up Crime Intelligence, as well as national intelligence. There is little evidence that any of her recommendations have been implemented. The President's inaction on both reports raises questions about how effective he will allow the third commission into the same topic to be. If South Africa had a functioning intelligence service, General Mkwanazi would not have had to detonate a live grenade in the public square to highlight the rot in Mzansi policing, as he did last week. Paymasters, politicians and tenderpreneurs At the heart of the story is that the state is not yet uncaptured. The case of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and the influence allegedly exercised over him by tenderpreneur Vusi 'Cat' Matlala neatly fits the pattern of State Capture chronicled in the findings of the Zondo commission. In each major case examined at the commission, the pattern is almost the same. Paymasters acting for tenderpreneurs work with intermediaries to capture politicians whom they lavish with largesse, and then influence government processes such as policy and tenders. This is how the state is repurposed for capture. While Mchunu has won plaudits from civil society in the security sector for being a breath of fresh air, he now has many questions hanging over his head, as tabled by Mkhwanazi. Notably, his admission that information peddler and North West ANC influencer Brown Mogotsi is a 'comrade'. (For background, see Caryn Dolley's report here.) Mogotsi, in turn, was allegedly in the pay of Matlala, a tenderpreneur in health and policing, first exposed by Jeff Wicks in News24. (See Wicks's reports here – News24 is paywalled) In the country's most high-profile acts of capture at Eskom and Transnet, the middleman Salim Essa (in this case comparable with Brown Mogotsi) and the Guptas captured the former head of state, Jacob Zuma, as well as then Cabinet members Malusi Gigaba and Lynn Brown. In the Correctional Services' capture by the logistics and facilities company Bosasa, the tenderpreneur Gavin Watson, using his executive Angelo Aggrizzi as paymaster, tried to buy the influence of ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe and party deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane. (Note: Mantashe has taken the State Capture commission of inquiry findings about him under review.) What this shows is that three years after Ramaphosa received the report of the commission of inquiry into State Capture from Justice Raymond Zondo, the patterns of capture are still well entrenched in the ANC, now South Africa's largest party, rather than its governing party, and still affect national security. Acting deputy chief justice Judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga, who will now head yet another judicial commission of inquiry into the capture of the police, has his work cut out for him. DM
