Latest news with #DirectorateforPriorityCrimeInvestigation
The Citizen
17 hours ago
- The Citizen
Father and son arrested in Midrand for illicit alcohol worth R2m
Police arrested a father and son after uncovering an illicit alcohol manufacturing facility in Midrand on August 6. Read more: How to report illegal drinking in Johannesburg At the site, authorities discovered illicit alcohol valued at an estimated R2m, already packaged for distribution, and some inside containers. Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that members of the Gauteng Highway Patrol Unit received a tip-off from a concerned member of the public about a strange movement of people at one of the properties in Midrand. The police responded swiftly and proceeded to the property. 'On arrival, police found illicit alcohol that included brandy, gin, rum, and vodka, some of which were branded with known alcohol brands. Police also found chemicals that are suspected to be used during the manufacturing process,' said Masondo. 'The Highway Patrol Unit members were joined by the members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), who processed the scene. A 36-year-old man who was found at the scene was arrested. Investigation led to the arrest of the second suspect, aged 70.' The suspects are expected to appear in the Midrand Magistrates' Court to face charges, including dealing in illicit liquor, violating the Liquor Act, and contravening the Customs Act. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
‘Delayed justice' irks Pretoria GBV survivor
After five years of court delays, a Pretoria GBV victim says there's nothing to celebrate this Women's Month. A Pretoria gender-based violence (GBV) victim said there was nothing to celebrate this Women's Month after the case against her cop ex-boyfriend was postponed again. Yesterday, Izelle Venter had to face her alleged abuser, a Hawks officer, in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court in a case of assault which has been dragging on for five years. She will have to return next month to hear if the new application to get a state witness to testify will be granted and if the case will be postponed again. 'One of the hardest things' – GBV victim testifying against ex Venter describes testifying against her ex-boyfriend, Jacques Loock, a captain in the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, as one of the hardest things she had to do. 'It feels like the defence keeps on playing for time. Delayed justice is justice denied,' she said. ALSO READ: Femicide horror as EC man kills wife and ex-girlfriend After the attack in February 2019, Venter spent five days recovering in an intensive care unit and was booked off from work for another six weeks. 'It makes me incredibly sad, I am the victim, the state doesn't stand up for me. Instead it's just one delay after the next. The accused has more rights than the victim,' she said. Venter, who attended the first court hearing in March 2019, said she has lost count of how many times the case has been delayed. Lost count of how many times case was delayed 'Nobody takes the time to explain to me what's going on in court, it's just the accused this and the accused that,' she said. Venter said the worst of it all was that she couldn't move on with her life or cut him out because the case was still ongoing. ALSO READ: Mother arrested for allegedly choking baby to death 'For two months, everything is fine until the next court date, then I am traumatised again and then they postpone it again,' she said. 'It's not fair. How must I carry on with my life? I sit with the trauma, while he was promoted in the force.' Venter said she is still terrified of her alleged attacker because she was close to him. Still terrified of attacker 'Although it happened in 2019, when that man walked around that corner this morning, I couldn't face him. I am still scared of him,' she said. Venter said there was no justice for GBV victims. ALSO READ: Calls for justice after Mpumalanga man allegedly sets women alight 'Not once in the past six years did anyone look at my rights, not once. What's the point of going through all of this just to be disappointed,' she said. Unchain Our Children founder Wayne van Onselen said they supported Venter in the presidential stance of zero tolerance against GBV, which the state and judiciary have made a mockery of. 'Five years on the roll, manipulation of the system and the only support given is from an NGO, GBV is out of control,' he said. Court backlogs a nightmare for victims Criminal law expert Cornelia van Graan said this matter was one of many and, daily, court cases are postponed for long periods. Backlogs at courts and procedural requirements were a nightmare for every victim. 'The court is bound by the victims charter which states that they have the right to be treated with fairness and with respect for dignity and privacy; the right to be attended to promptly and courteously; and treated with respect for your dignity and privacy by all members of any department, institution, agency or organisation or service provider. ALSO READ: Join us in the fight against GBV 'The police [during the investigations], the prosecutors and court officials [during preparation for and during the trial proceedings] and all other service providers will take measures to minimise any inconvenience to you by, among others, conducting interviews with you in your language of choice and in private, if necessary,' she said. Van Graan said these measures should prevent people from being subjected to secondary victimisation.
IOL News
31-07-2025
- IOL News
Court denies bail to man accused of murdering five-year-old Ditebogo Phalane
Elia Moeko (36) one of the three accused in the murder case of five-year-old Ditebogo Phahlane. The Pretoria North Magistrates' Court denied Moeko bail citing that he is a flight risk and may pose danger to society Image: Supplied/ NPA Lumka Mahanjana A man accused of killing five-year-old Ditebogo Phalane was denied by the Pretoria North Magistrates' Court. Elia Moeko, and his two co-accused Ali Sithole, 30, and Nido Gumbe, 29, are facing charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and possession of ammunition while Gumbe, a Mozambican national, faces an extra charge of illegal immigration. The charges stem from an incident which occurred on May 10, 2024, when the trio allegedly shot and killed the little boy during a botched hijacking while they were targeting his father, Tebogo Phalane. Elia Moeko (36), Ali Sithole (30) and Nido Gumbe (29). The tree accussed in the murder case of five-year-old Ditebogo Phahlane. Image: Supplied NPA/ Lumka Mahanjana Following an intensive investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), the suspects were arrested on May 23, 2024, while in custody at the Pretoria Moot Police Station on unrelated charges. On Wednesday, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana said when Sithole and Gumbe abandoned their bail applications, Moeko submitted a bail affidavit, claiming that he needed to care for his two minor children and his late brother's child. "He further stated that his continued incarceration would result in a loss of income, as he operates a hair salon and offers school transport services," said Mahanjana. Meanwhile, Prosecutor Advocate Tumelo Letaoana opposed the application and led evidence from the investigating officer, Sergeant Mashudu Savhasa, who testified that Moeko was a flight risk and had misled the court by not disclosing that he had previous convictions. In addition, he was considered a danger to witnesses known to him. Magistrate Maseena Khan ruled that the accused failed to prove the existence of exceptional circumstances that would justify his release on bail. The matter was postponed to September 10, 2025 IOL News
IOL News
30-07-2025
- IOL News
Major fraud case in Western Cape: Trio linked to R300 million scheme appear in court
Three suspects linked to a R300 million fraud case in the Western Cape have been granted bail, with their next court appearance set for November. Three suspects linked to a R300 million fraud case in the Western Cape appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrate's Court and were granted bail of R10,000 each. Benjamin Burger Lubbe, 85, Nicolaas Jacobus Latsky, 77, and Petrus Van Eeden Marais, 64, face charges of fraud, as well as violations of the Financial Markets Act and the Companies Act. They were arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team based in Bellville.
IOL News
30-07-2025
- IOL News
New arrests in R300 million Western Cape fraud case: Three suspects appear in court
The trio appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrate's Court. Three suspects linked to a mammoth R300 million fraud case in the Western Cape appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrate's Court and were granted bail. Benjamin Burger Lubbe, 85, Nicolaas Jacobus Latsky, 77, and Petrus Van Eeden Marais, 64, have been charged with fraud, contravention of the Financial Markets Act, and contravention of the Companies Act. They were each granted bail of R10,000. The trio was arrested by members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as Hawks), the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team based in Bellville.
