Latest news with #Fumba
The Citizen
28-07-2025
- The Citizen
Man sentenced for defrauding Amtola Water Board in tender scam
Mthobeli Ngwenze appeared in the East London Magistrate's Court where the sentence was handed down. A 46-year-old man has been handed a five-year suspended sentence for defrauding the Amatola Water Board in a water tanker tender worth over R215 000. Mthobeli Ngwenze appeared in the East London Magistrate's Court, where the sentence was handed down. Fraud The East London-based Serious Corruption Investigation team of the Hawks secured the sentencing of Ngwenze and his company after they were found guilty of defrauding the Amatola Water Board. Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba said the case stems from an incident that took place on 26 August 2020, when Ngwenze, acting on behalf of Hard Castle Consulting (Pty) Ltd, knowingly submitted fake vehicle registration documents in a bid to win a service contract. 'The Water Board had made it clear that only proof of ownership of water tankers would be accepted. No leased vehicles or hired trucks were allowed. 'Despite this, Ngwenze submitted forged documents for a vehicle in an attempt to mislead the Board. As a result of his actions, the company was unlawfully awarded the contract and paid R215 776,' Fumba said. ALSO READ: ConCourt sets date for MK party's case against Ramaphosa over Mchunu Guilty After a detailed investigation by the Hawks, Ngwenze and Hard Castle Consulting were charged with fraud, forgery and uttering. Fumba said they both pleaded guilty to the charge of fraud. 'On 25 July 2025, sentencing was handed down in the East London Magistrate's Court. The company, Hard Castle Consulting (Pty) Ltd, was fined R100 000. Ngwenze was sentenced to five years of direct imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years. 'The provincial head of the Hawks, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, welcomed the sentence and believed it sent a strong message that dishonesty in public procurement would not go unpunished,' Fumba said. Chinese nationals fined Last week, three Chinese nationals were fined a collective R400 000 after the South African Police Services' (Saps) provincial Organised Crime Investigation unit found abalone worth nearly R2 million at an Olierivier Farm premises on 26 April. The men appeared in the Kimberley Regional Court on Thursday for contravening the Living Marine Resources Act and money laundering. They managed to escape prison time after being found guilty and each sentenced to 36 months, wholly suspended per count. ALSO READ: Man sentenced to life for murder of KZN ward councillor
The Citizen
17-07-2025
- The Citizen
Hawks strike major blow in kidnapping of Pakistani national
The Pakistani businessman was rescued more than 776km from where he was kidnapped. The Gqeberha-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation team of the Hawks has successfully opposed bail for six suspects accused of kidnapping a 55-year-old Pakistani businessman. Two former police officers from the Western Cape were among the four people arrested when Gauteng police rescued the Pakistani businessman more than 776km from where he was kidnapped. The bail ruling, which was handed down this week in the Graaff-Reinet Magistrate's Court, has been welcomed. Bail Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba said during a closed court session, the Hawks presented a compelling argument against their release. 'The court sided with the State, denying bail and keeping the suspects in custody. The matter has been remanded to 4 August 2025 for further court proceedings. ALSO READ: Police rescue kidnapped Pakistani businessman in Evaton Kidnapping Fumba said the accused, comprising both South African and Pakistani nationals, are currently facing serious charges related to an alarming February abduction in Graaff-Reinet. 'According to initial reports, the victim was allegedly approached by individuals impersonating police officers. Under the false pretence of official business, they persuaded him to accompany them to a nearby station, and he never returned home. 'A multidisciplinary team, including the Hawks in the Eastern Cape, National Crime Intelligence, Soweto Flying Squad and private security partners, launched a high-priority operation,' Fumba said. Breakthrough Fumba added that the operation led to a breakthrough on 13 March 2025, when the Pakistani national was successfully rescued in Evaton in Gauteng, hundreds of kilometres from where he was kidnapped. 'Four suspects were arrested across various locations, and police seized a vehicle believed to have been used in the abduction, as well as an unlicensed firearm. 'Ongoing investigations later led to the arrest of two additional suspects, bringing the total number of accused to six,' Fumba said. ALSO READ: More than 2 600 wanted criminals linked to violent crimes arrested in South Africa
The Citizen
27-06-2025
- The Citizen
Police officer accused of corruption set to appear in court
An internal investigation flagged the officer of being involved in corrupt activities. A 46-year-old Eastern Cape police officer who allegedly demanded a bribe in order to make 'things easy' for a suspect is expected to make his first appearance in court. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, served a court summons on the officer on Thursday, charging him with corruption. Corruption Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba said the alleged corruption occurred when he was stationed at the Humewood Saps. Fumba said an internal investigation identified the officer as being involved in the incident. 'It is alleged that on 2 April 2024, the officer, acting in his capacity as an investigating officer, summoned a male suspect to the station regarding a reported assault case. ALSO READ: Crime Intelligence CFO, co-accused granted bail in burglary cover-up 'Upon the suspect's arrival, the officer allegedly solicited a gratification of R2 500 from the individual, promising that such payment would 'make things easy' and prevent his arrest. The suspect was thereafter allegedly released without any formal charge being laid,' Fumba said. Court Fumba said Ngeni's actions constitute a violation of Section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004 (PRECCA), which criminalises the acceptance of gratification by a public officer in exchange for performing or not performing an official act. He is expected to make his first court appearance at the Gqeberha District Court, New Law Courts, on 17 July 2025. The Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, reaffirmed the team's commitment to upholding the rule of law and eliminating unethical conduct within their ranks. 'Corruption has no place in the pursuit of justice, and internal accountability remains one of our foremost priorities,' said Ngwenya. Top cop arrested Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority's Investigating Directorate (ID) has arrested Crime Intelligence boss, Major General Dumisani Khumalo, in connection with a corruption investigation involving R45 million in property deals. Khumalo, who heads Crime Intelligence within the South African Police Service (Saps), was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday following an 'extensive' probe into the alleged unlawful purchase of two luxury properties. A boutique hotel in Pretoria North, worth R22.7 million, and a commercial building in Berea, Durban, valued at R22.8 million, were allegedly purchased without proper ministerial approval. NOW READ: Court halts Lungu's funeral in SA after challenge by Zambian government
IOL News
13-06-2025
- IOL News
Eastern Cape councillor implicated in kidnapping of local businessman
The Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation team cracked the kidnapping case in Dimbaza, leading to the arrest of a local councillor and her alleged accomplice. Image: Henk Kruger/ Independent Newspapers. A 37-year-old political councillor has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a local businessman in Dimbaza, Eastern Cape. Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba said the incident unfolded on June 10, 2025, when a 42-year-old businessman was forcefully abducted from his hardware store by an unknown male suspect. The suspect allegedly shoved the victim into his vehicle before fleeing the scene at high speed. "Following the incident, the kidnapping task team of the Hawks, in collaboration with the East London Flying Squad and the Dog Unit (K9), acted swiftly on vital information received from alert community members. The team then followed a vehicle of interest," said Fumba. This led to the interception of a vehicle of interest and the immediate arrest of a 34-year-old male suspect. Further investigation uncovered the alleged involvement of a local councillor, who is believed to have played a pivotal role in helping the main suspect attempt an escape. She was arrested and subsequently charged. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Both accused appeared in the Dimbaza Magistrate's Court on June 12, 2025. "The councillor was granted bail of R2000, while the male suspect remains in custody and is set to return to court on June 19, 2025, for a formal bail application," said Fumba. The Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, praised the quick action taken by law enforcement and the public. 'The arrest demonstrates the power of coordinated policing and \[the] critical role communities play in tackling serious crime,' he said. IOL News
The Citizen
13-06-2025
- The Citizen
Eastern Cape councillor arrested for role in businessman kidnapping
The councillor's accomplice, who allegedly carried out the kidnapping, remains in custody. An East London councillor has on Friday been released on R2 000 bail after she was arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a businessman in Dimbiza, Eastern Cape. The 27-year-old woman was arrested and charged for aiding the escape of a man who abducted the 42-year-old hardware store owner on 10 June. Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation's (Hawks) regional spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba said the 34-year-old man allegedly forcefully shoved the business owner into a car belonging to the owner before speeding off. Kidnapper intercepted The East London-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation kidnapping task team was alerted of the incident and attended to the matter, which the Hawks say was a shameless kidnapping act. 'The kidnapping task team of the Hawks, in collaboration with the East London Flying Squad and the Dog Unit (K9), acted swiftly to vital information received from alert community members; the team then followed the vehicle of interest,' Fumba said. ALSO READ: Kamogelo Baukudi: Missing teen needed for ID parade, case postponed 'In a well-coordinated tactical action, the team intercepted the vehicle and arrested the male suspect on the spot,' he added. Councillor linked to kidnapping Fumba said further investigations pointed to the involvement of the local councillor, who allegedly tried to help the suspect. 'Both accused appeared before the Dimbaza Magistrate's Court on 12 June 2025.' While the councillor was granted bail, the male suspect remains in custody and is expected to appear in court on 19 June for a formal bail application. Officers commended The provincial head of the Hawks, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, commended the collaborative effort and decisive action of the law enforcement officers. 'The arrest demonstrates the power of coordinated policing and critical role communities play in tackling serious crime,' Ngwenya said. ALSO READ: Mpumalanga ANC councillors granted bail in R500k corruption case
