Latest news with #Hadebe
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Limpopo police bust truck smuggling stolen goods to Malawi
Limpopo police struck a decisive blow against transnational crime, intercepting a highly organised smuggling syndicate transporting stolen goods from Cape Town to Malawi. At around 2:00 on Thursday, 5 June, the Limpopo Anti-Smuggling Task Team, working with Tshimollo Security and Investigation and Shadow Secure Technology, stopped a Scania truck with superlink trailers near the Polokwane weighbridge. The truck, believed to be part of a broader criminal network exploiting the Beitbridge border post, was found carrying a staggering cache of stolen items following an 18-hour search operation. 'This breakthrough represents a major victory against sophisticated criminal networks that have been exploiting our borders to traffic stolen goods,' said Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe. Stolen Goods Reveal Chopped Cars and Bikes Investigators uncovered chopped parts of a Ford Ranger stolen in Nyanga, including critical components like the engine and dashboard. Sixty disassembled motorcycles, hidden in drums and containers, were traced to thefts from at least seven police precincts across the Western Cape, such as Bellville, Muizenberg, and Sea Point. Electronic goods suspected to have been stolen, including plasma televisions, sound systems, solar tower batteries, and cell phones, were also added to the haul. All were concealed in an elaborate smuggling setup designed to pass undetected through one of the busiest trade routes in southern Africa. 'The collaboration between our Anti-Smuggling Task Team and private security partners demonstrates the power of coordinated law enforcement efforts,' Hadebe noted. The total value of the recovered goods is estimated to exceed R3 million. Four Suspects to Face Justice Four foreign nationals, aged between 37 and 50, were arrested at the scene. They are expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on Monday, 9 June, to face charges related to possession of suspected stolen goods. Authorities have also seized the truck and trailers involved, treating the vehicle as key evidence in an ongoing investigation into cross-border smuggling syndicates. Hadebe assured the public, 'We will continue to target these criminal syndicates relentlessly until they are completely dismantled.' With police ramping up their focus on smuggling syndicates, are our borders finally tightening? 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 South African
25-05-2025
- The South African
Man charged with murder for shooting during a funeral service
A man was charged with attempted murder following a shooting incident that occurred during a funeral service in Ga-Molepo, Limpopo, on Saturday, 24 May 2025. According to police, the 30-year-old suspect allegedly shot a man, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds. During the crime scene investigations, police discovered several spent cartridges and recovered a firearm used in the shooting. The motive behind the shooting is unknown and police investigations are ongoing. The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, called on community members to resolve their issues peacefully to avoid acts of violence as a solution. 'We cannot tolerate such senseless acts of violence, especially during times when families and communities come together to pay their last respects to the deceased. We call on community members to find peaceful ways to resolve their differences,' expressed Lieutenant General Hadebe. The suspect will appear before the Mankweng Magistrate's Court on Monday, 26 May 2025. Police arrested two suspects for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition on Friday, 23 May 2025. Khayelitsha SAPS arrested the first suspect (72) after searching a premises in Ndlovu Street, Site B and found a firearm with five rounds of ammunition. Operation Shanela arrested the second suspect, a 33-year-old man in Michael Street, Asanda Village, who was in possession of a 9mm pistol with ammunition. 'The members were executing stop and search operations when they saw the male who started running when he saw the police vehicles. They chased him on foot and apprehended him,' read the police statement. The suspects will appear in the Khayelitsha and Strand Magistrates' courts respectively. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
05-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Father of murdered Umbumbulu student the first to testify
The father of murdered KwaZulu-Natal student Thobeka Hadebe, 19, who was stabbed multiple times at her home in Umbumbulu, south of Durban, is set to be the first witness to testify in the Durban high court on Tuesday. This comes as the trial of murder accused Mzomuhle Nelson Mkhize, 33, got under way on Monday. He is being represented by Legal Aid attorney Thaigraj Pillay. Mkhize is charged with attempted rape and murder. Senior prosecutor Cheryl Naidoo said the state intended to call several witnesses, including the victim's father, Agrippa Hadebe, to testify. 'Some of the witnesses are the neighbours of the deceased, parents as well as acquaintances. They will present the witness account of what happened on February 26 last year,' said Naidoo. When Naidoo called Hadebe to begin his testimony at about midday, judge Jacqueline Henriques called for an adjournment which would make it possible for the court to delve straight into Hadebe's testimony in one day. According to the indictment, Mkhize lived close to the Hadebe's home in the Bhekulwandle area of Umbumbulu. On the fateful day, Hadebe and her mother were hanging clothes on the washing line when Mkhize passed by on foot and greeted them. Shortly thereafter, Hadebe's mother left home to go to work. Once Mkhize noticed that Hadebe's mother had left, he had allegedly armed himself with at least a knife and gone to the premises with the intention of forcing her to have sexual intercourse with him and then kill her. Mkhize entered the house and allegedly accosted Hadebe in her bedroom before killing her. Despite Hadebe's screams for help, Mkhize had also allegedly forcefully removed her underwear and stabbed her in the upper body. Hadebe was transported to hospital for medical attention but succumbed to her injuries on the way. A post-mortem report attributed Hadebe's cause of death to multiple stab wounds to the heart and chest. The public gallery was packed with family members and community members who came to lend their support for the Hadebes. The trial continues on Tuesday.
