Latest news with #HlulaniMashaba
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Cross-border crime foiled: Stolen bakkie recovered near Botlokwa
POLOKWANE – Swift action by the Limpopo Tracking Team alongside multiple private security stakeholders, has led to the recovery of a stolen Ford Ranger Wildtrak worth R800 000 and the arrest of two suspects. The Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said intelligence about bakkie stolen in Brooklyn in Pretoria was received in the early hours of this mornings and that it was being driven towards the Beitbridge Port of Entry for smuggling into Zimbabwe. 'An urgent anti-smuggling operation was activated by the Limpopo Tracking Team with support from Tracker SA, Mighty Anti-Hijacking Security, Willie K9 Security, ELit Security, Limpopo Anti-Hijacking Security, and Tshimollo Security and Investigation. The vehicle was spotted on the N1 near Botlokwa, where members swiftly intercepted it. Two South African men, aged 31 and 44, were arrested for possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle,' Mashaba said. He added that quick coordination prevented the vehicle from being smuggled across the border. 'The vehicle has been impounded for further investigation and the suspects will appear before the Sekgosese Magistrate's Court on Monday (August 18).' The provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe praised the teamwork, saying it showed the value of strong partnerships between SAPS and the private security sector in tackling cross-border vehicle crime.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Haenertsburg police probe woman's roadside death
TZANEEN – Police have opened a case of culpable homicide after a woman was found dead along the R71 in Maribethema village in the early hours of Tuesday morning (August 12). Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba says that at around 04:00, officers responded to a report of an accident on the R71. On arrival, they discovered a female victim lying on the road with injuries. Paramedics were called to the scene but declared her dead on arrival. 'Preliminary investigations suggest that shortly before the incident, the woman was seen with a male companion after leaving a friend's home in the village, where they had dropped off a child. The pair were reportedly heading back to their residence across the R71 when community members heard screams.' When residents went to investigate, they found two injured individuals on the road. By the time police arrived, only the female victim remained at the scene, and it is suspected she was struck by a speeding vehicle. 'Police are now seeking the man who was last seen with the deceased, identified as Makhaya Justine Malatjie, as he may be able to assist with the investigation. Anyone with information on Malatjie's whereabouts, or details about the incident, is urged to contact investigating officer Sergeant Pfano Musandiwa on 068 157 3784 or 082 414 3031, call Crime Stop on 08600 10111, visit the nearest police station, or use the MySAPS app.' Investigations are ongoing.
The South African
3 days ago
- The South African
Five inmates and police officer die in Limpopo van accident
A police officer and five inmates died on Thursday morning when a South African Police Service (SAPS) vehicle transporting inmates to court crashed on the R101 between Mokopane and Mookgophong. The officer, stationed at Naboomspruit Police Station, had collected 11 inmates from Mokopane Police Station for court appearances in Naboomspruit when the incident occurred. SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said, 'We can confirm that a SAPS member attached to Naboomspruit Police Station lost his life, along with four inmates.' Medical teams transported six other injured inmates to hospital for treatment. SAPS extended condolences to the families of the deceased. According to IOL , the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety confirmed the crash involved multiple injuries and fatalities. Department spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene advised motorists to use alternative routes due to the closure of the affected section. Motorists travelling from Mokopane to Mookgophong should use the N1 from the Zebetiela Weighbridge, while those travelling from Mookgophong to Mokopane should use the Mookgophong on- and off-ramps. 'Our officers are stationed in both directions to redirect traffic. Please expect delays and plan your route accordingly. For real-time updates, consider checking ViaMichelin,' Chuene said. Chuene said the relevant stakeholders will release further details once they compile a full report. 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
12-07-2025
- The Citizen
‘We are not safe': Tzaneen residents accuse police of failing to act on GBVF crisis
Residents are angry after a toddler was raped in Lusaka Village, near Nkowankowa. Residents of Nkowankowa and the surrounding areas in Tzaneen, Limpopo, are furious and calling on the police to work closely with locals to fight against gender-based violence and Femicide(GBVF). Several community members who spoke to The Citizen said they were angered by a recent incident in which a toddler was raped in Lusaka Village near Nkowankowa. Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the suspect sneaked into the room where the baby was sleeping with her mother and took her to the house's passage, where he raped her. 'The mother heard the child crying and found her on the ground,' said Mashaba. He stated that the police were still searching for the suspect, and no arrest had been reported at that time. Living in fear Elizabeth Shingange, a community leader and founder of the Elizabeth Home Foundation, said women and children were being killed and abused in the areas around Tzaneen. She said that between April and May, six women were murdered in different areas. 'Look, currently there is an ongoing case whereby a man is facing more than 80 rape cases. This case indicates that this man was continuing with his action without any interruption because if he was arrested for some of the cases, he would not be facing so many charges.' 'The criminals know very well that they will not be arrested because the community members don't trust the police. Previously, we had a situation in which the police failed to protect the whistleblowers, so they are afraid to tell the police what they know.' Shingange has urged the provincial police management to talk with the communities about how they can work together to address the problem. Another resident who asked not to be named said, 'What I can tell you is that we are not safe because criminals are not being arrested.' ALSO READ: Eswatini man arrested after child's burnt body found Protest ANC Women's League members took to the streets of Tzaneen on Friday in protest, accusing the police of failing to fight against GBVF cases that are rife in the area. Limpopo police did not respond to claims that they were failing to address GBVF and crime in the affected areas. WATCH: The ANC Women's League protest 'We are here to submit a memorandum to the Tzaneen Magistrate's Office, which is receiving on behalf of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. 'This memo is presented due to the alarming increase of the scourge of Gender-Based Violence against Women and Children, which is perpetuated by men in our society. 'These men perpetuate this GBV with impunity without dire consequences, and, as women, we are looking to our justice cluster to rescue us from this barbaric behaviour. 'Our observation is that the law enforcement agencies seem to be overwhelmed in dealing with this situation,' ANCWL convenor of Norman Mashabane Region in Mopani District Municipality, Lettie Hlangwane, told The Citizen. NOW READ: 'No moral standing': Saps must act tough on GBVF officers
The Citizen
07-07-2025
- The Citizen
Stolen Pretoria vehicle recovered in Limpopo before crossing border
A luxury SUV valued at over R2.5-million, which was stolen in Brooklyn, was recently retrieved, travelling towards the Beitbridge border. An anti-smuggling operation conducted by the Limpopo provincial police saw officers recovering the SUV along the N1 highway near Polokwane on July 2. It was a collaborative effort comprising different stakeholders, including the Limpopo SAPS, Shadow Secure Security, Tshimollo Security and Investigations, and Tracker Connect. According to Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, police acted on intelligence regarding a stolen vehicle travelling from Gauteng towards the Beitbridge border. He said the recovered vehicle matched the description of a vehicle stolen in Pretoria. 'The vehicle matching the description, a white Nissan Patrol V8 5.6, was identified and intercepted near Shell Ultra City within the Westernburg policing area. Further investigation confirmed the vehicle had been stolen in Brooklyn, Pretoria,' Mashaba said. He said the police acted swiftly and arrested the suspect driving the vehicle. 'A 51-year-old Zimbabwean who was behind the wheel was arrested on the spot and charged with possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle.' Mashaba said the suspect appeared before the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on July 4. Provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, praised the swift recovery of the vehicle and hailed the collaboration that made it possible. ALSO READ: Tshwane slaps 713 properties with penalty rates over illegal land use Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
