Latest news with #IndependentPoliceInvestigativeDirectorate
The Citizen
11-08-2025
- The Citizen
Two murders in a week shake the Polokwane CBD
POLOKWANE – The Polokwane police have arrested a 28-year-old man and fatally shot another suspect in connection with the murder of an unidentified man in the city centre. The Limpopo police said the body of the victim was discovered at the corner of Rissik and Bok streets on Friday morning (August 8). This is the second fatal incident in the CBD reported last week, following a stabbing over a trolley dispute just two days before. Read more: Man stabbed to death in Polokwane CBD over alleged trolley dispute The Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba said emergency medical services pronounced the Bok Street victim dead at the scene, with visible injuries suggesting a violent attack. He added that preliminary investigations revealed the victim had been involved in a fight with the suspect and three accomplices. 'The first suspect was arrested on Friday afternoon before the investigation led detectives to Motong village, Moletjie, in the Seshego policing area, where they located a second suspect. As officers approached, the man allegedly attempted to stab them with a knife, the police opened fire and the suspect died on the scene,' his statement read. Ledwaba added that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate has been notified and will investigate the shooting. 'Two suspects remain at large. Police have urged anyone with information to contact investigating officer Cate Moloto on 072 013 3243, call the Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit information via the MySAPS App,' he said.
IOL News
11-08-2025
- IOL News
Tragic death of child in Limpopo linked to police constable's alleged drunk driving
A police constable faces charges after a fatal accident involving an eight-year-old child in Limpopo. Image: File An eight-year-old child was killed as a result of an alleged drunk driving incident, leading to a Limpopo police constable facing charges of culpable homicide. The constable is scheduled to appear in court on Monday. Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the constable, aged 36, stationed at Motetema police station in the Sekhukhune District, was arrested for culpable homicide and drunken driving. This follows an incident in Mogaung village in Hlogotlou policing area on Friday, August 8, 2025, at approximately 7.15pm. Ledwaba said it is reported that the constable was driving a state vehicle when he allegedly knocked down an eight-year-old child along the road at Mogaung village, heading in the direction of Motetema. Emergency medical services personnel were called to the scene, but the child succumbed to his injuries. 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 ✕ 'The preliminary investigations suggest that the constable (suspect) was suspected of driving while under the influence of a substance during the incident,' Ledwaba said. He said the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) was alerted to investigate further. 'The suspect will appear before Nebo Magistrate's Court on Monday, August 11, 2025, on charges of culpable homicide and suspected of driving while under the influence of a substance (alcohol),' Ledwaba said. He said investigations by the police are ongoing. Reacting to the incident, Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, welcomed the arrest. 'The police are expected to conduct themselves in terms of the SAPS Code of Ethics as well as Code of Conduct at all material times,' Hadebe said. IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping said the matter was reported to the directorate on Saturday. 'Our preliminary investigations have resumed,' Suping said.
The Star
10-08-2025
- The Star
Limpopo police constable arrested for culpable homicide after fatal incident involving child
A Limpopo Police Constable faces serious charges after his arrest for culpable homicide and allegedly driving a state vehicle under the influence. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the 36-year-old Constable, stationed at Motetema Police Station in Sekhukhune District, allegedly drove a state vehicle under the influence and struck an 8-year-old boy in the Hlogotlou policing area on August 8 at approximately 19:15. 'It is reported that a Police Constable was driving a state vehicle when he allegedly knocked down an eight years 8-year-old child along the road at Mogaung village, heading in the direction.' Emergency medical services personnel were called to the scene, but the victim succumbed to his injuries. He added that preliminary investigations suggest the Constable was driving under the influence of a substance during the incident, and that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has been notified to conduct further investigations. The Constable is set to appear before Nebo Magistrate's Court on August 11, facing charges of culpable homicide and alleged driving under the influence of alcohol. Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, strongly welcomed the arrest, emphasising the department's commitment to accountability and justice. "The police are expected to conduct themselves in terms of the SAPS Code of Ethics as well as the Code of Conduct at all material times." The Star [email protected]
IOL News
10-08-2025
- IOL News
Limpopo police constable arrested for culpable homicide after fatal incident involving child
A Limpopo Police Constable faces serious charges after his arrest for culpable homicide and allegedly driving a state vehicle under the influence. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the 36-year-old Constable, stationed at Motetema Police Station in Sekhukhune District, allegedly drove a state vehicle under the influence and struck an 8-year-old boy in the Hlogotlou policing area on August 8 at approximately 19:15. 'It is reported that a Police Constable was driving a state vehicle when he allegedly knocked down an eight years 8-year-old child along the road at Mogaung village, heading in the direction.' Emergency medical services personnel were called to the scene, but the victim succumbed to his injuries. He added that preliminary investigations suggest the Constable was driving under the influence of a substance during the incident, and that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has been notified to conduct further investigations. The Constable is set to appear before Nebo Magistrate's Court on August 11, facing charges of culpable homicide and alleged driving under the influence of alcohol. Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, strongly welcomed the arrest, emphasising the department's commitment to accountability and justice. "The police are expected to conduct themselves in terms of the SAPS Code of Ethics as well as the Code of Conduct at all material times." The Star
TimesLIVE
07-08-2025
- TimesLIVE
Judgment permitting filming police in public key to accountability: legal expert
The recent court judgment which stated filming police in a public place is not a crime underlines the role of the public in holding police accountable and that exercising oversight is lawful and protected. This is the comment by a director of law firm Fluxmans, Myron Mer, after a judgment by the Johannesburg high court in a case brought by attorney Shaun Jacobs who succeeded in his application for damages for unlawful arrest and detention. In March 2019, Jacobs came home from work one evening to find a police roadblock set up outside his property in Kempton Park. He went inside, put his things down, picked up his phone and walked back out, not onto the street but to the boundary of his garden and began recording what was going on. He was not rude or aggressive towards the officers but when they saw he was recording a video of the scene, and especially their vehicle, one of the officers pounced on him and arrested him without explaining his rights and what he was arrested for. He spent more than 24 hours in detention. Jacobs took the matter to court, suing the minister of police and the Ekurhuleni metro police, arguing his arrest was unlawful and violated his constitutional rights. Judge Mpostoli Twala agreed, finding the arrest and detention unlawful. The court awarded Jacobs R250,000 in damages, R100,000 for the unlawful detention and R150,000 for unlawful arrest. Mer said the compensation was not the main takeaway in this judgment. 'The ruling sends a broader and significant message, namely ordinary South Africans, not just accredited journalists, have the right to question police conduct and to record it. However, and importantly, as long as they are not physically obstructing operations,' Mer said. In his judgment Twala said citizens were entitled to ask questions and entitled to explanations from law enforcement officers in respect of their conduct. 'That cannot be regarded as interference with the execution of their lawful duties,' Twala said. Mer said civil rights advocate Mukhethwa Dzhugudzha called it 'a vital safeguard for the public', pointing out that the right to record was part of a bigger picture, in particular freedom of expression under section 16 of the constitution. The ruling came as public trust in law enforcement is strained. 'The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has received hundreds of complaints in recent years about excessive force, unlawful arrests and abuse of power. 'Against that backdrop, the judgment underlines the role of the public in holding police accountable and confirms that exercising that oversight is a lawful and constitutionally protected act,' Mer said. However, the police can stop a member of the public if they physically block them from doing their job. 'But quietly recording from a safe and lawful position, that's not a crime.' Mer said while the case brought personal vindication for Jacobs, for the rest of the country it was a reminder that rights do not vanish when confronted with a badge and a uniform.
