Latest news with #Lemao
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
South African national sentenced to 15 years for bringing 4kg heroin into India
Mumbai: Refuting the defence that he unknowingly carried the drugs after an agent sent him for football team trials in India, a special Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) court convicted and sentenced a 34-year-old South African national to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment for importing nearly four kilograms of heroin into India in 2022. The case, which centred on a carefully planned operation by the Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB) following a tip-off, also resulted in a fine of Rs 1.50 lakh for the accused, Mapoma Lemao. The judge refuted the defence advocate's arguments that the contraband was subsequently planted, as it remained untraced even after Lemao went through mandatory checks at three airports: Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, and Mumbai. Special Judge PP Jadhav reasoned, "It has revealed that the contraband was concealed by creating a false cavity (of the bag) covered with plastic and cotton cloth. The contraband has missed in the strict checking on all three airports. This is not the first and last instance wherein the contraband is not traced in the mandatory checking." Lemao was found guilty of various offences under the NDPS Act for conspiring, importing, and possessing 3.980 kgs of heroin. A co-accused, Mwanyuki Musa, a Tanzanian national, was acquitted. The judge said that, as pointed out by Musa's advocate, Dilip Mishra, except for Lemao's statement and that of an intelligence officer involved in the operations, there was no independent evidence to show his involvement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Take a Look - How Watching Videos Can Boost Your Income TheDaddest Undo "Certainly, the mere statement of a co-accused cannot be the base to prove the guilt of the accused," the judge said. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The prosecution's case detailed a raid initiated by the NCB, Mumbai Zonal Unit, following a specific intelligence note received on April 11, 2022, that Lemao would arrive the following morning at the city's international airport. The note said that he would either be carrying drugs in his bag or on himself. Lemao was apprehended, and a search was conducted. The heroin was recovered from a cavity in his bag, and he was arrested. During his statement, Lemao claimed he was promised a football trial in India by an agent named Faris. He stated that Faris handled his travel arrangements and asked him to carry the drugs, instructing him to deliver the consignment to a woman named Lyidi Jina at a hotel near the airport. Lemao also implicated his co-accused, Musa, stating that Faris had provided his details as a backup contact. Musa was subsequently intercepted by another NCB team on April 13, 2022, in Navi Mumbai. In his statement, which could not be proved in court, Musa allegedly claimed he was instructed by his business partner, a Tanzanian national named Zohoro, to receive a drug consignment from a South African traveller and send it to a woman in Delhi. Zohoro had provided him with a photo identity of Lemao. Despite the prosecution's claims against both men, the judge found Musa not guilty, leading to his acquittal.
The Citizen
11-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Region B director is ready to accelerate service delivery
Marking a year as director for Region B, Sello Lemao reflected on his journey so far. A journey through collaboration and a vision to deliver services across Johannesburg's Region B. Read more: High impact service delivery transformation in Region B Lemao, who took the mantle on May 1 2024, spent the year, not just fixing potholes or maintaining parks, but establishing connections between the city and its residents, particularly in the north, where expectations are high. 'The majority in the north are the highest taxpayers. For that, you need service delivery. The issues in that area consist of open spaces and by-law enforcement, coupled with park invasions. We see that, in many cases, community members step up to take action themselves, so, it is only fair if we meet them halfway.' Lemao is particularly proud of the partnerships with residents' associations, as he values their vision for better service delivery. 'I've always said, from day one: I want to work closely with ward councillors and residents' associations,' he said. Also read: Region B residents engage on 2025/26 draft IDP He added that the region's real strength lies in its stakeholders, who are willing to collaborate with them. This collaborative spirit, Lemao says, is what has helped move Region B into what he calls its: 'Acceleration phase'. 'We've gained experience over the past year, and now, we're going to accelerate. We have the mechanisms, such as Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) and accelerated service delivery, and with our high impact service delivery in place, we're working with multiple entities to tackle issues in various wards. Today, we can tell you where a pothole needs to be patched before it even becomes a complaint.' He added that the relationship between the city and residents is mutual. When communities are engaged, service delivery is sharper. 'In areas where the community is active, issues are reported and resolved much quicker, but in areas where there's little engagement, problems, like potholes, linger longer than they should. We want the residents to tell us where the problems are. We're ready to respond.' Lemao admitted that there is still a lot to do, but he believes that his department is on the right track, and ready to move forward to improve service delivery in Region B. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: City officials identify key issues in Region B during recent site inspection At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- The Citizen
How Brixton's hidden history mirrors modern struggles
In the heart of Brixton, a building with a storied past has taken on a new, darker role. Back in the 1990s, this spot was known as a busy butchery for Brixton Meat, a place where locals gathered for fresh cuts and community vibes. Over the years, its purpose has shifted dramatically. Today, the same building is believed to be a hub for illegal trading, a shadowy spot where illicit activities thrive beneath the surface of the vibrant neighbourhood. Read more: Reviving the Brixton community through sports This transformation is part of a broader story about urban change, struggle, and the ongoing efforts to restore order. Recently, in Ward 87, a tip-off from a concerned resident prompted a multi-agency operation involving Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM), Environmental Health, Building Control, Town Planning, EMS, JMPD, and City Power. Their mission: To investigate and clamp down on illegal trading and other service delivery issues plaguing the area. Regional director of Region B Sello Lemao emphasised that this operation is part of a larger initiative called the high impact service delivery initiative. 'This programme is designed to address all the service issues that affect residents, from malfunctioning streetlights and potholes, to illegal connections and illegal trading,' Lemao explained. 'We're bringing all the relevant departments together to work as one, instead of in silos, to get real results.' @caxtonjoburgnorth Once a bustling butchery for Brixton Meat in the '90s, now a secret spot for illegal trading, this place's story is wild. From meat to mystery, the streets never sleep. BrixtonVibes UrbanLegends SecretStories ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North – Caxton Joburg North Also read: When nightfall sets in Brixton The story of the Brixton building echoes the city's ongoing battle to keep neighbourhoods safe and well-maintained. What was once a symbol of local enterprise has become a reminder of the challenges authorities face in tackling illegal activities and urban decay. But with co-ordinated efforts and community involvement, there's hope that these spaces can be reclaimed, restoring their original purpose and the community's trust. As Brixton continues to evolve, stories like these highlight the importance of proactive urban management and the power of joined government efforts to turn the tide on illegal trading and urban neglect. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Brixton SAPS faces rising common robberies At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
