Latest news with #Masemola
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Gauteng police dismiss WhatsApp shutdown threats as unfounded
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has urged South Africans to refrain from spreading misinformation following reports of a shutdown and disruption of services in Gauteng. Image: SAPS Threats of a shutdown in the Gauteng province have been dismissed by the National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola following a widely circulated WhatsApp message warning of a total shutdown in Gauteng on Monday. On Monday, Masemola cautioned members of the public against spreading WhatsApp messages that seek to mobilise communities to shut down and block highways, close schools, shut down the American embassy and Consulate as well as close down targeted food outlets in Gauteng on Monday, 26 May 2025. "Good evening, members. We have confirmed reports of a highway shutdown on Monday the 26th of May starting at 7.30am. The N1 Sandton, N1 Pretoria and M1 and M2 motorways will be affected. Please make use of alternative use for EMS. This has been verified by JMPD and TMPD. Please be cautious on the roads," part of the widely circulated message reads. Reacting to the message, Masemola urged those behind the WhatsApp message to refrain from spreading fake news and misinformation. "Members of the public are warned that this WhatsApp message only seeks to instill fear, bully community members and incite violence. Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the WhatsApp message and refrain from sharing it further," he said in a statement. Masemola assured Gauteng residents that the police are on full alert should there be any reports of a shutdown adding that all school services and roads will operate as normal. "Everything from businesses, schools to services will be fully functional and operational and accessible. There will be no highway shutdown or road closures. 'We are not going to allow lawlessness and acts of criminality, those who are found to be on the wrong side of the law, will be dealt with accordingly. The N1 Sandton, N1 Pretoria and M1 and M2 motorways will be opened," Masemola said. The Tshwane Metropolitan Pollice Department also dispelled the reports of a shutdown in a statement on Monday saying: "As of now, there is no official confirmation from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD), or any other verified government authority regarding a national shutdown scheduled for Monday, 26 May 2025, involving highway closures or widespread disruptions. While messages circulating on social media claim that major routes such as the N1 (Sandton and Pretoria), M1, and M2 motorways will be affected, and that schools and businesses will be closed, these claims have not been substantiated by official sources." [email protected]
The South African
23-05-2025
- The South African
SAPS laud Operation Shanela for reduced crime stats
On 23 May 2025, the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, released the crime statistics for the fourth quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year. The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Fannie Masemola, lauded Operation Shanela for the reduced number of community reported crimes. 'Our sustained weekly High Density operations through Operation Shanela are yielding positive results in the reduction of certain categories of violent crimes', said Masemola. However he did concede that the figures of crimes committed and registered during the period of January to March 2025 remain increasingly high. A total of 5727 murders and 10 688 were recorded in three months. Masemola said in analysing the numbers before them, SAPS noticed the following trend: Murder decreased by 12% Sexual Offences increased by 0.0% Attempted Murder decreased by 5.8% Rape increased by 0.3% Trio Crimes decreased by 12.1% 'The above crime picture requires operational reinforcement which is receiving priority focus from the management of the SAPS. And equally a whole of Government and Whole of Society approach. Especially in addressing the scourge of GBVF related crimes', said Masemola. Masemola said since the inception of Operation Shanela in May 2023, police have arrested more than 1,2 million suspects nationwide. According to Masemola, the suspects were involved in various crimes ranging from petty crimes to serious violent crime and to more organised crime. He said more than 468 000 stop and searches were conducted, 274 000 high visibility patrols were organised and a total of 55 775 premises were searched. An additional 5 007 unlicensed liquor premises were shut down for non- compliance. The operators of the shebeens and taverns did not have valid liquor licenses and therefore operating illegally. Masemola noted the successes of Operation Shanela between the period of Jan to March 2025, as the following: 1. 178 757 suspects were arrested in total 2. 20 395 Wanted suspects for various crimes including murder, rape, sexual offences, business and house robbery as well as carjacking. 3. 3 589 suspects arrested for murder and attempted murder 4. 3 134 suspects arrested for rape and attempted rape 5. 21 176 suspects arrested for assault GBH 6. 15 034 suspects arrested for being in the country illegally 7. Police arrested total of 6 855 drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs 8. 95 suspects were arrested for Human Trafficking 9. SAPS recovered 842 stolen and hijacked vehicles 10. R2,9 million in cash seized for being proceeds of crime 11. Police seized 1293 explosives used in cash-in-transit robberies, ATM bombings and illegal mining operations. 'This paints a picture of migration crime trends, that when police intensify efforts to destabilize and dislodge the work of syndicates involved in serious and violent crimes, criminals move to more sophisticated type of crime to continue with their criminal activities', Masemola concluded. HAVE YOU NOTICED INCREASED POLICE VISIBILITY IN YOUR AREA? 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
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Deputy minister encourages continued progress in ELM
VEREENIGING.- The Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Dickson Masemola applauded the leadership of Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) for its current approach to governance. This was during his visit to the recently held successful two-day Emfuleni's Service Delivery and Revenue Summit. Masemola expressed his admiration for the municipality's commitment to, ' transparency, accountability, and innovation in local governance'. The summit, held amidst the pressing issues of high unemployment and a struggling revenue collection system, demonstrated ELM's willingness to listen, reflect, and adapt to delivering better services to its residents. Masemola urged ELM to remain on this promising path, emphasising that such governance practices are vital to restoring trust, improving service delivery, and ultimately transforming communities. With the summit, ELM said that it chose to challenge itself by bringing together different members of the society including industry leaders, professionals, academics, subject matter experts, civil society, and religious figures, alongside community representatives. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
22-05-2025
- The South African
Seven teenagers arrested for bullying
On 21 May 2025, seven teenagers between the ages of 13 and 15 years old, appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court. The girls are charged with assault, following an alleged bullying incident of a 14-year-old girl, captured on a video which has since gone viral. In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority said the Child Justice Act states that when a minor is arrested, a Preliminary Inquiry should be conducted. 'The Act states that a PLI should be held within 48 hours of the arrest of a minor child to determine amongst others, their personal circumstances, their backgrounds as well as any factors that may have led to the commission of the alleged offence', said the NPA. However, the court heard today that the PLI has not been finalised. The assessments and home visits are conducted by Probation Officers, who are yet to conclude their research. The South African Police Service National Commissioner , General Fannie Masemola, has condemed the act of violence displayed by the teenagers. General Masemola has called on parents and children to work together in combating incidents of bullying. He also called on SAPS members to act swiftly when investigating such incidents. He said police should make quick arrests when the incidents are reported. 'School learners, bystanders and those with knowledge of such incidents are also urged to report such crimes immediately and not wait until videos go viral', said police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe. General Masemola further warned young people that bullying is a criminal offense and is punishable by law. General Masemola said more incidents of assault involving teenagers were on the rise. He said SAPS had recently attended to a similar matter in Letlhabile near Brits. 'Police in North West also arrested a 16-year-old boy who was placed in the care of his parents last week. The matter is still under investigation where the police are investigating 20 other children for their alleged involvement in this matter', he said. Mathe said as part of their collaboration with the Department of Basic Education, SAPS visits various schools across the country. They warn pupils about the legal consequences of bullying. 'During these talks, raids are conducted for sharp objects , drugs and illegal weapons and substances', said Mathe. 'Bullying has dire repercussions. Once you get involved in acts such as bullying you can be charged for assault GBH, common assault, crimen injuria and a host of other crimes. Being formally charged means you get to have a criminal record under your name. Which has negative implications on your future', warned General Masemola. He also urged bystanders to not entertain and encourage acts of bullying. He said by failing to act, they may become accomplices to the crimes. The girls will be back in court on Wednesday, 28 May 2025. 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
20-05-2025
- The Citizen
Operation Shanela: Police arrest more than 16 000 in just one week
The suspects were arrested for various crimes including murder rape and bullying. The South African Police Services (Saps) have arrested more than 16 000 for various crimes including murder rape and bullying in just one week. The suspects were arrested during the police's high-density operations, known as Operation Shanela, from Monday to Sunday last week. Arrests Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said there were 223 rape cases reported, with KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) recording 106 arrests. 'Illegal possession of firearms was 82, illegal dealing in drugs 272. Western Cape registered the most arrests with 55, followed by Eastern Cape with 52 and KZN with 49.' ALSO READ: 'Most-wanted' CIT murder suspects dead in Boksburg shootout [VIDEO] Mathe said 183 suspects were also arrested for murder. 'The Eastern Cape had 52 arrests, followed by Gauteng and KZN with 36 arrests each.' Discipline Mathe said the National Commissioner of Saps, General Fannie Masemola, called on parents, guardians, community leaders, and young people to work together with the police to instil discipline, respect, and accountability amongst young people to prevent and combat bullying incidents. 'The call follows an incident where seven girls between the ages of 13 and 15 were amongst 16,001 suspects who were arrested for various crimes this week. The seven were traced by police and arrested following their participation in an alleged act of bullying where a 14-year-old girl was a victim. 'All seven female pupils were arrested and placed into the care of their parents in line with the Child Justice Act. They all appeared today before the JHB Magistrates Court and are expected to appear again on a charge of common assault on Wednesday, 21 May 2025,' Mathe said. This latest incident is among several incidents of bullying that police have attended to in recent weeks. In Letlhabile near Brits, police in the North West also arrested a 16-year-old boy who was placed in the care of his parents last week. Mathe said the matter is still under investigation, where the police are investigating 20 other children for their alleged involvement in this matter. Bullying Meanwhile, Masemola warned young people that bullying is criminal conduct and punishable by law. 'Bullying has dire repercussions. Once you get involved in acts such as bullying, you can be charged for assault, GBH, common assault, crimen injuria and a host of other crimes. Being formally charged means you get to have a criminal record under your name, which has negative implications on your future,' Masemola said. 'The police will not hesitate to act against those who involve themselves in such acts. Those who get involved in such acts will be traced and made to answer before a court of law for crimes committed. Young people must refrain from getting involved in such acts. 'We have heard in some instances that some children took their lives as a result of acts of bullying. Bystanders are also warned not to entertain and encourage such acts as they may become accomplices to these crimes', said Masemola Masemola said that through its School Safety MOU with the Department of Basic education (DBE), the Saps visits various schools across the country to create awareness on dangers and consequences of bullying and gangsterism. ALSO READ: More than 900 suspects arrested for various crimes in Gauteng
