Latest news with #MpumalangaHawks
The South African
10 hours ago
- The South African
Alleged cop killers denied bail as Hawks reveal sinister plot
On 26 June 2025, the Hawks said three alleged cop killers have been denied bail by the Ermelo District Court. 'The trio were remanded in custody for further investigation,' said Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi. Siyabonga Duba (31), Njabulo Zwane (27) and Vusi Shabalala (43) form part of 10 suspects who are facing murder charges. All 10 are accused of murdering the Ermelo Vehicle Investigation Unit commander, Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius. Additionally, they are charged with conspiracy to commit murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. They are also charged with defeating the ends of justice. He said on 16 January 2025, the suspects allegedly concealed the murder weapon and set alight a vehicle that had been used in the commission of the crime. 'The first five suspects were arrested in Nelspruit by the Secunda based Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, in less than 12 hours after the incident,' said Nkosi. The rest of the alleged cop killers are Mthobisi Nkosi (40), Aubrey Xaba (35), Skhumbuzo Skhakhane (40), Niko Mujovo (30), Gift Mdluli (34), Valencia Skhosana (36) and Phepheni Duba (37). Of the group, Phepheni Duba was granted R10 000 bail earlier this year, while Valencia Nkosi was denied bail. The rest abandoned their bail applications. 'All ten suspects are expected to appear before the same court, Ermelo District Court, on 14 August 2025,' said Nkosi. The Hawks expressed that they were pleased that the court has decided to keep the accused behind bars for at least another month. The Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber, said he was satisfied with the investigation's progress. He said the team assigned would ensure that justice prevails in this matter. 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
21-05-2025
- The Citizen
High court orders that assets be seized after alleged R5m Covid-19 PPE fraud uncovered
While many people were being affected by the prevalence of Covid-19 in 2020, a Mpumalanga Department of Health official financially allegedly benefitted illegally from personal protective equipment (PPE) funding. This has resulted in a high court preservation order for the forfeiture of a property and three vehicles amounting to millions of rand against the involved individuals. The Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, said a former secretary in the provincial health department, Sanele Sanderson, allegedly colluded with two service providers in faking the purchasing and delivery of the PPE. 'The director's secretary engaged herself in alleged fraudulent activities that led to the department suffering a loss of about R5m in 2020,' said Nkosi. 'As a result, the service providers unlawfully benefitted from the products that were never delivered,' added Nkosi. ALSO READ: Alleged Mpumalanga fraud and corruption accused released on bail He said Sanderson's alleged actions resulted in the service providers receiving payment and buying a residential property worth R1.5m in Barberton. The house was registered under a name of a company called Zanderson Establishment, of which the sole director happened to be Sanderson's daughter, Yolanda Sanderson. 'The property was later sold for the same amount. Shortly afterwards, the family bought another residential property in Sunninghill, Johannesburg. The house was then registered in a company named SS Umoya, directed by the former secretary, Sanele Sanderson,' said Nkosi. He said investigations conducted by the Hawks resulted in the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court, sitting in Mbombela, ordering the forfeiture of the Sunninghill house and three vehicles on Tuesday, May 20. 'The forfeited house is estimated to be valued at R1.5m and the three vehicles, owned by the two service providers, a Toyota Quantum, a Hyundai light delivery vehicle and a VW Golf, are estimated to have a combined value of R1m,' Nkosi explained. The provincial head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber, said criminal investigations in this matter were ongoing. 'Benefits derived from proceeds of crime will be traced, restrained, forfeited and sold to recoup the state's losses. This is a clear example of law enforcement entities working in collaboration with one another. The Asset Forfeiture Unit of the NPA and the Asset Investigation Section of the Hawks collaborated and ensured the successful forfeiture. This must send a stern message that we will seize assets, no matter how they are disguised, if bought through proceeds of crime. Crime must not pay,' warned Gerber. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
15-05-2025
- The Citizen
Hawks uncover another underground drug lab on Standerton farm
Police uncovered another drug lab on Rooikoppen farm, Standerton, yesterday. According to Ridge Times, this comes just over a month after two clandestine laboratories in Mahonie Street and Rooikoppen farm, as well as a warehouse with chemicals believed to be used in drug manufacturing, were found. According to Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, these three sites remained active crime scenes until a cleaning company was appointed through the assistance of the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Hawks Supply Chain Management, and Standerton SAPS to clean and purify the areas. 'The Hawks Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation [Unit] received information before the cleaning process could commence that underneath one of the containers, there was an entrance to the underground laboratory. 'The Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation followed up the clues and identified the underground entrance.' Nkosi says machinery believed to be used in the illegal manufacturing of drugs, drums, and plastic containers filled with substances were recovered. The Hawks cannot confirm the value of the recovered equipment and chemicals, pending further investigation. 'Currently, the scene is under police guard to allow the Forensic Science Laboratory to analyse the recovered machinery and substances,' adds Nkosi. Two South African nationals and six Mozambican nationals remain behind bars following their arrest during the first two recoveries. Eleven vehicles, including high-performance luxury vehicles, and millions of rands were seized in April. Mpumalanga Hawks head Major General Nico Gerber applauded members for following up on the information and uncovering further drug consignments. He says the Hawks will leave no stone unturned in dismantling the enterprise and its associated structures. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
