Latest news with #PolokwaneReview
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Limpopo police bust R3m cross-border smuggling ring bound for Malawi
Limpopo police have dismantled a sophisticated cross-border smuggling syndicate operating between South Africa and Malawi, recovering stolen goods worth more than R3m. Polokwane Review reports that the breakthrough came in the early hours of Thursday morning when the Limpopo Anti-Smuggling Task Team, assisted by Tshimollo Security and Investigation and Shadow Secure Technology, intercepted a Scania truck pulling superlink trailers near the Polokwane weighbridge. The vehicle was travelling from Cape Town to Malawi via the Beitbridge Border Post. Following an 18-hour joint operation, officers recovered: Chopped parts of a Ford Ranger reported stolen in Nyanga, including the engine, dashboard, radiator, differential and steering wheel 60 disassembled motorcycles concealed in drums and containers, reported stolen at various Western Cape police stations, including Bellville, Mfuleni, Muizenberg, Nyanga, Milnerton, Sea Point and Athlone Stolen electronics, including plasma TVs, sound systems, solar tower batteries and cellphones Scania truck and trailers used in the smuggling operation. Four men, all foreign nationals aged between 37 and 50, were arrested and are expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on Monday on charges of possession of suspected stolen goods. Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe praised the arrests. 'This breakthrough represents a major victory against sophisticated criminal networks exploiting our borders. The collaboration between our task team and private partners shows the power of co-ordinated enforcement. We will continue to target these syndicates until they are dismantled completely.' 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!
The Citizen
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
PHOTOS: Music, culture shine at Lekompo Balcony Mix
Raeesa Sempe Raeesa Sempe is a Caxton Award-winning Digital Editor with nine years' experience in the industry. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Media Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand and started her journey as a community journalist for the Polokwane Review in 2015. She then became the online journalist for the Review in 2016 where she excelled in solidifying the Review's digital footprint through Facebook lives, content creation and marketing campaigns. Raeesa then moved on to become the News Editor of the Bonus Review in 2019 and scooped up the Editorial Employee of the Year award in the same year. She is the current Digital Editor of the Polokwane Review-Observer, a position she takes pride in. Raeesa is married with one child and enjoys spending time with friends, listening to music and baking – when she has the time. 'I still believe that if your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short-term weapon." – Tom Stoppard
The Citizen
28-05-2025
- The Citizen
Fraudulent driver's licence scheme: Former traffic cop among 4 arrested in Limpopo
Four suspects, including two driving school owners, a traffic examiner and a former traffic officer, were arrested today in connection with a fraudulent driver's licence scheme. According to Polokwane Review, the suspects, aged between 37 and 61, were allegedly involved in a fraud and corruption syndicate at the Lephalale Testing Station in 2021. Limpopo Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa says examiners conspired with driving school owners to issue learner's and driver's licences without following legal procedures in exchange for bribes. 'The case was initially uncovered by the Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation Unit in Polokwane and the Road Traffic Management Corporation. A joint investigation led to the arrest of 11 suspects in February 2025 and a manhunt was launched for the remaining individuals,' he adds. Mmuroa says during the latest operation, one of the suspects (an examiner) was allegedly found invigilating learner's licence tests despite being under investigation. 'Preliminary investigations revealed some discrepancies on the list of writers and further investigation was conducted. Fraud and corruption offences were detected and the matter was referred to the NPA and a warrant of arrest was issued against her. The suspect was contacted and handed herself to the Hawks at the Lephalale Police Station,' his statement reads. Three other suspects were traced and arrested in the Lephalale area. All four appeared in the Lephalale Magistrate's Court today on charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering. Their court outcome was not yet known by the time of publishing. The provincial Hawks head, Major General (Adv) Gopz Govender, praised the arresting teams. 'I believe in this team, and I know they will do their best to crack this case,' he said. More arrests are expected as investigations continue. 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!
The Citizen
21-05-2025
- The Citizen
Prominent Limpopo DJ arrested in connection with relative's (6) sexual assault
A 34-year-old radio personality from the Vhembe District in Limpopo was arrested on Monday in connection with the sexual assault of a six-year-old relative at her home in Mpheni Block B, outside Elim in the Waterval policing area. According to Limpopo police, the suspect, a DJ at a Thohoyandou-based radio station, was arrested following an investigation led by detectives from the Waterval police. Polokwane Review reports that he briefly appeared in the Waterval Magistrate's Court yesterday, where the case was postponed to May 27 for a formal bail application. Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba says the assault happened on May 12 at around 15:30. 'The girl's mother, who was in Pretoria at the time, was notified by the child's grandmother that the minor was unwell. Upon returning home immediately, she learnt that the child had already been taken to hospital, where [a] medical examination confirmed sexual assault,' he says. During interviews with the authorities, the child reportedly revealed that the suspect had allegedly shown her inappropriate material. Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe expressed grave concern over the incident. 'It is deeply disturbing when those entrusted to protect our children become the very perpetrators who harm them. The suspect's status as both a public figure and family member makes this case particularly troubling,' says Hadebe. 'I want to assure the community that the SAPS takes crimes against children extremely seriously, regardless of who the suspect is,' she adds. 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!
The Citizen
07-05-2025
- The Citizen
Nurse's kidnapping and murder: 3 to appear in Limpopo court
Nurse's kidnapping and murder: 3 to appear in Limpopo court A 60-year-old woman and two other suspects are expected to appear in the Nebo Magistrate's Court, Limpopo, today in connection with the kidnapping and murder of 64-year-old nurse Morudi Frank Phetla in March. According to Polokwane Review, the suspects face charges of kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder, and murder. Their arrest follows a joint intelligence-driven operation on Monday, led by the Jane Furse Tracking Team and the Provincial Organised Crime Unit in Gauteng. Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba says the teams acted on credible information and raided several areas, including Ekurhuleni, Kempton Park, and Tembisa. 'During the operation, a 49-year-old woman was arrested at an estate in Kempton Park, while a 42-year-old man was apprehended in Tembisa. The team later arrested a 60-year-old woman in Jane Furse,' he adds. Ledwaba explains the arrests are linked to the events of March 16, when Phetla was kidnapped outside his home in the Zamane Section of Jane Furse. 'His vehicle was found idling nearby, but he was missing and a case of kidnapping was opened. Phetla's body was discovered the next morning under the Mabintana bridge by a shepherd. He had suffered fatal head injuries,' his statement reads. Police say the motive for the murder is still unknown and investigations are ongoing. The provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, commends the investigating team for their swift and co-ordinated efforts. 'No stone will be left unturned in uncovering the circumstances surrounding this heinous crime,' Hadebe adds. 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!
