Latest news with #R4.2m
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Police arrest 17,054 suspects in a week during Operation Shanela
Police have arrested 17,054 suspects in organised crimes and high-impact offences through Operation Shanela across the country between July 27 and August 2. The operation, which began in 2023, is aimed at eradicating crime. It consists of regular stop-and-searches, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, high-visibility patrols including foot patrols and the tracing of wanted suspects. According to police spokesperson Lt-Col Vincent Mukhathi, 2,911 suspects were arrested for serious and violent crimes such as murder, attempted murder, car hijacking, rape and house and business robbery. Arrests included: 179 for murder 266 for rape 1,763 for assault GHB 246 for dealing in drugs 2,406 for possession of drugs 15 for human trafficking. Confiscations and recoveries included: 1,805 rounds of ammunition 155 firearms 53 hijacked and stolen vehicles Mukhathi made reference to some major arrests made in Gauteng, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape. In Gauteng, police seized two unlicensed firearms from a suspect linked to armed robberies. A 37-year-old alleged rapist and serial killer, suspected of using dating apps to lure victims in Pretoria, was arrested. A 25-year-old suspect from São Paulo was intercepted at OR Tambo International Airport while attempting to smuggle cocaine valued at R4.2m. Another high-profile case involved the police political killings task Tteam arresting businessman Katiso Molefe and three suspected hitmen for the murder of DJ Sumbody. They are also allegedly linked to the murder of Hector 'DJ Vintos' Buthelezi. 'They appeared in the Alexander magistrate's court on July 29 facing charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition,' Mukhathi said. In the Free State, a 42-year-old foreign national truck driver was found in possession of illicit cigarettes worth R800,000. He is expected to appear in court. Police in KwaZulu-Natal arrested two foreign nationals and recovered R30m worth of counterfeit jewellery and luxury items, a shotgun, ammunition and cash. In Gqeberha, police seized counterfeit pharmaceuticals and consumer goods, including unregulated tablets and pregnancy kits valued at R2.2m. A suspect linked to an extortion ring was fatally wounded in a shoot-out with tactical response team members in Ngqeleni. 'A 9mm pistol and live ammunition were recovered. His passenger was detained for questioning,' Mukhathi said. 'In Port Alfred, POLICE disrupted a marine trafficking operation involving 822.7kg of West Coast rock lobster tails worth R1.2m. Two suspects were arrested for contravening the Marine Living Resources Act.'
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Bethuel Ngobeni, 'kingpin' in illegal gold mining case, still on the run
The National Prosecuting Authority has amended the indictment against eight people accused of being part of an illegal mining enterprise after the alleged kingpin Bethuel Ngobeni failed to appear in court for the second time. Ngobeni, a Zimbabwean whose real name is believed to be Zingai Dhliwayo, has been on the run since December after the Pretoria high court revoked his bail. In February he failed to appear in court and judge Portia Phahlane authorised a warrant of arrest. The new indictment, handed to his co-accused on Monday, omits his name. The accused — Lerato Bathebeng, Dumisani Moyo, Neo Duba, Poppy Mathongwane, Nhlanhla Magwaca, Moseki Sechele, Thabo Sechele and Khudzai Mashaya — face several charges including trading in illicit gold, money laundering, fraud, racketeering and violating the Immigration Act. Bathebeng was Ngobeni's girlfriend. It is believed the accused ran a multimillion rand enterprise in which they bought stolen gold-bearing materials, processed and sold them. Ngobeni is the central figure in the enterprise that operated in Carletonville and Khutsong between 2018 and 2022. The indictment alleged Ngobeni was the mastermind (kingpin) of the enterprise and the first point of contact for all transactions. 'The undercover agents proposed to sell the stolen unwrought gold-bearing material to the members of the enterprise. An undercover agent would contact Ngobeni and inform him he is in possession of the gold,' the indictment reads. Ngobeni would then direct the undercover agents to contact Magwaca, Moyo and Mashaya as well as Charles Mapuya or Elijah Chikati. Mapuya and Chikita evaded arrest in 2022 and are believed to have fled to Zimbabwe. Sowetan reported in August last year about how Ngobeni had stolen the identity of a man from Mpumalanga. The state alleges Ngobeni spent the proceeds of illegal mining on cars and homes, all of which have been placed under preservation until the completion of his trial. According to the state, Ngobeni spent R4.2m on six cars and two houses during a seven-month shopping spree. The new 55-page indictment contains a list of 44 witnesses, including the South African diamond and precious metals regulator, the Hawks and car dealership representatives. The judge ordered that Mashaya be transferred from Potchefstroom to the Kgosi Mampuru prison in Pretoria. The matter was postponed to Wednesday.
The Citizen
30-07-2025
- The Citizen
Brazilian arrested after 10kg cocaine bust at OR Tambo airport
Brazilian arrested after 10kg cocaine bust at OR Tambo airport A 25-year-old Brazilian national was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport yesterday after being found in possession of cocaine with an estimated street value of R4.2m. According to Kempton Express, the suspect had arrived from São Paulo, Brazil, via Doha, Qatar. Acting on intelligence, a multidisciplinary team comprising members of the Crime Intelligence Counter Narcotics Unit (Gauteng), ORTIA SAPS Tactical Team, the Border Management Authority (BMA), and private security partners intercepted the suspect shortly after the airplane had landed. During a search of the suspect's luggage, authorities uncovered approximately 10kg of cocaine concealed in their belongings. The suspect was also taken for a medical examination to determine whether they had ingested any drug-filled pellets. Police said this arrest marks yet another breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle transnational drug trafficking networks operating through South African ports of entry. Since the beginning of the year, more than 25 suspected drug traffickers have been arrested at OR Tambo as part of ongoing intelligence-driven operations. 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
TimesLIVE
29-07-2025
- TimesLIVE
Drug mule suspect from Brazil caught at Joburg airport
A 25-year-old woman from Brazil was arrested for alleged drug trafficking at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday morning. Police officers allegedly found her in possession of 10kg of cocaine worth R4.2m, said police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe. 'She has been taken for medical examination to check if she had also swallowed cocaine bullets,' she said. The passenger arrived in South Africa from Doha. TimesLIVE
