Latest news with #SAPSCrimeIntelligence
The Citizen
29-07-2025
- The Citizen
Alleged gun-running syndicate caught in Meyersdal with 30 unlicensed firearms
As gun violence, hijackings and organised crime continue to plague South African communities, police have made a significant breakthrough in Meyersdal in Ekurhuleni, busting an alleged firearm trafficking syndicate operating across provinces. Alberton Record reports that two men believed to be part of the syndicate were arrested following an intelligence-driven police operation in Meyersdal last night. The operation, led by the SAPS anti-kidnapping task team, involved several specialised units, including SAPS Crime Intelligence, the Gauteng Provincial Investigating Unit, Johannesburg K9, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department and private security companies. According to national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the arrests followed days of surveillance and information gathering across multiple provinces. Officers moved in after the suspects were seen collecting firearms. 'During the takedown in Meyersdal, officers recovered 30 unlicensed 9mm firearms from the suspects, aged 34 and 45,' says Mathe. Police believe the firearms were destined for the Western Cape and that the suspects had planned to transport the weapons themselves. Both suspects have been linked to various other criminal cases in Gauteng and the Western Cape. They remain in custody and are facing multiple charges, including the illegal possession and trafficking of firearms. Investigations are underway to trace other syndicate members. 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
The Citizen
29-07-2025
- The Citizen
Gun-running syndicate caught in Meyersdal with 30 unlicensed firearms
As gun violence, hijackings, and organised crime continue to plague South African communities, police have made a significant breakthrough in Meyersdal, busting an alleged firearm trafficking syndicate operating across provinces. Two men believed to be part of the syndicate were arrested following an intelligence-driven police operation in Meyersdal on Monday evening, July 28. The operation, led by the South African Police Service (SAPS) anti-kidnapping task team, involved several specialised units, including SAPS Crime Intelligence, the Gauteng Provincial Investigating Unit (PIU), Johannesburg K9, the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) and private security companies. ALSO READ: Gang violence and illegal guns spark fear in Joburg South According to national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the arrests followed days of surveillance and information gathering across multiple provinces. Officers moved in after the suspects were seen collecting firearms. 'During the takedown in Meyersdal, officers recovered 30 unlicensed 9mm firearms from the suspects, aged 34 and 45,' said Mathe. Police believe the firearms were destined for the Western Cape and that the suspects had planned to transport the weapons themselves. Both suspects have been linked to various other criminal cases in Gauteng and the Western Cape. They remain in custody and are facing multiple charges, including the illegal possession and trafficking of firearms. Further investigations are underway to trace more members of the syndicate. The Alberton Record will provide updates as the case develops. ALSO READ: 3 killed in South Hills 'gang-related' shootings
The Citizen
10-06-2025
- The Citizen
DA claims on missing official not true
Police say they are unaware of the alleged disappearance of Major-General Philani Lushaba, the CFO of SAPS Crime Intelligence, despite reports that he has failed to report for duty and cannot be reached. According to the DA's Dianne Kohler-Barnard, Lushaba went missing on June 6, the very day the National Prosecuting Authority's Investigating Directorate was expected to question him about his alleged involvement in irregular property acquisitions worth more than R45-million. She confirmed to Rekord that on June 10, his whereabouts were still unknown. These purchases, currently under scrutiny, include a luxury boutique hotel in Nina Park, reportedly bought for R22.7-million, and a commercial property in Berea, Durban, acquired for R22.8-million. 'The hotel in Pretoria North, which includes four dining rooms, a gym, and a swimming pool, was previously used by businessmen visiting nearby Rosslyn,' said Kohler-Barnard. 'It is deeply concerning that such an extravagant purchase was made while many police officers, including senior Crime Intelligence members, are reportedly working from broken furniture in dilapidated offices or, in some cases, from their vehicles.' She said both transactions were allegedly authorised by Lushaba and Crime Intelligence head Major-General Dumisani Khumalo, without the required consent from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. At the time when these acquisitions became public, Kohler-Barnard called for an investigation by the Inspector-General of Intelligence (IGI) and such an investigation was launched, focusing on what she explained as the misuse of state funds. The IGI's report has since been concluded, but has not yet been made public. Kohler-Barnard also raised concerns about whether the necessary steps were taken to seek available government-owned properties before resorting to purchasing high-end private assets. 'Did the Crime Intelligence Unit approach the Minister of Public Works to find a suitable existing facility for its needs? That remains unanswered,' she said. James de Villiers, spokesman for the Public Works minister, confirmed to Rekord at the time of the call for the investigation that no such request had been received. Despite the gravity of the claims, SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the police are 'unaware of the disappearance of any senior manager'. The DA has submitted urgent parliamentary questions to the Minister of Police to determine the full contents of the IGI's report and whether further misconduct has been uncovered. The party is also writing to the chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence to request that top SAPS Crime Intelligence officials be summoned before Parliament to account for the scandal. She said the incident has reignited concerns about endemic corruption within SAPS Crime Intelligence, a unit long dogged by allegations of misconduct, including under former disgraced head Richard Mdluli. 'The IGI's report must serve as a line in the sand,' the DA said. 'Without swift action to purge senior management of corrupt elements, there is little hope of restoring credibility to SAPS' intelligence function or protecting South Africans from the threat of organised crime and state capture.' Kohler-Barnard confirmed that the Crime Intelligence head, who allegedly has also been probed in the property deal investigation, is at work. The National Coloured Congress (NCC) accused the DA on June 9 of falsely claiming credit for filing fraud, nepotism, and obstruction of justice charges against senior police officials. NCC leader Fadiel Adams criticised the DA and stated it was he who initially had laid the charges against senior SAPS figures, condemning the DA for shielding crime yet taking credit when exposed. Kohler-Barnard said that when she first became aware of the property purchases, she asked the office of the IGI to investigate. 'He has completed his investigation and has given me permission in writing to speak as I have. I have no knowledge of what Mr Adams does or does not do. He is not a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence.' Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
