Latest news with #SeriousOrganisedCrime
IOL News
a day ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Phillip Sebole Masango secures new legal representation in case against Ramaphosa and Hill-Lewis
Phillip Sebole Masango, 28, was arrested by The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and is facing two assault charges, and six charges related to contravening sections 14 and 15 of the cyber crimes act 19 of 2020. Image: Linked In/Supplied The man who is facing charges of assault and for threatening to kill the President of the Republic of South Africa and the Mayor of Cape Town made his second court appearance on Monday morning. Phillip Sebole Masango, 28, was arrested by The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and is facing two assault charges, and six charges related to contravening sections 14 and 15 of the Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020. The cyber crimes act charges specifically refer to 'unlawfully, and intentionally disclose by means of electronic communication services to a person with the intention to incite violence' against an individual. He was arrested by the Hawks' Crime Against The State (CATS) unit, part of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation on Friday, May 23. On Monday, May 12, a complainant, who is the Chief Executive Officer of a Cape Town based company, allegedly received a voice message from the suspect, in which threats were made against the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa. Masango is also alleged to have sent multiple threatening messages targeting the complainant, her family, and the Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis. The matter was reported to the Cape Town based Hawks' CATS team, which conducted a swift investigation resulting in Masango's apprehension in Gauteng. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ When Masango arrived in Cape Town Magistrate Court, he did so without any legal representation, to which he stated that 'no one is talking to me'. He had explained he had contacted FNB for their legal service but he had heard nothing back. 'Why is my attorney not showing up? Not sure why my attorney is not coming…' he explained to Magistrate Alida Theart when asked about his legal representation. 'Am I guilty of anything?' Theart explained that they were not yet there in the process as he first had to have an attorney on record. 'Which one is better?' he asked when the magistrate explained to him that he could use legal aid which is provided by the state, or one he could pay for himself. He then decided to have legal aid represent him in court, which is when the attorney, Mrs A Semmery came onto the record. Semmery took a few moments to confer with Masango, and during the time, State prosecutor Mujaahid Sandan had raised the question surrounding the accused's place of residence as the one he had previously indicated had belonged to a Church of Scientology in Cape Town. The court heard that Masango has had no prior convictions, and that there were no other outstanding warrants of arrest. The matter was then postponed to Monday, 9 June, to allow for the verification of his address and investigation in other details, including the status of his passport. Cape Argus
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
New lawyer for man accused of threatening President Cyril Ramaphosa and Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis
Phillip Sebole Masango, 28, was arrested by The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and is facing two assault charges, and six charges related to contravening sections 14 and 15 of the cyber crimes act 19 of 2020. Image: Linked In/Supplied The man who is facing charges of assault and for threatening to kill the President of the Republic of South Africa and the Mayor of Cape Town made his second court appearance on Monday morning. Phillip Sebole Masango, 28, was arrested by The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and is facing two assault charges, and six charges related to contravening sections 14 and 15 of the Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020. The cyber crimes act charges specifically refer to 'unlawfully, and intentionally disclose by means of electronic communication services to a person with the intention to incite violence' against an individual. He was arrested by the Hawks' Crime Against The State (CATS) unit, part of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation on Friday, 23 May 2025. On Monday, 12 May 2025, a complainant, who is the Chief Executive Officer of a Cape Town based company, allegedly received a voice message from the suspect, in which threats were made against the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa. Masango is also alleged to have sent multiple threatening messages targeting the complainant, her family, and the Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis. The matter was reported to the Cape Town based Hawks' CATS team, which conducted a swift investigation resulting in Masango's apprehension in Gauteng. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading When Masango arrived in Cape Town Magistrate Court, he did so without any legal representation, to which he stated that 'no one is talking to me'. He had explained he had contacted FNB for their legal service but he had heard nothing back. 'Why is my attorney not showing up? Not sure why my attorney is not coming…' he explained to Magistrate Alida Theart when asked about his legal representation. 'Am I guilty of anything?' Theart explained that they were not yet there in the process as he first had to have an attorney on record. 'Which one is better?' he asked when the magistrate explained to him that he could use legal aid which is provided by the state, or one he could pay for himself. He then decided to have legal aid represent him in court, which is when the attorney, Mrs A Semmery came onto the record. Semmery took a few moments to confer with Masango, and during the time, State prosecutor Mujaahid Sandan had raised the question surrounding the accused's place of residence as the one he had previously indicated had belonged to a Church of Scientology in Cape Town. The court heard that Masango has had no prior convictions, and that there were no other outstanding warrants of arrest. The matter was then postponed to Monday, 9 June, to allow for the verification of his address and investigation in other details, including the status of his passport.
STV News
4 days ago
- STV News
Six charged after investigation into drugs across city
Six people have been charged following an investigation into drugs across Glasgow and North Lanarkshire. Officers from the Organised Crime Partnership Scotland, a specialist team made up of NCA and Police Scotland investigators, arrested the group at addresses across Glasgow and Coatbridge between May 28 and 29. The arrests came after several industrial units were raided in the Glasgow, Stewarton, Paisley and Hamilton areas. Five men and a woman were questioned by officers and charged in connection with the raids. They are due before the Glasgow Sheriff Court on Friday, May 30. NCA Regional head of Investigations Philip Marshall said: 'These arrests are the culmination of a long-running operation into a group suspected of being involved in the supply of controlled drugs. 'The NCA will continue to work closely with our partners in Police Scotland to protect the public from the risks associated with illegal drugs and target those who are believed to manufacture or supply them. 'Our investigation continues following today's arrests.' Detective chief inspector Laura Sands, Organised Crime Counter Terrorism Unit, said: 'This investigation underlines our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country's Serious Organised Crime Strategy. 'Drugs cause misery in our communities, and we're committed to working alongside partners to tackle the manufacture and distribution of illegal substances in Scotland. 'Information and support from the public is vital to our work, and I would encourage anyone with concerns about drug activity in their area to contact us via 101.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Six people arrested in Glasgow as part of 'drugs' probe
The Organised Crime Partnership Scotland, a specialist team made up of National Crime Agency (NCA) and Police Scotland officers, nicked five men and one woman at various addresses across Glasgow and Coatbridge on May 28 and 29. The arrests follow the search of several industrial units in the Glasgow, Paisley, Hamilton, and Stewarton areas. These were executed as part of a joint NCA and Police Scotland probe. The five men and one woman were then questioned by officers. READ NEXT: Teenager, 15, 'stabbed' in 'violent attack' in Glasgow They were charged in connection and expected to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on May 30. Philip Marshall, NCA Regional Head of Investigations, said: 'These arrests are the culmination of a long-running operation into a group suspected of being involved in the supply of controlled drugs. 'The NCA will continue to work closely with our partners in Police Scotland to protect the public from the risks associated with illegal drugs and target those who are believed to manufacture or supply them. 'Our investigation continues following today's arrests.' READ NEXT: Masked thugs crashed into car whilst fleeing incident Detective Chief Inspector Laura Sands, Organised Crime Counter Terrorism Unit, added: 'This investigation underlines our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country's Serious Organised Crime Strategy. 'Drugs cause misery in our communities, and we're committed to working alongside partners to tackle the manufacture and distribution of illegal substances in Scotland. "Information and support from the public is vital to our work, and I would encourage anyone with concerns about drug activity in their area to contact us via 101.'
The Herald
16-05-2025
- The Herald
Two men in court after being caught with unwrought gold valued at R16m
Daniel Schubert and Adriaan Petrus du Plessis appeared in the Kempton Park magistrate's court on Thursday for possession of suspected stolen property and possession of unwrought gold worth R16m. Schubert, 61, and Du Plessis, 49, appeared in court following their arrest after the Germiston-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit of the Hawks received information about people in a grey BMW travelling from the Free State with the aim of selling the gold in Gauteng. 'The multidisciplinary team spotted the vehicle on the R21 and it was successfully pulled over. Upon searching the vehicle and the occupants, the team discovered a bag containing 80 gold bars weighing 100g each and with an estimated value of R16m,' Hawks spokesperson Col Katlego Mogale said. The two men could not furnish the officers with documentation for transporting such materials and they were arrested for unlawful possession of unwrought gold and possession of suspected stolen property. Their matter was remanded to May 22 for a formal bail application. The pair remains in custody. 'The Hawks remain steadfast in their mission to dismantle illegal mining and smuggling networks. Criminals must understand that no-one is beyond the reach of the law,' said Hawks Gauteng head Maj-Gen Ebrahim Kadwa. TimesLIVE
