Latest news with #SivenathiGunya
The Citizen
18-07-2025
- The Citizen
NPA secures preservation order in unlawful blue lights case
The suspect who was driving the car that was illegally fitted with blue lights was an illegal immigrant and has been deported. The North West High Court has granted the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) a preservation order which relates to an SUV unlawfully fitted with blue lights. The order was granted to the NPA's Asset Forfeiture Unit on Wednesday, allowing it to seize the silver Toyota Fortuner valued at about R600 000. Driver arrested in Vryburg This comes after a suspect was arrested for unlawfully using blue identification lights along the N18 near Vryburg on 27 April. According to NPA communications officer Sivenathi Gunya, the arrest was made in terms of regulations 176 and 185 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2000. '[The regulations] prohibit the unauthorised fitting or display of blue lights reserved exclusively for emergency and law enforcement vehicles,' Gunya said in a statement. 'According to the law, only specific personnel are permitted to use such lights when performing official duties.' These include members of the South African Police Service, municipal police, provincial and municipal traffic officers, and the military police of the South African National Defence Force. More woes for the suspect To make matters worse, the suspect was in the country illegally. ALSO READ: Thrrr…Phaaa: Musician Selaelo Selota's Mercedes frozen as SIU probes misuse of lottery funds In addition to the blue light offence, he was also charged and convicted under section 49 of the Immigration Act, 2002 for being in South Africa without valid documentation. He was subsequently deported by immigration enforcement procedures. 'Ruling sends a strong message' Gunya said the NPA welcomes the court's decision as a firm affirmation of the rule of law and a critical step in combating the abuse of state-like authority. 'The ruling sends a strong message that the justice system will not tolerate actions that endanger public safety, erode trust in legitimate law enforcement, or create fear and confusion on our roads.' 'A serious threat' Dr Rachel Makhari, North West director of Public Prosecutions, said the outcome reaffirms the NPA's commitment to tackling so-called blue-lights bullies who intimidate road users and undermine public safety. 'These individuals often act with impunity, posing a serious threat to both the physical safety of citizens and the credibility of law enforcement agencies,' Makhari said. 'The NPA, through its Asset Forfeiture Unit, will continue to take decisive action to dismantle this form of organised criminality by seizing their tools of trade, particularly unlawfully used vehicles, and pursuing the appropriate legal remedies. She said the state prosecuting agency remains steadfast in its duty to uphold the law and protect communities from people who seek to exploit systems of authority for criminal gain. NOW READ: Fake commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazis pop up online
The Herald
18-06-2025
- The Herald
Asset Forfeiture Unit obtains preservation order in illegal mining case
The Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the North West has secured a preservation order relating to about 39,058 tonnes of gold-bearing material (GBM) valued at an estimated R16m. The material is alleged to be the proceeds of unlawful activities and instrumentalities of offences. The order was granted by the North West High Court on Friday. 'The order follows investigations into illegal mining operations between 2016 and 2020. During this period, certain suspects and entities reportedly transported GBM from a dormant mine to a processing plant in Stilfontein, Klerksdorp, where it was refined, contravening the Precious Metals Act,' NPA spokesperson Sivenathi Gunya said. The suspects allegedly operated without a valid refining licence. The accused had been arrested and are expected to appear in court on July 2. 'The NPA welcomes the court's decision, which marks a significant step in the fight against illegal mining.' TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
17-06-2025
- TimesLIVE
Asset Forfeiture Unit obtains preservation order in illegal mining case
The Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the North West has secured a preservation order relating to about 39,058 tonnes of gold-bearing material (GBM) valued at an estimated R16m. The material is alleged to be the proceeds of unlawful activities and instrumentalities of offences. The order was granted by the North West High Court on Friday. 'The order follows investigations into illegal mining operations between 2016 and 2020. During this period, certain suspects and entities reportedly transported GBM from a dormant mine to a processing plant in Stilfontein, Klerksdorp, where it was refined, contravening the Precious Metals Act,' NPA spokesperson Sivenathi Gunya said. The suspects allegedly operated without a valid refining licence. The accused had been arrested and are expected to appear in court on July 2. 'The NPA welcomes the court's decision, which marks a significant step in the fight against illegal mining.'
IOL News
25-04-2025
- IOL News
Man sentenced to life for raping 82-year-old woman
A 50-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping an elderly woman by the Atamelang Regional Court. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Sivenathi Gunya said Tlotlano Simon Monnatshitlo attacked and raped Kelatlegile Angelina Phaka, who was 82 years old when the incident happened. The woman went to the neighbours to report the rape and police were summoned. "Upon arrival of the police, the complainant was taken for a medical examination, and a case was reported. The accused were subsequently linked through DNA and both were arrested. The third perpetrator could not be linked by any evidential material. The co-accused later died before the matter could go on trial, and the accused, Monnatshitlo, was left as the only accused in this matter as a result," Gunya said.
