Latest news with #ThaboCovane
IOL News
06-06-2025
- IOL News
Urgent search for Free State teen kidnapped by fake police officers
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Free State has launched a Search Task Team after a 19-year-old was kidnapped by two men impersonating police on Thursday. Kamogela Kaukudi was snatched at about 11.55am. The provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane, said the teenager was kidnapped after he was collected from school. 'The complainant, Daniel Malebatso, arrived at Marti Du Plessis School in Fitchardpark as usual to fetch Kamogelo Baukudi, who is a Grade 11 learner at the school. The two left the school premises with Kamogelo driving the Suzuki Ertiga,' Covane said. He said the two pulled over after hearing sirens. 'Whilst driving along Vereeniging Drive, Erlichpark Extension, Daniel alleges that they heard a siren sound from behind, and they were pulled over by a White Toyota Hilux GD-6 Double Cab. Inside the Toyota Hilux, there were two unknown male persons; one wearing a police uniform and the other a blue tracksuit,' he said.
The Citizen
04-05-2025
- The Citizen
Foreigners arrested for selling prohibited items and drug trafficking
The police confiscated medical products, such as Betasol, Beneks, Diproson, Epiderm, Turmeric essential oils, Coco pulp cream, and Caro light cream. Contraband items that were confiscated by the Police. Picture: supplied Police in the Free State have arrested foreigners in separate incidents for contraband goods and trafficking drugs. In the first incident, six foreigners from Bangladesh and Ethiopia, aged between 30 and 51, were arrested for allegedly selling contraband goods such as illicit cigarettes and prohibited medicinal products. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane said the six are managers of various stores in Welkom. The Operation Vala uMgodi team arrested them during a Second-hand Goods Compliance inspection on Friday. The operation was executed in the Koppie Allen, Mooi, and Jan Hofmeyer Street areas. ALSO READ: 69 illegal miners, including undocumented foreign nationals, arrested in Limpopo Confiscated items He added that the contraband items they confiscated include different cigarette brands such as Blue Chief, Remington Gold, Savanah Green, Boss, Sahawi, and Ossam, and hubby flavours, such as Afzal mint, F1, VIP, and Sniper. The police confiscated medical products such as Betasol, Beneks, Diproson, Epiderm, Turmeric essential oils, Coco pulp cream, and Caro light cream. Contraband items confiscated by the police. Picture: supplied Items worth 'The total sales value of contraband cigarettes and medicinal products seized is estimated at R235 855.00,' said Covane. Case dockets for Possession of illicit cigarettes and Contravention of the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965 were opened at Welkom Police Station. The six will appear before the Welkom Magistrate's Court soon. Contraband goods can pose significant risks to individuals, communities, and economies, and law enforcement agencies work to prevent their production, distribution, and sale. Illicit cigarettes confiscated. Picture: Supplied NOW READ: Marches against illegal immigrants spread across South Africa Drug trafficking In the second incident, police arrested a 43-year-old foreigner for alleged possession and dealing in drugs on Friday evening. Police spokesperson Captain Loraine Earle said they were acting on intelligence received from the Free State Provincial Counter Narcotics Unit and with the support of a private security company when they made the arrest. The operation was conducted on the N1 near Ventersburg and led to the interception of a truck travelling towards Cape Town. Drugs confiscated by the police. Picture: supplied Drugs worth She added that members of the Welkom K9 Unit discovered more than 6 600 bundles of Khat, a prohibited substance, concealed in the vehicle. The estimated street value of the confiscated drugs is approximately R198 900. 'He is expected to appear in the Ventersburg Magistrate's Court on Monday.' NOW READ: 'It must come to an end': Lesufi suggests South Africa is being 'abused' by illegal foreigners
Eyewitness News
21-04-2025
- Eyewitness News
Five suspects arrested for illegal mining in the Free State to appear in court
JOHANNESBURG - Five suspects arrested for illegal mining in the Free State are expected to appear in court soon. The group was apprehended during last week's Vala Umgodi operations in Welkom, Thabong, and Allanridge. Free State police say the suspects, aged between 24 and 48, were found in possession of nearly 46 kilograms of gold-bearing material and a range of illegal mining equipment. READ: Fight against illegal mining challenging, says EMPD They face charges including illegal possession of gold-bearing material, operating without a permit, and contravening the Immigration Act. Provincial police spokesperson Thabo Covane explains: "The police confiscated 19-kilogram oxygen cylinders, 9-kilogram gas bottles, green, red and brown connector pipes, cutting torches and nozzles, steel plates, a galvanised steel drum, strainers, and crusher pots. Members also seized 45.76 kilograms of gold-bearing materials.'
