Latest news with #TommyMthombeni
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
These are Gauteng's hotspots for murder, rape, kidnapping, carjacking and house robbery
Arguments, misunderstandings, road rage and provocation remain the highest number of incidents. Between January 2025 and March 2025, Gauteng recorded an increase in kidnappings, said Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni on Thursday. Through the National Anti–Kidnapping Unit, the province arrested 88 suspects linked to 62 cases of kidnapping and rescued 77 victims of kidnapping during the period under review. 'We are working together with our stakeholders to combat the kidnapping syndicates operating in this province. We are thankful to Business Against Crime South Africa for our partnership through the Eyes and Ears Initiative and are able to deploy their technological resources and utilise security officers as force multipliers when conducting take-down operations,' said Mthombeni. ALSO READ: Crime stats: SA records decrease in murders but increase in rapes However, the Gauteng top cop acknowledged that more still needed to be done. 'We acknowledge that there is still much work to be done, and as we move forward, we will continue to foster collaboration with our stakeholders in ensuring that we improve the safety and security of our communities.' Multiple murders are also a challenge for the province, with 75 dockets having been opened for 191 victims. The province recorded two incidents where seven victims were murdered on the same crime scene, said Mthombeni. The crime statistics he presented showed a decrease in murder, with 1 439 cases recorded compared to 1 614 cases recorded during the same period last year. ALSO READ: 110 women murdered in KwaZulu-Natal since October – Mchunu Arguments, misunderstandings, road rage and provocation remain the highest number of incidents, with 122 cases, followed by vigilantism and mob justice with 69 cases, and taxi-related murders with 45 cases. You're most likely to be murdered in a public place, where 706 cases were recorded — followed by private residences of either the victim or perpetrator, with 306 cases, and liquor outlets, where 50 murders occurred. Gauteng hotspots The crime statistics showed that there are no-go areas in Gauteng, where you're likely to experience murder, rape, carjacking, house robbery and kidnapping. The top 10 police stations for murder in Gauteng are Ivory Park (42 cases), Jeppe (38), Orange Farm (37), Lenasia (33), Hillbrow (32), Ennerdale (31), Eldorado Park (30), Kagiso (28), JHB Central (28), and Daveyton (26). The top 40 stations for rape include Roodepoort (60 cases), Orange Farm (54), Alexandra (45), Diepsloot (43), Ivory Park (38), Atteridgeville (36), Temba (34), Rietgat (34), Tembisa (34), Mamelodi East (34). ALSO READ: GBV, femicide receiving 'priority attention', says Gauteng police commissioner Here is where you're more likely to lose your car in Gauteng: Ivory Park (67 cases), Mamelodi East (65), Akasia (58), Jabulani (57), Moroka (51), Olievenhoutbosch (51), Sandringham -(45), Ennerdale (43), Vosloorus (42), Pretoria West (42). The top 10 police stations where cases of robbery at residential premises were recorded: Loate (64 cases), Mabopane (51), Tembisa (43), Roodepoort (43), Mamelodi East (39), Silverton (38), Moffatview (38), Mondeor (36), Putfontein (33), Lenasia (33), Ivory Park (33). These are the hotspots for kidnapping: JHB Central (63 cases), Vosloorus (63), Moroka (53), Ivory Park (51), Roodepoort (48), Jabulani (47), Midrand (47), Orange Farm (45), Tembisa (44), Sandringham (39). According to the crime statistics, Ivory Park appeared in the top 10 stations list for all the crimes mentioned, while Orange Farm is a hotspot for murder, rape and kidnapping. Roodepoort features in the top 10 police stations for rape, house robbery and kidnapping, while Tembisa featured for rape, house robbery and kidnapping. In Mamelodi East, rape, carjacking and house robbery were the most common crimes, while Jabulani, Moroka and Sandringham have a carjacking and kidnapping problem. READ NEXT: Justice department's poor record-keeping delays protection orders for GBV victims – AG
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
Gauteng's crime crisis deepens despite decline in sexual offences
Gauteng Police Commissioner, Tommy Mthombeni, revealed a mixed bag of crime statistics on Thursday, showing a 2.1% reduction in sexual offences. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers Despite a 2.1% reduction in sexual offences, reduced incidents of robbery with aggravating circumstances, cash-in-transit robberies, kidnappings, human trafficking, and truck hijackings continue to remain high in Gauteng. This was revealed by Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni, who on Thursday briefed the Gauteng Provincial Legislature Committee on Public Safety on the 4th Quarter Crime Stats for the 2024/25 financial year. Mthombeni's address comes hot on the heels of the recent murder of Olorato Mongale, the mutilation and murder of 14-year-old Likhona Fose, and the gruesome discovery of an unknown woman in Braamfischerville, Soweto, on Wednesday. He indicated that the police are concerned by the number of kidnappings and other types of crimes that continue to wreak havoc in the lives of Gauteng citizens. Mthombeni said the reduction was due to the efforts of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit having maintained a strong approach to this type of crime. The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences maintains a comprehensive approach to address sexual offenses, from enforcement to education and community engagement. For the period under review, they have arrested 1,112 sexual offenders, presented 1,356 cases in court, and secured convictions for 102 offenders, resulting in 28 life terms and an additional 900 years' imprisonment. "The efforts undertaken extend beyond law enforcement, with 127 awareness campaigns reaching 12,300 individuals, including 4,250 adults and 8,050 children. These campaigns focus on strengthening partnerships with stakeholders and promoting the importance of reporting sexual offenses and gender-based violence, and femicide," he said. According to the provincial commissioner, for the three months under review, Gauteng recorded a 15.8% increase in kidnappings, with a sample size of 2,341 cases analysed. Mthombeni indicated that to curb this increase, the police are working with the provincial government and other stakeholders. "Through the National Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the province has arrested 88 suspects linked to 62 cases of kidnapping and rescued 77 victims of kidnapping during the period under review. We are working together with our stakeholders to combat the kidnapping syndicates operating in this province. "We are thankful to Business Against Crime South Africa for our partnership through the Eyes and Ears Initiative. We are able to deploy their technological resources and utilise security officers as force multipliers when conducting take-down operations," he added.
TimesLIVE
26-05-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
WhatsApp message about mass shutdown labelled ‘fake news' by police
A WhatsApp message circulating about a shutdown in Gauteng on Monday should be ignored, police say. The message claims there was a plan to block highways, close schools, shut down the American embassy and consulate and close targeted food outlets in Gauteng. National police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola said there was no need to panic as the message was "fake news". He warned those behind the WhatsApp message to stop spreading misinformation. "Members of the public are advised to ignore the WhatsApp message and refrain from sharing it." As a precautionary measure, police under the command of provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Tommy Mthombeni, with other law enforcement agencies, are on alert to ensure normality. "Everything from businesses to schools and services will be fully functional and operational and accessible. "We are not going to allow lawlessness and acts of criminality. Those who are found to be on the wrong side of the law will be dealt with accordingly."
The Herald
19-05-2025
- The Herald
Senzo Meyiwa link to cop robbed of service pistol and case files on laptop
Police top brass say no sensitive information or possible evidence was taken during the armed robbery of a former investigator linked to the murder of footballer Senzo Meyiwa. The police sergeant reported he was in his official vehicle when he was accosted soon after midnight on Thursday, and forced to stop in Lombardy East in Johannesburg, said national police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe. The suspects are alleged to have attempted to force him into the boot of their vehicle but he fought back and escaped. "A number of items were taken during the armed robbery, including a state-issued firearm with ammunition, a police reflector jacket, and a laptop bag containing a laptop, USB drives and photocopies of documentation related to the Senzo Meyiwa case," said Mathe. National police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola has appointed a senior team led by Gauteng commissioner Lt-Gen Tommy Mthombeni to investigate the case and motive for the attack. Masemola said no important information related to the trial of five men for the alleged contract murder of Meyiwa in 2014 was taken by the suspects. "I would like to assure the country and the Meyiwa family that this unfortunate incident will not in any way affect the ongoing murder trial. "Only the copies of the occurrence book and cell registers were taken. The documents were already presented before court when the member testified and was cross-examined in court," Masemola said. "The original docket and copies thereof and exhibits linked to this case are safe. As the matter is on trial, the copies of the docket were made available and disclosed to the defence team as early as 2022, as required by law. "A high-level team is investigating whether the attack is linked to the ongoing murder trial in court and a multidisciplinary team led by crime intelligence officers are searching for the suspects." TimesLIVE
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- The Citizen
More than 900 suspects arrested for various crimes in Gauteng
The suspects committed serious and violent crimes that included armed robbery, murder and attempted murder. Police have arrested more than 900 suspects for various crimes, including murder, in Gauteng. The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, led law enforcement agencies as they embarked on the weekend Operation Shanela in Diepsloot District Commissioners in Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, Sedibeng and West Rand conducted similar operations at their respective districts. Arrests Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said the weekend operations yielded positive results. 'The operations resulted in the arrest of more than nine hundred suspects. Seven hundred and eighty-five of these suspects were arrested by the detectives who went tracing for suspects who have been on the run after committing serious and violent crimes that include armed robbery, murder, attempted murder, car hijacking, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, business robbery, and house robbery.' ALSO READ: 'Most-wanted' CIT murder suspects dead in Boksburg shootout [VIDEO] Masondo said that police officers also raided unlicensed liquor outlets, which are considered the generators of contact crime. 'A significant number of these outlets were closed down and liquor confiscated. Some of the suspects paid an admission of guilt fine, while others are expected to appear before various Magistrate Courts on Monday.' Wanted CIT suspects Meanwhile, two of South Africa's most wanted cash-in-transit and murder suspects have been shot dead during a shootout with police in Boksburg, Gauteng, on Saturday afternoon. Police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said firearms, including an AK-47 rifle, were recovered. 'Fortunately, no members of the Saps were harmed during the incident. The suspects are linked to cases in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) provinces' Police operations Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni said the operation involved various police units, security companies and counterintelligence forces. 'Since the start of the year, 76 such incidents have been recorded nationwide, with 18 security guards tragically killed since January 2024.' Mthombeni said operations had increasingly required advanced surveillance and intelligence-sharing to track potential suspects. ALSO READ: Five suspected CIT robbers including kingpin shot dead in Durban [VIDEO]
