Latest news with #ToyotaEtios
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Time of India
Excise dept seizes record ethanol in crackdown on illegal liquor trade in Bathinda region
Chandigarh: In one of the biggest actions against illegal liquor trade in the state, a joint operation by the special operation group (excise) and the excise police led to the seizure of 80,000 litres of ethanol in the Bathinda region. With this, the total ethanol/ENA seizures in Punjab reached 1,70,000 litres, marking a significant milestone in the state's crackdown on the illicit liquor trade. Punjab finance, planning, excise and taxation minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Friday shared details about the intelligence-led operation, stating that it was launched following credible information about a gang involved in pilfering and illegally storing ethanol/spirit. After careful reconnaissance, specialised teams raided Navraj Dhaba in Bathinda, where the suspects were caught red-handed transferring ethanol in two Gujarat-registered tankers, each carrying 40,000 litres. According to Cheema, the ethanol was originally loaded at VRV Hospitality Pvt Ltd in Chak Alia, Dinanagar (Gurdaspur) and was officially bound for IOCL Bathinda. However, it is suspected that the consignment was intended for clandestine diversion to dry states, where alcohol production and sale are banned, for illegal use. "If this consignment went undetected, it could have been used to manufacture approximately 3.72 lakh bottles of 50-degree PML, 2.47 lakh bottles of 70-degree IMFL, or around 1.04 lakh litres of sanitisers," Cheema explained, underscoring the potential public health and revenue implications of such illegal activities. The minister further said that eight individuals were arrested during the raid. Two vehicles — a Toyota Etios (PB03AY5567) and an Innova (HR26CY2961) — believed to be used in the operation, were also seized. An FIR was registered at Sadar police station, Bathinda, under relevant provisions of the law, including those that permit life imprisonment upon conviction. Cheema confirmed that a comprehensive investigation is under way to uncover the entire network, including both suppliers and buyers, and assured that no individual involved will be spared, regardless of their status or connections. Reaffirming the state's zero-tolerance stance, he said, "The excise department is working relentlessly to dismantle these illegal supply chains and prevent the misuse of ethanol for unlawful purposes. We are determined to break the backbone of the illicit liquor trade in Punjab." MSID:: 121519002 413 |
TimesLIVE
29-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Should police announce roadblocks or is that just tipping off offenders?
The Soweto flying squad made a critical breakthrough this week during a routine stop-and-search operation. According to police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, officers rescued a woman who had been hijacked, leading to the arrest of seven suspects. The rescue occurred at about 9.30am on Wednesday when the patrol unit noticed a black Ford Fiesta with false number plates. A bronze Toyota Etios was also stopped. With help from the tactical response team, the vehicles were searched — leading to the shocking discovery and arrests. This has led to online conversations about whether more roadblocks should be implemented or announced by the police to prevent such cases happening.
TimesLIVE
29-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Police rescue woman hijacked by seven men posing as cops
The Soweto flying squad rescued a woman who had been hijacked when they stopped two vehicles during a stop-and-search operation. Seven men were arrested, police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said. The team was patrolling at 9.30am on Wednesday when they spotted a black Ford Fiesta with false number plates. A bronze Toyota Etios was also stopped. Both vehicles were searched with the assistance of tactical response team members. 'Two 9mm replica firearms and live ammunition was recovered together with a police docket cover, police cap and police bulletproof jacket.' Nevhuhulwi said officers discovered that a woman in one of the vehicles 'was actually hijacked and kidnapped by the same group'. The men, aged between 25 and 40, were arrested for kidnapping, impersonating police officers, possession of unlicensed firearms and of ammunition. Both vehicles were impounded for further investigations.
IOL News
07-05-2025
- IOL News
Mitchells Plain community demands inquiry into escalating gang violence
Police are investigating a double murder and attempted murder after three males were shot in Mitchells Plain. Image: Leon Knipe The Mitchells Plain Community Police Forum (CPF) has issued an urgent call for a commission of inquiry into gang-related violence, following a deadly shooting in Tafelsig that claimed the lives of two teenagers and left another critically wounded. The mass shooting took place on Tuesday night, May 6, at the corner of Platteklip Street and Cable Way, Tafelsig. According to police reports, the victims—two males aged 18 and 19—were gunned down while standing in the road. A third male was seriously injured and taken to the hospital for treatment. Police say a Toyota Etios drove past the group and opened fire before fleeing the scene. The attack is believed to be gang-related. As residents of Mitchells Plain reel from yet another violent incident, the CPF's call for structural interventions, accountability, and community mobilisation underscores the urgency of addressing the deep-rooted causes of gang violence. Chairperson of the Mitchells Plain CPF, Norman Jantjies, said the community is under siege and the violence is affecting households across the suburb. He has called for urgent collaboration between law enforcement agencies and residents to tackle the spiralling crisis. 'We as the CPF are very concerned because these shootings and killings are going on unabated, and it looks like it is the whole of Mitchells Plain that is affected,' said Jantjies. 'We feel more needs to be done by the law enforcement agencies. We need increased visibility and profiling of all the gangsters and make sure that we have the number plate detection and cameras. We note that most shooters drive to their targets.' Jantjies lamented the community's reluctance to come forward as witnesses, citing fear and intimidation. He argued that surveillance technology, such as license plate recognition and street cameras, could help close the information gap and assist police in identifying suspects. 'We have a problem with people refusing to be witnesses. We need cameras to assist us in identifying the perpetrators,' he said. A mass shooting in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain has left two people dead and another taken to hospital. Image: Leon Knipe The CPF is also developing a long-term anti-gang strategy with stakeholders across sectors. Jantjies emphasised that this issue must transcend political divisions and be approached as a collective community crisis. 'We are saying that the Mitchells Plain community is developing a gang strategy, we want everybody to come on board. We should not look into this politically—everybody must sit down at the table, this is not just going to go away,' he said. 'This impacts every household in Mitchells Plain. We repeat our call that we need a commission of inquiry to look into this ongoing gang violence that we are faced with. It goes right from prevention and detection to prosecution.' The CPF chair also expressed frustration over a pattern of cases being withdrawn in court, allowing perpetrators to escape justice. 'We have another problem of cases being withdrawn at court, and this means that people are getting away with murder,' Jantjies said. Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed the details of Tuesday's shooting and said investigations are under way. 'The circumstances surrounding a shooting incident on Tuesday night, 6 May 2025, on the corner of Platteklip Street and Cable Way, Tafelsig, Mitchell's Plain, where two males aged 18 and 19 were shot and fatally wounded and another male shot and wounded, are under investigation,' Twigg said.
The Herald
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Herald
Action aplenty in Algoa Rally Club thriller
Another long weekend with perfect weather ensured that rally fans were once again treated to rallying action out of the top drawer at the Syrabix, Motul, APS Scribante Rally that took place on and around Aldo Scribante Raceway on Monday. After dominating the opening round of the championship in Despatch, Gauteng visitors Nico and Juandre Nienaber were back for round two of the Algoa Rally Club Championship and put on yet another scintillating show that had the appreciative crowd enthralled with their high-speed skill around the circuit that comprised a mix of gravel and tar stages. Nick Davidson and his navigator Ashley Bezuidenhout made a welcome return after missing the opening round and pushed the Nienaber brothers in their 4-wheel drive Toyota Auris. A highlight of the event was the addition of seven new competitors to the world of rallying, with Belinda Ball and her son Timothy joining the action along with East London brothers Justin and Dane Langhein, father and son Paul and Gerald Gouws and Winston 'Pikkie' Marais all competing for the first time. Unfortunately the hot conditions resulted in a couple of cars dropping out of the event that saw Jeandre Marais and his fiancé Tegan Taljaard retiring in stage 3 after snapping a conrod in the engine, a blown motor in stage 4 for Ruan van Tonder and Marius Rautenbach and gear selector problems for Ross and Roxanne Bartle at the start of stage 4 ,while Cape Town visitors Paul van Wyk & Matt Kohler were plagued with overheating problems. Rounds 3 and 4 of the Algoa Rally Championship form part of the National Rally Championship and take place on July 25 and 26, starting in Despatch with stages in and around the town before heading to the Longmore Forest. Overall and class results of round two: Overall: 1 Nico Nienaber and Juandre Nienaber — Toyota Etios 1600; 2 Nick Davidson and Ashley Bezuidenhout — Toyota Auris S2000 4wd; 3 Neels Vosloo and Rikus Fourie — VW Polo 250 1600 ARC1: 1 Nick Davidson and Ashley Bezuidenhout — Toyota Auris S2000 4wd; 2 Paul van Wyk and Matt Kohler — Audi Quattro S3 4x4 1800 Turbo ARC3: 1 Johan Viljoen and Juane' Viljoen — VW Polo 250 2000; 2 Oliver de Man and Ingrid Jeacocks — Toyota Corolla E70 2L; 3 Justin Langhein and Dane Langhein — Toyota KE70 2L ARC 4: 1 Nico Nienaber and Juandre Nienaber — Toyota Etios 1600; 2 Neels Vosloo and Rikus Fourie — VW Polo 250 1600; 3 Gordon Nolan and Timothy Ball — VW Polo 250 1600 ARC 5: 1 Riekus Schmidt and Marco Griesel — VW Polo A13 1400; 2 Francois Vermaak and Handré van Schalkwyk — VW Golf A1 1400; 3 Leander Koekemoer and Kaylin Kapp — VW Polo 250 1200 Turbo Clubmans: 1 Justin Langhein and Dane Langhein — Toyota KE70 2L; 2 Francois Vermaak and Handré van Schalkwyk — VW Golf A1 1400; 3 Martin Kleingeld and Mark Irvine — Toyota Corolla KE35 1600. The Herald
