Latest news with #VincentMukhathi
The Herald
6 days ago
- The Herald
Police arrest 17,054 suspects in a week during Operation Shanela
Police have arrested 17,054 suspects in organised crimes and high-impact offences through Operation Shanela across the country between July 27 and August 2. The operation, which began in 2023, is aimed at eradicating crime. It consists of regular stop-and-searches, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, high-visibility patrols including foot patrols and the tracing of wanted suspects. According to police spokesperson Lt-Col Vincent Mukhathi, 2,911 suspects were arrested for serious and violent crimes such as murder, attempted murder, car hijacking, rape and house and business robbery. Arrests included: 179 for murder 266 for rape 1,763 for assault GHB 246 for dealing in drugs 2,406 for possession of drugs 15 for human trafficking. Confiscations and recoveries included: 1,805 rounds of ammunition 155 firearms 53 hijacked and stolen vehicles Mukhathi made reference to some major arrests made in Gauteng, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape. In Gauteng, police seized two unlicensed firearms from a suspect linked to armed robberies. A 37-year-old alleged rapist and serial killer, suspected of using dating apps to lure victims in Pretoria, was arrested. A 25-year-old suspect from São Paulo was intercepted at OR Tambo International Airport while attempting to smuggle cocaine valued at R4.2m. Another high-profile case involved the police political killings task Tteam arresting businessman Katiso Molefe and three suspected hitmen for the murder of DJ Sumbody. They are also allegedly linked to the murder of Hector 'DJ Vintos' Buthelezi. 'They appeared in the Alexander magistrate's court on July 29 facing charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition,' Mukhathi said. In the Free State, a 42-year-old foreign national truck driver was found in possession of illicit cigarettes worth R800,000. He is expected to appear in court. Police in KwaZulu-Natal arrested two foreign nationals and recovered R30m worth of counterfeit jewellery and luxury items, a shotgun, ammunition and cash. In Gqeberha, police seized counterfeit pharmaceuticals and consumer goods, including unregulated tablets and pregnancy kits valued at R2.2m. A suspect linked to an extortion ring was fatally wounded in a shoot-out with tactical response team members in Ngqeleni. 'A 9mm pistol and live ammunition were recovered. His passenger was detained for questioning,' Mukhathi said. 'In Port Alfred, POLICE disrupted a marine trafficking operation involving 822.7kg of West Coast rock lobster tails worth R1.2m. Two suspects were arrested for contravening the Marine Living Resources Act.' TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
6 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Police arrest 17,054 suspects in a week during Operation Shanela
Police have arrested 17,054 suspects in organised crimes and high-impact offences through Operation Shanela across the country between July 27 and August 2. The operation, which began in 2023, is aimed at eradicating crime. It consists of regular stop-and-searches, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, high-visibility patrols including foot patrols and the tracing of wanted suspects. According to police spokesperson Lt-Col Vincent Mukhathi, 2,911 suspects were arrested for serious and violent crimes such as murder, attempted murder, car hijacking, rape and house and business robbery. Arrests included: 179 for murder 266 for rape 1,763 for assault GHB 246 for dealing in drugs 2,406 for possession of drugs 15 for human trafficking. Confiscations and recoveries included: 1,805 rounds of ammunition 155 firearms 53 hijacked and stolen vehicles Mukhathi made reference to some major arrests made in Gauteng, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape. In Gauteng, police seized two unlicensed firearms from a suspect linked to armed robberies. A 37-year-old alleged rapist and serial killer, suspected of using dating apps to lure victims in Pretoria, was arrested. A 25-year-old suspect from São Paulo was intercepted at OR Tambo International Airport while attempting to smuggle cocaine valued at R4.2m. Another high-profile case involved the police political killings task Tteam arresting businessman Katiso Molefe and three suspected hitmen for the murder of DJ Sumbody. They are also allegedly linked to the murder of Hector 'DJ Vintos' Buthelezi. 'They appeared in the Alexander magistrate's court on July 29 facing charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition,' Mukhathi said. In the Free State, a 42-year-old foreign national truck driver was found in possession of illicit cigarettes worth R800,000. He is expected to appear in court. Police in KwaZulu-Natal arrested two foreign nationals and recovered R30m worth of counterfeit jewellery and luxury items, a shotgun, ammunition and cash. In Gqeberha, police seized counterfeit pharmaceuticals and consumer goods, including unregulated tablets and pregnancy kits valued at R2.2m. A suspect linked to an extortion ring was fatally wounded in a shoot-out with tactical response team members in Ngqeleni. 'A 9mm pistol and live ammunition were recovered. His passenger was detained for questioning,' Mukhathi said. 'In Port Alfred, POLICE disrupted a marine trafficking operation involving 822.7kg of West Coast rock lobster tails worth R1.2m. Two suspects were arrested for contravening the Marine Living Resources Act.'
The Citizen
15-07-2025
- The Citizen
More than 2 600 wanted criminals linked to violent crimes arrested
The criminals were handcuffed during high-density Shanela operations between 7 and 13 July 2025. The South African Police Service (Saps) have arrested more than 2 600 criminals linked to serious and violent crimes, including murder, attempted murder, rape and robbery in just one week. The criminals were handcuffed during high-density Shanela operations between 7 and 13 July 2025. In total, 15 627 suspects were arrested during the interventions, guided by crime intelligence, which yielded major successes across all provinces. Serious crimes Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Mukhathi said 2 624 wanted individuals linked to serious and violent crimes were arrested during the operations. Mukathi said 141 suspects were arrested for murder, with KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) recording the highest at 38, followed by the Eastern Cape at 28. He said another 158 were arrested for attempted murder. '122 were arrested for rape, with Free State leading at 28 arrests, followed by Gauteng with 26. 1 680 were arrested for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH)'. ALSO READ: Traditional healer among three arrested for coercing initiation Drug dealers Mukathi said police also arrested 317 drug dealers during this period. 2 073 for drug possession, most in the Western Cape with 755, followed by KZN with 457. 'Another 122 were arrested for illegal possession of firearms, with 40 from the Western Cape and 35 from KwaZulu-Natal.' Mukathi added that 689 people were also arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, with Gauteng recording 198 arrests and Mpumalanga 146. Confiscations Police also confiscated 131 firearms, including 2 014 rounds of ammunition, 66 hijacked or stolen vehicles and recoveries and 24 914 litres of alcohol, primarily from Gauteng. 'Contraband goods valued at R93 250 seized in the Western Cape. 816 dangerous weapons, including knives and other implements, were removed from the streets.' Major breakthroughs Mukathi highlighted some of the major breakthroughs. 'On 13 July, a multidisciplinary Saps team intercepted four suspects in Riverlea linked to a Johannesburg Central business robbery. 'The suspects opened fire on members, resulting in a fatal shootout. All four suspects died on the scene, and two unlicensed firearms and stolen goods were recovered,' Mukathi said. Kidnapping On 10 July, the Saps Anti-Kidnapping Task Team rescued a 60-year-old businessman kidnapped from Lenasia on 29 May. Intelligence led police to Randfontein, where a shootout occurred. Two suspects were fatally wounded, and three were arrested. A ransom of R15 million had been demanded. 'In Qumbu, two suspects were arrested for kidnapping and murder after a 22-year-old victim was found deceased with bound limbs on 10 July 2025. A second victim had previously been located alive but injured'. 'Saps commitment' Mukathi said on 13 July, Operation Restore members discovered 6kg of heroin, 100g of heroin, and later uncovered 145kg of crystal methamphetamine(Tik) and 16kg of heroin hidden in the roof of a Goodwood residence. 'The total drug value was R54.3 million. Two foreign nationals aged 28 and 32 were arrested,' Mukathi said. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola said that 'the operational gains achieved in this reporting period underscore the Sap's sustained commitment to combating serious and violent crime through intelligence-led policing. ALSO READ: 'Those things ran away': Acting Gauteng Police Commissioner recounts hijacking attempt
IOL News
12-07-2025
- IOL News
SAPS reports over 170 arrests in the battle against gender-based violence
The South African Police Service's 90-day blitz campaign sees over 170 arrests in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). Image: File The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the 90-day blitz to combat gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) has yielded more success with the arrest of more than 170 suspects connected to rape cases across the country. According to reports, the campaign was launched in April by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to fight the GBVF scourge plaguing South Africa. SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Mukhathi said police are continuing to accelerate their response to combat and prevent GBVF through intensified nationwide operations across the country. Mukhathi said between June 30 and July 6, 2025, police operations led to the arrest of 99 rape suspects. Gauteng accounted for the highest number of arrests, with 26. 'In addition, police arrested 73 wanted rape suspects as well as 16 individuals tracked down for sexual offences in various provinces,' he said. The SAPS is also focusing on community mobilisation, enhancing better response, and strengthening collaboration with other government departments and community-based organisations in the fight against GBVF in the country, he noted. This week, Mukhathi said police effected key arrests for perpetrators of GBVF. He said on July 6, 2025, police in Limpopo arrested a 29-year-old man for the alleged murder of his 33-year-old girlfriend at Nailana village. 'He allegedly assaulted his girlfriend to death with sticks. He appeared before the Senwabarwana Magistrate's Court on July 8, 2025, facing murder charges,' he said. In Kaapmuiden, Mpumalanga, 37-year-old Sanele Fakudze, an Eswatini national, was apprehended in connection with the murder of a 4-year-old girl and her 28-year-old mother. According to Mukhathi, the victims were discovered unconscious next to the road. Mukhathi added that on July 8, 2025, a 40-year-old man was apprehended for the alleged rape of his 39-year-old ex-girlfriend in Thohoyandou on June 16, 2025. He appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on July 9, 2025, facing rape charges. 'These arrests form part of the SAPS's intensified 90-day blitz to combat and prevent gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) across the country,' he emphasised. Moreover, Mukhathi said the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) members successfully secured the following notable convictions during this period. He said between May and June 2025, detectives from the Gauteng Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit secured 21 life sentences and an additional 1,420 years' imprisonment for 40 accused individuals for crimes committed against women and children in the province. A 22-year-old in KwaZulu-Natal received a life sentence after being convicted of repeatedly raping an 11-year-old girl in Mdantsane in August 2020. In the Northern Cape, the Calvinia Regional Court sentenced a 40-year-old accused to life imprisonment after being found guilty of raping three siblings aged between 4 and 11 years in October 2022. Samuel Boomfire Mbuyane, a 42-year-old hip-hop artist, received three life sentences from the Burgersfort Regional Court in Limpopo on July 4, 2025. This conviction was for three counts of rape, committed in November 2020, involving a 9-year-old boy in Driekop village. In another case, Mosala Benito Ellester, 22, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape of a 64-year-old woman in Phelindaba, Bloemfontein, in December 2023. 'Police will continue to conduct their targeted operations to address criminal activities, including GBVF, and ensure the safety and security of communities, especially women, children, and vulnerable groups,' stated Mukhathi. [email protected]
The South African
10-07-2025
- The South African
Operation Vala Umgodi results in 512 suspects arrested
On 10 July 2025, the South African Police Service reported that they had arrested 512 suspects during Operation Vala Umgodi in the month of June. 'Nationwide Vala Umgodi operations continue to register commendable progress in the fight against illegal mining and related crimes,' said SAPS spokesperson, Lt. Colonel Vincent Mukhathi. He said the suspects arrested were of different nationalities. While authorities arrested most for illegal mining, they charged others with attempted murder, theft of minerals, unlawful possession of explosives, unlawful possession of firearms and possession of suspected stolen property. 'The month-long operations targeted illicit activities across multiple provinces, resulting in significant seizures of unpolished diamonds, gold bearing material, chrome, explosives and mining equipment,' said Mukhathi. During the national operations, police seized 83 phendukas (a tool they use to grind gold), 36 generators and 1 TLB. SAPS say they have arrested almost 28 000 suspects since the inception of Operation Vala Umgodi, in November 2023. Mukhathi said in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, the police arrested 22 suspects for illegal mining in the month of June. Officers found the suspects in possession of illegal mining equipment. In a separate operation, in Kagiso, south of Johannesburg, police arrested 11 suspects. They were charged with illegal mining, illegal immigration and unlawful possession of ammunition. 'Vala Umgodi Operation is continuing to intensify its efforts to combat and dismantle illegal mining, ensure compliance with immigration laws, and protect the country's mineral resources,' Mukhathi concluded. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
