Govan Mbeki Municipality struggles to settle account with ESKOM as residents voice their anger at ever increasing municipal accounts
Electricity supply is vital to businesses as well as members of the public as South Africa struggles through load shedding and power outages with the added pressure of illegal connections as well as cable theft directly impacting the consumer.
General service delivery concerns have been raised with the municipality by residents and on numerous occasions have raised their concerns with the Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM).
Frustrated residents of Bethal and eMzinoni have taken to social media to voice their concerns in a video, using this platform stated there are steps in motion to take the Local Municipality to court as all other means of resolving the issues of service delivery as well as electricity supply has failed to yield results.
On the 30 July 2020, the Bethal & eMzinoni Community for Services Organisation (BECS) instructed their Legal representatives (McRoberts Attorneys) to hand over a letter of Demand to the GMM, the Gert Sibande Municipality and ESKOM. This letter of demand requests the institutions to funish a response and agreement in writing to ensure concerns such as electricity supply (amongst other things) are addressed. Failure to respond by a deadline of 7 August 2020 will leave the BECS attorneys no option but to take the matter to the High Court said Mr Ziyaad Dangor, the spokesperson for the organisation.
In response to this, the Executive Mayor of GMM, Ms Thandi Ngxonono held a virtual council meeting on the 30 July and agreed that the issue of service delivery and electrical supply concerns is a major concern to the municipality as well as public who are directly impacted and as such are angered by the current situation.
Executive Mayor of GMM, Ms Thandi Ngxonono
Ms Ngxonono claimed that more than half the electrical consumption losses (60%) are as a direct result of illegal connections resulting in electrical theft, this in turn impacts the GMM ability to pay for the ESKOM services.
In the virtual meeting it was also discussed that the service delivery concerns with regard to Waste collection has been resolved, the issue that resulted in a several week non collection of waste was due to staff who downed tools demanding correct personal protective equipment thus being a health and safety concern for workers.
Ms Ngxonono told the audience to the virtual meeting that this problem has been resolved and will not be a further problem.
Ms Ngxonono also made it clear that services supplied must be paid for, such as where municipal services and electrical supply is provided then all consumers must cover the costs. Where some of the community are not contributing to the services rendered added pressure is put onto the municipality as well as businesses or community members who make payments, as a result of this deficit the supply or service is negatively impacted.
Community members are not satisfied with the response and reaction of the Executive Mayor and municipality and took again to social media to voice their frustrations about the response as well lack of mitigating action.
Many in the community are now supporting the BECS legal action, a fund has been set up to cover legal costs to which the community as well as businesses have already contributed. A substantial sum of over R 200 000 has already been raised to ensure the legal action as well as proceedings will follow through bringing the municipality to answer and rectify their actions.
Twenty three accused aged between 31 and 54 have appeared in the Nelspruit Regional Court on Monday for theft and fraud after they were arrested following a Hawks’ Serious Corruption Crime Investigation. It is alleged that in April 2016 the SASSA officials approached and recruited individuals to submit their identity documents.
SASSA officials and beneficiaries in court
These documents were used to register them for disability grants that were approved for monthly payments which the officials withdrew and paid the recruited beneficiaries only a portion whilst keeping the rest of the money for themselves.
The matter was consequently reported to the Hawks’ and the investigation revealed that all the recruited beneficiaries were in fact not disabled despite having been registered as such.
The investigation around the matter was finalised and the accused were served with court summonses to appear before court.
The case is postponed to 04 September 2020 for appointment of legal representatives.
Meanwhile, three suspects Matholeni Sydwell Masilela (40), Brian Mfundo Masina (28) and Moses Khumalo (36) were remanded in custody by the Nelspruit Magistrate Court on Monday for allegedly conspiring to steal monies by hacking into the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) system.
SASSA officials and beneficiaries in court
The case has been postponed to 07 August 2020 for a formal bail application.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, has raised concern over immoral acts perpetuated by parents against their own children. At times, they abandon or illegally abort their children.
Three of such incidents were reported at Vosman where on Wednesday, 29 July 2020, a foetus was discovered next to a sewage site and on 21 July a new-born baby boy was left abandoned outside a house.
In June, a baby girl was left abandoned outside a couple’s house.
Similar incidents were also reported at Siyabuswa and Amersfoort.
As a result of these heartless acts, General Zuma is calling the community to desist from dumping their babies and to stop aborting their babies illegally.
Currently police are investigating a case of concealment of birth regarding the foetus which was discovered at Vosman.
It all unfolded when police were notified about a suspicious parcel next to a sewage area. They responded and discovered the said parcel as reported which was later confirmed to be a foetus.
Still in Vosman, on 21 June, a 36-year-old man discovered a new-born boy wrapped in blankets outside his house as he was about to leave for work and notified police. When the police arrived, they found the baby as well as a note: “Please take care of him.”
On 01 June, a 47-year-old woman from Vosman was woken up by a strange noise of an infant crying, prompting her to wake her husband and both went to investigate. They discovered an infant wrapped in a towel placed at the door.
They tried to look around to see if they could spot the person who left the baby but with no success and further enquired from the neighbours but no positive feedback.
The matter was eventually reported to the police and a case of child neglect was opened.
In both incidents, the infants have been taken to a place of safety while police are investigating.
At Siyabuswa near Kwamhlanga, a similar incident was reported on 13 May.
A foetus was discovered in a dumping site after two employees who are responsible for waste management at Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality, were busy with their routine duties when they noticed a wrapped plastic bag. They opened it and found a foetus.
Meanwhile on 21 May 2020, a foetus was also discovered at a dumping site in Amersfoort.
General Zuma expressed his dismay at these heart-breaking and callous acts.
General Zuma
“These incidents are strongly condemned in the strongest terms because parents are supposed to be protectors of their children,” said General Zuma.
He calls on the community to stop committing acts of illegal abortion and abandoning their babies but instead, consult with the relevant organisations/government departments for assistance.
Police appeal to anyone who may have information regarding the suspects who abandoned the infants at Vosman area to contact Detective Constable Londiwe Patricia Mathibela at 0824942174.
Alternatively, members of the public can call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111.
Information may also be communicated via MySAPSApp. All information will be treated with the strictest of confidence and callers may remain anonymous.
The Directorate for Priority Crime investigation (DPCI) has announced the appointment of several new key appointments which come into effect from 01 August 2020 marked to bring committed leadership and stability with the Directorate.
Major General Obed Ngwenya has been appointed as the new Provincial Head of the DPCI in the Eastern Cape.
Major General Ngwenya has more than 30 years in the police service.
He holds an MTech in Forensic Investigation and has successfully completed several operational courses and management and leadership programmes. Prior to his appointment he was the Provincial Commander of Serious Organised Crime Investigation within the Directorate in Mpumalanga.
Major General Ebrahim Kadwa has been appointed as the Provincial Head of Gauteng.
Major General Kadwa joined SAPS in 1985 and he is in possession of National Diploma in Police Administration and has completed Regional Drug Enforcement course, Major Case Management and Executive Development Learning Programme amongst others.
He was appointed as a Brigadier on 01 January 2007 as the Section Head: Operations within Serious Organised Crime Investigation at DPCI, Head Office.
Major General Lesetja Senona is the new Provincial Head of the DPCI in Kwa-Zulu Natal.
Major General Senona also joined SAPS in 1985 and possesses a BTech in Policing.
He has also completed numerous operational courses and management and leadership programmes. He was appointed as a Brigadier on 01 January 2017 as the Section Head: Project Investigations at South African Police Service, Head Office.
Brigadier Msizi Nyuswa in the new Provincial Commander of Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Kwa-Zulu Natal.
With more than 30 years in the police service, Brigadier Nyuswa possesses a National Diploma in Police Administration, B-Tech in Policing, Bachelor of Laws and M-Tech in Forensic and Investigative Auditing. He has completed a number of detective courses as well management and leadership programmes.
He was appointed as a Colonel on 01 March 2017 as the Unit Commander of Serious Organised Crime Investigation and later placed as the Provincial Coordinator of Serious Organised Crime Investigation DPCI in KZN.
Brigadier Trevor Hoys will take over the post as the new Provincial Commander of Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in the in Western Cape.
Brigadier Hoys joined the Service in 1995. He holds a National Diploma: Policing and B-Tech in Policing. He has completed a number of detective courses as well management and leadership programmes.
He was appointed as a Colonel on 01 November 2016 as the Unit Commander of Investigation and Resolution at the Integrity Management Service, SAPS Head Office and later seconded to the Directorate as the Section Commander of Trans-National Corruption Investigations in the DPCI at Head Office.
Brigadier Mafiwa Mmekwa will be heading the Specialised Forensic Analysis – Forensic Accounting Investigation at Head Office.
Brigadier Mmekwa joined the Service in 2010 and has more than 10 years in the Police Service. She possesses a National Diploma in Internal Auditing and B-Tech: Internal Auditing. She is a designated Forensic Practitioner and has completed Practice and Fraud Risk Management, Commercial Forensic Information Technology and Programme in Forensic and Investigative Auditing amongst others.
She was appointed as a Colonel on 15 February 2014 as the Section Commander of Forensic Investigation and Audit at the Internal Audit, SAPS Head Office.
Brigadier Thipe Rapholo has been appointed as the Head of Specialised Forensic Analysis: Forensic Accounting Investigation in Pretoria as well.
Brigadier Rapholo joined the SAPS in 1995 and has more than 20 years’ work experience.
He is in possession of a National Diploma: Policing, B-Tech in Policing, B-Tech in Security Risk Management and M-Tech in Policing. He is a certified fraud examiner and has completed Advanced Fraud Examination, Detection of Forged documents Course, Fraud Risk Management Course and management courses amongst others.
He was appointed as a Colonel on 11 February 2014 as the Section Commander of Forensic Investigation at the Internal Audit, SAPS Head Office.
Brigadier Frederick Smith will head the Tactical Operations with the directorate.
Brigadier Smith joined the Service in 1983 and has more than 37 years in the police service.
He is in possession of a National Diploma: Police Administration and has completed SANAB Investigators Course, Organised Crime Threat Management Training, Forensic Interviewing Course and Project Management amongst others.
He was appointed as a Colonel on 01 April 2010 as the Operational Commander of Serious Organised Crime Investigation, DPCI in Gauteng and later placed as the Unit Commander of SANEB in DPCI, Gauteng.
Brigadier Rasekaka Makuoane is the new Section Head of Economic Protected Resources at Head office.
Brigadier Makuoane joined the Service in 1988 and holds a National Diploma and B-Tech in Policing. He has completed a number of detective courses as well management and leadership programmes.
He was appointed as a Colonel on 01 December 2015 as the Provincial Commander of Serious Organised Crime Investigation in the North West.
The National Head of the DPCI, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya has welcomed the new appointments.
Lieutenant General Lebeya said that the appointments of the Provincial Heads have been made following the necessary selection process and subsequently the concurrence with Cabinet as provided for in terms of section 17CA(6) of the South African Police Service Act 68 of 1995.
He urged the Management team and all DPCI members to support the new appointees in ensuring and realise the Directorate mandate which is to prevent, combat and investigate national priority offences, in particular Serious Organised Crime, Serious Commercial Crime and Serious Corruption as set out in Chapter 6A of the South African Police Service Act.
32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Dawid is fisies nie op goeie plek in sy lewe nie, hy vlug, hy kruip weg, hy is bang. Hy het ‘n noodkreet in Psalm 22 – Here U help nie, U antwoord my nie!
En dan kom hy tot ‘n besef en ‘n verandering van gedagtes, in sy nood en wegkruip plek besef Hy dat die Here die almagtige sy Herder is en dat dit vir hom genoeg is.
En dan word hierdie besef en change of heart sy wegspring blok vir nuwe rigting in sy lewe. Hy laat my neerlê in groen weivelde; na waters waar rus is,lei Hy my heen.
Hy gaan aan met hierdie vergenoegdheid tema… ek kom niks kort nie, Hy laat my neerlê in groen weivelde… my honger na nog word stil gemaak. ‘n Skaap wat in die veld lê is ‘n skaap wat versadig is, hy lê want hy het genoeg. (Soos Sondag middag) na waters waar rus is, my dors is geles, ek het genoeg want Hy lei my.
Dawid sê – Ek het oorgegee, ek lei nie meer myself nie. Ek het iemand groter wat ek vertrou met my lewe. Hy loop voor. Wanneer ons dink aan ‘n herder, sien ons hierdie mense langs die pad wat agter loop en die beeste en skape in ‘n rigting indwing.
Antieke Herder lyk anders. Hy loop voor en die skape volg hom. Johannes 10 – Ek is die goeie Herder, en wanneer Ek my skape uitgebring het, loop Ek voor hulle uit; en die skape volg My, omdat hulle My stem ken.
En dan sê Dawid – Hy verkwik my siel. Hy gee my siel lewe! Hy restoreer, herstel, verfris, hy wek op in my…hy stof wie ek is af. Mirror Parafrase – ”He leads me beside still waters where my soul is restored; by the waters of reflection my soul remembers who I am!
Hierdie goeie Herder lei my na my oorspronklike identiteit toe, wie is ek wanneer God van my praat. Groot struikelblok – Ons lewe met ‘n verwronge beeld van wie ons is. Jesus is die Herder wat Dawid van praat vir ‘n vrou by ‘n put. Sy lewe met ‘n identiteitskrisis, met ‘n groot bordjie om haar nek van wie sy eintlik glad nie is nie. Sy is sielsongelukkig – baie dieselfde as ons.
Sy opsoek na haar “sielsmaat” – baie dieslfde as ons en sy is opsoek na rus vir haar siel – baie soos ons. Jesus sê vir haar; Ek is die goeie herder, ek sal jou lei na waters waar jy nooit sal dors kry nie ek is die een wat jou siels begeertes sal stil maak. Johannes 4:14 Elkeen wat drink van die water wat Ek hom sal gee, sal in ewigheid nooit dors kry nie, maar die water wat Ek hom sal gee, sal in hom word ‘n fontein van water wat opspring tot in die ewige lewe.
Johannes 4:13 (Message) Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again.
Johannes 4:14 (The Message) Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”
Johannes 4:15 Die vrou sê vir Hom: Here, gee my daardie water, sodat ek nie dors kry en hier hoef te kom skep nie.
Ek wil jou herder wees, ek wil jou rus gee, ek wil jou siel se roepe stil maak.Sy reageer op Jesus se uitnodigingGee my dit Here! Johannes 4:15 Die vrou sê vir Hom: Here, gee my daardie water, sodat ek nie dors kry en hier hoef te kom skep nie.
Dawid sê ek besef, die Here die almagtige is my Herder, ek kom niks kort nie, Hy gee my rus en vrede en Hy alleen kan my siel voed en gelukkig maak. Hy lei my in die spore van geregtigheid – spore van geregtigheid is die effek van ‘n herstelde siel – dis die natuurlike uitdrukking van ‘n siel wat gesond is.
Wees U my Herder Vertrou Jesus om voor te loop in jou lewe, Hy wil jou goeie Herder wees.
1 August 2020: A new Firearm Amnesty for a period of six months, commencing today, 1 August 2020 until 31 January 2021, has been approved by Parliament during this past week.
The previous amnesty period which was also intended for a period of six months, between December 2019 and May 2020 was thwarted by the unexpected Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite this, the South African Police Service received a resounding 46 714 firearms.
However, we believe that there are many more firearms out there that still need to be surrendered and we are confident the response to the previous amnesty would have been even more resounding if it were not for the pandemic.
The restrictions of Levels 5 and 4 somewhat prevented people from turning in illegal as well as their unlicensed and unwanted firearms and ammunition.
This had prompted the Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele to approach Parliament to approve a new application of a six months amnesty period.
Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele
The approval of the new application has since been published in the Government Gazette on 31 July 2020 which now allows all persons with illegal or unwanted firearms as well as ammunition to hand them in at their nearest police station.
We are urging people to take advantage of this period either to hand in those firearms and ammunition either for destruction or renewal of a competency certificate and a valid licence.
The latest National Crime Statistics once again show that firearms were the preferred weapon in the commission of most of the violent crime.
Reducing the circulation of firearms may potentially reduce the scourge of violent crimes quite significantly.
The Firearm Amnesty envisages to see a reduced number of illegally possessed firearms in circulation in the country.
It therefore provides firearm owners with the opportunity to hand in illegal and unwanted firearms which will result in the prevention of crime and promotion of safety to ensure people living in South Africa are and feel safe.
It must be noted that no indemnity will be granted for firearms used to commit any crime.
All firearms that have been handed in will undergo ballistic testing to ensure that they have not been used in the commission of any crimes before they can be considered for destruction.
For Firearm Amnesty enquiries, please contact FLASH Call Centre at 012 353 6111 or email on cfrenquiry@saps.gov.za.
Since the start of lockdowns across the globe, people have been stuck and unable to return to their home countries. Repatriation flights have been organised by many countries around the world to ensure that their citizens return home safely but a few people have been struggling to return home with no assistance from their home countries.
Kyle Naidoo and Ryan Schreuder have been two of the people who have struggled to return home.
Kyle Naidoo, a Flight Instructor at Aviation Junction Flying School, was stuck in the Maldives for three months in isolation before he could return home.
Kyle Naidoo
Kyle was a pilot for Trans Maldivian Airlines since last year August. He flew seaplanes for the airline.
At the end of March Kyle and others received a new 3-month contract with Trans Maldivian Airlines. The new contract stated that all previous contracts have been cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic and that no passengers will be flying due to the worldwide lockdown.
They were informed that they will only receive their basic salary for the next three months and after the three month period their contracts will be revised.
Pilots and cabin crew receive a basic salary but their salary is mostly made up by the amount of flying hours they rack up each month.
On a typical day Kyle and other pilots would fly about 3000 passengers and during peak season they would fly around 5000 – 5500 passengers.
By the end of June, they were still not flying and the Maldives were still on lockdown.
It was nearly impossible to fly back to South Africa as all major airlines were not flying either. The only way for him and the other South Africans stuck in the Maldives to come back home was to organise a charter flight.
Kyle had contacted the South African Embassy in Maldives but was told to contact the South African Embassy in Sri Lanka. The South African Embassy in Maldives told him to communicate with the High Commissioner in Sri Lanka as all decisions would be made by them.
For about three months Kyle kept on contacting the South African Embassy in Sri Lanka for assistance to be repatriated but was only told to wait for the next airline to fly out of the Maldives.
“It wasn’t practical for us to stay as we were on half of our salaries and staying overseas spending money that you might need later was not smart either. Whereas when you come home you can be with your family and have that support system in place,” Kyle said.
After asking for assistance from the embassies to no avail, Kyle started to do some research and came across Maple Aviation in Canada.
Maple Aviation jumped in and assisted where they could.
Kyle did all the planning for the repatriation flight for the South African group and through word of mouth and WhatsApp, the group of South Africans just grew bigger and bigger.
The day the plane landed to take them home, there were about 35 – 40 South Africans who were also stuck in the Maldives and super excited to finally return home.
Before any of the flights could be organised the group of South Africans had to be vetted by the Department of International Regulation and Cooperation (DIRCO) to ensure that they were all South African and that they were allowed to board the flight.
From DIRCO the vetted documents were sent to the Department of Port Health as they had to organise the quarantine facilities once the plane landed.
Next, the Department of Port Health sent all the information to the Department of Transport to ensure that air traffic control clearances were ready for the pilots to land safely at O.R. Tambo International Airport.
Kyle in the Maldives where he worked for Trans Maldivian Airlines
The Department of Transport sent the vetted list to the country of origin, Maldives and the authorities on that side ensured that only the people that were vetted boarded the aircraft.
After that entire process, the day finally arrived!
An Air Zimbabwe Boeing 767 was utilised for the repatriation flight. As soon as the plane landed in the Maldives, barely any of the South Africans could contain their excitement anymore.
The repatriation ticket cost each South African around R 23 000, one way.
“It was pretty surprising to see that the South African government didn’t help but the Zimbabwean government did,” Kyle said.
Because they were all stuck in isolation for three months, they did not have to go through a 2 week quarantine in the Maldives.
Upon arrival at the airport in the Maldives, they had to fill in a questionnaire, their temperature was taken, they were sprayed with sanitiser from head to toe and all their luggage was sanitised as well.
At every stage they had to go through at the airport, they had to sanitise and be sanitised head to toe.
Before they were allowed to get on the airplane, they had to start the process again; screening, temperature, sanitised from head to toe and cabin luggage sanitised.
The plane was divided into sections as there were other groups of South Africans from Cambodia, Malaysia and the Philippines too. Each group was in their own section and they were not allowed to mix with another group to ensure the safety of all.
The cabin crew were all dressed in full PPE to ensure their safety and to be able to deliver their best service.
Once they landed in South Africa, the groups were screened and sanitised again, escorted by ground staff through customs and then back to the apron. (The apron is the area where an aircraft is parked.)
Once they were back on the apron their bags were waiting for them with a bus to escort the groups to the different quarantine facilities.
Kyle’s group was quarantined at the East Gate Garden Court.
Again, upon their arrival they were screened and sanitised at the East Gate Garden Court.
“You were not allowed to leave your room except for a 15 min break to go outside to get some fresh air, stretch your legs and back to your room. We received three meals a day and at 09:00 every morning, your temperature would be taken,” said Kyle.
After seven days, everyone tested negative for COVID-19, the group was allowed to return to their respective homes.
“It was quite an experience but not something I would want to go through again!”
Ryan Schreuder experienced something similar to the experience of that of Kyle.
Ryan Schreuder
He was stuck in the north of Botswana.
“It was about two months after the lockdown had started and the borders were all still closed,” said Ryan.
After trying extremely hard for about two weeks to contact the South African Embassy in Botswana, Ryan finally received word back that the embassy cannot help him and they do not know what to do.
“I asked the person at the embassy what happens if I am stuck here, I have no money and I cannot work. Their reply was vacation and the phone was put down in my ear,” Ryan said helplessly.
He continued: “I tried for another two weeks and finally the head of the embassy got back to me. It was more like a generic email. The email stated that we have three days to get to the border to be allowed to enter South Africa. The email also said that only South Africans with their own transport are being repatriated at the moment.”
This was a bit of a concern as most South Africans in Botswana flew into the country or took a bus to get to their destination.
Once Ryan and the other South Africans arrived at the South Africa/Botswana border, not one of the border control officers knew about their arrival or about the repatriation.
According to the South Africans that had to be repatriated there was supposed to be a letter given to the border post on the Botswana side.
After about two hours (some people had been there for about 6 hours) of struggling, making phone calls, calls being answered rudely and trying to reach the correct people, they were allowed to cross the border.
The group was on the South African side of the border from about 13:30 and only left about 4 hours later. Ryan said there was a convoy of about 9 vehicles including a bus.
By the time the group left, they still had no idea where they were going or what was going to happen next.
“We stopped at a petrol station not far from the border and found out that our destination has changed. We were supposed drive to somewhere close to Kimberley. Everyone was outraged but we found out that we were going to be quarantined in the Pilanesberg.
Once we were in quarantine in Pilanesberg things started to run much smoother. We were informed that we’ll receive permits to return where we have to be and also if we do not have transport, it will be provided for us to get where we have to be.”
Ryan in Botswana where he was a Bird Abatement Specialist
Ryan also said that he contacted the Dutch embassy for assistance and within two days everything was in order to return to Amsterdam. He is a South African, born and bred, but also has the Dutch passport.
South Africans all over the world are struggling to come back to their home country.
Reading the two stories and being able to have a better understanding of the struggles and hoops that have to be jumped through, puts a new perspective on: the grass is greener on the other side.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, has commended Wild Rangers from the Kruger National Park for arresting seven suspects and recovered illicit goods yesterday.
According to information, the rangers were on duty patrolling along the fence which separates South Africa and Mozambique.
They spotted a group of about 20 men from the side of Mozambique entering the Kruger National Park.
These men started running after being instructed by the rangers to stop.
Seven of them were however apprehended but others managed to flee.
The men were found in possession of illicit cigarettes, liquor as well as skin whitening creams wrapped in black plastic bags estimated to be worth about R 78 000.
The illicit goods that were confiscated were worth R 78 000
Police were notified about the incident and they charged the suspects with several cases including possession of counterfeit cigarettes, liquor, contravention of the Illegal Immigration Act as well as trespassing.
General Zuma has lauded the rangers for their vigilance which yielded positive results as they managed to recover the illicit goods as well as apprehend the suspects.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma
“We are delighted to have such men and women who are eager to fight crime. These rangers managed to intercept several suspects before the illicit goods could reach the targeted market,” said General Zuma.
Meanwhile the arrested suspects are expected to appear at the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 03 August 2020.
All communities serviced by the Secunda Police Station are advised that this police station will be temporarily closed due to a member who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
The Community Service Centre will now be operated at No 06 Laing street opposite PG Glass Secunda.
To access the station, the community should call 079 329 4943, for all emergencies and complaints which will be attended accordingly.
The telephone lines at Secunda Police Station Community Service Centre will not be accessible for the duration of the closure. However, service delivery will not be hampered.
The building will be decontaminated and services will resume normally at the station on Monday, 03 August 2020.
