BEELD 29 12 2005
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Two cops in court on charge of dealing in mandrax
By Hendrick Mphande
Source: The Herald Online
A SENIOR police officer told the regional court yesterday how two police officers were nabbed in a trap in connection with 100 mandrax tablets.
Inspector Leslie Baartman, 38, of Steenbok Street, Gelvandale, and Sergeant Christian Korkie, 39, of Cawood Street, Cleary Park, appeared before magistrate Gert Steyn.
The pair are facing charges of dealing in mandrax, illegal possession of mandrax and defeating the ends of justice. On July 7, 1999, the two were supposed to arrest Marius Knoesen, a man the police used as an agent and who also posed as a drug dealer.
The State alleged that instead of arresting Mr Knoesen, the two officers took the tablets for themselves and never handed them over to the relevant police authorities. The proceedings were recorded on video which was handed in as an exhibit.
Yesterday, Superintendent Andre Knoesen of the special investigating unit in East London recalled how Insp Baartman and Sgt Korkie retrieved 100 mandrax tablets which had been hidden by the agent under a palm tree near Cleary Park shopping centre.
Supt Knoesen testified that at the time of the incident he was 100 metres away from where the agent had placed the tablets just after 2.15pm.
Ten minutes later, Supt Knoesen alleged that he noticed Insp Baartman and Sgt Korkie walking towards the shopping centre and pretending they did not know each other.
“Sgt Korkie walked towards the palm tree while Insp Baartman went back to the red Nissan car.” Apparently Sgt Korkie had a brief conversation with the agent, then grabbed a white envelope containing the drugs and headed to the parked vehicle.
Supt Knoesen said he followed the two to a house, and saw Sgt Korkie tampering with the envelope. They drove to the Mercantile Hospital where they were arrested. Earlier evidence was that the envelope with the drugs was switched before the incident. The case was postponed to August 14.
By Hendrick Mphande
Source: The Herald Online
A SENIOR police officer told the regional court yesterday how two police officers were nabbed in a trap in connection with 100 mandrax tablets.
Inspector Leslie Baartman, 38, of Steenbok Street, Gelvandale, and Sergeant Christian Korkie, 39, of Cawood Street, Cleary Park, appeared before magistrate Gert Steyn.
The pair are facing charges of dealing in mandrax, illegal possession of mandrax and defeating the ends of justice. On July 7, 1999, the two were supposed to arrest Marius Knoesen, a man the police used as an agent and who also posed as a drug dealer.
The State alleged that instead of arresting Mr Knoesen, the two officers took the tablets for themselves and never handed them over to the relevant police authorities. The proceedings were recorded on video which was handed in as an exhibit.
Yesterday, Superintendent Andre Knoesen of the special investigating unit in East London recalled how Insp Baartman and Sgt Korkie retrieved 100 mandrax tablets which had been hidden by the agent under a palm tree near Cleary Park shopping centre.
Supt Knoesen testified that at the time of the incident he was 100 metres away from where the agent had placed the tablets just after 2.15pm.
Ten minutes later, Supt Knoesen alleged that he noticed Insp Baartman and Sgt Korkie walking towards the shopping centre and pretending they did not know each other.
“Sgt Korkie walked towards the palm tree while Insp Baartman went back to the red Nissan car.” Apparently Sgt Korkie had a brief conversation with the agent, then grabbed a white envelope containing the drugs and headed to the parked vehicle.
Supt Knoesen said he followed the two to a house, and saw Sgt Korkie tampering with the envelope. They drove to the Mercantile Hospital where they were arrested. Earlier evidence was that the envelope with the drugs was switched before the incident. The case was postponed to August 14.
Prison head asked for ‘a hug and a kiss’
18 June 2003
Source: Herald Online
Prison head asked for ‘a hug and a kiss’
By Hendrick Mphande
FEISTY psychologist Maryke Vosloo gave graphic details yesterday of improper sexual advances allegedly made by the former head of Medium B prison at St Albans, Tamsanqa Khoza.
Mr Khoza, of Bridgemead, has pleaded not guilty to charges of indecent assault and crimen injuria.
Miss Vosloo recalled the professional working relationship she once had when she started working in Mr Khoza’s Medium B section in 1998.
However, things started to get out of control in April that year “when the boss started making improper advances”, she told the court.
“He called me one day and said he was feeling down and needed a kiss and hug. I replied that he must go and ask his wife,” said Miss Vosloo.
At times, the complainant claimed, Mr Khoza invited her but ordered that her boyfriend shouldn’t know about it.
Defence attorney Kuban Chetty said his client would deny the allegations against him when he testified.
He said Mr Khoza had been in the department of correctional services for 27 years and had never been accused of sexual harassment.
Mr Chetty also said the complainants had certain objectives. By laying charges against his client, he could lose his job and be removed from the department.
On several occasions Miss Vosloo – one of the three women who testified during the Jali Commission in Port Elizabeth – said Mr Khoza suggested taking her to a restaurant at the prison and later outside.
“When I refused all these invitations for dates, he suggested that we must go to Pretoria and tell everybody that we are going on a work-related trip,” she said.
This incident happened between August 1998 and November 1998. Miss Vosloo said she thought the kisses and hugs demanded by Mr Khoza were inappropriate and made her feel uncomfortable when he was around. Every time she entered his office to hand over documents to sign, Miss Vosloo said, Mr Khoza would say he “felt down and begged me for a kiss and a hug”.
She recalled an incident when Mr Khoza allegedly asked her in front of other staff members whether she “touched” men during sex therapy sessions. “I told them the conversation was disgusting and walked away.
“I felt very disgusted and uncomfortable,” she said.
Miss Vosloo is on suspension on charges relating to her giving an inmate a copy of his psychological profile report.
18 June 2003
Source: Herald Online
Prison head asked for ‘a hug and a kiss’
By Hendrick Mphande
FEISTY psychologist Maryke Vosloo gave graphic details yesterday of improper sexual advances allegedly made by the former head of Medium B prison at St Albans, Tamsanqa Khoza.
Mr Khoza, of Bridgemead, has pleaded not guilty to charges of indecent assault and crimen injuria.
Miss Vosloo recalled the professional working relationship she once had when she started working in Mr Khoza’s Medium B section in 1998.
However, things started to get out of control in April that year “when the boss started making improper advances”, she told the court.
“He called me one day and said he was feeling down and needed a kiss and hug. I replied that he must go and ask his wife,” said Miss Vosloo.
At times, the complainant claimed, Mr Khoza invited her but ordered that her boyfriend shouldn’t know about it.
Defence attorney Kuban Chetty said his client would deny the allegations against him when he testified.
He said Mr Khoza had been in the department of correctional services for 27 years and had never been accused of sexual harassment.
Mr Chetty also said the complainants had certain objectives. By laying charges against his client, he could lose his job and be removed from the department.
On several occasions Miss Vosloo – one of the three women who testified during the Jali Commission in Port Elizabeth – said Mr Khoza suggested taking her to a restaurant at the prison and later outside.
“When I refused all these invitations for dates, he suggested that we must go to Pretoria and tell everybody that we are going on a work-related trip,” she said.
This incident happened between August 1998 and November 1998. Miss Vosloo said she thought the kisses and hugs demanded by Mr Khoza were inappropriate and made her feel uncomfortable when he was around. Every time she entered his office to hand over documents to sign, Miss Vosloo said, Mr Khoza would say he “felt down and begged me for a kiss and a hug”.
She recalled an incident when Mr Khoza allegedly asked her in front of other staff members whether she “touched” men during sex therapy sessions. “I told them the conversation was disgusting and walked away.
“I felt very disgusted and uncomfortable,” she said.
Miss Vosloo is on suspension on charges relating to her giving an inmate a copy of his psychological profile report.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Cop slapped me, smashed my head against wall – mother
By Heidi Bantam
Source: The Herald Online
Nobantu Poro with a wound sustained when a policeman allegedly slammed her head against wall.
A PORT Elizabeth woman has laid an assault charge against a policeman, claiming he slapped her and rammed her head into a wall....
By Heidi Bantam
Source: The Herald Online
Nobantu Poro with a wound sustained when a policeman allegedly slammed her head against wall.
A PORT Elizabeth woman has laid an assault charge against a policeman, claiming he slapped her and rammed her head into a wall....
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Swartkops businessman ‘pulled from car, assaulted by police’ 18 June 2003
By Helga van Staaden
Source: The Herald Online
A PROMINENT Swartkops businessman was allegedly assaulted by two policemen dressed in civilian clothes last night....
Businessman DawieGrundlingh
Swartkops businessman ‘pulled from car, assaulted by police’
By Helga van Staaden
A PROMINENT Swartkops businessman was allegedly assaulted by two policemen dressed in civilian clothes last night.
Speaking from the St George’s Hospital late last night, Dawie Grundlingh, 43, the owner of several businesses in the Swartkops area including the Swartkops Yacht Club, was still traumatised by the incident.
Mr Grundlingh said he was involved in a minor accident around 8pm and on his way to the Swartkops police station to report it when a car swerved in front of him on the Swartkops bridge, causing him to stop.
He later noticed a police van behind the car.
Mr Grundlingh said the two men, dressed in civilian clothing, pulled him out of his car and started assaulting him. He said a third, unidentified, man was also involved in the assault.
“The two men did not identify themselves. They just asked me where I was going. I explained that I was on my way to the Swartkops police station to report the accident. They just pulled me from my vehicle and started assaulting me.
“They threw me down on the ground and kicked me in the side multiple times before they dragged me on the tar road,” said a traumatised Mr Grundlingh.
Mr Grundlingh, who suffers from a number of ailments, including asthma, said he lost consciousness while one of the men throttled him.
They then threw him in the back of the police van and drove him at high speed to the police station. Because of the commotion on the bridge, traffic came to a standstill.
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Once at the police station, Mr Grundlingh phoned his lawyer, Hans Bester, who said last night he could not understand why the policemen took Mr Grundlingh to the police station if they never laid any charges against him.
“On my arrival at the police station, the policemen could not answer any of my questions and just said my client would not be charged with anything,” Mr Bester said.
Still in pain last night, Mr Grundlingh said he opened a case of assault against the two policemen and the unidentified man.
He was apparently urinating blood and would have to undergo further tests today.
Ironically, Mr Grundlingh is one of the sponsors who make a monthly contribution to the police station to ensure that regular safety patrols are held.
Police spokesman Inspector Thembi Gwe last night confirmed that the two policemen were from the KwaDwesi police station and that a case of assault was opened against them by Mr Grundlingh. She said the case would be investigated.
Mr Grundlingh urged anyone who witnessed the assault to contact the police station
By Helga van Staaden
Source: The Herald Online
A PROMINENT Swartkops businessman was allegedly assaulted by two policemen dressed in civilian clothes last night....
Businessman DawieGrundlingh
Swartkops businessman ‘pulled from car, assaulted by police’
By Helga van Staaden
A PROMINENT Swartkops businessman was allegedly assaulted by two policemen dressed in civilian clothes last night.
Speaking from the St George’s Hospital late last night, Dawie Grundlingh, 43, the owner of several businesses in the Swartkops area including the Swartkops Yacht Club, was still traumatised by the incident.
Mr Grundlingh said he was involved in a minor accident around 8pm and on his way to the Swartkops police station to report it when a car swerved in front of him on the Swartkops bridge, causing him to stop.
He later noticed a police van behind the car.
Mr Grundlingh said the two men, dressed in civilian clothing, pulled him out of his car and started assaulting him. He said a third, unidentified, man was also involved in the assault.
“The two men did not identify themselves. They just asked me where I was going. I explained that I was on my way to the Swartkops police station to report the accident. They just pulled me from my vehicle and started assaulting me.
“They threw me down on the ground and kicked me in the side multiple times before they dragged me on the tar road,” said a traumatised Mr Grundlingh.
Mr Grundlingh, who suffers from a number of ailments, including asthma, said he lost consciousness while one of the men throttled him.
They then threw him in the back of the police van and drove him at high speed to the police station. Because of the commotion on the bridge, traffic came to a standstill.
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Once at the police station, Mr Grundlingh phoned his lawyer, Hans Bester, who said last night he could not understand why the policemen took Mr Grundlingh to the police station if they never laid any charges against him.
“On my arrival at the police station, the policemen could not answer any of my questions and just said my client would not be charged with anything,” Mr Bester said.
Still in pain last night, Mr Grundlingh said he opened a case of assault against the two policemen and the unidentified man.
He was apparently urinating blood and would have to undergo further tests today.
Ironically, Mr Grundlingh is one of the sponsors who make a monthly contribution to the police station to ensure that regular safety patrols are held.
Police spokesman Inspector Thembi Gwe last night confirmed that the two policemen were from the KwaDwesi police station and that a case of assault was opened against them by Mr Grundlingh. She said the case would be investigated.
Mr Grundlingh urged anyone who witnessed the assault to contact the police station
Scorpions’ raid on ex-PE man’s home unlawful
By Lourens Schoeman
Source: The Herald Online
THE Scorpions’ raid on the home of former Port Elizabeth businessman Ronnie Watson was yesterday declared unlawful.
The Sandton house of Mr Watson, youngest brother of Port Elizabeth apartheid-era rugby stars Cheeky, Gavin and Valence Watson, was raided on November 14 last year. The raid was as part of an investigation involving a civil litigation between Durban Roodepoort Deep and Johannesburg businessman Roger Kebble.
Witwatersrand High Court Judge L Goldblatt yesterday ruled that the manner in which the search warrant had been executed had been unlawful and the warrant was set aside.
He also set the decision to authorise the search warrant aside. Judge Goldblatt ordered that all documents and/or tape recordings, as well as copies thereof, seized during the raid, be returned to Mr Watson.
He further prohibited the Minister of Justice, Minister of Safety and Security and the Special Commercial Crimes Unit from using the documentation, or information gleaned from it for any criminal or civil proceedings.
The respondents were also ordered to pay the costs of the application, including the costs of both counsels.
In reaction last night, Mr Watson said the case raised a number of serious concerns.
“Are you in fact safe in your home? When a policeman knocks on your door, are you as a law-abiding citizen entitled to assume that objective and fair justice is being applied to you by a disinterested but effective police force?
“Every man’s home is his castle. When that knock comes on your door, can you trust that the ends being served by the police are legitimate, or must you assume or suspect that he may be there under the guise of a policeman, but actually serving a commercial or personal enemy?
“This case brings to light the very grave concerns that we as citizens should have. That the Bill of Rights and the right to privacy, so hard won since 1994, could be so easily given up and undermined by allowing third parties and individuals, with money, to usurp the powers of the police for their own ends,” he said.
“If this has happened in this case, how many other cases might it have happened in and are we as ordinary citizens entitled to trust in and rely on the objectivity of the police?” Mr Watson asked.
By Lourens Schoeman
Source: The Herald Online
THE Scorpions’ raid on the home of former Port Elizabeth businessman Ronnie Watson was yesterday declared unlawful.
The Sandton house of Mr Watson, youngest brother of Port Elizabeth apartheid-era rugby stars Cheeky, Gavin and Valence Watson, was raided on November 14 last year. The raid was as part of an investigation involving a civil litigation between Durban Roodepoort Deep and Johannesburg businessman Roger Kebble.
Witwatersrand High Court Judge L Goldblatt yesterday ruled that the manner in which the search warrant had been executed had been unlawful and the warrant was set aside.
He also set the decision to authorise the search warrant aside. Judge Goldblatt ordered that all documents and/or tape recordings, as well as copies thereof, seized during the raid, be returned to Mr Watson.
He further prohibited the Minister of Justice, Minister of Safety and Security and the Special Commercial Crimes Unit from using the documentation, or information gleaned from it for any criminal or civil proceedings.
The respondents were also ordered to pay the costs of the application, including the costs of both counsels.
In reaction last night, Mr Watson said the case raised a number of serious concerns.
“Are you in fact safe in your home? When a policeman knocks on your door, are you as a law-abiding citizen entitled to assume that objective and fair justice is being applied to you by a disinterested but effective police force?
“Every man’s home is his castle. When that knock comes on your door, can you trust that the ends being served by the police are legitimate, or must you assume or suspect that he may be there under the guise of a policeman, but actually serving a commercial or personal enemy?
“This case brings to light the very grave concerns that we as citizens should have. That the Bill of Rights and the right to privacy, so hard won since 1994, could be so easily given up and undermined by allowing third parties and individuals, with money, to usurp the powers of the police for their own ends,” he said.
“If this has happened in this case, how many other cases might it have happened in and are we as ordinary citizens entitled to trust in and rely on the objectivity of the police?” Mr Watson asked.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Ex-MK man jailed for rape bid and murder
By Cecile Greyling
Source: The Herald Online
Grahamstown – Unemployed former Umkhonto we Sizwe sergeant-major Mzimkhulu Jam, 33, has been jailed for 26 years for the rape and murder under an Eastern Cape bridge of hospital cleaner Nosipho Vika, 21, of Quigney, East London.
Earlier in his trial, Jam confessed to throttling to death and raping Miss Vika on July 21, 2001, near the N6 between Stutterheim and Cathcart.
On Friday, Judge Eric Leach sentenced Jam to 20 years for murder, 10 years for attempted rape and three years for theft of her cellphone. However, five years of the attempted rape sentence and two years of the theft sentence will run concurrently.
The judge said it was “extremely fortunate” for Jam that the State could not prove that Miss Vika was still alive when he raped her, as this would have evoked a heavier sentence.
Delivering sentence, the judge said he wanted men to know that they could not pick up girls and “just have their way with them”.
Prosecutor Graham Bursey had called for the minimum life sentence, but Judge Leach said the State had not proved that Jam had the direct intention of killing Miss Vika. The State could also not prove she had been alive when she was raped, which technically constituted attempted rape.
A week after Nosipho disappeared, her mother Xoliswa made a heartfelt plea on radio for help, and for Nosipho to come back home. Her body was found three days later.
The judge accepted Jam’s confession, in which he said Nosipho had escaped from his car window and rolled down an embankment. When she refused him sex, he throttled her. – ECN
By Cecile Greyling
Source: The Herald Online
Grahamstown – Unemployed former Umkhonto we Sizwe sergeant-major Mzimkhulu Jam, 33, has been jailed for 26 years for the rape and murder under an Eastern Cape bridge of hospital cleaner Nosipho Vika, 21, of Quigney, East London.
Earlier in his trial, Jam confessed to throttling to death and raping Miss Vika on July 21, 2001, near the N6 between Stutterheim and Cathcart.
On Friday, Judge Eric Leach sentenced Jam to 20 years for murder, 10 years for attempted rape and three years for theft of her cellphone. However, five years of the attempted rape sentence and two years of the theft sentence will run concurrently.
The judge said it was “extremely fortunate” for Jam that the State could not prove that Miss Vika was still alive when he raped her, as this would have evoked a heavier sentence.
Delivering sentence, the judge said he wanted men to know that they could not pick up girls and “just have their way with them”.
Prosecutor Graham Bursey had called for the minimum life sentence, but Judge Leach said the State had not proved that Jam had the direct intention of killing Miss Vika. The State could also not prove she had been alive when she was raped, which technically constituted attempted rape.
A week after Nosipho disappeared, her mother Xoliswa made a heartfelt plea on radio for help, and for Nosipho to come back home. Her body was found three days later.
The judge accepted Jam’s confession, in which he said Nosipho had escaped from his car window and rolled down an embankment. When she refused him sex, he throttled her. – ECN
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Police seen as being ‘the most corrupt’
Report by Sapa
Source: The Herald Online
Cape Town – THE police are perceived as being the most corrupt public service officials in the country, a government survey has found.
The government yesterday officially launched its Country Corruption Assessment Report on South Africa.
But it warned the document had “serious shortcomings” and was based on inadequate data.
The 148-page report has taken two years to prepare and is a joint effort between government and the Southern African regional office of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
Among its main findings are that corruption appears to have increased in South Africa, and both private citizens and business perceive the police to be the most corrupt public service officials in the country.
According to the report, “there is no doubt that South Africans perceive that there is a lot of corruption”.
It says 41 per cent of those surveyed saw corruption as “one of the most important problems which should be addressed”, while 39 per cent believed it to be a “common occurrence”.
Eleven per cent of households surveyed said they had experienced corruption, compared to two per cent in a similar survey three years earlier.
“The public servants most associated with corruption, both for the citizens and businesses, appear to be the police.
“All surveys indicate that police officers are the most vulnerable to corruption, followed by customs, local government, home affairs and court officials.
“The majority of those surveyed felt that government was not doing enough to combat corruption. However, this perception is not uniform across ethnic groups and is held mainly by specific communities,” the report says.
Commenting on the report, Deputy Provincial and Local Government Minister Ntombazana Botha said the fight against corruption was “one of government’s top priorities”.
However, the report suffered from some “serious shortcomings”.
“We don’t have adequate data . . . there are things we still need to put in a report like this,” Miss Botha said.
The report, which aims to “serve as a baseline to measure progress in combating and preventing corruption”, says no central database on corruption exists in South Africa.
Report by Sapa
Source: The Herald Online
Cape Town – THE police are perceived as being the most corrupt public service officials in the country, a government survey has found.
The government yesterday officially launched its Country Corruption Assessment Report on South Africa.
But it warned the document had “serious shortcomings” and was based on inadequate data.
The 148-page report has taken two years to prepare and is a joint effort between government and the Southern African regional office of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
Among its main findings are that corruption appears to have increased in South Africa, and both private citizens and business perceive the police to be the most corrupt public service officials in the country.
According to the report, “there is no doubt that South Africans perceive that there is a lot of corruption”.
It says 41 per cent of those surveyed saw corruption as “one of the most important problems which should be addressed”, while 39 per cent believed it to be a “common occurrence”.
Eleven per cent of households surveyed said they had experienced corruption, compared to two per cent in a similar survey three years earlier.
“The public servants most associated with corruption, both for the citizens and businesses, appear to be the police.
“All surveys indicate that police officers are the most vulnerable to corruption, followed by customs, local government, home affairs and court officials.
“The majority of those surveyed felt that government was not doing enough to combat corruption. However, this perception is not uniform across ethnic groups and is held mainly by specific communities,” the report says.
Commenting on the report, Deputy Provincial and Local Government Minister Ntombazana Botha said the fight against corruption was “one of government’s top priorities”.
However, the report suffered from some “serious shortcomings”.
“We don’t have adequate data . . . there are things we still need to put in a report like this,” Miss Botha said.
The report, which aims to “serve as a baseline to measure progress in combating and preventing corruption”, says no central database on corruption exists in South Africa.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Cop ‘stole prosecutor’s stamp to quash fines’
Charged: Inspector Donovan Arends
By Heidi Bantam
A SENIOR policeman has been charged with stealing a prosecutor’s stamp and using it to cancel traffic fines....
Source: The Herald Online
Charged: Inspector Donovan Arends
By Heidi Bantam
A SENIOR policeman has been charged with stealing a prosecutor’s stamp and using it to cancel traffic fines....
Source: The Herald Online
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Policewoman told of probe over speaking to media
By Cecile Greyling
Source: The Herald Online
Grahamstown – A junior policewoman has been told she is being investigated by a national task team on suspicion of talking to the media about her transfer to a station in Ciskei.
The sergeant, who had not been named, said yesterday she was feeling increasing pressure from police management. She had been “called in by her captain” and was later told by another captain from the Grahamstown area headquarters that she was being investigated and had to “come in and make a statement”.
It was reported earlier that the sacking of eight directors had been done in great secrecy and that anyone who spoke to the media faced instant dismissal without pay. However, provincial police spokesman Marinda Mills said there was “no instruction” and “no mention” of a witch-hunt to smoke out disgruntled policemen who had been talking to the media. “It seems that captain is throwing out fish to see who takes the bait.”
She said any member who suspected they were being investigated should ask for a written copy of any instructions and should contact their area commissioner. She said the police did have official channels to address grievances. “We do have a policy that steps may be taken against members who bring the name of the service in disrepute.”
More than 200 Eastern Cape policemen have joined forces with attorneys from Grahamstown and Port Elizabeth in legal action against their placements. – ECN
By Cecile Greyling
Source: The Herald Online
Grahamstown – A junior policewoman has been told she is being investigated by a national task team on suspicion of talking to the media about her transfer to a station in Ciskei.
The sergeant, who had not been named, said yesterday she was feeling increasing pressure from police management. She had been “called in by her captain” and was later told by another captain from the Grahamstown area headquarters that she was being investigated and had to “come in and make a statement”.
It was reported earlier that the sacking of eight directors had been done in great secrecy and that anyone who spoke to the media faced instant dismissal without pay. However, provincial police spokesman Marinda Mills said there was “no instruction” and “no mention” of a witch-hunt to smoke out disgruntled policemen who had been talking to the media. “It seems that captain is throwing out fish to see who takes the bait.”
She said any member who suspected they were being investigated should ask for a written copy of any instructions and should contact their area commissioner. She said the police did have official channels to address grievances. “We do have a policy that steps may be taken against members who bring the name of the service in disrepute.”
More than 200 Eastern Cape policemen have joined forces with attorneys from Grahamstown and Port Elizabeth in legal action against their placements. – ECN
Crimes of the South African Police Service
‘Cops helped kleptomaniac’
Source: The Herald Online
Johannesburg – Two former policemen who helped a kleptomaniac woman escape into the ceiling in Sandton City have been convicted of corruption and will be sentenced on May 8.
Brenton Klopper, 28, and Wolfgang Wiese, 26, appeared in the Johannesburg regional court yesterday for sentencing, but the case was postponed because the probation officer’s report was not ready.
The court previously heard evidence from a slightly-built, “very embarrassed” businesswoman that she had been arrested eight times in all for theft of items she did not really need and could easily have paid for, and had been convicted five times for shoplifting.
She was receiving treatment for being a kleptomaniac.
The elegantly-dressed woman said she was caught shoplifting at Stuttafords on September 9, 2000. She took a chance and asked Klopper and Wiese if there was any way she could “avoid” the situation.
She was asked if she had any money on her and replied that she had a few hundred rands.
Klopper and Wiese helped her escape into the ceiling through an open trapdoor.
The woman became lost and crawled around in the ceiling for two hours. Eventually she was re-arrested. The policemen denied her testimony. – Sapa
Source: The Herald Online
Johannesburg – Two former policemen who helped a kleptomaniac woman escape into the ceiling in Sandton City have been convicted of corruption and will be sentenced on May 8.
Brenton Klopper, 28, and Wolfgang Wiese, 26, appeared in the Johannesburg regional court yesterday for sentencing, but the case was postponed because the probation officer’s report was not ready.
The court previously heard evidence from a slightly-built, “very embarrassed” businesswoman that she had been arrested eight times in all for theft of items she did not really need and could easily have paid for, and had been convicted five times for shoplifting.
She was receiving treatment for being a kleptomaniac.
The elegantly-dressed woman said she was caught shoplifting at Stuttafords on September 9, 2000. She took a chance and asked Klopper and Wiese if there was any way she could “avoid” the situation.
She was asked if she had any money on her and replied that she had a few hundred rands.
Klopper and Wiese helped her escape into the ceiling through an open trapdoor.
The woman became lost and crawled around in the ceiling for two hours. Eventually she was re-arrested. The policemen denied her testimony. – Sapa
Crimes of the South African Police Service
389 escapes from custody reported
Herald Correspondent
Source: The Herald Online
EAST LONDON – In the six months between March and August this year, 389 people have escaped from custody – ranging from escapes from police cells and prisons to places of safety.
This does not include the escape of 13 awaiting-trial prisoners from the Coffee Bay police cells on Friday, and the escape of nine awaiting-trial prisoners from the Dordrecht prison on Monday.
Provincial police spokesman Superintendent Theodora Mngconkola confirmed the figures yesterday.
A breakdown of escapes shows the highest number in the Umtata area (153), followed by the Queenstown area (78), Port Elizabeth (35), Drakensberg (32) and East London (31).
The Uitenhage area had 25 escapes during the period examined, the Karoo had 20 escapes and the Grahamstown area the least at 15.
The provincial safety and liaison department’s annual report stated that about 80 per cent of escapes from Transkei police cells were preventable.
A team has been established to investigate the escapes and is to report back to the legislature on its findings
Herald Correspondent
Source: The Herald Online
EAST LONDON – In the six months between March and August this year, 389 people have escaped from custody – ranging from escapes from police cells and prisons to places of safety.
This does not include the escape of 13 awaiting-trial prisoners from the Coffee Bay police cells on Friday, and the escape of nine awaiting-trial prisoners from the Dordrecht prison on Monday.
Provincial police spokesman Superintendent Theodora Mngconkola confirmed the figures yesterday.
A breakdown of escapes shows the highest number in the Umtata area (153), followed by the Queenstown area (78), Port Elizabeth (35), Drakensberg (32) and East London (31).
The Uitenhage area had 25 escapes during the period examined, the Karoo had 20 escapes and the Grahamstown area the least at 15.
The provincial safety and liaison department’s annual report stated that about 80 per cent of escapes from Transkei police cells were preventable.
A team has been established to investigate the escapes and is to report back to the legislature on its findings
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Five prisoners still on the run
Herald Correspondent
Source: The Herald Online
QUEENSTOWN – Five of nine awaiting-trial prisoners, who left behind a bloody trail as they stabbed and assaulted six police and prison officials during their escape from Dordrecht prison on Monday evening, were still on the run yesterday.
Four escapees were back in custody by yesterday afternoon.
The nine, brandishing knives, overpowered the correctional services members and policemen who were unlocking a cell at 5.30pm at the Dordrecht prison.
The policemen, all from Elliot, were assisting the Dordrecht prison staff to admit another awaiting-trial prisoner to the cell when they were attacked.
Provincial correctional services department spokesman Thembisa Spambo said yesterday the nine suspects fled through the main gate of the prison into nearby mountains in the direction of Transkei.
Two of them, Michael Tafeni and Nkosinathi Tafeni, were held in connection with the murder of former Maclear mayor Martie Scheppel on her farm on January 20 and the murders of Elliot farming couple, Kevin and Lou McGregor, on March 25.
A third, Xolile Thomas, was also held in connection with the Scheppel murder.
The other escapees are: Manzana Breakfast charged with murder and robbery; Simpiwe Mangela, Simpiwe Manakana and Vuyisile Diko, all charged with murder; Tobile Waluwake charged with rape; and Zamekile Mpathi charged with armed robbery.
Michael Tafeni and Breakfast were rearrested near the prison premises shortly after their escape, while Mangela and Diko were rearrested during the day yesterday.
Sergeant Kanyisile Hlazo was stabbed in the neck and back, Sgt Kayalethu Dwayinga in the shoulder and Sgt Vuyani Bhodlo’s left leg was broken.
Sgt Spambo confirmed that correctional services member Waldo Badenhorst was stabbed six times, and colleague Mabutana Prusenti was stabbed in the head.
Prison official Fezile Boniswa, who was manning the front gate, was cut on the hands.
Mr Badenhorst was in a stable condition in St Dominic’s Hospital in East London, while Mr Prusenti was due to be discharged from hospital today.
All the other injured were in a stable condition
Herald Correspondent
Source: The Herald Online
QUEENSTOWN – Five of nine awaiting-trial prisoners, who left behind a bloody trail as they stabbed and assaulted six police and prison officials during their escape from Dordrecht prison on Monday evening, were still on the run yesterday.
Four escapees were back in custody by yesterday afternoon.
The nine, brandishing knives, overpowered the correctional services members and policemen who were unlocking a cell at 5.30pm at the Dordrecht prison.
The policemen, all from Elliot, were assisting the Dordrecht prison staff to admit another awaiting-trial prisoner to the cell when they were attacked.
Provincial correctional services department spokesman Thembisa Spambo said yesterday the nine suspects fled through the main gate of the prison into nearby mountains in the direction of Transkei.
Two of them, Michael Tafeni and Nkosinathi Tafeni, were held in connection with the murder of former Maclear mayor Martie Scheppel on her farm on January 20 and the murders of Elliot farming couple, Kevin and Lou McGregor, on March 25.
A third, Xolile Thomas, was also held in connection with the Scheppel murder.
The other escapees are: Manzana Breakfast charged with murder and robbery; Simpiwe Mangela, Simpiwe Manakana and Vuyisile Diko, all charged with murder; Tobile Waluwake charged with rape; and Zamekile Mpathi charged with armed robbery.
Michael Tafeni and Breakfast were rearrested near the prison premises shortly after their escape, while Mangela and Diko were rearrested during the day yesterday.
Sergeant Kanyisile Hlazo was stabbed in the neck and back, Sgt Kayalethu Dwayinga in the shoulder and Sgt Vuyani Bhodlo’s left leg was broken.
Sgt Spambo confirmed that correctional services member Waldo Badenhorst was stabbed six times, and colleague Mabutana Prusenti was stabbed in the head.
Prison official Fezile Boniswa, who was manning the front gate, was cut on the hands.
Mr Badenhorst was in a stable condition in St Dominic’s Hospital in East London, while Mr Prusenti was due to be discharged from hospital today.
All the other injured were in a stable condition
Court orderly charged with corruption
By Hendrick Mphande
Source: The Herald Online
A PORT Elizabeth court orderly facing corruption and theft charges involving the alleged acceptance of R300 from a motorist made a brief appearance in the regional court yesterday.
Inspector Brian Naidoo, 40, of Romulea Street, Malabar, was represented by attorney Anne Swanepoel. He was not asked to plead and no evidence was led.
His appearance stemmed from a January 30 incident when he allegedly ordered Ntutuzelo Patrick Mahini to give him R300 in exchange for removing charges against him.
The charge against Insp Naidoo follows Mr Mahini being found guilty in the traffic court and ordered to pay an R400 fine. Insp Naidoo allegedly walked out of the courtroom and approached Mr Mahini, promising to destroy court documents for a payment of R300.
A shocked Mr Mahini immediately contacted court officials, and the inspector was taken in for questioning.
By Hendrick Mphande
Source: The Herald Online
A PORT Elizabeth court orderly facing corruption and theft charges involving the alleged acceptance of R300 from a motorist made a brief appearance in the regional court yesterday.
Inspector Brian Naidoo, 40, of Romulea Street, Malabar, was represented by attorney Anne Swanepoel. He was not asked to plead and no evidence was led.
His appearance stemmed from a January 30 incident when he allegedly ordered Ntutuzelo Patrick Mahini to give him R300 in exchange for removing charges against him.
The charge against Insp Naidoo follows Mr Mahini being found guilty in the traffic court and ordered to pay an R400 fine. Insp Naidoo allegedly walked out of the courtroom and approached Mr Mahini, promising to destroy court documents for a payment of R300.
A shocked Mr Mahini immediately contacted court officials, and the inspector was taken in for questioning.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Media cop back behind bars for robbery
By Denver Donian
Source: The Herald Online
King William’s Town – Former police media officer Sibongile Ndyoko is back behind bars in connection with an armed robbery in Gonubie on Tuesday.
Mr Ndyoko, 33, who was dismissed from the police service in July 2002, was arrested at a flat in Buffalo Flats about 2pm yesterday.
He was arrested as a result of information given to police by four suspects arrested in Southernwood in connection with the armed robbery of local businessman, Luis De Matos, 33.
Mr De Matos was robbed of R300 000 in cash and phone cards and a Colt bakkie by five men, two of whom were armed, outside his house in Gonubie at 10pm on Tuesday.
Mr Ndyoko and the four suspects, three from Cape Town and one from Port Elizabeth, aged between 25 and 34, will appear in court next week. Mr Ndyoko is currently out on bail of R1 000 on a charge of illegal possession of a gun. He was arrested after a failed armed robbery at Kentucky Fried Chicken here in July last year.
By Denver Donian
Source: The Herald Online
King William’s Town – Former police media officer Sibongile Ndyoko is back behind bars in connection with an armed robbery in Gonubie on Tuesday.
Mr Ndyoko, 33, who was dismissed from the police service in July 2002, was arrested at a flat in Buffalo Flats about 2pm yesterday.
He was arrested as a result of information given to police by four suspects arrested in Southernwood in connection with the armed robbery of local businessman, Luis De Matos, 33.
Mr De Matos was robbed of R300 000 in cash and phone cards and a Colt bakkie by five men, two of whom were armed, outside his house in Gonubie at 10pm on Tuesday.
Mr Ndyoko and the four suspects, three from Cape Town and one from Port Elizabeth, aged between 25 and 34, will appear in court next week. Mr Ndyoko is currently out on bail of R1 000 on a charge of illegal possession of a gun. He was arrested after a failed armed robbery at Kentucky Fried Chicken here in July last year.
Warder’s torment - "she was assaulted and almost raped by another warder..."
By Heidi Bantam
Source: The Herald Online
A WOMAN warder who tried to commit suicide in front of her colleagues at Patensie prison this week has told of her traumatic fight for justice after she was assaulted and almost raped by another warder three years ago.
At Hunterscraig Psychiatric Hospital yesterday, mother-of-two divorcee Margaret Brown, 40, repeatedly broke down and sobbed as she told how her life turned into a nightmare when Humansdorp warder Mongamele Nonzube attacked her in her home on the Patensie prison grounds.
He was found guilty in the Humansdorp magistrate’s court of assault and sentenced to five years in jail. He appealed against the decision and although Mrs Brown was told this week the appeal had been turned down, he is still not in jail.
Mrs Brown has to live with the trauma of seeing him daily at work.
“I’ve had to sit with this problem for three years. I’m so sick and tired, I can’t take it anymore.
“I feel as if I was treated like the perpetrator and he the victim.
“I didn’t know I had to suffer after the law ran its course,” she said.
In 2000, Nonzube showed up at her home, attempted to rape her and viciously assaulted her.
She has since had to constantly endure seeing her attacker and reliving the memory of the attack.
She said she snapped on Monday after she called the investigating officer for an update on the case.
“He said, ‘Why? That’s confidential.’
“I told him that as the complainant I have the right to be informed. He said he gave a copy of the docket to the prison’s area manager and I should get it from him.”
She eventually managed to obtain the docket.Then, to her horror, she discovered that his appeal had been turned down almost a month ago, but he was still free.
“The date of the outcome was March 19, 2003. Monday was April 14. I thought, ‘When is he going to prison?’ ”
When she asked her area manager why the warder was not yet in jail, he said Nonzube needed to be “prepared”. “But prepared for what?” she asked.
On Tuesday she went to a security post at the prison at lunchtime and told the guard on duty that she would relieve him. He gave her his service pistol.
“I thought that if I shot myself all the suffering would come to an end. I and my kids have suffered. It was never my intention to hurt anyone.”
By Heidi Bantam
Source: The Herald Online
A WOMAN warder who tried to commit suicide in front of her colleagues at Patensie prison this week has told of her traumatic fight for justice after she was assaulted and almost raped by another warder three years ago.
At Hunterscraig Psychiatric Hospital yesterday, mother-of-two divorcee Margaret Brown, 40, repeatedly broke down and sobbed as she told how her life turned into a nightmare when Humansdorp warder Mongamele Nonzube attacked her in her home on the Patensie prison grounds.
He was found guilty in the Humansdorp magistrate’s court of assault and sentenced to five years in jail. He appealed against the decision and although Mrs Brown was told this week the appeal had been turned down, he is still not in jail.
Mrs Brown has to live with the trauma of seeing him daily at work.
“I’ve had to sit with this problem for three years. I’m so sick and tired, I can’t take it anymore.
“I feel as if I was treated like the perpetrator and he the victim.
“I didn’t know I had to suffer after the law ran its course,” she said.
In 2000, Nonzube showed up at her home, attempted to rape her and viciously assaulted her.
She has since had to constantly endure seeing her attacker and reliving the memory of the attack.
She said she snapped on Monday after she called the investigating officer for an update on the case.
“He said, ‘Why? That’s confidential.’
“I told him that as the complainant I have the right to be informed. He said he gave a copy of the docket to the prison’s area manager and I should get it from him.”
She eventually managed to obtain the docket.Then, to her horror, she discovered that his appeal had been turned down almost a month ago, but he was still free.
“The date of the outcome was March 19, 2003. Monday was April 14. I thought, ‘When is he going to prison?’ ”
When she asked her area manager why the warder was not yet in jail, he said Nonzube needed to be “prepared”. “But prepared for what?” she asked.
On Tuesday she went to a security post at the prison at lunchtime and told the guard on duty that she would relieve him. He gave her his service pistol.
“I thought that if I shot myself all the suffering would come to an end. I and my kids have suffered. It was never my intention to hurt anyone.”
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Top cop out over transfer to Bisho
By Guy Rogers
Source: The Herald Online
TOP cop and anti-poaching stalwart Director Wayne Hackart was declared “in excess” because he refused a transfer to Bisho, a reliable source said yesterday.
The officer, who did not want to be identified, was commenting on the shock sidelining this week of Dir Hackart, one of the most respected senior policemen in the province.
He was the youngest officer in the country’s history, at the age of 32, to reach the rank of director (previously colonel). On Wednesday, however, he cleared out his office at Mount Road police station and was booked off on indefinite leave for stress.
Insp Morne (Fires) van Vuuren, operations chief of the perlemoen anti-poaching task team, said yesterday that Dir Hackart’s work had been much admired.
“He’s one of the best officers I’ve worked under in the Eastern Cape, especially in the area of operational planning.”
He said it was not clear when new appointments would be made to head the provincial crime prevention unit or the perlemoen task team, both positions occupied by Dir Hackart.
It is understood that it was Port Elizabeth’s exploding illegal perlemoen trade and the director’s general aptitude for operational planning, which he demonstrated during his tour of duty in Umtata, that prompted his deployment here from Transkei a year ago.
But it is reported that provincial police headquarters was arguing that the director “does not have a post” in Port Elizabeth.
“In terms of the ‘Resolution 7’ restructuring programme, they offered him a senior post but said he had to move to Bisho. He refused, so they told him he was ‘in excess’.”
Theoretically, this means that police human resources will look at placing Dir Hackart elsewhere in the country or failing this in another government department.
If nothing is available or he is not happy with the placement, he will be offered a package – meaning the police and the public, besieged by crime, could lose one of their most highly-trained and, by all accounts, dedicated officers.
Approached for comment, provincial police spokesman Snr Supt Marinda Mills said yesterday that Commissioner Ross Mpongoma was fully up to date with Dir Hackart’s case. “But he refrains from commenting on individual cases within the broader restructuring process.”
Police also confirmed yesterday that another senior policeman, Supt Willem Wilken, who was also involved in fighting perlemoen poaching, has been booked off with stress.
By Guy Rogers
Source: The Herald Online
TOP cop and anti-poaching stalwart Director Wayne Hackart was declared “in excess” because he refused a transfer to Bisho, a reliable source said yesterday.
The officer, who did not want to be identified, was commenting on the shock sidelining this week of Dir Hackart, one of the most respected senior policemen in the province.
He was the youngest officer in the country’s history, at the age of 32, to reach the rank of director (previously colonel). On Wednesday, however, he cleared out his office at Mount Road police station and was booked off on indefinite leave for stress.
Insp Morne (Fires) van Vuuren, operations chief of the perlemoen anti-poaching task team, said yesterday that Dir Hackart’s work had been much admired.
“He’s one of the best officers I’ve worked under in the Eastern Cape, especially in the area of operational planning.”
He said it was not clear when new appointments would be made to head the provincial crime prevention unit or the perlemoen task team, both positions occupied by Dir Hackart.
It is understood that it was Port Elizabeth’s exploding illegal perlemoen trade and the director’s general aptitude for operational planning, which he demonstrated during his tour of duty in Umtata, that prompted his deployment here from Transkei a year ago.
But it is reported that provincial police headquarters was arguing that the director “does not have a post” in Port Elizabeth.
“In terms of the ‘Resolution 7’ restructuring programme, they offered him a senior post but said he had to move to Bisho. He refused, so they told him he was ‘in excess’.”
Theoretically, this means that police human resources will look at placing Dir Hackart elsewhere in the country or failing this in another government department.
If nothing is available or he is not happy with the placement, he will be offered a package – meaning the police and the public, besieged by crime, could lose one of their most highly-trained and, by all accounts, dedicated officers.
Approached for comment, provincial police spokesman Snr Supt Marinda Mills said yesterday that Commissioner Ross Mpongoma was fully up to date with Dir Hackart’s case. “But he refrains from commenting on individual cases within the broader restructuring process.”
Police also confirmed yesterday that another senior policeman, Supt Willem Wilken, who was also involved in fighting perlemoen poaching, has been booked off with stress.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Cops in rape ‘cover-up’ shock
By Sam Mkokeli
Source: The Herald Online
TWO policemen in Uitenhage allegedly threatened to kill a 12-year-old rape victim in a bid to silence her and protect the rapist, believed to be their friend.
But the girl broke down and finally told her family, who laid a complaint. Now police are investigating both the rape and the alleged cover-up.
The traumatised child said in an interview yesterday that the policemen warned her they would “hire men to kill me”.
The girl, who cannot be named, was raped at 6pm last Wednesday on her way from church in Kwanobuhle. She was accompanied by her cousin, also 12, when a 30-year-old man, whom they knew, approached them.
He told the cousin to go home and said he would take the girl to karate lessons.
But the man took her to his house in Kwanobuhle where she was raped.
Her mother, who also cannot be named, became suspicious when her daughter had not returned by 8pm.
She called the cousin who told her that the girl had been taken by the man to karate lessons. The mother called the police and reported her daughter missing.
Two constables, whose names are known to the Herald, allegedly went to the suspect’s house where they found the girl in his bedroom. She was fully clothed, but the bedroom was in disarray, showing signs of a struggle.
The girl said she told the two officers she had been raped, but they seemed to be friends of the suspect.
The police called him outside and talked to him.
“They then came to me and said ‘let’s go home.’
“On the way they told me I must not tell my mom that I have been raped or else they will hire people to come and kill me. I was terrified,” said the girl.
Although she was too scared to report the rape to her parents, her mother insisted on a medical examination.
A doctor at Uitenhage Provincial Hospital confirmed the girl had been raped. She only admitted after two days to having been raped.
Uitenhage police spokesman Michelle Kleinhans said yesterday a departmental investigation was under way.
“A rape case is being investigated by the child protection unit and there’s also a departmental investigation regarding the allegations about the conduct of the two police officers,” said Mrs Kleinhans.
Detective Inspector Grant Measures said he was investigating the child rape and that the conduct of the two police officers had to be investigated by the general police, not the child protection unit.
The girl’s mother said she would take her to a psychologist for counselling since she was not coping emotionally.
She praised Insp Measures for his “professional conduct”.
“He was really helpful.
“If it was not for him, I would have given up hope on the police at large.”
By Sam Mkokeli
Source: The Herald Online
TWO policemen in Uitenhage allegedly threatened to kill a 12-year-old rape victim in a bid to silence her and protect the rapist, believed to be their friend.
But the girl broke down and finally told her family, who laid a complaint. Now police are investigating both the rape and the alleged cover-up.
The traumatised child said in an interview yesterday that the policemen warned her they would “hire men to kill me”.
The girl, who cannot be named, was raped at 6pm last Wednesday on her way from church in Kwanobuhle. She was accompanied by her cousin, also 12, when a 30-year-old man, whom they knew, approached them.
He told the cousin to go home and said he would take the girl to karate lessons.
But the man took her to his house in Kwanobuhle where she was raped.
Her mother, who also cannot be named, became suspicious when her daughter had not returned by 8pm.
She called the cousin who told her that the girl had been taken by the man to karate lessons. The mother called the police and reported her daughter missing.
Two constables, whose names are known to the Herald, allegedly went to the suspect’s house where they found the girl in his bedroom. She was fully clothed, but the bedroom was in disarray, showing signs of a struggle.
The girl said she told the two officers she had been raped, but they seemed to be friends of the suspect.
The police called him outside and talked to him.
“They then came to me and said ‘let’s go home.’
“On the way they told me I must not tell my mom that I have been raped or else they will hire people to come and kill me. I was terrified,” said the girl.
Although she was too scared to report the rape to her parents, her mother insisted on a medical examination.
A doctor at Uitenhage Provincial Hospital confirmed the girl had been raped. She only admitted after two days to having been raped.
Uitenhage police spokesman Michelle Kleinhans said yesterday a departmental investigation was under way.
“A rape case is being investigated by the child protection unit and there’s also a departmental investigation regarding the allegations about the conduct of the two police officers,” said Mrs Kleinhans.
Detective Inspector Grant Measures said he was investigating the child rape and that the conduct of the two police officers had to be investigated by the general police, not the child protection unit.
The girl’s mother said she would take her to a psychologist for counselling since she was not coping emotionally.
She praised Insp Measures for his “professional conduct”.
“He was really helpful.
“If it was not for him, I would have given up hope on the police at large.”
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Cops up for drunk driving, domestic violence
By Denver Donian
Source: The Herald Online
East London – Two police officers were arrested at the weekend on charges of drunk driving and domestic violence.
Superintendent Eddie Watson said a 33-year-old police inspector attached to the Cambridge police station was arrested by Buffalo City traffic officials on Saturday for drunk driving .
The officer was spotted after he stopped at a red traffic light at an intersection at 11.50pm.
“When the light changed to green his car remained stationary. Traffic officials patrolling the area went to investigate and arrested the officer after they discovered he was allegedly intoxicated. They also confiscated his 9mm service pistol,” Supt Watson said.
The officer is expected to appear in court today on charges of drunk driving and the possession of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol.
A police sergeant based at Libode in the Transkei was arrested on Saturday after allegedly assaulting his wife and three-month-old child.
He will appear in court today. His wife was treated for injuries and bruises at Frere Hospital. The infant was not seriously hurt. Police allege the man had previously assaulted his wife and child and, on several occasions, threatened
By Denver Donian
Source: The Herald Online
East London – Two police officers were arrested at the weekend on charges of drunk driving and domestic violence.
Superintendent Eddie Watson said a 33-year-old police inspector attached to the Cambridge police station was arrested by Buffalo City traffic officials on Saturday for drunk driving .
The officer was spotted after he stopped at a red traffic light at an intersection at 11.50pm.
“When the light changed to green his car remained stationary. Traffic officials patrolling the area went to investigate and arrested the officer after they discovered he was allegedly intoxicated. They also confiscated his 9mm service pistol,” Supt Watson said.
The officer is expected to appear in court today on charges of drunk driving and the possession of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol.
A police sergeant based at Libode in the Transkei was arrested on Saturday after allegedly assaulting his wife and three-month-old child.
He will appear in court today. His wife was treated for injuries and bruises at Frere Hospital. The infant was not seriously hurt. Police allege the man had previously assaulted his wife and child and, on several occasions, threatened
Crimes of the South African Police Service
High crime leads to reduced police training
By Mphumzi Zuzile
Source: The Herald Online
East London – HIGH crime rates, particularly violent crime, has resulted in police reducing camp training time for new police recruits.
However, this has not been welcomed by opposition political parties in the Eastern Cape.
In the past police spent six months in training, but Parliament’s safety and security committee and the institute for safety studies found the South African Police Service was rushing recruits into service with only three months training.
Eastern Cape MEC for Safety Dennis Neer confirmed that recruits took only three months’ training instead of six.
“It has not been reduced but it has been categorised into various stages,” said Mr Neer.
He said although camp training was three months compared to six months in the past, police now went for further tactical training on how to handle firearms, defence and dangerous situations.
He said police then went for field training where recruits were taken to police stations to do investigations. “For that matter training takes 12 months. Police are empowered when they start their job.” He said training had to be adapted as patterns of crime changed in the community.
“In this way police will be in a position to enter into partnerships with communities.”
A parliamentary safety and security committee report said the high crime rate, particularly violent crime, had kept police under pressure.
A report by the institute for safety studies said recruits went straight into posts as detectives without serving time in uniform, where regardless of how talented they were, mistakes were made.
DA MPL Bobby Stevenson said: “The DA wants to see more police on the street. Any shortening of the training period must go hand in hand with an explanation of how training standards will be maintained.” He said police placed their lives at risk daily for the community, so if training was reduced his party wanted to be assured this would not compromise their safety and performance.
UDM spokesman Mabandla Gogo said the reduction of police recruit training was a blow to policing. “Even six months was not enough,” he said.
The PAC’s Zingisa Mkabile said his party had a problem with the reduction as it would affect the conviction rate.
By Mphumzi Zuzile
Source: The Herald Online
East London – HIGH crime rates, particularly violent crime, has resulted in police reducing camp training time for new police recruits.
However, this has not been welcomed by opposition political parties in the Eastern Cape.
In the past police spent six months in training, but Parliament’s safety and security committee and the institute for safety studies found the South African Police Service was rushing recruits into service with only three months training.
Eastern Cape MEC for Safety Dennis Neer confirmed that recruits took only three months’ training instead of six.
“It has not been reduced but it has been categorised into various stages,” said Mr Neer.
He said although camp training was three months compared to six months in the past, police now went for further tactical training on how to handle firearms, defence and dangerous situations.
He said police then went for field training where recruits were taken to police stations to do investigations. “For that matter training takes 12 months. Police are empowered when they start their job.” He said training had to be adapted as patterns of crime changed in the community.
“In this way police will be in a position to enter into partnerships with communities.”
A parliamentary safety and security committee report said the high crime rate, particularly violent crime, had kept police under pressure.
A report by the institute for safety studies said recruits went straight into posts as detectives without serving time in uniform, where regardless of how talented they were, mistakes were made.
DA MPL Bobby Stevenson said: “The DA wants to see more police on the street. Any shortening of the training period must go hand in hand with an explanation of how training standards will be maintained.” He said police placed their lives at risk daily for the community, so if training was reduced his party wanted to be assured this would not compromise their safety and performance.
UDM spokesman Mabandla Gogo said the reduction of police recruit training was a blow to policing. “Even six months was not enough,” he said.
The PAC’s Zingisa Mkabile said his party had a problem with the reduction as it would affect the conviction rate.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Cop stole confiscated contraband cigarettes
By Hendrick Mphande
Source: The Herald Online
A POLICE inspector and his wife were among six people who pleaded guilty yesterday to the theft of boxes of contraband cigarettes seized by police which were destined to be destroyed.
Appearing before Port Elizabeth magistrate Josua Richter were inspector James Aylward, 39, and his wife Marlene, 39, of Young Park, Evertt Classen, of Sidwell, Peter Smith, 49, of Barends Street, Salt Lake, Andre Titus, 26, of St Albans prison and Jan van der Westhuizen, 26, of Silva Crescent, Linton Grange .
They all pleaded guilty to the theft charge and sentence was reserved for next month.
Aylward, who has been in the police force for almost 21 years, is attached to the SAPS Greenbushes vehicle pound unit.
Smith works for the SAPS garage, also in Greenbushes.
Their court appearance stemmed from the theft of boxes of tobacco valued at between R4 000 and R45 000.
The six accused admitted to stealing the boxes from the back of a police van while officials were preparing burn them at Greenbushes.
Prior to the incident, members of the police seized between two and three truckloads of illegal tobacco amounting to R8-million.
They were arrested on Tuesday and were released yesterday with a warning to appear for sentencing on June 26.
By Hendrick Mphande
Source: The Herald Online
A POLICE inspector and his wife were among six people who pleaded guilty yesterday to the theft of boxes of contraband cigarettes seized by police which were destined to be destroyed.
Appearing before Port Elizabeth magistrate Josua Richter were inspector James Aylward, 39, and his wife Marlene, 39, of Young Park, Evertt Classen, of Sidwell, Peter Smith, 49, of Barends Street, Salt Lake, Andre Titus, 26, of St Albans prison and Jan van der Westhuizen, 26, of Silva Crescent, Linton Grange .
They all pleaded guilty to the theft charge and sentence was reserved for next month.
Aylward, who has been in the police force for almost 21 years, is attached to the SAPS Greenbushes vehicle pound unit.
Smith works for the SAPS garage, also in Greenbushes.
Their court appearance stemmed from the theft of boxes of tobacco valued at between R4 000 and R45 000.
The six accused admitted to stealing the boxes from the back of a police van while officials were preparing burn them at Greenbushes.
Prior to the incident, members of the police seized between two and three truckloads of illegal tobacco amounting to R8-million.
They were arrested on Tuesday and were released yesterday with a warning to appear for sentencing on June 26.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Visitor sues after being injured in prison shootout
Herald Reporter
Source: The Herald Online
A VISITOR who was shot twice by a group of escaping prisoners at the North End Prison in April 2000 is suing the Minister of Correctional Services for R234 000.
The damages claim, which correctional services is defending, is being heard in the Port Elizabeth High Court.
Leon van der Spuy, who is represented by advocate Leon Schubart, said yesterday he had gone to the prison on April 8 with his girlfriend and two other friends to visit an awaiting-trial prisoner.
He later left the visitors’ room on his own and when he got to his car on the prison premises he came face to face with the three escaping prisoners, two of them armed. One of the prisoners fired two shots, hitting him in the right upper arm and his belt
buckle. The prisoners made their get-away in a bakkie which was parked on the prison premises.
One of the three dangerous escapees was later identified as Mzukizi Nabu, alias “Kubalo”, who was described at the time as an extremely dangerous prisoner who would not hesitate to kill.
At the time of the escape, Nabu was awaiting trial in the High Court where he was charged with the 1998 execution-style murders of four men in Motherwell.
Two of the other escapees were Mzwandile Javu and Gijima Masuku.
They were also at the time serving lengthy sentences for crimes which ranged from armed robbery to attempted murder.
Herald Reporter
Source: The Herald Online
A VISITOR who was shot twice by a group of escaping prisoners at the North End Prison in April 2000 is suing the Minister of Correctional Services for R234 000.
The damages claim, which correctional services is defending, is being heard in the Port Elizabeth High Court.
Leon van der Spuy, who is represented by advocate Leon Schubart, said yesterday he had gone to the prison on April 8 with his girlfriend and two other friends to visit an awaiting-trial prisoner.
He later left the visitors’ room on his own and when he got to his car on the prison premises he came face to face with the three escaping prisoners, two of them armed. One of the prisoners fired two shots, hitting him in the right upper arm and his belt
buckle. The prisoners made their get-away in a bakkie which was parked on the prison premises.
One of the three dangerous escapees was later identified as Mzukizi Nabu, alias “Kubalo”, who was described at the time as an extremely dangerous prisoner who would not hesitate to kill.
At the time of the escape, Nabu was awaiting trial in the High Court where he was charged with the 1998 execution-style murders of four men in Motherwell.
Two of the other escapees were Mzwandile Javu and Gijima Masuku.
They were also at the time serving lengthy sentences for crimes which ranged from armed robbery to attempted murder.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Police ‘beat up my drunk husband’
By Helga van Staaden
Source: The Herald Online
THREE Bethelsdorp police sergeants have been accused of assaulting a 56-year-old Port Elizabeth man after his wife complained about his drinking.
Francis Bon Bochenrode said she phoned the police to report her husband, Phillip, for his drunk and unruly behaviour.
She said her husband had a drink in his hand when the officers arrived at her home at 9 Groener Street, Salt Lake. When her husband refused to accompany them, the policemen slapped the drink out of his hand and assaulted him.
She and her daughters saw how he was kicked and dragged and thrown into the vehicle.
After Mr Bon Buchenrode’s release by police on Sunday he was admitted to Livingstone Hospital with facial injuries, internal bleeding and broken ribs. A police spokesman said the matter had been referred to the internal investigation unit.
By Helga van Staaden
Source: The Herald Online
THREE Bethelsdorp police sergeants have been accused of assaulting a 56-year-old Port Elizabeth man after his wife complained about his drinking.
Francis Bon Bochenrode said she phoned the police to report her husband, Phillip, for his drunk and unruly behaviour.
She said her husband had a drink in his hand when the officers arrived at her home at 9 Groener Street, Salt Lake. When her husband refused to accompany them, the policemen slapped the drink out of his hand and assaulted him.
She and her daughters saw how he was kicked and dragged and thrown into the vehicle.
After Mr Bon Buchenrode’s release by police on Sunday he was admitted to Livingstone Hospital with facial injuries, internal bleeding and broken ribs. A police spokesman said the matter had been referred to the internal investigation unit.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Addo cop facing assault, resisting arrest charges
By Nick Wilson
Source: The Herald Online
ADDO station commander Captain Xola Toba faces charges of resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer – and possibly drunken driving – after he was involved in a car accident on Christmas Day.
Police spokesman Inspector Matthews Nelani said Capt Toba, whose age is not known, was driving alone on the Addo Road in Swartkops when the accident took place at 8.30pm.
Capt Toba was apparently on his way to visit his station when he collided with the vehicle in which a couple were travelling.
It is alleged that when police arrived on the scene and attempted to take Capt Toba for a blood test, he resisted arrest and assaulted the police officers.
He was eventually arrested and he and the couple were taken to hospital for blood tests to establish whether anyone had been under the influence of alcohol. Insp Nelani said the results of the blood tests were still not known.
By Nick Wilson
Source: The Herald Online
ADDO station commander Captain Xola Toba faces charges of resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer – and possibly drunken driving – after he was involved in a car accident on Christmas Day.
Police spokesman Inspector Matthews Nelani said Capt Toba, whose age is not known, was driving alone on the Addo Road in Swartkops when the accident took place at 8.30pm.
Capt Toba was apparently on his way to visit his station when he collided with the vehicle in which a couple were travelling.
It is alleged that when police arrived on the scene and attempted to take Capt Toba for a blood test, he resisted arrest and assaulted the police officers.
He was eventually arrested and he and the couple were taken to hospital for blood tests to establish whether anyone had been under the influence of alcohol. Insp Nelani said the results of the blood tests were still not known.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Policeman in court charged with rape
By Hendrick Mphande
Source: The Herald Online
SUSPENDED police constable Kenneth Freeman yesterday pleaded not guilty on two charges of rape when he appeared in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court.
It is alleged that while on patrol duty during a night in August 1999 he, in two separate incidents, forced women into the back of the van and raped them near the North End lake.
Giving evidence yesterday Mr Freeman, who is married with two children, denied any involvement in the matter.
He said on the day in question he was driving a police van along Govan Mbeki Avenue when he spotted a blue BMW with its emergency lights on.
He pulled off the road and noticed that there were four occupants – two men and two women. One man asked him to accompany him urgently to Crawford Street, North End, where another BMW was stuck.
Const Freeman, who was represented by attorney Linneen Swarts, said he was joined by a woman from the blue BMW and drove the police van towards the scene where he found a man and woman having sex in the other BMW.
‘‘I left the woman inside the van with my cellphone as I went to investigate the problem with the second car,” he said.
When he returned to his car both his phone and the woman had disappeared.
“I then started looking for the woman. When she saw me, she started to run away and screamed while threatening to undress herself.”
Minutes later members of the police arrived at the scene as the alleged rape victim was already undressed.
By Hendrick Mphande
Source: The Herald Online
SUSPENDED police constable Kenneth Freeman yesterday pleaded not guilty on two charges of rape when he appeared in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court.
It is alleged that while on patrol duty during a night in August 1999 he, in two separate incidents, forced women into the back of the van and raped them near the North End lake.
Giving evidence yesterday Mr Freeman, who is married with two children, denied any involvement in the matter.
He said on the day in question he was driving a police van along Govan Mbeki Avenue when he spotted a blue BMW with its emergency lights on.
He pulled off the road and noticed that there were four occupants – two men and two women. One man asked him to accompany him urgently to Crawford Street, North End, where another BMW was stuck.
Const Freeman, who was represented by attorney Linneen Swarts, said he was joined by a woman from the blue BMW and drove the police van towards the scene where he found a man and woman having sex in the other BMW.
‘‘I left the woman inside the van with my cellphone as I went to investigate the problem with the second car,” he said.
When he returned to his car both his phone and the woman had disappeared.
“I then started looking for the woman. When she saw me, she started to run away and screamed while threatening to undress herself.”
Minutes later members of the police arrived at the scene as the alleged rape victim was already undressed.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Bok’s son killed by cops
By Michelle Pughe-Parry
Source: The Herald Online
THREE policemen have been accused of killing former Springbok rugby star Polla Fourie’s son Louis at Coffee Bay almost four years ago.
Three- and-a-half years of investigation by members of the Serious Violent Crime unit finally unravelled the mystery yesterday, revealing a sinister, well-executed police cover-up.
Police spokesman Superintendent Marinda Mills said the three, a 37-year-old inspector, a 36-year-old sergeant and 31-year-old constable, all from Coffee Bay, all admitted their involvement in the shooting and subsequent cover-up.
Mr Fourie, 28, a fishing boat and backpacker hostel owner, was found lying in bushes a few hundred metres from his Coffee Bay home early on the morning of December 13, 1999. He had been shot twice. Sixteen spent R4 cartridges and three 9mm cartridges were scattered around his corpse.
Mr Fourie was killed barely five years after his grandfather, Jan, was stabbed to death in cold blood in the Fourie’s home in the quiet holiday hamlet.
The accused are expected to appear in the Mqanduli magistrate’s court today.
Police will oppose bail.
“From the beginning investigators had a hunch that police officials had been involved with Mr Fourie’s murder,” Supt Mills said..”
She said a case of mistaken identity appeared to have led to the tragedy.
“It seems that Mr Fourie was shot during the pursuit of the alleged housebreakers in the area and was mistaken by police as one of them.”
She said that once the police officers realised their terrible mistake they allegedly set about covering it up.
“One of the accused was involved with logistics at the station.
“So it would have been easy for him to manipulate the evidence and hide the weapon which was used during the shooting.”
She said on the morning of Mr Fourie’s death none of the police on duty reported that any firearms had been discharged.
“As a precaution all the firearms that had been booked out by members that night as well as other weapons on station strength were sent for ballistic testing.
“But none of them could be linked to the cartridges found on the scene.”
Supt Mills said however that a recent audit of ammunition and weapons at the station resulted in the discovery in a storeroom of an R4 rifle which had not been ballistically tested during the investigation.
“This weapon has been positively linked to the crime scene cartridges.”
Mr Fourie’s death left local residents reeling with shock.
Only four months previously Mr Fourie married his British-born wife Lorna and was living with her in Coffee Bay.
Some residents believed that his death could have been the result of a personal attack, while others dubbed the crime “sheer banditry” since at the time of the murder there had been several robberies and house burglaries.
The night of his death, Mr Fourie was providing late-night back-up to the watchman of a backpackers hostel.
After hearing shots further up the road he and members of the community joined police in a chase for suspected criminals.
During the pursuit, another round of shooting took place and later when the community and police gathered, Mr Fourie was missing.
Speaking from his Uitenhage farm last night Polla Fourie said the arrest of the policemen had come as no surprise.
“I told the investigators right from the start that the police were involved with my son’s death.
“Not only because they had all been out together looking for the criminals who had fired shots that night, but also because the last vehicle on the scene was a police car,” he said.
Asked if he was pleased that someone would finally be brought to justice for his son’s murder, Mr Fourie said: “It is difficult to be pleased when your son has been murdered.”
By Michelle Pughe-Parry
Source: The Herald Online
THREE policemen have been accused of killing former Springbok rugby star Polla Fourie’s son Louis at Coffee Bay almost four years ago.
Three- and-a-half years of investigation by members of the Serious Violent Crime unit finally unravelled the mystery yesterday, revealing a sinister, well-executed police cover-up.
Police spokesman Superintendent Marinda Mills said the three, a 37-year-old inspector, a 36-year-old sergeant and 31-year-old constable, all from Coffee Bay, all admitted their involvement in the shooting and subsequent cover-up.
Mr Fourie, 28, a fishing boat and backpacker hostel owner, was found lying in bushes a few hundred metres from his Coffee Bay home early on the morning of December 13, 1999. He had been shot twice. Sixteen spent R4 cartridges and three 9mm cartridges were scattered around his corpse.
Mr Fourie was killed barely five years after his grandfather, Jan, was stabbed to death in cold blood in the Fourie’s home in the quiet holiday hamlet.
The accused are expected to appear in the Mqanduli magistrate’s court today.
Police will oppose bail.
“From the beginning investigators had a hunch that police officials had been involved with Mr Fourie’s murder,” Supt Mills said..”
She said a case of mistaken identity appeared to have led to the tragedy.
“It seems that Mr Fourie was shot during the pursuit of the alleged housebreakers in the area and was mistaken by police as one of them.”
She said that once the police officers realised their terrible mistake they allegedly set about covering it up.
“One of the accused was involved with logistics at the station.
“So it would have been easy for him to manipulate the evidence and hide the weapon which was used during the shooting.”
She said on the morning of Mr Fourie’s death none of the police on duty reported that any firearms had been discharged.
“As a precaution all the firearms that had been booked out by members that night as well as other weapons on station strength were sent for ballistic testing.
“But none of them could be linked to the cartridges found on the scene.”
Supt Mills said however that a recent audit of ammunition and weapons at the station resulted in the discovery in a storeroom of an R4 rifle which had not been ballistically tested during the investigation.
“This weapon has been positively linked to the crime scene cartridges.”
Mr Fourie’s death left local residents reeling with shock.
Only four months previously Mr Fourie married his British-born wife Lorna and was living with her in Coffee Bay.
Some residents believed that his death could have been the result of a personal attack, while others dubbed the crime “sheer banditry” since at the time of the murder there had been several robberies and house burglaries.
The night of his death, Mr Fourie was providing late-night back-up to the watchman of a backpackers hostel.
After hearing shots further up the road he and members of the community joined police in a chase for suspected criminals.
During the pursuit, another round of shooting took place and later when the community and police gathered, Mr Fourie was missing.
Speaking from his Uitenhage farm last night Polla Fourie said the arrest of the policemen had come as no surprise.
“I told the investigators right from the start that the police were involved with my son’s death.
“Not only because they had all been out together looking for the criminals who had fired shots that night, but also because the last vehicle on the scene was a police car,” he said.
Asked if he was pleased that someone would finally be brought to justice for his son’s murder, Mr Fourie said: “It is difficult to be pleased when your son has been murdered.”
Crimes of the South African Police Service
E Cape told not to release crime statistics
By Mphumzi Zuzile
The Herald Online
East london – The provincial safety department had been ordered not to release crime statistics, spokesman Andile Yawa said yesterday.
This was an instruction from the national safety and security department.
“There is a big debate about the matter at Parliament, so we are still waiting for an order from national. However, the statistics will be made available in August as it was announced in Parliament,” he said. The last crime statistics for the country were released in December 2001.
By Mphumzi Zuzile
The Herald Online
East london – The provincial safety department had been ordered not to release crime statistics, spokesman Andile Yawa said yesterday.
This was an instruction from the national safety and security department.
“There is a big debate about the matter at Parliament, so we are still waiting for an order from national. However, the statistics will be made available in August as it was announced in Parliament,” he said. The last crime statistics for the country were released in December 2001.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
E Cape told not to release crime statistics
By Mphumzi Zuzile
Source: The Herald Online
East london – The provincial safety department had been ordered not to release crime statistics, spokesman Andile Yawa said yesterday.
This was an instruction from the national safety and security department.
“There is a big debate about the matter at Parliament, so we are still waiting for an order from national. However, the statistics will be made available in August as it was announced in Parliament,” he said. The last crime statistics for the country were released in December 2001.
By Mphumzi Zuzile
Source: The Herald Online
East london – The provincial safety department had been ordered not to release crime statistics, spokesman Andile Yawa said yesterday.
This was an instruction from the national safety and security department.
“There is a big debate about the matter at Parliament, so we are still waiting for an order from national. However, the statistics will be made available in August as it was announced in Parliament,” he said. The last crime statistics for the country were released in December 2001.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Man who found body on beach blasts cop methods
By Sam Mkokeli
Source: The Herald Online
THE British tourist who called the police to the scene of the execution-style murder of Johan le Grange at a nudist Port Elizabeth beach at the weekend, has blasted them for not taking a statement from him.
Speaking from Johannesburg yesterday, Tony Smith, 39, said he had gone for a walk on the beach at 9.10am on Saturday. He spotted a pair of binoculars lying next to Mr Le Grange’s red Golf.
He decided to investigate, saw the car had been broken into and called the police.
“They came in 10 to 15 minutes, but no statements have been taken. Is that normal? After all, I was the first person to call them,” he said.
Mr Smith, who now lives in Wales, lived in Port Elizabeth for 14 years, working in the construction industry.
He left South Africa last year “because of crime”.
Mr Le Grange’s body was found at the remote beach between Noordhoek and Cape Recife – a known haunt of homosexual men. There was a bullet wound in the back of his head.
The beach is apparently also a regular haunt of perlemoen poachers – and police say they could have believed Mr Le Grange was spying on them.
The police promised to investigate Mr Smith’s claims.
By Sam Mkokeli
Source: The Herald Online
THE British tourist who called the police to the scene of the execution-style murder of Johan le Grange at a nudist Port Elizabeth beach at the weekend, has blasted them for not taking a statement from him.
Speaking from Johannesburg yesterday, Tony Smith, 39, said he had gone for a walk on the beach at 9.10am on Saturday. He spotted a pair of binoculars lying next to Mr Le Grange’s red Golf.
He decided to investigate, saw the car had been broken into and called the police.
“They came in 10 to 15 minutes, but no statements have been taken. Is that normal? After all, I was the first person to call them,” he said.
Mr Smith, who now lives in Wales, lived in Port Elizabeth for 14 years, working in the construction industry.
He left South Africa last year “because of crime”.
Mr Le Grange’s body was found at the remote beach between Noordhoek and Cape Recife – a known haunt of homosexual men. There was a bullet wound in the back of his head.
The beach is apparently also a regular haunt of perlemoen poachers – and police say they could have believed Mr Le Grange was spying on them.
The police promised to investigate Mr Smith’s claims.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Policemen arrested for corruption, bribery
Source: The Herald Online
East London – Three police officers based at the vehicle unit in Umtata were arrested on charges of corruption and bribery at the weekend.
Police said the officers, two inspectors and a sergeant, were arrested by the Umtata anti-corruption unit after a tip-off.They are believed to have accepted bribes to issue clearance certificates for stolen vehicles.
Source: The Herald Online
East London – Three police officers based at the vehicle unit in Umtata were arrested on charges of corruption and bribery at the weekend.
Police said the officers, two inspectors and a sergeant, were arrested by the Umtata anti-corruption unit after a tip-off.They are believed to have accepted bribes to issue clearance certificates for stolen vehicles.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Cops under fire for failing to respond
By Sam Mkokeli
Source: The Herald Online
BUSINESS in Port Elizabeth yesterday criticised the alleged failure of the police to respond to calls from black Humewood Extension citizens who were attacked by nine axe-wielding white men.
Nafcoc Port Elizabeth president Kutloano Headbush said the business sector had invested a lot of money in anti- crime projects.
“The allegations that police did not respond to three calls for help are a serious concern to us.
“Are the police only catering for the white community? And why did they release the suspect who was arrested by neighbours during the attack?” asked Mr Headbush.
He said they were “very shocked” to read in the Herald about the racist attack, particularly following a soccer match.
“If we are to host the World Cup in 2010, elements of racism will be a problem. African teams will be wary of coming to parts of our city, fearing such attacks.
“That can also affect attendance at games.”
He said the metro was lucky to have the honour of naming itself after Nelson Mandela, a hero against the apartheid struggle, and an anti-racism icon.
“For people to work against that image is bad, particularly when it is linked to sport, which should be a unifying factor in any country.”
By Sam Mkokeli
Source: The Herald Online
BUSINESS in Port Elizabeth yesterday criticised the alleged failure of the police to respond to calls from black Humewood Extension citizens who were attacked by nine axe-wielding white men.
Nafcoc Port Elizabeth president Kutloano Headbush said the business sector had invested a lot of money in anti- crime projects.
“The allegations that police did not respond to three calls for help are a serious concern to us.
“Are the police only catering for the white community? And why did they release the suspect who was arrested by neighbours during the attack?” asked Mr Headbush.
He said they were “very shocked” to read in the Herald about the racist attack, particularly following a soccer match.
“If we are to host the World Cup in 2010, elements of racism will be a problem. African teams will be wary of coming to parts of our city, fearing such attacks.
“That can also affect attendance at games.”
He said the metro was lucky to have the honour of naming itself after Nelson Mandela, a hero against the apartheid struggle, and an anti-racism icon.
“For people to work against that image is bad, particularly when it is linked to sport, which should be a unifying factor in any country.”
Woman in tears at trial of prison ‘sex pest’
By Hendrick Mphande
Source: The Herald Online
THE St Albans sexual harassment saga took another twist yesterday when the complainant, Debbie Louw, broke down and wept openly during intense cross-examination.
Alleged sex pest and former head of St Albans Medium B, Tamsanqa Khoza, of Avontuur Street, Bridgemead, is charged with seven counts of indecent assault and crimen injuria.
Defence attorney Clive Pillay grilled Mrs Louw on why she agreed to be promoted as head of personnel in Mr Khoza’s section.
Mr Pillay said Mrs Louw knew very well Mr Khoza was a “pest with sex connotation”.
“Immediately when you took over your new position, my client demonstrated the same conduct towards you,” Mr Pillay said.
At this stage Mrs Louw suddenly broke down and cried openly.
Magistrate Josua Ritcher ordered an adjournment for Mrs Louw to regain her composure.
Earlier Mrs Louw recalled numerous incidents in which Mr Khoza pestered her for kisses and hugs while she was still working in the hospital section at St Albans.
All this time, Mrs Louw said, she never regarded Mr Khoza’s “improper advances” as serious and she thought she could cope and handle the bespectacled 50-year-old Mr Khoza.
“At what stage did you start to realise that my client was serious about his conduct?” asked Mr Pillay.
She replied: “The time I went to give him forms in his office when he suddenly locked the door behind me and he grabbed me with the intention to kiss.”
Mrs Louw said the mere presence of her former boss made her uncomfortable and she said his conduct was unprofessional.
________________________________________
By Hendrick Mphande
Source: The Herald Online
THE St Albans sexual harassment saga took another twist yesterday when the complainant, Debbie Louw, broke down and wept openly during intense cross-examination.
Alleged sex pest and former head of St Albans Medium B, Tamsanqa Khoza, of Avontuur Street, Bridgemead, is charged with seven counts of indecent assault and crimen injuria.
Defence attorney Clive Pillay grilled Mrs Louw on why she agreed to be promoted as head of personnel in Mr Khoza’s section.
Mr Pillay said Mrs Louw knew very well Mr Khoza was a “pest with sex connotation”.
“Immediately when you took over your new position, my client demonstrated the same conduct towards you,” Mr Pillay said.
At this stage Mrs Louw suddenly broke down and cried openly.
Magistrate Josua Ritcher ordered an adjournment for Mrs Louw to regain her composure.
Earlier Mrs Louw recalled numerous incidents in which Mr Khoza pestered her for kisses and hugs while she was still working in the hospital section at St Albans.
All this time, Mrs Louw said, she never regarded Mr Khoza’s “improper advances” as serious and she thought she could cope and handle the bespectacled 50-year-old Mr Khoza.
“At what stage did you start to realise that my client was serious about his conduct?” asked Mr Pillay.
She replied: “The time I went to give him forms in his office when he suddenly locked the door behind me and he grabbed me with the intention to kiss.”
Mrs Louw said the mere presence of her former boss made her uncomfortable and she said his conduct was unprofessional.
________________________________________
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Traffic cop probed on kissing allegation
20 October 2005
Source: The Herald Online
A Police spokesman Kolisile Dolweni confirmed last Friday that indecent assault and intimidation charges had been laid against the traffic officer. However, he refused to reveal
ECN learnt the traffic officer stopped Grahamstown resident Mellisa Gill Hettle for “speeding” near the town on Sunday last week.
In a statement to the police, Hettle said while the traffic officer was busy issuing her a fine “he got closer and kissed” her. The cop allegedly tried to kiss her again but she managed to push him away.
The officer ordered her to get out of her car. He then allegedly embraced and kissed her even though she told him to stop. He then pleaded with her not to tell anyone about the incident.
He allegedly asked her for her cellphone number. The woman said she had received “strange” phone calls the same day.
The incident was reported to Makana chief traffic officer Coenrad Hanekom. Hanekom told the woman to report the incident at the police station. Hanekom confirmed this week that charges had been laid against the traffic officer.
Police spokesman Kolisile Dolweni confirmed last Friday that indecent assault and intimidation charges had been laid against the traffic officer. However, he refused to reveal the officer’s name. He said police were investigating – ECN
20 October 2005
Source: The Herald Online
A Police spokesman Kolisile Dolweni confirmed last Friday that indecent assault and intimidation charges had been laid against the traffic officer. However, he refused to reveal
ECN learnt the traffic officer stopped Grahamstown resident Mellisa Gill Hettle for “speeding” near the town on Sunday last week.
In a statement to the police, Hettle said while the traffic officer was busy issuing her a fine “he got closer and kissed” her. The cop allegedly tried to kiss her again but she managed to push him away.
The officer ordered her to get out of her car. He then allegedly embraced and kissed her even though she told him to stop. He then pleaded with her not to tell anyone about the incident.
He allegedly asked her for her cellphone number. The woman said she had received “strange” phone calls the same day.
The incident was reported to Makana chief traffic officer Coenrad Hanekom. Hanekom told the woman to report the incident at the police station. Hanekom confirmed this week that charges had been laid against the traffic officer.
Police spokesman Kolisile Dolweni confirmed last Friday that indecent assault and intimidation charges had been laid against the traffic officer. However, he refused to reveal the officer’s name. He said police were investigating – ECN
Crimes of the South African Police Service
White woman cops mocked
By Cecile Greyling
Source: The Herald Online
Grahamstown – TWO unmarried, white women police officers who took a trip on Saturday to see where they have been transferred to, say they were laughed at by their new black colleagues and intimidated by the community.
The women have been transferred from a quiet Eastern Cape town where petty theft is regarded a serious crime to rural hell in the former Ciskei where murder, rape and serious assault are everyday occurrences.
One of the women, a 27year-old sergeant, said yesterday she feared reprisals if her name and her station were mentioned in the media.
She said she had been told not to “cause any waves”.
She said she feels intimidated, victimised, fears for her job and has received no support from the SAPS. The skills she acquired in her eight-year police career were now counting against her.
The sergeant and a younger white woman constable were given the shock news about their transfer on Friday afternoon. The two women and a man will be the only whites at the station. A total of 36 officers have been transferred in the Grahamstown area.
A captain from Grahamstown told the women the particular station they had been transferred to was “the worst in the area when it comes to productivity”.
When the two officers visited their new station on Saturday the on-duty police officers “burst out laughing”.
“We wanted to go and see what it was like -- if there was anywhere for us to stay and if we would be able to carry on with our lives there.
“They burst out laughing and said: ‘You are coming to work here?’.”
“We were told there were no whites living in the area. They spoke in Xhosa and although we couldn’t understand they were obviously talking about us. The one woman just wouldn’t stop laughing at us. Then they just ignored us.”
The two officers were told that there were no houses available in the town and they would have to stay in the nearby police barracks.
Their nightmare trip became worse when they went to look at the filthy barracks.
“I don’t have words for what we saw. The place is unhygienic and in a mess. The windows are broken and plaster is peeling off the walls.
“Five people live in the house -- men and women. There is nothing in the kitchen and food is cooked on a stove in the living room which has been divided in two with a wall unit. The one half is used as a bedroom.
“The bathroom is filthy. The lid for the toilet is missing and there was no cover on the cistern. There is another house but it’s in the same shape.”
She said she and her colleague would have to share a room. “A black woman who was transferred to Grahamstown told me she was also very unhappy. She can’t afford housing there.”
When the women took a drive around the town they were stared at by residents who were “openly suspicious and unfriendly”.
“One man hit on the van and shouted at us to ‘get out’. I don’t think those people see white women often, let along white police officers.”
She said her friend “threw-up” all the way back home. “I haven’t slept for three days. I can’t eat. I am stressed out.”
She said their lives would be “completed uprooted”. “I will fear for my life there. I won’t be able to be part of the community because I don’t understand the language or culture. I won’t be able to go cycling because it is dangerous. We won’t be able to go to church”.
The sergeant belongs to the NG church and her friend to the APK.
“We are both leaving boyfriends behind. My friend was planning on getting engaged next month.”
She said she joined the police force in 1994 to “serve the community”.
She has completed eight courses in the past two years and feels that her skills are now counting against her because the transfers are being done “to enhance service delivery”.
“Two weeks ago we were asked to fill in a skills audit. My skills filled a whole page. I have worked hard to make the SAPS my career. You have to do courses to be promoted.”
She said she would refuse the transfer. “I don’t know what I am going to do but I will not move there. One must have balance. One’s spiritual and physical health keeps all the other things intact.
“We were not told why we were chosen. Is it because we have the skills, is it because we are women, white and unmarried. Or is it because they want us out of the SAPS?”
The two officers have until tomorrow to appeal against their transfer.
“We were advised not to appeal because if it fails, we will be sent to stations which are even worse.”
________________________________________
By Cecile Greyling
Source: The Herald Online
Grahamstown – TWO unmarried, white women police officers who took a trip on Saturday to see where they have been transferred to, say they were laughed at by their new black colleagues and intimidated by the community.
The women have been transferred from a quiet Eastern Cape town where petty theft is regarded a serious crime to rural hell in the former Ciskei where murder, rape and serious assault are everyday occurrences.
One of the women, a 27year-old sergeant, said yesterday she feared reprisals if her name and her station were mentioned in the media.
She said she had been told not to “cause any waves”.
She said she feels intimidated, victimised, fears for her job and has received no support from the SAPS. The skills she acquired in her eight-year police career were now counting against her.
The sergeant and a younger white woman constable were given the shock news about their transfer on Friday afternoon. The two women and a man will be the only whites at the station. A total of 36 officers have been transferred in the Grahamstown area.
A captain from Grahamstown told the women the particular station they had been transferred to was “the worst in the area when it comes to productivity”.
When the two officers visited their new station on Saturday the on-duty police officers “burst out laughing”.
“We wanted to go and see what it was like -- if there was anywhere for us to stay and if we would be able to carry on with our lives there.
“They burst out laughing and said: ‘You are coming to work here?’.”
“We were told there were no whites living in the area. They spoke in Xhosa and although we couldn’t understand they were obviously talking about us. The one woman just wouldn’t stop laughing at us. Then they just ignored us.”
The two officers were told that there were no houses available in the town and they would have to stay in the nearby police barracks.
Their nightmare trip became worse when they went to look at the filthy barracks.
“I don’t have words for what we saw. The place is unhygienic and in a mess. The windows are broken and plaster is peeling off the walls.
“Five people live in the house -- men and women. There is nothing in the kitchen and food is cooked on a stove in the living room which has been divided in two with a wall unit. The one half is used as a bedroom.
“The bathroom is filthy. The lid for the toilet is missing and there was no cover on the cistern. There is another house but it’s in the same shape.”
She said she and her colleague would have to share a room. “A black woman who was transferred to Grahamstown told me she was also very unhappy. She can’t afford housing there.”
When the women took a drive around the town they were stared at by residents who were “openly suspicious and unfriendly”.
“One man hit on the van and shouted at us to ‘get out’. I don’t think those people see white women often, let along white police officers.”
She said her friend “threw-up” all the way back home. “I haven’t slept for three days. I can’t eat. I am stressed out.”
She said their lives would be “completed uprooted”. “I will fear for my life there. I won’t be able to be part of the community because I don’t understand the language or culture. I won’t be able to go cycling because it is dangerous. We won’t be able to go to church”.
The sergeant belongs to the NG church and her friend to the APK.
“We are both leaving boyfriends behind. My friend was planning on getting engaged next month.”
She said she joined the police force in 1994 to “serve the community”.
She has completed eight courses in the past two years and feels that her skills are now counting against her because the transfers are being done “to enhance service delivery”.
“Two weeks ago we were asked to fill in a skills audit. My skills filled a whole page. I have worked hard to make the SAPS my career. You have to do courses to be promoted.”
She said she would refuse the transfer. “I don’t know what I am going to do but I will not move there. One must have balance. One’s spiritual and physical health keeps all the other things intact.
“We were not told why we were chosen. Is it because we have the skills, is it because we are women, white and unmarried. Or is it because they want us out of the SAPS?”
The two officers have until tomorrow to appeal against their transfer.
“We were advised not to appeal because if it fails, we will be sent to stations which are even worse.”
________________________________________
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Ex-cop in court for intimidation
By Helga van Staaden
Source: The Herald Online
A FORMER Gelvandale policeman appeared in the Port Elizabeth magistrate’s court yesterday for allegedly intimidating a state witness.
Gerald Williams, 35, was arrested by members of the serious and violent crimes unit at the Port Elizabeth High Court on February 26 for allegedly intimidating state witness Mike Turner.
He appeared in court yesterday to apply for bail.
Mr Turner was a witness in a murder trial in which Mr Williams was a co-accused. However, the charges were provisionally withdrawn when another state witness mysteriously disappeared. Mr Williams was on R3 000 bail before the withdrawal.
Mr Williams, of Gamtoos Court, Algoa Park, resigned from the police service in 2001.
When Mr Turner did not arrive at court on February 25, the investigating officers went to look for him and found him in Algoa Park in a state of panic. He told police that Mr Williams threatened him by saying he would “sort people out” who testified at the murder trial.
He said Mr Williams offered to send him away on an all expenses paid trip for the duration of the trial. The hearing was postponed to March 18. Mr Williams remains in custody.
________________________________________
By Helga van Staaden
Source: The Herald Online
A FORMER Gelvandale policeman appeared in the Port Elizabeth magistrate’s court yesterday for allegedly intimidating a state witness.
Gerald Williams, 35, was arrested by members of the serious and violent crimes unit at the Port Elizabeth High Court on February 26 for allegedly intimidating state witness Mike Turner.
He appeared in court yesterday to apply for bail.
Mr Turner was a witness in a murder trial in which Mr Williams was a co-accused. However, the charges were provisionally withdrawn when another state witness mysteriously disappeared. Mr Williams was on R3 000 bail before the withdrawal.
Mr Williams, of Gamtoos Court, Algoa Park, resigned from the police service in 2001.
When Mr Turner did not arrive at court on February 25, the investigating officers went to look for him and found him in Algoa Park in a state of panic. He told police that Mr Williams threatened him by saying he would “sort people out” who testified at the murder trial.
He said Mr Williams offered to send him away on an all expenses paid trip for the duration of the trial. The hearing was postponed to March 18. Mr Williams remains in custody.
________________________________________
Crimes of the South African Police Service
‘Drunk’ traffic cop in court
Herald Correspondent
Source: The Herald Online
East London – An off-duty provincial traffic officer was arrested for drunken driving and other charges after he allegedly asked a motorist for a bribe in Zwelitsha.
Xolani Silo was arrested by about 40 members of the public.
He appeared in the Zwelitsha magistrate’s court on charges of drunken driving, misuse of a state vehicle, two counts of escaping lawful arrest and bribery. He was later released on R500 bail.
Provincial transport spokesman Tshepo Machaea said Mr Silo would face a departmental disciplinary hearing.
Mr Silo allegedly accused a driver of having an overloaded vehicle, and then tried to solicit a bribe from him.
“He was apparently drunk and using a state vehicle with the blue lights flashing. He was also not in uniform,” Mr Machaea said. The vehicle he was using was allegedly blocking the road in an attempt to hold a roadblock.
He was taken to the Zwelitsha police station, where he fled and was later recaptured by members of the public.
Herald Correspondent
Source: The Herald Online
East London – An off-duty provincial traffic officer was arrested for drunken driving and other charges after he allegedly asked a motorist for a bribe in Zwelitsha.
Xolani Silo was arrested by about 40 members of the public.
He appeared in the Zwelitsha magistrate’s court on charges of drunken driving, misuse of a state vehicle, two counts of escaping lawful arrest and bribery. He was later released on R500 bail.
Provincial transport spokesman Tshepo Machaea said Mr Silo would face a departmental disciplinary hearing.
Mr Silo allegedly accused a driver of having an overloaded vehicle, and then tried to solicit a bribe from him.
“He was apparently drunk and using a state vehicle with the blue lights flashing. He was also not in uniform,” Mr Machaea said. The vehicle he was using was allegedly blocking the road in an attempt to hold a roadblock.
He was taken to the Zwelitsha police station, where he fled and was later recaptured by members of the public.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Cops ‘stole cash from Harksen’
Source: The Herald Online
Cape Town – Two policemen and the mother of one of them appeared in court yesterday in connection with an amount of German money stolen from fraud accused Jurgen Harksen in October 1995.
Jan Matthys Myburgh, 40, and Louis Francois de Jager, 37, appeared in court with Mr Myburgh’s mother, Martha Myburgh, 67, on charges of theft.
The money was found in a locker at a gym in Green Point. It was handed to Mr Myburgh and Mr De Jager, who had been assigned to investigate the find.
They allegedly converted the money into South African currency and shared it. Mr Myburgh allegedly gave R75 000 to his mother, who used it to buy a vehicle. She allegedly knew the money was stolen. The hearing will resume tomorrow. – Sapa
________________________________________
Source: The Herald Online
Cape Town – Two policemen and the mother of one of them appeared in court yesterday in connection with an amount of German money stolen from fraud accused Jurgen Harksen in October 1995.
Jan Matthys Myburgh, 40, and Louis Francois de Jager, 37, appeared in court with Mr Myburgh’s mother, Martha Myburgh, 67, on charges of theft.
The money was found in a locker at a gym in Green Point. It was handed to Mr Myburgh and Mr De Jager, who had been assigned to investigate the find.
They allegedly converted the money into South African currency and shared it. Mr Myburgh allegedly gave R75 000 to his mother, who used it to buy a vehicle. She allegedly knew the money was stolen. The hearing will resume tomorrow. – Sapa
________________________________________
Crimes of the South African Police Service
‘Armed and dangerous’ escaped prisoners remain at large
Herald Reporter
Source: The Herald Online
SIX armed suspects, who escaped from the Mount Fletcher police cells on Saturday, are still at large.
Police say the men are dangerous and are facing charges ranging from murder and armed robbery to robbery and theft.
Four other awaiting-trial prisoners who escaped from the cells were arrested shortly afterwards.
A police spokesman said three policemen were carrying out a routine head-count of prisoners about 6pm on Saturday when they were suddenly attacked and overpowered by 10 prisoners.
The prisoners managed to get hold of a policeman’s firearm and then ordered the policemen to unlock their cell door.
The spokesman said police managed to capture four of the suspects shortly after the escape.
In another incident, two men facing attempted rape and assault charges escaped from the Tamara holding cells in East London on Friday after they overpowered two police guards.
One of the suspects, charged with attempted rape, was re-arrested by police at noon on Saturday in the Ntonga Administration area.
The other suspect, a 24-year-old man who is facing a charge of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, remains at large.
Herald Reporter
Source: The Herald Online
SIX armed suspects, who escaped from the Mount Fletcher police cells on Saturday, are still at large.
Police say the men are dangerous and are facing charges ranging from murder and armed robbery to robbery and theft.
Four other awaiting-trial prisoners who escaped from the cells were arrested shortly afterwards.
A police spokesman said three policemen were carrying out a routine head-count of prisoners about 6pm on Saturday when they were suddenly attacked and overpowered by 10 prisoners.
The prisoners managed to get hold of a policeman’s firearm and then ordered the policemen to unlock their cell door.
The spokesman said police managed to capture four of the suspects shortly after the escape.
In another incident, two men facing attempted rape and assault charges escaped from the Tamara holding cells in East London on Friday after they overpowered two police guards.
One of the suspects, charged with attempted rape, was re-arrested by police at noon on Saturday in the Ntonga Administration area.
The other suspect, a 24-year-old man who is facing a charge of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, remains at large.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Cops held for perlemoen
Friday 07 October 2005
Source: The Herald Online
Cape Town – Two sergeants from the detective branch of Nyanga police station here were arrested yesterday on suspicion of illegal dealing in perlemoen.
Western Cape commissioner Mzwandile Petros said they were taken into custody by a combined team “who investigate criminal high-flyers in the province”. The two would face criminal charges as well as disciplinary steps, and would appear in court on Monday.
Friday 07 October 2005
Source: The Herald Online
Cape Town – Two sergeants from the detective branch of Nyanga police station here were arrested yesterday on suspicion of illegal dealing in perlemoen.
Western Cape commissioner Mzwandile Petros said they were taken into custody by a combined team “who investigate criminal high-flyers in the province”. The two would face criminal charges as well as disciplinary steps, and would appear in court on Monday.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Cops ‘protest’ with absenteeism
Friday October 07 2005
By Luvuyo Mjekula
Source: The Herald Online
Grahamstown – Up to 18 detectives in the Grahamstown policing district have gone on an informal strike, leaving only three to do the work.
The detectives were booking themselves off as “sick” and “stressed”, but this was also a form of protest for the way in which detective posts have been whittled down from 43 to 23, sources said.
The detectives have been complaining internally for months about staff shortages and overwhelming caseloads in the district.
SAPS provincial spokesman Superintendent Mzukisi Fatyela said he had received a document which stated 16 detectives had booked off sick.
However, Supt Fatyela said he could not confirm this number.
“I spoke to (a) commissioner Landu and he said he needed time before he could give me information,” he said.
Supt Fatyela said the provincial office was not aware of the incident. However, the document stated five detectives had booked off sick on Tuesday and eleven more had left yesterday.
Supt Fatyela added he had received a letter from Popcru which stated police were unhappy with the current work- load, and that the body would be taking action as a result. – ECN
Friday October 07 2005
By Luvuyo Mjekula
Source: The Herald Online
Grahamstown – Up to 18 detectives in the Grahamstown policing district have gone on an informal strike, leaving only three to do the work.
The detectives were booking themselves off as “sick” and “stressed”, but this was also a form of protest for the way in which detective posts have been whittled down from 43 to 23, sources said.
The detectives have been complaining internally for months about staff shortages and overwhelming caseloads in the district.
SAPS provincial spokesman Superintendent Mzukisi Fatyela said he had received a document which stated 16 detectives had booked off sick.
However, Supt Fatyela said he could not confirm this number.
“I spoke to (a) commissioner Landu and he said he needed time before he could give me information,” he said.
Supt Fatyela said the provincial office was not aware of the incident. However, the document stated five detectives had booked off sick on Tuesday and eleven more had left yesterday.
Supt Fatyela added he had received a letter from Popcru which stated police were unhappy with the current work- load, and that the body would be taking action as a result. – ECN
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Poor police work blamed in dropped Umtata fraud case
Friday October 7 2005
By Denver Donian
Source: The Herald Online
King William’s Town – An internal investigation into alleged poor police work leading to a charge of fraud being laid against deputy provincial commissioner Trevor Hayes, has been delayed while the director of public prosecutions in Umtata holds the docket.
It was learnt yesterday that police were unable to get the docket from director Humphrey Lusu, and the investigation has been stalled.
An investigation was ordered by provincial commissioner Sipho Mpongoma in November after Mr Hayes was exonerated of the fraud charge by deputy national DPP Advocate Jan Henning.
According to the source, Mr Mpongoma requested national police headquarters to intervene to assist in obtaining the docket “but there had been no response”. Several attempts to contact provincial police headquarters about the investigation were unsuccessful. Mr Hayes was accused of fraudulently claiming R962 for a school uniform for his daughter after he was transferred from Port Elizabeth to Umtata in 1996.
A botched police investigation into the alleged fraud by a high-ranking police official is believed to have led to an instruction from Mr Lusu for Mr Hayes to be charged. In a statement Mr Mpongoma said documentation received by his office from Mr Henning stated that prosecution against Mr Hayes be stopped as there was no prima facie case against him.
The statement said the decision to prosecute Mr Hayes was based on incomplete facts submitted by the investigating officer.
Friday October 7 2005
By Denver Donian
Source: The Herald Online
King William’s Town – An internal investigation into alleged poor police work leading to a charge of fraud being laid against deputy provincial commissioner Trevor Hayes, has been delayed while the director of public prosecutions in Umtata holds the docket.
It was learnt yesterday that police were unable to get the docket from director Humphrey Lusu, and the investigation has been stalled.
An investigation was ordered by provincial commissioner Sipho Mpongoma in November after Mr Hayes was exonerated of the fraud charge by deputy national DPP Advocate Jan Henning.
According to the source, Mr Mpongoma requested national police headquarters to intervene to assist in obtaining the docket “but there had been no response”. Several attempts to contact provincial police headquarters about the investigation were unsuccessful. Mr Hayes was accused of fraudulently claiming R962 for a school uniform for his daughter after he was transferred from Port Elizabeth to Umtata in 1996.
A botched police investigation into the alleged fraud by a high-ranking police official is believed to have led to an instruction from Mr Lusu for Mr Hayes to be charged. In a statement Mr Mpongoma said documentation received by his office from Mr Henning stated that prosecution against Mr Hayes be stopped as there was no prima facie case against him.
The statement said the decision to prosecute Mr Hayes was based on incomplete facts submitted by the investigating officer.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Convicted warder held following death threats
By Sam Mkokeli
Source: The Herald Online
POLICE yesterday arrested Patensie prison warder Mongameli Nonzube, who is accused of threatening to kill a fellow prison warder, after being convicted of indecently assaulting and attempting to rape her.
Police said Nonzube was spotted loitering around at St George’s Strand yesterday by members of the public, following the publication of a report in Weekend Post with regards to his disappearance last year following his conviction.
He was convicted by the Humansdorp regional court for indecent assault and attempted rape against a fellow prison warder and sentenced to five years.
He was out on bail – after appealing the sentence – when he disappeared.
A police spokesman said last night that members of the public had stopped a police van passing Motherwell yesterday afternoon and said they had seen a man loitering at St George’s Strand.
The policeman, a member of the child protection unit, went to investigate and remembered Nonzube’s face from the paper. He contacted the Patensie police who took Nonzube to the Humansdorp holding cells, where he was kept overnight and will appear in court this morning.
A warrant for his arrest was issued last year already following his failure to appear in court for his appeal.
A distraught Patensie prison warder told Weekend Post last week that she feared for her life after receiving death threats which she believed were from Nonzube – or from someone calling on his behalf.
Margaret Brown, who suffered an emotional breakdown last month after enduring a year of anonymous threatening phone calls, said her life had been destroyed by the attack on her three years ago.
Nonzube indecently assaulted and tried to rape the divorced mother of two in her home on the grounds of the Patensie prison in January 2001.
Mrs Brown feared that he might be seeking revenge after being convicted for the attack. “The attack is on my mind constantly,” she told Weekend Post.
She had been off work since last April, and had been receiving the ominous telephone calls since September – usually very early in the morning, from a man threatening to kill her.
“It is a man’s voice and he says he is going to kill me and my children. Other times he has said he is not going to jail,” she sobbed.
By Sam Mkokeli
Source: The Herald Online
POLICE yesterday arrested Patensie prison warder Mongameli Nonzube, who is accused of threatening to kill a fellow prison warder, after being convicted of indecently assaulting and attempting to rape her.
Police said Nonzube was spotted loitering around at St George’s Strand yesterday by members of the public, following the publication of a report in Weekend Post with regards to his disappearance last year following his conviction.
He was convicted by the Humansdorp regional court for indecent assault and attempted rape against a fellow prison warder and sentenced to five years.
He was out on bail – after appealing the sentence – when he disappeared.
A police spokesman said last night that members of the public had stopped a police van passing Motherwell yesterday afternoon and said they had seen a man loitering at St George’s Strand.
The policeman, a member of the child protection unit, went to investigate and remembered Nonzube’s face from the paper. He contacted the Patensie police who took Nonzube to the Humansdorp holding cells, where he was kept overnight and will appear in court this morning.
A warrant for his arrest was issued last year already following his failure to appear in court for his appeal.
A distraught Patensie prison warder told Weekend Post last week that she feared for her life after receiving death threats which she believed were from Nonzube – or from someone calling on his behalf.
Margaret Brown, who suffered an emotional breakdown last month after enduring a year of anonymous threatening phone calls, said her life had been destroyed by the attack on her three years ago.
Nonzube indecently assaulted and tried to rape the divorced mother of two in her home on the grounds of the Patensie prison in January 2001.
Mrs Brown feared that he might be seeking revenge after being convicted for the attack. “The attack is on my mind constantly,” she told Weekend Post.
She had been off work since last April, and had been receiving the ominous telephone calls since September – usually very early in the morning, from a man threatening to kill her.
“It is a man’s voice and he says he is going to kill me and my children. Other times he has said he is not going to jail,” she sobbed.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
‘Cops not well-equipped to probe sexual violence’
By Patrick Cull Political Correspondent
Source:The Herald Online
Cape Town – A NATIONAL Council of Provinces (NCOP) report on sexual violence states that police show “a distinct lack of effort in the investigation of cases” and that this is compounded by a lack of sufficient resources.
The report was compiled after a visit to a number of provinces, including the Eastern Cape, and public hearings held by the provincial legislatures.
It will be debated in the NCOP this afternoon.
The report states that in provinces where hearings were held it was clear that the problem of sexual harassment and violence against girls was “widespread and cut across all race and class lines”.
It says that in the majority of incidents, perpetrators were adult males known to the victims, who were primarily female between the ages of 12 and 18, “although incidents of survivors as young as seven were reported”.
In addition, sexual harassment, including rape and assault also occurred between pupils, according to the report.
The report says that in the majority of cases reported to the education committee that compiled the report, there was “inadequate action to deal with the perpetrators and assist the survivors.
“A number of perpetrators have not been charged by the criminal justice system, nor have they faced disciplinary action from education authorities.
“Many perpetrators continue to teach in the same school where the survivors are pupils.”
The report said most of the perpetrators were teachers and that most cases of sexual violence went unreported and it was apparent that “principals, school governing bodies and parents are turning a blind eye to sexual violence”……..
By Patrick Cull Political Correspondent
Source:The Herald Online
Cape Town – A NATIONAL Council of Provinces (NCOP) report on sexual violence states that police show “a distinct lack of effort in the investigation of cases” and that this is compounded by a lack of sufficient resources.
The report was compiled after a visit to a number of provinces, including the Eastern Cape, and public hearings held by the provincial legislatures.
It will be debated in the NCOP this afternoon.
The report states that in provinces where hearings were held it was clear that the problem of sexual harassment and violence against girls was “widespread and cut across all race and class lines”.
It says that in the majority of incidents, perpetrators were adult males known to the victims, who were primarily female between the ages of 12 and 18, “although incidents of survivors as young as seven were reported”.
In addition, sexual harassment, including rape and assault also occurred between pupils, according to the report.
The report says that in the majority of cases reported to the education committee that compiled the report, there was “inadequate action to deal with the perpetrators and assist the survivors.
“A number of perpetrators have not been charged by the criminal justice system, nor have they faced disciplinary action from education authorities.
“Many perpetrators continue to teach in the same school where the survivors are pupils.”
The report said most of the perpetrators were teachers and that most cases of sexual violence went unreported and it was apparent that “principals, school governing bodies and parents are turning a blind eye to sexual violence”……..
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Police asleep as family comes under fire
Source:The Herald Online
Cape Town – Heads may roll after police in Nyanga were found asleep on duty while calls from the public went unanswered, says Community Safety MEC Leonard Ramatlakane.
The discovery was made by Guguletu community police forum chairman Danile Landingwe who intervened when police ignored a family’s repeated appeals for help after their home came under gunfire early on Saturday.
“This kind of behaviour is unacceptable,” Mr Ramatlakane said. ”The issue is not negotiable. For police not to act in a case like this shows there is a serious problem and weakness. Those officers not prepared to provide services will fall by the wayside.”
Mr Ramatlakane said the family, whose home in Philippi East came under fire at 1.30am, called police about five times.
Each time they called they spoke to a different officer who promised that the police would send someone, Mr Ramatlakane said.
An hour later, the family contacted Mr Landingwe in adjacent Guguletu. When he got to the police station, he reportedly found all the policemen asleep, the MEC said.
He said he had asked provincial police commissioner Lennit Max to deal with the case in terms of the Police Act and standing orders for police.
“The area commissioner has opened an inquiry and will take statements from all witnesses and act accordingly,” Mr Ramatlakane said.
The NNP yesterday expressed its shock over the incident. “This kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable,” said NNP safety and security spokesman Johnny Schippers.
Mr Schippers said it was essential that both Safety and Security Minister Steve Tshwete and Mr Ramatlakane conduct investigations.
He urged the minister to make the findings of his investigation public as soon as it was completed. – Sapa
Source:The Herald Online
Cape Town – Heads may roll after police in Nyanga were found asleep on duty while calls from the public went unanswered, says Community Safety MEC Leonard Ramatlakane.
The discovery was made by Guguletu community police forum chairman Danile Landingwe who intervened when police ignored a family’s repeated appeals for help after their home came under gunfire early on Saturday.
“This kind of behaviour is unacceptable,” Mr Ramatlakane said. ”The issue is not negotiable. For police not to act in a case like this shows there is a serious problem and weakness. Those officers not prepared to provide services will fall by the wayside.”
Mr Ramatlakane said the family, whose home in Philippi East came under fire at 1.30am, called police about five times.
Each time they called they spoke to a different officer who promised that the police would send someone, Mr Ramatlakane said.
An hour later, the family contacted Mr Landingwe in adjacent Guguletu. When he got to the police station, he reportedly found all the policemen asleep, the MEC said.
He said he had asked provincial police commissioner Lennit Max to deal with the case in terms of the Police Act and standing orders for police.
“The area commissioner has opened an inquiry and will take statements from all witnesses and act accordingly,” Mr Ramatlakane said.
The NNP yesterday expressed its shock over the incident. “This kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable,” said NNP safety and security spokesman Johnny Schippers.
Mr Schippers said it was essential that both Safety and Security Minister Steve Tshwete and Mr Ramatlakane conduct investigations.
He urged the minister to make the findings of his investigation public as soon as it was completed. – Sapa
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Police foil second attempt to seize arms
Herald Correspondent
Queenstown – A policeman was wounded and a gunman shot dead in an attack on the Cala police station on Sunday night – the second attack on a police station in the province this month.
Police said three armed men had entered the station’s community service centre at 10.30pm and demanded guns from two policemen on duty.
Shots were fired at Sergeant Mkangeli Mbashe and Sgt Mzwanele Shosha, both 32, who returned fire. Sgt Shosha was hit in the neck and one of the attackers was wounded. The other two gunmen fled empty-handed in a bakkie. The injured attacker later died in Cala Hospital.
A suspect was arrested by Cala police yesterday morning.
Police at Nqamakwe police station foiled a similar attack by four armed men on February
Herald Correspondent
Queenstown – A policeman was wounded and a gunman shot dead in an attack on the Cala police station on Sunday night – the second attack on a police station in the province this month.
Police said three armed men had entered the station’s community service centre at 10.30pm and demanded guns from two policemen on duty.
Shots were fired at Sergeant Mkangeli Mbashe and Sgt Mzwanele Shosha, both 32, who returned fire. Sgt Shosha was hit in the neck and one of the attackers was wounded. The other two gunmen fled empty-handed in a bakkie. The injured attacker later died in Cala Hospital.
A suspect was arrested by Cala police yesterday morning.
Police at Nqamakwe police station foiled a similar attack by four armed men on February
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Warders in escape case refused bail
By Lew Elias
Source : Dispatch
EAST LONDON - Two warders alleged to have aided three dangerous prisoners escape from East London prison were yesterday refused bail by a magistrate here.
Magistrate Nazeem Joemath said that corruption was a cancer that was of such concern to the authorities that task teams and commissions had been set up to root it out.
The warders, Bantwini Bhovu and Cyprian Matshaya, are facing charges of corruption, aiding a prison escape, attempted murder and hijacking.
It is alleged they were involved in the escape from East London prison of three dangerous awaiting trial prisoners Desmond Nompumza, Nonelelo Kwinti and Daniel Nqwiliso on August 5.
The men escaped through a hole in the fence near the West Bank High School after allegedly obtaining a firearm and a cellphone from the warders before they broke out of the prison.
Ndaba Mduna, the head of the prison's Medium B section where the two men worked and from where the escape was made, said the accused were being marked absent even though the authorities knew where they were. As a consequence they were not being paid for the time they were spending in jail.
If they were to have been suspended while an investigation into their conduct was being carried out it most probably would have been on full pay.
Although the men were regarded as awaiting trial prisoners, they were being held in single cells at the prison's Medium A section for convicted criminals.
This was being done for their own safety, but it meant that other dangerous criminals had to be kept in the general population or moved to other secure prisons, Mduna told the court yesterday.
Joemath said though there was little likelihood that the men would interfere with the investigation or the witnesses, the people in the neighbourhood around the prison had lost faith in the judicial system and had been alarmed at the break out.
These people, he said, had to have their faith in the judicial system restored and it would serve the public and justice better if the men remained in custody until their next appearance on September 21.
One of the escapees, Nqwiliso, was recaptured in Johannesburg but Nompumza and Kwinti are still on the run.
By Lew Elias
Source : Dispatch
EAST LONDON - Two warders alleged to have aided three dangerous prisoners escape from East London prison were yesterday refused bail by a magistrate here.
Magistrate Nazeem Joemath said that corruption was a cancer that was of such concern to the authorities that task teams and commissions had been set up to root it out.
The warders, Bantwini Bhovu and Cyprian Matshaya, are facing charges of corruption, aiding a prison escape, attempted murder and hijacking.
It is alleged they were involved in the escape from East London prison of three dangerous awaiting trial prisoners Desmond Nompumza, Nonelelo Kwinti and Daniel Nqwiliso on August 5.
The men escaped through a hole in the fence near the West Bank High School after allegedly obtaining a firearm and a cellphone from the warders before they broke out of the prison.
Ndaba Mduna, the head of the prison's Medium B section where the two men worked and from where the escape was made, said the accused were being marked absent even though the authorities knew where they were. As a consequence they were not being paid for the time they were spending in jail.
If they were to have been suspended while an investigation into their conduct was being carried out it most probably would have been on full pay.
Although the men were regarded as awaiting trial prisoners, they were being held in single cells at the prison's Medium A section for convicted criminals.
This was being done for their own safety, but it meant that other dangerous criminals had to be kept in the general population or moved to other secure prisons, Mduna told the court yesterday.
Joemath said though there was little likelihood that the men would interfere with the investigation or the witnesses, the people in the neighbourhood around the prison had lost faith in the judicial system and had been alarmed at the break out.
These people, he said, had to have their faith in the judicial system restored and it would serve the public and justice better if the men remained in custody until their next appearance on September 21.
One of the escapees, Nqwiliso, was recaptured in Johannesburg but Nompumza and Kwinti are still on the run.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Policeman Convicted of murdering a Civilian
24 April 2002
The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) wishes to inform that Constable Randall Adonis (33), charged with the murder of Elchunick Pedro-Jappie (16), in February 2000, was found guilty and convicted in the Bellville Regional Court on Tuesday, 23 April 2002.
The incident occurred in Khayelitsha in the Western Cape on 12 February 2000 where Const Adonis killed Pedro-Jappie by shooting him once in the stomach. Const Adonis shot Pedro-Jappie after an argument ensued between them at a tavern where they were drinking. Adonis belonged to the Commuter Service Unit, Bellville.
The ICD took charge of the investigation immediately and after finalization thereof forwarded the case docket to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) with recommendations that the suspect be indicted for murder. The DPP concurred with the ICD’s recommendations and prosecuted Const Adonis for murder, attempted murder, pointing of a firearm, use of a firearm under the influence of alcohol and discharging a firearm in a residential area.
Const Adonis was acquitted for attempted murder and convicted of murder and sentenced on 23 April 2002, to 10 years’ imprisonment and he was also convicted for pointing of a firearm, use of firearm a under the influence of alcohol and discharging a firearm in a residential area and sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. The aforesaid sentences will run concurrently.
Adonis has been discharged from the police service after his departmental hearing.
The deceased was killed with the service firearm of Const Adonis.
Steve Mabona
ICD National Spokesperson
24 April 2002
The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) wishes to inform that Constable Randall Adonis (33), charged with the murder of Elchunick Pedro-Jappie (16), in February 2000, was found guilty and convicted in the Bellville Regional Court on Tuesday, 23 April 2002.
The incident occurred in Khayelitsha in the Western Cape on 12 February 2000 where Const Adonis killed Pedro-Jappie by shooting him once in the stomach. Const Adonis shot Pedro-Jappie after an argument ensued between them at a tavern where they were drinking. Adonis belonged to the Commuter Service Unit, Bellville.
The ICD took charge of the investigation immediately and after finalization thereof forwarded the case docket to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) with recommendations that the suspect be indicted for murder. The DPP concurred with the ICD’s recommendations and prosecuted Const Adonis for murder, attempted murder, pointing of a firearm, use of a firearm under the influence of alcohol and discharging a firearm in a residential area.
Const Adonis was acquitted for attempted murder and convicted of murder and sentenced on 23 April 2002, to 10 years’ imprisonment and he was also convicted for pointing of a firearm, use of firearm a under the influence of alcohol and discharging a firearm in a residential area and sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. The aforesaid sentences will run concurrently.
Adonis has been discharged from the police service after his departmental hearing.
The deceased was killed with the service firearm of Const Adonis.
Steve Mabona
ICD National Spokesperson
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Five prisoners still on the run
Herald Correspondent
Source: The Herald Online
QUEENSTOWN – Five of nine awaiting-trial prisoners, who left behind a bloody trail as they stabbed and assaulted six police and prison officials during their escape from Dordrecht prison on Monday evening, were still on the run yesterday.
Four escapees were back in custody by yesterday afternoon.
The nine, brandishing knives, overpowered the correctional services members and policemen who were unlocking a cell at 5.30pm at the Dordrecht prison.
The policemen, all from Elliot, were assisting the Dordrecht prison staff to admit another awaiting-trial prisoner to the cell when they were attacked.
Provincial correctional services department spokesman Thembisa Spambo said yesterday the nine suspects fled through the main gate of the prison into nearby mountains in the direction of Transkei.
wo of them, Michael Tafeni and Nkosinathi Tafeni, were held in connection with the murder of former Maclear mayor Martie Scheppel on her farm on January 20 and the murders of Elliot farming couple, Kevin and Lou McGregor, on March 25.
A third, Xolile Thomas, was also held in connection with the Scheppel murder.
The other escapees are: Manzana Breakfast charged with murder and robbery; Simpiwe Mangela, Simpiwe Manakana and Vuyisile Diko, all charged with murder; Tobile Waluwake charged with rape; and Zamekile Mpathi charged with armed robbery.
Michael Tafeni and Breakfast were rearrested near the prison premises shortly after their escape, while Mangela and Diko were rearrested during the day yesterday.
Sergeant Kanyisile Hlazo was stabbed in the neck and back, Sgt Kayalethu Dwayinga in the shoulder and Sgt Vuyani Bhodlo’s left leg was broken.
Sgt Spambo confirmed that correctional services member Waldo Badenhorst was stabbed six times, and colleague Mabutana Prusenti was stabbed in the head.
Prison official Fezile Boniswa, who was manning the front gate, was cut on the hands.
Mr Badenhorst was in a stable condition in St Dominic’s Hospital in East London, while Mr Prusenti was due to be discharged from hospital today.
All the other injured were in a stable condition.
________________________________________
Herald Correspondent
Source: The Herald Online
QUEENSTOWN – Five of nine awaiting-trial prisoners, who left behind a bloody trail as they stabbed and assaulted six police and prison officials during their escape from Dordrecht prison on Monday evening, were still on the run yesterday.
Four escapees were back in custody by yesterday afternoon.
The nine, brandishing knives, overpowered the correctional services members and policemen who were unlocking a cell at 5.30pm at the Dordrecht prison.
The policemen, all from Elliot, were assisting the Dordrecht prison staff to admit another awaiting-trial prisoner to the cell when they were attacked.
Provincial correctional services department spokesman Thembisa Spambo said yesterday the nine suspects fled through the main gate of the prison into nearby mountains in the direction of Transkei.
wo of them, Michael Tafeni and Nkosinathi Tafeni, were held in connection with the murder of former Maclear mayor Martie Scheppel on her farm on January 20 and the murders of Elliot farming couple, Kevin and Lou McGregor, on March 25.
A third, Xolile Thomas, was also held in connection with the Scheppel murder.
The other escapees are: Manzana Breakfast charged with murder and robbery; Simpiwe Mangela, Simpiwe Manakana and Vuyisile Diko, all charged with murder; Tobile Waluwake charged with rape; and Zamekile Mpathi charged with armed robbery.
Michael Tafeni and Breakfast were rearrested near the prison premises shortly after their escape, while Mangela and Diko were rearrested during the day yesterday.
Sergeant Kanyisile Hlazo was stabbed in the neck and back, Sgt Kayalethu Dwayinga in the shoulder and Sgt Vuyani Bhodlo’s left leg was broken.
Sgt Spambo confirmed that correctional services member Waldo Badenhorst was stabbed six times, and colleague Mabutana Prusenti was stabbed in the head.
Prison official Fezile Boniswa, who was manning the front gate, was cut on the hands.
Mr Badenhorst was in a stable condition in St Dominic’s Hospital in East London, while Mr Prusenti was due to be discharged from hospital today.
All the other injured were in a stable condition.
________________________________________
Crimes of the South African Police Service
389 escapes from custody reported
Herald Correspondent
Source: The Herald Online
EAST LONDON – In the six months between March and August this year, 389 people have escaped from custody – ranging from escapes from police cells and prisons to places of safety.
This does not include the escape of 13 awaiting-trial prisoners from the Coffee Bay police cells on Friday, and the escape of nine awaiting-trial prisoners from the Dordrecht prison on Monday.
Provincial police spokesman Superintendent Theodora Mngconkola confirmed the figures yesterday.
A breakdown of escapes shows the highest number in the Umtata area (153), followed by the Queenstown area (78), Port Elizabeth (35), Drakensberg (32) and East London (31).
The Uitenhage area had 25 escapes during the period examined, the Karoo had 20 escapes and the Grahamstown area the least at 15.
The provincial safety and liaison department’s annual report stated that about 80 per cent of escapes from Transkei police cells were preventable.
A team has been established to investigate the escapes and is to report back to the legislature on its findings.
Herald Correspondent
Source: The Herald Online
EAST LONDON – In the six months between March and August this year, 389 people have escaped from custody – ranging from escapes from police cells and prisons to places of safety.
This does not include the escape of 13 awaiting-trial prisoners from the Coffee Bay police cells on Friday, and the escape of nine awaiting-trial prisoners from the Dordrecht prison on Monday.
Provincial police spokesman Superintendent Theodora Mngconkola confirmed the figures yesterday.
A breakdown of escapes shows the highest number in the Umtata area (153), followed by the Queenstown area (78), Port Elizabeth (35), Drakensberg (32) and East London (31).
The Uitenhage area had 25 escapes during the period examined, the Karoo had 20 escapes and the Grahamstown area the least at 15.
The provincial safety and liaison department’s annual report stated that about 80 per cent of escapes from Transkei police cells were preventable.
A team has been established to investigate the escapes and is to report back to the legislature on its findings.
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Chaos amid Pagad jail break
Source:The Herald Online
CAPE TOWN – Three awaiting trial prisoners are still on the run after a group of suspects – including a high-profile Pagad member facing murder charges – made a daring escape from the Cape High Court during a lunch break yesterday.
Police have launched a massive search for three of the seven suspects, all of who were facing charges relating to urban terror.
Four were re-arrested within two hours in Crawford and Athlone in Cape Town. Among those to escape were Ebrahim Jeneker, a member of the G-Force of Pagad, Abdullah Maansdorp, Abubaker Jacobs, Nazrodien Gamaldien, Anees Adams, Moegamat Cornellson and Moneeb Peterson.
Jeneker, along with the Maansdorp brothers Abdullah and Ismail, faces 138 charges including murder, attempted murder and several robberies in the Western Cape.
Superintendent Denise Brand said Jeneker and Gamaldien were re-arrested in Crawford while Adams and Cornellson were apprehended in Athlone.
Jeneker, along with the Maansdorp brothers Abdullah and Ismail, faces 138 charges including murder, attempted murder and several robberies in the Western Cape.
Superintendent Denise Brand said Jeneker and Gamaldien were re-arrested in Crawford while Adams and Cornellson were apprehended in Athlone.
Jeneker suffered an injury to his leg but Supt Brand was unable to confirm whether he was shot or injured his leg when he jumped over a wall in Crawford to evade arrest.
Supt Brand said the men made their escape at 1.30pm when they grabbed a policeman’s firearm at the court. They ran through the city centre, hotly pursued by police. Shots were fired.
The escapees hijacked a Toyota Venture in Adderley Street and sped off.
Supt Brand could not confirm whether police had fired shots but members of the public caught in the maelstrom in St George’s Mall heard four or five shots being fired and saw police running along the mall shouting to bystanders to seek refuge in shops.
Pedestrians scattered in all directions as police on foot patrols also joined in.
An eyewitness said he saw a parked car with a taxi sign on it in front of the Reserve Bank in Hout Street surrounded by police.
Another eyewitness said he saw a “gun sliding down” the cobbled paving of the mall at one stage. Parts of Hout Street were cordoned off during the commotion.
It was not immediately known why the men were in court as the High Court is in recess, but it was possible they were consulting their legal advisers.
DA safety and security spokesman Andre Gaum said the escape was “disturbing and unacceptable”.
“One would have expected drastically improved security measures in cases involving urban terror,” Mr Gaum said. – Sapa
Source:The Herald Online
CAPE TOWN – Three awaiting trial prisoners are still on the run after a group of suspects – including a high-profile Pagad member facing murder charges – made a daring escape from the Cape High Court during a lunch break yesterday.
Police have launched a massive search for three of the seven suspects, all of who were facing charges relating to urban terror.
Four were re-arrested within two hours in Crawford and Athlone in Cape Town. Among those to escape were Ebrahim Jeneker, a member of the G-Force of Pagad, Abdullah Maansdorp, Abubaker Jacobs, Nazrodien Gamaldien, Anees Adams, Moegamat Cornellson and Moneeb Peterson.
Jeneker, along with the Maansdorp brothers Abdullah and Ismail, faces 138 charges including murder, attempted murder and several robberies in the Western Cape.
Superintendent Denise Brand said Jeneker and Gamaldien were re-arrested in Crawford while Adams and Cornellson were apprehended in Athlone.
Jeneker, along with the Maansdorp brothers Abdullah and Ismail, faces 138 charges including murder, attempted murder and several robberies in the Western Cape.
Superintendent Denise Brand said Jeneker and Gamaldien were re-arrested in Crawford while Adams and Cornellson were apprehended in Athlone.
Jeneker suffered an injury to his leg but Supt Brand was unable to confirm whether he was shot or injured his leg when he jumped over a wall in Crawford to evade arrest.
Supt Brand said the men made their escape at 1.30pm when they grabbed a policeman’s firearm at the court. They ran through the city centre, hotly pursued by police. Shots were fired.
The escapees hijacked a Toyota Venture in Adderley Street and sped off.
Supt Brand could not confirm whether police had fired shots but members of the public caught in the maelstrom in St George’s Mall heard four or five shots being fired and saw police running along the mall shouting to bystanders to seek refuge in shops.
Pedestrians scattered in all directions as police on foot patrols also joined in.
An eyewitness said he saw a parked car with a taxi sign on it in front of the Reserve Bank in Hout Street surrounded by police.
Another eyewitness said he saw a “gun sliding down” the cobbled paving of the mall at one stage. Parts of Hout Street were cordoned off during the commotion.
It was not immediately known why the men were in court as the High Court is in recess, but it was possible they were consulting their legal advisers.
DA safety and security spokesman Andre Gaum said the escape was “disturbing and unacceptable”.
“One would have expected drastically improved security measures in cases involving urban terror,” Mr Gaum said. – Sapa
Crimes of the South African Police Service
Weapons cache found in T'kei
By Denver Donian Crime Reporter
Source: Dispatch
EAST LONDON - Police are searching for an ex-soldier after a large cache of weapons was found at Mqanduli in the Transkei on Wednesday.
Among the items recovered in a raid on a property by the police national intervention unit were 205 live rounds of ammunition for a high calibre rifle, 115 empty cartridges and 40 blank R5 rounds.
Police also recovered 18 R1 tracer rounds, which show a clear light in the night, four bullet-proof vests, ammunition for a shotgun, four used stun grenades and "green smoke" used for camouflage.
Unlicensed 9mm guns, 402 live rounds of 9mm ammunition and 283 empty 9mm cartridges were also found.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Sipho Sinzani said the raid followed information from the community that an ex-soldier was training people to use guns.
A 73-year-old suspect, believed to be the father of the ex-soldier, was arrested. He is due in the Mqanduli Magistrate's Court shortly.
By Denver Donian Crime Reporter
Source: Dispatch
EAST LONDON - Police are searching for an ex-soldier after a large cache of weapons was found at Mqanduli in the Transkei on Wednesday.
Among the items recovered in a raid on a property by the police national intervention unit were 205 live rounds of ammunition for a high calibre rifle, 115 empty cartridges and 40 blank R5 rounds.
Police also recovered 18 R1 tracer rounds, which show a clear light in the night, four bullet-proof vests, ammunition for a shotgun, four used stun grenades and "green smoke" used for camouflage.
Unlicensed 9mm guns, 402 live rounds of 9mm ammunition and 283 empty 9mm cartridges were also found.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Sipho Sinzani said the raid followed information from the community that an ex-soldier was training people to use guns.
A 73-year-old suspect, believed to be the father of the ex-soldier, was arrested. He is due in the Mqanduli Magistrate's Court shortly.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Crimes of the South African Police Services
South African Police Service Cps Hit Two white women, Swear , and Verbally Abuse them. Husband in picture inset below complains.
Mrs. Isit (20) and Mrs. Zandi Muller (24) from Rust de Winter with their children Keante Scheepers (5) and Chante Muller (2) reported to have been pulled off the road by police, hit sworn at and locked in cells. (Read the entire STORY by Sarie van Niekerk in the BEELD, Thursday 29 September 2005, PICTURE by Robbie Schneider.)
Mrs. Isit (20) and Mrs. Zandi Muller (24) from Rust de Winter with their children Keante Scheepers (5) and Chante Muller (2) reported to have been pulled off the road by police, hit sworn at and locked in cells. (Read the entire STORY by Sarie van Niekerk in the BEELD, Thursday 29 September 2005, PICTURE by Robbie Schneider.)
Crimes of the South African Police Services
Metrocop asks reporter, in picture inset, for bribe
BEELD 30 September 2005
BEELD 30 September 2005
Crimes of the South African Police Services
Warders in escape case refused bail
By Lew Elias
Source Dispatch
EAST LONDON - Two warders alleged to have aided three dangerous prisoners escape from East London prison were yesterday refused bail by a magistrate here.
Magistrate Nazeem Joemath said that corruption was a cancer that was of such concern to the authorities that task teams and commissions had been set up to root it out.
The warders, Bantwini Bhovu and Cyprian Matshaya, are facing charges of corruption, aiding a prison escape, attempted murder and hijacking.
It is alleged they were involved in the escape from East London prison of three dangerous awaiting trial prisoners Desmond Nompumza, Nonelelo Kwinti and Daniel Nqwiliso on August 5.
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The men escaped through a hole in the fence near the West Bank High School after allegedly obtaining a firearm and a cellphone from the warders before they broke out of the prison.
Ndaba Mduna, the head of the prison's Medium B section where the two men worked and from where the escape was made, said the accused were being marked absent even though the authorities knew where they were. As a consequence they were not being paid for the time they were spending in jail.
If they were to have been suspended while an investigation into their conduct was being carried out it most probably would have been on full pay.
Although the men were regarded as awaiting trial prisoners, they were being held in single cells at the prison's Medium A section for convicted criminals.
This was being done for their own safety, but it meant that other dangerous criminals had to be kept in the general population or moved to other secure prisons, Mduna told the court yesterday.
Joemath said though there was little likelihood that the men would interfere with the investigation or the witnesses, the people in the neighbourhood around the prison had lost faith in the judicial system and had been alarmed at the break out.
These people, he said, had to have their faith in the judicial system restored and it would serve the public and justice better if the men remained in custody until their next appearance on September 21.
One of the escapees, Nqwiliso, was recaptured in Johannesburg but Nompumza and Kwinti are still on the run.
By Lew Elias
Source Dispatch
EAST LONDON - Two warders alleged to have aided three dangerous prisoners escape from East London prison were yesterday refused bail by a magistrate here.
Magistrate Nazeem Joemath said that corruption was a cancer that was of such concern to the authorities that task teams and commissions had been set up to root it out.
The warders, Bantwini Bhovu and Cyprian Matshaya, are facing charges of corruption, aiding a prison escape, attempted murder and hijacking.
It is alleged they were involved in the escape from East London prison of three dangerous awaiting trial prisoners Desmond Nompumza, Nonelelo Kwinti and Daniel Nqwiliso on August 5.
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*Wait to load
The men escaped through a hole in the fence near the West Bank High School after allegedly obtaining a firearm and a cellphone from the warders before they broke out of the prison.
Ndaba Mduna, the head of the prison's Medium B section where the two men worked and from where the escape was made, said the accused were being marked absent even though the authorities knew where they were. As a consequence they were not being paid for the time they were spending in jail.
If they were to have been suspended while an investigation into their conduct was being carried out it most probably would have been on full pay.
Although the men were regarded as awaiting trial prisoners, they were being held in single cells at the prison's Medium A section for convicted criminals.
This was being done for their own safety, but it meant that other dangerous criminals had to be kept in the general population or moved to other secure prisons, Mduna told the court yesterday.
Joemath said though there was little likelihood that the men would interfere with the investigation or the witnesses, the people in the neighbourhood around the prison had lost faith in the judicial system and had been alarmed at the break out.
These people, he said, had to have their faith in the judicial system restored and it would serve the public and justice better if the men remained in custody until their next appearance on September 21.
One of the escapees, Nqwiliso, was recaptured in Johannesburg but Nompumza and Kwinti are still on the run.
Crimes of the South African Police Services
Selebi should be prosecuted ¬ ICD
Thursday, February 3, 2000
Daily Dispatch Correspondent and Sapa
JOHANNESBURG -- The Independent Complaints Directorate's shock recommendation that police chief Jackie Selebi be prosecuted for intimidation was met with a wall of silence yesterday as officials from all sectors clammed up.
The ICD, a body tasked by the government to investigate police conduct, was called in to investigate the intimidation docket after North West police sergeant Julian Mabelane accused the national commissioner of having threatened him.
The directorate, following a two-week investigation, yesterday found prima facie evidence that Selebi had, through his conduct, caused Mabelane to fear for the security of his livelihood -- a contravention of the Intimidation Act.
Mabelane claimed he had been involved in an argument over straw with Selebi's uncle. Selebi allegedly summoned Mabelane to his office at police headquarters in Pretoria on December 30 and told Mabelane to apologise to his uncle or face dismissal.
The directorate suggested that Selebi be prosecuted for his actions, and further recommended that Safety and Security Minister Steve Tshwete draw the attention of the Cabinet to the matter, highlighting its powers under sections 8 and 9 of the Police Act.
In terms of the law, if Selebi has lost the confidence of the Cabinet, President Thabo Mbeki may establish a board of inquiry consisting of a judge of the high court as chair and two other suitable persons to look into the circumstances under which confidence was lost, compile a report and make recommendations.
The ICD, after hearing the recommendations, passed the docket on tothe Director ofPublic Prosecutions, Bulelani Ngcuka.
"The director has received the docket and has passed it on to the DPP (director of public prosecutions) in Pretoria (Dr Silas Ramaite). He will make a decision in due course. It's a thick docket so it may take some time," said Sipho Ngwema, Ngcuka's spokesperson.
Tshwete's spokesperson, André Martin, said the ministry declined to comment on the issue.
Selebi's spokesperson, Sally de Beer, said the commissioner was not prepared to comment on the matter.
The intimidation charge is the second to be laid against Selebi since he took over as national police commissioner last month. Last month the ICD found that Selebi
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had called Sergeant Jeanett Mothiba a chimpanzee.
The directorate recommended that Selebi not be charged with crimen injuria, but that he be counselled by Tshwete.
The ICD has been unable to find any case law precedent to Selebi's case. Senior Superintendent Strini Govender, spokesperson for the SAPS human resources division, said if a policeman was charged with intimidation the case would be investigated and passed on to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for a decision on whether or not to prosecute.
If criminal procedures followed, the accused would also be suspended if the merits of the case warranted disciplinary action.
Martin Schönteich, a researcher from the Institute for Security Studies, said the ICD's decision to prosecute was a principled one, but added: "It's bad for morale, especially since this is not the first charge against Selebi.''
Political parties yesterday expressed concern about the Selebi matter.
The leader of the United Democratic Movement, Bantu Holomisa, urged the Safety and Security Ministry to immediately suspend Selebi pending the outcome of a decision by Ngcuka.
The Inkatha Freedom Party said the recommendation should be handled transparently and should Ngcuka opt not to prosecute, he should give clear reasons for his decision.
Graham McIntosh of the Democratic Party said: "Selebi has the potential to be an outstanding commissioner of police. It is a pity ... that he has now become embroiled in controversy and possible prosecution."
Thursday, February 3, 2000
Daily Dispatch Correspondent and Sapa
JOHANNESBURG -- The Independent Complaints Directorate's shock recommendation that police chief Jackie Selebi be prosecuted for intimidation was met with a wall of silence yesterday as officials from all sectors clammed up.
The ICD, a body tasked by the government to investigate police conduct, was called in to investigate the intimidation docket after North West police sergeant Julian Mabelane accused the national commissioner of having threatened him.
The directorate, following a two-week investigation, yesterday found prima facie evidence that Selebi had, through his conduct, caused Mabelane to fear for the security of his livelihood -- a contravention of the Intimidation Act.
Mabelane claimed he had been involved in an argument over straw with Selebi's uncle. Selebi allegedly summoned Mabelane to his office at police headquarters in Pretoria on December 30 and told Mabelane to apologise to his uncle or face dismissal.
The directorate suggested that Selebi be prosecuted for his actions, and further recommended that Safety and Security Minister Steve Tshwete draw the attention of the Cabinet to the matter, highlighting its powers under sections 8 and 9 of the Police Act.
In terms of the law, if Selebi has lost the confidence of the Cabinet, President Thabo Mbeki may establish a board of inquiry consisting of a judge of the high court as chair and two other suitable persons to look into the circumstances under which confidence was lost, compile a report and make recommendations.
The ICD, after hearing the recommendations, passed the docket on tothe Director ofPublic Prosecutions, Bulelani Ngcuka.
"The director has received the docket and has passed it on to the DPP (director of public prosecutions) in Pretoria (Dr Silas Ramaite). He will make a decision in due course. It's a thick docket so it may take some time," said Sipho Ngwema, Ngcuka's spokesperson.
Tshwete's spokesperson, André Martin, said the ministry declined to comment on the issue.
Selebi's spokesperson, Sally de Beer, said the commissioner was not prepared to comment on the matter.
The intimidation charge is the second to be laid against Selebi since he took over as national police commissioner last month. Last month the ICD found that Selebi
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*Wait to load
had called Sergeant Jeanett Mothiba a chimpanzee.
The directorate recommended that Selebi not be charged with crimen injuria, but that he be counselled by Tshwete.
The ICD has been unable to find any case law precedent to Selebi's case. Senior Superintendent Strini Govender, spokesperson for the SAPS human resources division, said if a policeman was charged with intimidation the case would be investigated and passed on to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for a decision on whether or not to prosecute.
If criminal procedures followed, the accused would also be suspended if the merits of the case warranted disciplinary action.
Martin Schönteich, a researcher from the Institute for Security Studies, said the ICD's decision to prosecute was a principled one, but added: "It's bad for morale, especially since this is not the first charge against Selebi.''
Political parties yesterday expressed concern about the Selebi matter.
The leader of the United Democratic Movement, Bantu Holomisa, urged the Safety and Security Ministry to immediately suspend Selebi pending the outcome of a decision by Ngcuka.
The Inkatha Freedom Party said the recommendation should be handled transparently and should Ngcuka opt not to prosecute, he should give clear reasons for his decision.
Graham McIntosh of the Democratic Party said: "Selebi has the potential to be an outstanding commissioner of police. It is a pity ... that he has now become embroiled in controversy and possible prosecution."
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