Taxi Association Chairperson murdered in Seshego

Taxi Association Chairperson murdered in Seshego

Police in Seshego are requesting urgent information from community members who can assist in apprehending unknown assailants responsible for the murder of a Taxi Association Chairperson.

A bullet-riddled body was discovered inside his vehicle at the Seshego Circle Center, on 30 January 2022 at about 17:20.

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Preliminary Police investigations revealed that the victim was sitting in his parked motor vehicle next to the traffic lights behind the Seshego Circle Center, Limpopo. An unknown number of assailants approached in a white Toyota Fortuner without registration numbers. They shot him several times before fleeing the scene.

The motive behind the incident is not known at this stage but taxi violence cannot be ruled out.

SESHEGO TAXI ASSOCIATION CHAIRPERSON KILLED

The deceased was identified as Monageng Solomon Ledwaba aged (53) and was reportedly the Chairman of the Santaco Taxi Association.

The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has appealed to community members to provide valuable information that can lead to the arrest of the assailants
Members of the community may contact Warrant Officer Kwena Malebana on 079 7081670.

Lieutenant Colonel Richard Boshomane on 079 894 5501, the Crime Stop number 0860010111 or also the nearest police.

Limpopo man sentenced to life imprisonment for rape of a minor

Limpopo man sentenced to life imprisonment for rape of a minor

The Sibasa Regional Court sentenced Rialivhuwa Emanuel Lurale, a 35-year-old man from Lwamondo Village in Limpopo to life imprisonment for the rape of a minor.

The victim, who was 13 years of age at the time of the incident, told the court that in December 2015, she met the accused on her way from the spaza shop with her friend. The accused approached them and promised to buy her Christmas clothes.
 
The complainant then left with the accused as she knew him as well as her stepfather. By then he was no longer staying with the complainant’s mother.

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He then took her to his village where he locked her inside the shack for three days raping her. Lurale was arrested after the complainant’s friend told the mother of the victim that her friend was taken by her stepdad.

The matter was reported to the police, who acted and rescued the child inside the shack. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The state, represented by Adv Rabelani Mutsinda Makhera had to prove the case to link the accused person to the offence as there was no DNA. The J88 was handed in to corroborate the evidence of the forensic nurse who testified about the injuries the complainant sustained throughout her ordeal.

LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR LWAMONDO MAN 

The Victim Impact Report of the complainant and her mother were handed in during sentencing. It was prepared by the Probation Officer, Lindelani Mukwevho.
 
During the trial, the victim, who is now 22 years old, told the court that she was traumatised after the incident. It led to her failing her grades at school. She became argumentative and experienced nightmares. Her mother also testified that she spent sleepless nights as her daughter cried a lot after the incident. She also failed her grades at school.

She became absent-minded and sought counseling services from the Thuthuzela Care Centre. Wherein social workers and psychologists helped her quite a lot, and her performance also improved at school.
 
The pre-sentence report for the accused was also read to the court and handed in as an exhibit. The probation officer, Mpho Matodzi recommended that the accused must be sentenced to life imprisonment.

The presiding officer, Mr Maruping Mabitsela agreed with the state and sentenced the accused to life imprisonment for rape.

Four People perish in three different crashes in Limpopo

Four People perish in three different crashes in Limpopo

Four people have been killed in three different accidents reported on Monday morning in three different districts of Limpopo.

The first accident was reported early this morning on the R529 road near Mphakane in Mopani. A driver of a speeding Opel loading Van lost control of the vehicle and overturned.

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A 26-year-old passenger was certified dead on the scene, five passengers sustained serious injuries and six escaped with minor injuries.

Preliminary investigations are citing tyre burst as a possible cause of the accident. The injured were rushed to Nkhensani Hospital.

MORE PEOPLE PERISH IN DIFFERENT ACCIDENTS IN LIMPOPO

In another accident reported on the N1 South in Waterberg, two people were killed in an accident involving a Polo Sedan and a Corsa sedan.

It is alleged that the Polo driver was speeding and hit a Corsa sedan at the rear, lost control and crashed into a bridge. Two passengers, a male and a female were killed on impact and the driver escaped with serious injuries.

Reckless and negligent driving has been cited as a possible cause of the accident. The injured were rushed to FH Ondedaal Hospital.
 
The last crash was reported at Itsani Village in Vhembe on the D5002 road involving a Polo Sedan. It is alleged that the driver was speeding, lost control and also hit a tree.

A 40-year-old driver who was alone in the car was also certified dead on the scene. Speeding is also cited as a possible cause of the accident.
 

Beitbridge port of entry security officials arrested for corruption    

Beitbridge port of entry security officials arrested for corruption    

Two Beitbridge security officials aged 31 and 35 were arrested on 26 January 2022 by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation members. They were nabbed on allegations of corruption, theft of motor vehicles, contravention of Sec 88 of the Custom and Excise Act 91 of 1974, and defeating the ends of justice.

On 18 December 2021, a suspicious international truck driver Kholisani Nkomo was allegedly stopped by the South African Revenue Service officials at the Beitbridge Port of Entry search point.

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It is reported that the truck was impounded for a mandatory search. But the driver promised the officials gratification for the release of the truck.

While SARS officials were still busy with the process of impounding the truck, a Fidelity company security official allegedly approached and persuaded them to accept gratification but they refused.

OFFICIAL ARRESTED FOR CORRUPTION AT BEITBRIDGE

The truck was eventually impounded and kept under the watch of another security official who allegedly abandoned his post which led to the disappearance of the truck.

After an investigation by the Hawks in collaboration with SARS Anti-Corruption members, warrants of arrest were authorised against the suspects and they are expected to appear in the Musina Magistrate’s court today.

The truck driver, Nkomo was already arrested on 27 December 2021 at Beitbridge Port of Entry on his way back from Gauteng Province. He was remanded in custody until released on R 3000 bail by the Musina Magistrate’s court on Wednesday, 26 January 2022.

Alleged Polokwane serial killer abandons bail

Alleged Polokwane serial killer abandons bail

Serial killer, Themba Prince Willards Dube (36) appeared today at Seshego Magistrates’ Court for bail hearing for allegedly killing seven women in and around Polokwane. Dube faces charges of seven counts of kidnapping, seven counts of murder and a count of being an illegal immigrant.

He was arrested on 03 November 2021 for possession of a suspected stolen cellphone that belonged to a woman who was allegedly kidnapped in Lebowakgomo in October 2021.

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Dube appeared at Seshego Court on 05 November 2021 on a charge of robbery and kidnapping. The accused was in custody when the investigations led to the discovery of seven bodies of women dumped at different locations in the Seshego, Polokwane, Mankweng and Westenburg areas.

In 2021, it is alleged that Dube would lure women and promise them employment, and the following victims have been positively identified by their next of kin.

POLOKWANE SERIAL KILLER MAKES BAIL DECISION 

(1) Sarah Moitswadi Mathiba (42) was reportedly kidnapped at Lebowakgomo 

(2) Moleboheng Mothibeli (34) a Lesotho national,  was reported missing in Polokwane during October 2021

(3) Eva Khomotso Makhura (41), was reported missing at Seshego

(4) Mpho Sanah Sinyatsi (34), was reported missing from Luthuli Park Extension 9L in  Seshego

(5) Andrea Cholo (25), reported being kidnapped at Seshego in September 2021

(6) Chisimango Gumbo (48), is a Zimbabwean national, who was reported missing at Seshego in August 2021 and

(7) Jane Letswalo (42) whose body was found next to Peter Mokaba stadium.

The Director of Public Prosecutions(DPP) Adv Ivy Thenga has also decided that Dube be tried at Polokwane High Court. The matter is remanded to 28 February 2022 at Seshego Magistrates’ Court for further investigations and to get DNA results.

Man accused of Child abuse in court

Man accused of Child abuse in court

A 30-year-old man appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrates Court in connection with two counts of rape, sexual assault, and five counts of child abuse. As well as one of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The man from Tshitereke village in Vhembe District, Limpopo is alleged to have preyed on an 11-year-old boy and his mother.

The presiding officer Mukoma Maiwashe said the applicant failed to prove his exceptional circumstances and could likely be a danger and bail was denied.

MAN APPEARS IN COURT FOR CHILD ABUSE

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2020 and 2021 but were only reported on 21 November 2021 after the victim had told his relative. The child could not tell his mother as he was also abused by the boyfriend.

During his bail appearance, the man submitted an affidavit indicating that he would lose his job and suffer financial loss by spending time in custody while he was innocent.

The prosecution opposed bail and called a state witness who indicated the applicant had a case in August 2020, of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm where the complainant was the mother of the same boy.

She was his girlfriend, pregnant with the accused’s child. The mother reconciled with the accused and the case was withdrawn.

ACCUSED INTIMIDATE THE VICTIMS?

The witness further told the court that the accused would interfere with witnesses, as he had access to their homestead and the victims were afraid of him.

It is feared that he might intimidate them not to testify against him. The witness told the court that the accused was working with children at a local primary school and there was a likelihood that he could violate more children.

During the address to the court, the prosecutor Ms Petronela Mudau said that the accused is an employee of the Department of Education, employed as an assistant teacher at the lower primary school wherein he works with minor children.

The National Prosecuting Authority(NPA) and Police condemn in the strongest possible terms, that the abuse of children and crimes against women and children will not be tolerated.

The case was postponed to 28 February 2022 for DPP’s decision.

Nine suspects arrested for GBV and Vigilantism

Nine suspects arrested for GBV and Vigilantism

Nine suspects have been arrested following GBV incidents of murder that took place at Rebone RDP Section in Limpopo. The police in Gilead were alerted about a mob justice incident in the said area. On their arrival at the scene, they found a middle-aged woman lying in the yard having been severely assaulted.

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Police were further directed to another male victim who was lying on the floor unconscious inside the house. The medical personnel were then summoned and certified both victims dead on the scene. The victims were identified as John Mojela aged 28 and Grace Mongatane aged 52.

Police opened two counts of murder and immediately commenced with preliminary investigations which revealed that the 28-year-old male victim residing at the nearby village of Tauatswala, had visited his girlfriend when they allegedly got into an altercation. The mother intervened and in the process, they both attacked the boyfriend and strangled him.

GBV SUSPECTS NABBED AT REBONE

Subsequent to the murder, an angry mob gathered at the said house and started attacking both mother and daughter and also burnt the house. The girlfriend and her siblings managed to escape but her mother was dragged to the back of the house where she was assaulted with stones and various objects. The suspects then fled the scene.

A Team comprising various police units from the Waterberg District was immediately assembled and the suspects were arrested on the same day.

The eight suspects aged between 23 and 78 were arrested for the revenge murder of Grace Mongatane. Her daughter was arrested for the murder of John Mojela.

The eight are expected to appear in the Gilead periodical court on Monday, 24 January 2022. They face charges of murder and arson, respectively. The 23-year-old suspect who was charged with the murder of her boyfriend, will also appear in the same court.

Two people Killed when an overloaded van overturned

Two people Killed when an overloaded van overturned

Two people were killed and 22 sustained injuries in an accident involving a Toyota Van on the D3260 road near Selwane Village in the Mopani District last night.

It is alleged that the driver of the loading van lost control of the vehicle and overturned.

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Two male passengers were killed instantly, the driver and two others sustained serious injuries and nineteen others escaped with minor injuries. The injured were taken to Maphuta Malatji Hospital.

In another accident reported last night, the driver of a Toyota Sedan died in a side-swipe collision with a Ford Van on the N1 North near Mampakuil weighbridge. Reckless driving has been cited as a possible cause for both accidents.

MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya is urging motorists to desist from overloading people in the vans and also drive recklessly.

SELWANE VILLAGE ACCIDENT KILLS TWO PEOPLE

This is the second accident involving an overloaded van reported this week and eight people have died as a result. Six people were killed on Friday evening outside Musina when a Nissan Van transporting twenty people overturned on the N1. MEC Lerule-Ramakhanya says law enforcement will impound overloaded Vans to reduce the road carnage.

South African veteran actor Patrick Shai passes away

South African veteran actor Patrick Shai passes away

Legendary actor Patrick Shai has passed away, his family confirmed that he died on Saturday morning.

“It is with great sadness to announce the passing of veteran actor Ntate Patrick Shai. He passed away this morning (22nd January 2022),” said a statement released by the family.

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Shai is best known for his roles in SABC shows Generations, Soul City and Zero Tolerance.

ACTOR PATRICK SHAI HAS DIED

Last week, Patrick came under fire for using inappropriate language in a video posted on social media, when he challenged rapper Cassper Nyovest to a boxing match.

On Tuesday, he released a public apology to the rapper and everyone affected by his remarks.

The family has requested privacy and time to process the painful loss.  

Farming machinery fraudster appeared in court

Farming machinery fraudster appeared in court

A suspected farming machinery fraudster Johannes Jakobus Louwrens (43) appeared in the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Friday. He is facing allegations of fraud.

In September 2019, the victim allegedly bought farming machinery from the company owned by the accused. They cost him a tune of R121 125 and a delivery was made.

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It is reported that when the victim inspected the machinery, he realised that they were faulty. He returned them to the company.

It is further reported that when the victim made a follow up to check if the machinery was fixed. He could not get hold of the accused and the money was never paid back.

A FRAUDSTER ACCUSED OF FARMING MACHINERY FRAUD IN COURT

The matter was reported to the Hawk’s Serious Commercial Crime Investigation. After a successful investigation, Louwrens was served with a summons to appear in court the very same day.

The case against Louwrens was postponed to 4 March 2022.