Group of suspects commit business robbery at a Musina Farm 

Group of suspects commit business robbery at a Musina Farm 

Limpopo Police have activated a massive manhunt for a group of suspects who committed business robbery in the farms within the Musina area. 

The suspects made off with items worth over R100 000, on Tuesday, 03 October at around 20:00.

According to the reports, two employees were in their farmhouse not far from the owner’s house, when the armed suspects intruded into their house and suddenly pointed them with firearms.

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They ordered them to the owner’s house, who was not present. The suspects then grind the safe and ransacked the house. Stole items including two pellet guns, one shotgun, mattresses, clothes, bags, blankets, and cellphones amongst other properties. 

They apparently loaded the stolen goods into the farm owner’s vehicle, a Mahindra bakkie with a trailer that was parked in the yard.

When the suspects were about to flee the owner arrived with another vehicle and confronted them. A shootout ensued, and the suspects bumped the owner’s vehicle. The suspects alighted from Mahindra and fled on foot.

The Police were immediately notified about the incident. A case of business robbery was opened while a  manhunt for the suspects was activated.

THUGS ON THE RUN AFTER COMMITTING BUSINESS ROBBERY IN MUSINA 

Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has ordered the Police in Musina, Vhembe District to mobilize resources. 

Anyone with information that can assist the Police in arresting the suspects involved should contact the investigating officer Sergeant Sitsula Dakalo at 064 829 8050/ 015 534 7401. Crime stop number 0860010111 or the nearest Police Station or MySAPSApp.

MEC Radzilani to visit the scene of the horrific Venetia Mine Bus accident

MEC Radzilani to visit the scene of the horrific Venetia Mine Bus accident

Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Florence Radzilani will on Monday morning visit the Bus accident scene that claimed the lives of more than 20 employees of the Venetia Mine.

A bus ferrying employees of the Venetia Mine was involved in an accident, on the afternoon of Sunday, 17th September 2023. The accident occurred on the R572about 25 kilometers from Musina to Venetia mine.

MEC Radzilani to visit the scene of the horrific Venetia Mine Bus accident
Venetia Mine accident scene

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MEC Radzilani will be joined by the Mayor of Musina Local Municipality, Clr Godfrey Mawela. Also the Senior Management Members of the Venetia Mine.

MEC TO VISIT VENETIA MINE BUS ACCIDENT SURVIVORS

The MEC will use the visit to ascertain facts about the accident. Also to pay a courtesy visit to the patients in the hospital.

According to initial reports, over 24 lives were lost when a Bus collided with a truck and caught fire

Accident claims 24 lives in Musina, Limpopo

Accident claims 24 lives in Musina, Limpopo

A horrific accident involving a bus and a truck in Musina, Limpopo claimed 24 lives on Sunday afternoon. Many other passengers remain fighting for their lives in hospital.

Although information is still sketchy, preliminary investigation suggests that 24 people lost their life as a result of the collision. A bus was carrying Murray and Roberts employees who were heading from Musina to Venetia Mine.

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The accident took place 40km from venetia mine under the Vhembe district. An eyewitness says the two vehicles collided before catching fire.

Accident claims 24 lives in Musina, Limpopo
Musina accident

MUSINA BUS ACCIDENT KILLS 24 PEOPLE

The road will be closed for several hours and motorists driving between Venetia, and Musina are advised to use alternative roads.

*This publication is still waiting for confirmation from the relevant authorities. Once complete information is provided we will confirm.

More to follow…

Cross-border vehicle smuggling mastermind re-arrested

Cross-border vehicle smuggling mastermind re-arrested

Suspected Limpopo River cross-border vehicle smuggling mastermind Raymond Sibusiso Tshabalala [28] has been re-arrested after he had absconded while on bail. Tshabalala was re-arrested by the Musina Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation assisted by Gauteng Provincial Organised Crime Unit.

It is alleged that in the early hours of 9 December 2017, the accused together with his accomplices broke into a Ford Vehicle Dealership in Phalaborwa and stole six Ford motor vehicles. Two Ford Everest and four Ford Rangers to the value of R3 235 000.

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The matter was immediately reported to the police and a case was opened. It referred to the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation for further probe. An intensive investigation was conducted and it resulted in the recovery of five of the six stolen motor vehicles in the Masisi area near the Limpopo River on the very same day they were reported stolen.

Limpopo Cross-border vehicle smuggling mastermind re-arrested
A Vehicle being smuggled at the Limpopo River

The vehicles were intercepted from crossing the Limpopo River into Zimbabwe and all the drivers ran away. Through the assistance of the law-abiding citizens, one of the accused, Tsununu Ahmad Maphosa (36) who is already convicted and sentenced was arrested in the area while attempting to flee.

LIMPOPO VEHICLE SMUGGLING MASTERMIND ABSCOND BAIL

The Hawks continued with the investigation until Raymond Sibusiso Tshabalala was arrested in Gauteng Province on 9 January 2019. Tshabalala is believed to be the mastermind behind the cross-border vehicle smuggling syndicate that operates between Gauteng and Limpopo.

Tshabalala was later released on bail but he never showed up on his next court dates, and subsequently, a warrant of arrest was authorised against him. He is expected to appear in the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 11 September 2023.

Stolen alcohol worth R190 000 recovered in Musina

Stolen alcohol worth R190 000 recovered in Musina

Police in Limpopo recovered R 195 000 worth of stolen alcohol and a trailer hijacked along Pondrift road in Musina this week.

It is alleged that the victim was with his two friends, driving in a white Toyota bakkie with a trailer loaded with beverages. Their vehicle was blocked by a group of unknown armed men. The suspects also pointed victims with firearms and drove with them into the bushes.

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Some of the suspects apparently left their friends and victims behind and drove in the victim’s bakkie and fled the scene. Other suspects remained with the victims.

After a while, the suspects returned with the victim’s vehicle without a trailer. They handed him the vehicle with car keys, and then they all fled. The victims notified the Police about the incident and opened cases of kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery with a firearm.

Stolen alcohol worth R190 000 recovered in Musina
Musina Stolen alcohol

On Thursday 10 August at about 12:00 members who were on Operation Kukula received information from Crime Intelligence about the hijacked trailer that was spotted. Leads were immediately followed up. The trailer loaded with alcohol was found hidden at an old unused RDP house at Ext 14 Matswale in Musina.

OWNER RELIEVED AS STOLEN ALCOHOL RECOVERED

The victim was also informed about the recovery of the goods and taken to the scene. He identified the trailer still loaded with alcohol. The manhunt for the suspects is underway.

The Provincial Commissioner of Police Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe appreciated the members for recovering the hijacked trailer. She ordered the Detectives to trace and arrest the suspects.

Anyone with information that can assist regarding the whereabouts of the suspects involved should contact Musina SAPS Acting Detective-Commander Captain Fumulani Ragimana at 0825657889. Crime Stop number 0860010111 alternatively report to the nearest Police Station or also share it on MySAPSApp.

Burglary at a local school in Musina

Burglary at a local school in Musina

Police in Musina, Limpopo have launched an intensive manhunt in response to a recent burglary at a local Primary School. The incident allegedly occurred in the early hours of Monday, 31 July at about 03:22.

It is alleged that three African males armed with firearms accosted the security officer on duty and tied him to a wire and shoelaces.

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The perpetrators gained access to the main office by breaking the door and proceeded to ransack it in search of valuable items. They then took two safes, one mounted on the wall.

The two safes were later found dumped in the schoolyard after the suspects failed to open them. The estimated value of the damage is R15000,00.

BURGLARY AT A LOCAL SCHOOL

“The Safety and Security of our community’s educational institutions are of utmost importance to the SAPS. We are working diligently to identify and apprehend those responsible for this brazen act. Our dedicated team of detectives is actively following up on leads, gathering all the evidence,” said Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.

“We urge anyone with information related to this incident to come forward and assist us in our investigation. No detail is too insignificant, and even the smallest piece of information may prove crucial in identifying and apprehending the suspects. We assure the public that all information provided will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.

They may also contact the Police on Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or the nearest Police station. They can also use the MysapsApp app.

N1 in Musina closed due to a horrible accident

N1 in Musina closed due to a horrible accident

The N1 road next to the Sasol Garage in Musina, Limpopo has been closed due to a horrible accident on Sunday morning. The road is closed in all directions for emergency services.

Motorists are advised to use the R525 if traveling from Makhado to Musina. R508 if they are traveling from Musina to Makhado.

N1 in Musina closed due to a horrible accident
N1 Accident

N1 MUSINA ACCIDENT CAUSES ROAD CLOSURE

It is further reported that a International truck had a brake failure, lost control and blocked the road.

A and Toyota sedan crashed into the truck. One person from the sedan died on scene and another two persons sustained serious injuries

More to follow…

Goods worth over R 5 million seized in Musina

Goods worth over R 5 million seized in Musina

Law enforcement authorities have seized counterfeit goods valued at over R5 million during an intelligence-driven operation conducted in Musina, Limpopo this week.

The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation members based in Musina received intelligence about illicit cigarette storage at a certain address. A sting operation was immediately conducted.

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The investigation led the team to a suspicious house in the area. When they arrived at the identified address, they found three vehicles. A Toyota Quantum, Toyota Corolla and Nissan Bakkie parked inside the yard.

The Toyota Quantum was searched and the team found 29 x Master cases of Chele Chele illicit cigarettes. 6 x loose packets of Chele Chele illicit cigarettes and 6 x cartoons of Royal Express illicit cigarettes and seized them.

Goods worth over R 5 million seized in Musina
R 5 million seized in Musina

Further investigation led to the seizure of more illicit cigarettes (100 x Master cases of Royal Express, 24 x cartoons of Royal Express, 3 x loose packets of Remington Gold, 56 x Master Remington Gold, 9 x cartoons of Gold, 8 x loose packets of Chele Chele illicit cigarettes and 15X Master cases of Chele Chele illicit cigarettes) that were found hidden in the storeroom and in the yard.

GOODS WORTH R5 MILLION SEIZED IN MUSINA

Through proper observation, counterfeit clothing and traditional material were found hidden inside the Toyota Corolla and they were also seized.

The estimated value of the seized illicit cigarettes and the vehicles is over R5 million. The value of counterfeit clothing and traditional material is still going to be determined by the ongoing investigation. 

One Man arrested for 107 stolen TV Screens in Musina

One Man arrested for 107 stolen TV Screens in Musina

A 44-year-old Man has been arrested for being caught in possession of 107 stolen TV screens at the China Mall in Musina. Abrar Jamel Hassen was caught on Monday at around 14:00 in the Vhembe District, Limpopo.

It is alleged that the Police were on duty in the area when they noticed a suspicious man carrying a TV. When the Musina businessman was approached and questioned, he reportedly failed to give sufficient answers on the stolen TV Screens.

One Man arrested for 107 stolen TV Screens in Musina
Musina Mall

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When the Police further investigated, they discovered over 100 Samsung TV screens in a storeroom. The TVs were stolen during a hijacking incident in October 2022 in Vosloorus, Gauteng. The TV screens worth R 375 000 were subsequently Vosloorus.

MAN CAUGHT WITH 107 STOLEN TV SCREENS

Hassen appeared before the Musina magistrate on Wednesday. He is out on bail of R10 000 for possession of suspected stolen properties.

Human trafficking criminals caught at a Polokwane lodge

Human trafficking criminals caught at a Polokwane lodge

Police apprehended three male suspects in connection with human trafficking on Friday 30 June at a lodge in Polokwane. Police received information about the illegal activities that were occurring at a Lodge in Polokwane and immediately rushed to the premises.

Upon arrival at the lodge, Police were directed to one of the rented rooms. They found three males, one South African and two Ethiopian Nationals
who alleged that they were alone in the bachelor room. Police searched the room and subsequently found three women believed to be Ethiopians hidden in one of the compartments inside the room.

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The women aged between 20 and 23 had passports. But they were not stamped and authorized to be in the country legally and were immediately placed under arrest for Contravention of the Immigration Act.

Human trafficking criminals caught at a Polokwane lodge
Polokwane Entrance

The three males were also nabbed for human trafficking after preliminary investigations indicated that the women were transported from Musina in the Vhembe District and were heading to Gauteng Province without valid passports.

Furthermore, it is reported that the male suspects rented at the lodge for two days and authorities became suspicious.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING SUSPECTS CAUGHT IN POLOKWANE

“I would like to applaud the swift response from the Police for immediate apprehension of the suspects. They were intending to execute the unknown illegal activities in the Province,” said Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe

The suspects are expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate Court on Monday 03 June 2023. They are facing charges of Contravention of the Immigration Act and Human Trafficking.