SA police - The African Mirror

Jul

27

2024

95 Libyan nationals arrested after SA Police bust a secret military camp

NEWS

IN a shocking development, South African Police Service (SAPS) have unearthed a clandestine military training facility operated by Libyan nationals, raising alarm bells about potential security threats in the region. A sweeping raid in the Mpumalanga province led to the arrest of 95 Libyans, sparking concerns about a wider network of illicit camps across the country. The camp, discovered on a farm near White River, near the Kruger National Park, was initially masked as a security guard training centre. However, SAPS’ intelligence-led investigations revealed a far more sinister operation. National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe stated that despite claims of entering…

Jan

25

2024

By NELLIE PEYTON

Man to be charged with murder for deadly Johannesburg fire

NEWS

SOUTH African police have arrested a man suspected of starting the fire that killed more than 70 people in a hijacked building in downtown Johannesburg in August. The 29-year-old man confessed to an inquiry tasked with determining responsibility for the blaze that he was involved in starting it, the police said in a statement sent to Reuters. He is expected to appear before a Johannesburg court soon on charges of arson, 77 counts of murder and 120 counts of attempted murder, the statement said. One of the worst disasters in living memory in South Africa's economic hub, the blaze broke out on August 31…

Jan

09

2023

By The African Mirror

SA police probe poisoning of energy boss

NEWS

WENDELL ROELF SOUTH African power utility Eskom said police were investigating whether an attempt was made to poison its outgoing Chief Executive Officer Andre de Ruyter. Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan also told Reuters on Sunday the alleged incident "will be thoroughly investigated" and anyone responsible charged. Without giving any details, Gordhan said an intense battle was taking place "between those who want South Africa to work and thrive and those who want to corruptly enrich themselves". Faced with political pressure, De Ruyter resigned on December 14 after failing to solve a crisis in Eskom that has led to record power cuts…

Jul

19

2022

By The African Mirror

Mass shootings in South Africa are often over group turf: how to stop the cycle of reprisals

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

IN just two days in early July, 25 people were shot dead in four separate incidents at taverns across South Africa. In one of these shootings, in Soweto, 16 people lost their lives. The killings made international headlines and were shocking even in South Africa, a society with one of the highest murder rates in the world. There has been intense speculation about the motives behind the killings in the absence of reliable evidence that explains why the multiple murders took place. Author GUY LAMB, Criminologist / Lecturer, Stellenbosch University To provide some insights into the possible reasons, I reflect…

Mar

05

2021

By The African Mirror

Fake COVID-19 vaccines gang bust – 4 arrested

NEWS

SOUTH African police have seized hundreds of fake COVID-19 vaccines and arrested four suspects in connection with the haul, the Interpol global police coordination agency said. This comes after Interpol, which is headquartered in France, issued a global alert in December to law enforcement across its 194 member countries, warning them to prepare for organised crime networks targeting COVID-19 vaccines, both physically and online. Some 400 ampoules - equivalent to around 2,400 doses - containing the fake vaccine were found at a warehouse in Germiston, east of Johannesburg, where officers also recovered a large quantity of fake 3M masks, the…

Jul

20

2021

By The African Mirror

Six instigators of SA arson and looting arrested, six more to go

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOUTH African Police have reported progress, both in the hunt of the instigators of the violence and looting which left 212 people dead over 3 000 arrested as well as the recovery of goods that were stolen. The SA government yesterday reported that the sixth alleged instigator has been arrested. Khumbuzo Ntshavheni, the Acting- Minister in the Presidency in SA, said of those arrested, three have appeared in court and were remanded in prison. One was given bail and the other two are expected to appear in court later this week. Those who appeared in court were…

May

10

2021

By The African Mirror

SA Police arrest 3 in a R54-million drug bust

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOUTH AFRICA’S serious crimes unit - The Hawks - have made one of its biggest drug haul, seizing an assortment of drugs worth over R54-million, arresting three men and confiscating four cars. The intelligence driven bust started in the Free State and led to the discovery of more drugs and stashes of cash in Welkom, in the Free State and Mayfield Park, in Johannesburg. The significant achievement by The Hawks has been praised by Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya, the national head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation. The Hawks’ bust was made with the support of the…

May

31

2021

By The African Mirror

Police called as scuffles erupts at the Pan African Parliament

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER THE South African police were called in after pandemonium erupted, during which a woman MP was kicked, during a sitting of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) in Midrand, Johannesburg. Chaos ensued after MPs disagreed on the geographic rotation of the presidency of the PAP. The house was scheduled to vote for the presidency and deputy presidency. The election of the leadership of the continental parliament was scheduled to be held last week but was rescheduled after an MP tested positive. SA MP Pam Majodina, from the ANC, said she would lay charges against a fellow MP, Djibril…