In a strange turn of events, a member of a 10-man gang of robbers escaped death after being shot by an accomplice during a cash-in-transit robbery in Limpopo. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the heist took place at around 4:40 pm on the Senotlelo-Mokgwaneng main road in Matlelerekeng outside Sekhukhune District on Monday. “According to reports, a cash-in-transit van was travelling along the Senotlelo-Mokgwaneng road when it was attacked by a group of about ten suspects driving a…

Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism MEC Rodgers Monama has raised concerns about foreign nationals who arrive in the country as asylum seekers but end up committing crime. Monama raised the concerns during the demolition of 240 illegal gambling machines, mostly Chinese Roulettes, that were confiscated at various spaza shops across the province through the help of “community spy networks.” The event took place in Ladine, Polokwane, this morning, exactly six months since 226 illegal gambling machines were demolished in November…

Police in Limpopo are investigating a fire that destroyed seven vehicles and an office building at Kgapane Taxi Rank outside Tzaneen in Limpopo this weekend. The fire, suspected to be arson, broke out around midnight on Saturday, causing damage estimated at R2 million. “According to information, a 32 year-old security officer was on duty at the premises when he noticed fire in the yard. He went further to investigate and realised that the office buildings were on fire together with…

The war on illegal mining is gaining ground in Limpopo with the police in the province arresting suspects almost every week. The Provincial Illegal Mining Task Team, together with Provincial Organised Crime Unit, netted three undocumented foreign nationals this week at a farm in Zeekoegart Mountain, provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said.  “The officers confiscated illegal mining equipment valued at R67 000 during disruptive operations conducted at separate locations under Apel policing area in Sekhukhune District.  “Police were conducting an…

Keep state-issued guns out of relationship problems, MEC tells cops Concerns about gun violence amongst law enforcement officers have been raised in Mpumalanga following the fatal shooting of a traffic officer who was suspected of having an affair with another officer’s wife.Community Safety, Security, and Liaison Vusi Shongwe was reacting to news of the murder of provincial traffic officer Thamsanqa Nkosi, 34. According to the Hawks, Nkosi was shot dead at the Kwanyoni Lodge along the N4 road, 15km outside…

Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has confirmed that Thabo Bester is a legitimate name for the convicted rapist and murderer. However, he said the recaptured fugitive has no identity document because his birth was never registered with the Department of Home Affairs when he was born at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital on June 13, 1986. Motsoaledi held a three-hour media briefing in Pretoria to explain what their investigations uncovered in relation to Bester’s real identity.Bester has reportedly used assumed names in…

CHINA has reiterated a warning to its nationals in Nigeria to strengthen security amid the threat of kidnap gangs. The Chinese Embassy disclosed that the danger was prevalent especially in the northern parts of Nigeria, particularly the states of Kaduna, Kogi, Niger and Zamfara, all in the north and the capital, Abuja. China’s embassy in Nigeria stated that at present, the security situation in the West African country remained complicated, severe and kidnapping cases occurred from time to time. “It…

TSHWARELO HUNTER MOGAKANE  A CRIMINAL gang which terrorised and robbed pensioners and others after withdrawing huge sums from the banks, has been sentenced to a combined 705 years in prison.  Calvin Congo Mabunda, 42, Sibusizo Shamase Mkhwanazi, 43, Bhova Sticks Nkuna, 54, were sentenced in the Johannesburg High Court last week following their five-year reign of terror.  Working with spotters who frequented the banks, they targeted unsuspecting victims in various parts of Mopani district in Limpopo, including Giyani, Bolobedu, Malamulele…

The murder of a 26-year-old woman in Limpopo has once again raised concerns about South Africa’s ever-growing gender-based violence and femicide statistics. This week, the residents of Makhushane Village near Phalaborwa woke up to the news that their neighbour Judith Mathebula, 26, had been stabbed to death. According to local police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, they are pleading with Mathebula’s ex-boyfriend Watch Ndlovu from Gravelotte to avail himself to the nearest police station. “Police received a complaint about a woman…

AN ANC councillor who was shot dead outside his home this week, in a suspected political killing, received death threats days before his cold-blood murder, sources said. According to a local pastor, ANC sources and the South African National Civil Organisation (SANCO), Tubatse/Fetakgomo Municipality councillor Thabang Maupa was warned allegedly by ANC politicians to stop demanding action against VBS looters and beneficiaries or risk death. The 42 year old father of two was sprayed with bullets outside his liquor restaurant…