Category: MIL-OSI

Police have arrested 16 817 suspects in connection with various crimes as authorities intensify their nationwide Safer Festive Season Operation running alongside Operation Shanela II.

“In the past week, these crime-fighting initiatives and tracking operations saw police apprehending 2 626 wanted suspects for serious and violent crimes including murder, attempted murder, rape, car-hijackings, sexual offences, house and business robberies.

“In addition, a total of 1 013 suspects were arrested for illegal liquor trade as well as 771 suspects for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including confiscating 25 117 litres of alcohol,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement.

The police recorded the following arrests:

• 146 suspects were arrested for murder. KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of arrests with 46, followed by the Western Cape with 22, Mpumalanga with 19, and then the Eastern Cape with 17.
• 141 suspects were arrested for rape, with the majority of arrests in Gauteng at 30.
• 131 suspects were arrested for attempted murder across multiple provinces.
• 1 580 suspects arrested for assault GBH.
• 2 978 suspects arrested for possession of drugs, with the Western Cape recording the highest number of arrests with 1 708, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 360, Gauteng 287, and then the Eastern Cape with 279.
• 279 suspects for dealing in drugs for the past week.
• 82 suspects were apprehended for illegal possession of unlicensed firearms.
• 417 for possession of dangerous weapons.
• 27 arrested for human trafficking.

The following major seizures and recoveries were recorded in the same period: 1 709 rounds of ammunition; 128 unlicensed firearms; 1 916 dangerous weapons; contraband goods worth more than R20 million and 65 stolen and hijacked vehicles were recovered.

Two Mozambican foreign nationals were arrested after police recovered two firearms stolen from officers who were shot and killed in Ivory Park on 01 December 2025. Seizures included the SAPS-issued R5 rifle and one pistol, and police investigation is ongoing.

Two bodyguards, aged 24 and 36 years old, were arrested outside the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court for possession of a semi-automatic AKM rifles and ammunition. A vehicle, rifles, and ammunition were seized.

In the Western Cape, police uncovered an illicit alcohol manufacturing plant in Lansdowne and arrested two suspects aged between 26 and 39 years old. They were arrested for the illegal manufacturing and distributing liquor. Seizures included manufacturing equipment, an assortment of alcohol branding stickers, and unknown liquids.

Still in Western Cape, members of the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation Narcotics Unit intercepted a truck on the N12 en route from Johannesburg to George carrying drugs. A box containing cocaine worth R3.6 million was seized and arrested a 46-year-old suspect for dealing in cocaine.

In Mpumalanga, police acting on intelligence intercepted a truck pulling two trailers with 12 water tanks with 5000-litre capacity packed with cartons of illicit cigarettes. 

The seized consignment consisted of 25 pallets of illicit cigarettes worth R17.4 million. A 43-year-old foreign national from the Kingdom of Eswatini was arrested after the discovery of illicit cigarettes hidden inside water tanks in Sundra on 05 December 2025.

Also in Mpumalanga, two Zimbabwean foreign nationals were arrested for dealing in dagga. This is after police intercepted a truck on the N2 Road from Empangeni en route to Zimbabwe and discovered six big bags of compressed dagga to the value of R1.2 million on 04 December 2025.

In the Northern Cape on 04 December 2025, police intercepted a vehicle allegedly transporting a rhino horn on the N14 and arrested three suspected rhino poachers, aged between 42 and 48 years. Seizures included a rhino horn, a pistol, and ammunition.

In KwaZulu-Natal, an intelligence-driven operation conducted at Oshayanyawo, Ekombe led to the arrest of a 49-year-old suspect for possession of unlicensed firearms. They seized an AK47 assault rifle with three rounds of ammunition, an HMC pistol with 14 rounds of ammunition, as well as a shotgun with 13 rounds of ammunition.

In a separate operation, three suspects aged between 50 and 61 years were arrested at Makhasaneni for unlawful possession of firearms on 02 December 2025. During the operation, police recovered five homemade firearms, one homemade shotgun, one 38 special revolver, one pistol and ammunition. – SAnews.gov.za

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Businessman Tshepo Khoza has been sentenced to six years imprisonment, with two years suspended, after he falsely declared his company dormant and failed to declare the company’s income to the South African Revenue Service (SARS), despite earning approximately R3.6 million from tenders.

The conviction follows an extensive investigation under Project Blue Lights, which uncovered that Khiza’s company, Grey Apple Trading Enterprise, had received tenders from the South African Police Service (SAPS) linked to the DNA project that resided under the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) unit.

Khoza, the director of Grey Apple Trading Enterprise (Pty) Ltd, was found guilty on three counts of fraud, including one which falls under Schedule 5 category (serious crimes), and one count of failing to register for Value-Added Tax (VAT) in contravention of section 234 of the Tax Administration Act. 

“These tenders were awarded due to Khoza’s family relationship with a senior SAPS official. Despite earning approximately R3.6 million between 2015 and 2018, Khoza falsely declared the company to be dormant and failed to declare income to SARS. The corruption trial wherein he is charged with others will resume on 22 February 2026,” SARS said on Tuesday.

SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter together with Head of Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), Advocate Andrea Johnson, acknowledged the teamwork that led to this conviction, reinforcing the public’s trust in joint efforts to uphold tax compliance and fight corruption. 

“Tax fraud is not a victimless crime. It is theft from the national fiscus and, ultimately, from the millions of South Africans who depend on government services for education, healthcare, and social support. 

“Every rand stolen through fraudulent schemes undermines our country’s ability to deliver on its constitutional mandate. SARS will not tolerate such conduct. We will pursue every case relentlessly, and those who choose to defraud the system must know that accountability is certain and justice will prevail,” Kieswetter said.

This outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated efforts between SARS, IDAC, and law enforcement agencies to combat tax-related crimes and corruption in public procurement. 

The case forms part of a broader strategy to dismantle networks that undermine fiscal integrity and public trust. This communicate our unswerving commitment to bring to book those that are committed to defraud the state. –SAnews.gov.za

 

 

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The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting whistleblowers and restoring ethical governance in South Africa.

Speaking at the inaugural Annual Babita Deokaran Lecture on Tuesday, the Minister honoured the bravery of whistleblowers and condemned the recent assassination of Marius van der Merwe, also known as “Witness D, “who was shot and killed outside his home in Brakpan last Friday.

Hlabisa described this incident as a “national wake up call” during the lecture that celebrated the courage and achievements of whistleblowers.

READ | Three persons of interests identified in “Witness D” murder case

This as the Anti-Corruption Centre for Education and Research (ACCERUS) at Stellenbosch University’s School of Public Leadership launched the Babita Deokaran Annual Lecture.

This initiative commemorates four years since the assassination of Deokaran on 23 August 2021, outside her home in Johannesburg. 

At that time, she was the Acting Chief Financial Officer of the Gauteng Department of Health and a key witness in investigations related to the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Deokaran’s fearless exposure of corruption, which included halting over R850 million in suspicious payments at Tembisa Hospital, made her a symbol of integrity. 

The PPE scandal refers to widespread corruption, overpricing, and mismanagement in the procurement of protective gear during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the lecture, Hlabisa paid tribute to Deokaran’s legacy and called for stronger protections for truth-tellers. 

The Minister outlined key commitments, including fast-tracking the Whistleblower Protection Bill, introducing mandatory municipal whistleblower protocols, enforcing accountability through the powers of the Auditor-General South Africa (AG), and establishing a Whistleblower Security Compact with law enforcement agencies.

These reforms aim to create a safer environment for whistleblowers, restore public trust, and embed ethical governance at the local level.

“Babita was killed because she blocked the flow of illicit payments. Witness D was killed because he lifted the veil on collusion. We will not honour their sacrifice with platitudes but with policy, protection, and accountability. Truth-tellers must never stand alone,” said Hlabisa.

The platform was used to commit to accelerating the Whistleblower Protection Bill, expanding its coverage beyond employees. 
This includes criminalising threats, enabling anonymous disclosures, and funding legal, security, and psychosocial support for whistleblowers.

The Minister also called for the implementation of mandatory safe-reporting frameworks in all municipalities, which would be linked to oversight from the AG and would have financial consequences for non-compliance.

He spoke about the need for the enforcement of remedial actions, the issuance of certificates of debt for ignored directives, and the establishment of public dashboards to track corruption cases. 

Hlabisa emphasised the importance of coordinated threat assessments and rapid protection measures in partnership with law enforcement and oversight bodies, advocating for transparent procurement and strict consequences for irregular expenditures.

He encouraged formal collaboration with anti-corruption organisations for training, analytics, and community reporting platforms. 

Speakers from academia, civil society, and government stressed that protecting truth-tellers is essential for ethical governance and democracy, not merely optional.

Inspired by Deokaran’s extraordinary courage, they called for urgent reforms, including the establishment of an Independent Whistleblower Protection Office, sustainable funding through a Whistle Protection Fund, a secure national reporting platform, and support for families, livelihoods, digital security, trauma care, and reintegration into the workforce.

Hlabisa’s keynote address coincided with the commemoration of International Anti-Corruption Day, themed “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity.”

This day serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility of governments, leaders, civil society, the private sector, and citizens to confront corruption in all its forms.

In South Africa, Hlabisa stated that combating corruption remains a government priority, with ongoing measures to strengthen law enforcement, enhance prosecutorial capacity, and protect whistleblowers. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Interviews for South Africa’s new National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will get underway in Tshwane today.

The position will become vacant next month when current NDPP Advocate Shamila Batohi retires.

Wednesday’s public interviews will be conducted by a panel led by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi.

“This process is transparent and helps to build public confidence in the appointment of a person in this critical office.

“I selected a panel that would combine a variety of skills and experiences. These include the public service administration, financial management, legal and jurisprudence, administration of justice and the promotion of equality and human rights,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said of the panel last month.

READ | Interviews to select new NPA head to be held this week

Other members of the panel are:
•    Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission, Andrew Christoffel Nissen.
•    Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality, Nthabiseng Sepanya-Mogale.
•    Auditor-General of South Africa, Tsakani Maluleke.
•    Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, Professor Somadoda Fikeni.
•    President of the Black Lawyers Association, Nkosana Mvundlela.
•    Representative of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers, Machini Motloung

Interviews of the six selected candidates will be held today and tomorrow.

First in the hot seat will be Advocate Nicolette Bell followed by Advocate Adrian Mopp and concluding the first day with Advocate Andrea Johnson.

On Thursday, the interview of Advocate Xolisile Khanyile will kick off proceedings followed by Advocate Hermione Cronje and Advocate Menzi Simelane.

Interviews commence from 10am and will be streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP0qi8o0cS0. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, has applauded the South African negotiating team for successfully securing the adoption of three proposals at the Twentieth Meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) – CITES COP20.

“The successful adoption of three of South Africa’s proposals to amend the listing of the species in CITES appendices is not only indicative of our leadership on the global conservation arena, but also the impeccable quality of scientists we have locally,” the Minister said on Wednesday.

Held from 24 November to 05 December 2025, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the South African delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Narend Singh.

South Africa’s adopted proposals include the deletion of the bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus) from Appendix II and the transfer of two types of succulents – Avonia quinaria and Euphorbia bupleurifolia – from Appendix II to Appendix I. 

In total, CITES COP20 considered 51 proposals for amendment of the CITES appendices while 114 draft working documents were submitted by CITES Parties.

“Our priorities are those that have direct implications to South Africa’s conservation efforts and sustainable use of its biological resources. These priorities have undergone extensive assessment and scientific advice from the Scientific Authority,” the Deputy Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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