MIL Africa Engine

The Minister of  Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, has met with the family of the late corporal T.J. Motsamai, who lost his life during a recent military operation.

The Minister was accompanied on her visit on Tuesday by the SANDF Surgeon General, Chief of the South African Military Health Services, Lt Gen (Dr) Peter Maphaha and Joint Operations Headquarters, General Officer Commanding, Maj Gen Godfrey Thulare, as well as other senior military personnel.

“The engagements were undertaken to convey condolences to the bereaved family and to provide leadership support and encouragement to soldiers on internal deployments.

“This followed a tragic incident at Macadamia during routine patrol duties under Operation CORONA, where a military vehicle carrying members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Military Police attempted to cross a river that had been heavily flooded due to recent adverse weather conditions,” the Department of Defence and Military Veterans said.

In the incident, two members were swept away by the strong river current. The body of one member was recovered, while the second member remained missing.

“The Minister expressed her deepest condolences to the bereaved family and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to providing continued support to the family during this difficult time, while also standing firmly with all SANDF members serving the Republic,” said the department.

The Minister also engaged with SANDF members deployed in the affected area.

Meanwhile, the South African Police Service has said that the remains of a person suspected to be that of the missing SANDF member, who was swept away in the flooded river, have been recovered in the Komati River in Komatipoort on Monday.

READ | Body recovered in Komati River suspected to be missing soldier. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Police have implemented a 72-hour activation plan and are searching for suspects following a shooting incident in which three people were shot along Nyongane main road in Hazyview.

The incident occurred on 30 December at approximately 17:30.

“Upon responding to a complaint, police found two adult males with gunshot wounds, who were certified deceased at the scene. A woman sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition. 

“A two-year-old infant, who was also in the vehicle was unharmed,” the South African Police Service said in a statement.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the four victims were travelling along Nyongane main road towards Nyongane when they were ambushed by an unknown number of suspects, who were hiding in nearby bushes. 

The suspects allegedly opened fire on the vehicle. The driver managed to continue driving for approximately 200 metres before colliding with another vehicle and coming to a stop.

The suspects, who were on foot, then approached the vehicle and shot the occupants at close range, killing the driver and his male passenger instantly. The injured woman is believed to be the driver’s wife.

Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, condemned the incident and confirmed the activation of the 72-hour plan to apprehend those responsible. 

“We cannot live in a society where people open fire and kill others in broad daylight, while also endangering the life of an innocent minor,” said Mkhwanazi.

Police have appealed to members of the public for any information that may assist in the arrest of the suspects.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Captain Eddie Rapagadi on 082 449 0231, the Crime Stop number 08600 10111, or submit information via the MySAPS App. 

All information will be treated as confidential, and callers may remain anonymous. – SAnews.gov.za

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The South African Police Service (SAPS) is urging men and women to be extra vigilant when going out to various places of entertainment as the country ushers in the New Year.

The SAPS has picked up on a modus operandi that is being utilised by syndicates to rob mainly men of their belongings.

“This festive season, the SAPS has noted a number of cases reported in various parts of the country like Gauteng and the North West where men who left with women from drinking places would end up being robbed or in some instances killed,” SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said.

With New Year’s Eve celebrations set to get underway, the police said these syndicates are using young women to target men in clubs, taverns, concerts and other alcohol establishments.

“The main syndicate would monitor these females’ movements and assist them in finding a possible target inside the drinking establishment. Once the target has been identified, the women would move in, often promising to leave with the unsuspecting victim to another drinking place, their home, a hotel or even a guesthouse.

“During that period, these women would often spike the men’s drinks.”

After spiking their drink, the syndicate moves in to rob the victim, often taking cars, cellphones and money in their possession.

“In some unfortunate instances, some men have died as a result of an overdose of what has been used to spike them. Men are therefore warned to be extra vigilant and to avoid being targets at these drinking outlets.

“The SAPS wishes to advise strongly against picking up strangers at drinking outlets and leaving with them,” said Mathe.

The SAPS urged women not to involve themselves in these criminal activities, warning that it often leads to an arrest.

The Brigadier added that women are also falling victim to spiked drinks as a number of cases have been reported nationwide of women who have been found raped, assaulted or dead while coming back from taverns, shebeens, nightclubs and other places of recreation.

Some are picked up by strangers at these drinking outlets and some even leave with their intimate partners or other people known to them.

“Some of these women victims are found brutally assaulted and some murdered. Women are urged not to fall prey to these men who target women for their own motives. Spiking, regardless of the victim’s gender is a serious crime with severe physical and psychological consequences,” Mathe emphasised.

Tips to stay safe

The SAPS has issued the following tips that can be used by men and women:
•    When you go out, go out with people that you know, often friends, stay together and watch out for each other.
•    Always share your plans with someone that you trust, this will include where you are going and when you plan on returning, always put on your location, so that it’s easier for families or police to locate you.
•    When out drinking, never leave your drink unattended, don’t drink and drive, limit your alcohol intake and always have water.
•    Plan for proper transportation to and from the place of leisure to avoid being spending time in police holding cells for drunken driving.

“With this warning, the SAPS urges everyone in the country to be extra vigilant, avoid carrying large amounts of money, avoid drinking and driving and be alert at all times as law enforcement agencies remain on the ground to keep everyone safe,” said the police. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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The South African Police Service (SAPS), in collaboration with other law enforcers, continues to conduct operations aimed at preventing and combating crime in places of interest in Mpumalanga.

Their efforts yielded significant results across Nkangala, Ehlanzeni and Gert Sibande Districts during an operation conducted between 26 and 29 December.

“The results show our relentless determination to deal decisively with crime and ensure safety for members of the public,” Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, said. 

Nkangala District highlights:

• Six suspects, aged between 24 and 52, were arrested in Middleburg and Kwamhlanga area for various offences, including contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa, assault of a police officer, dealing in dagga, as well as armed robbery.
• Four suspects, aged between 43 and 52, were arrested during an Intelligence-driven operation by Ermelo Crime Intelligence (CI) Unit in collaboration with Ascu Security company. The suspects were nabbed for contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa, dealing in drugs and possession of suspected stolen property.

Ehlanzeni District highlights:

• Ten suspects, aged between 26 and 40, were nabbed in Bushbuckridge, Mhala, Barberton, Masoyi, Pienaar, Kanyamazane and Kapmuiden on charges including contravention of the Immigration Act, possession of illicit cigarettes, selling of  illicit liquor, possession of illicit cigarettes and possession of gold bearing material.
• Three fines were issued for breaching the Mpumalanga Liquor Act.

Gert Sibande District operations:

• Two suspects, both aged 30, were arrested in Amersfoort and Sheepmore for various offences, including possession of illicit cigarettes.

– SAnews.gov.za

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The City of Cape Town has appealed to the public to remain in the safe zones at beaches and other public amenities.

“Our beaches and swimming pools have attracted thousands of visitors so far this season, and we expect another bumper weekend as Cape Town rings in the new year,” the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham, said on Tuesday.

Since 1 December there have been 19 non-fatal drownings at Cape Town’s beaches. Four fatal drownings have been recorded over this period. Two are the subject of police investigations and two others were bathing related.

Lifeguards have also responded to 33 water rescues, 39 first aid incidents and 18 incidents involving anti-social behaviour at beaches, and two first aid incidents at swimming pools.

The City has reminded the public of its four rules of drowning prevention, which are:

• Swim only between the lifeguards’ red and yellow flags at beaches.
• Do not swim under the influence of alcohol.
• Be alert to the dangers of rip currents.
• Actively supervise children at all times, especially around water.

More information is available at www.thesafezone.co.za.

“To the public, don’t leave home without reminding yourself and your children about the golden rules of water safety, and if you’re at a beach where the Identikidz service is available, please make use of it,” Higham said.

The Identikidz programme has registered 55 075 children to date and reunited 78 with their caregivers.

Identikidz teams are deployed at popular beaches across Cape Town during the summer holidays to ensure the safety of young beachgoers.

More details are available here on the Identikidz programme: https://www.capetown.gov.za/departments-city-initiatives/community-arts-and-culture-development/identikidz-programme. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

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