Tag: crime

54-year-old man arrested with suspected cocaine at OR Tambo Airport

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
A 54-year-old South African man has been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport after allegedly being found in possession of suspected cocaine while preparing to travel to Hong Kong, China.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the arrest on Thursday followed intelligence indicating that a suspect was travelling to Hong Kong.

Police searched the man and his luggage and allegedly discovered suspected cocaine concealed inside the luggage.

“The exact value and weight of the drugs are yet to be determined and will be confirmed in due course,” SAPS said.

The arrest comes a week after police intercepted two separate cocaine consignments at OR Tambo International Airport, with a combined estimated value of R200 million.

SAPS said it remains committed to disrupting drug trafficking networks through intelligence-led operations and targeted interventions at ports of entry.

The suspect is expected to face drug-related charges.

Call for Increased Patrols at Garden Route Dam After Latest Attack

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
The FF Plus is urgently calling on the police and George municipal law enforcement services to immediately increase visibility and patrols at the Garden Route Dam.

The dam is a popular recreational area where residents and visitors walk, jog and cycle. The latest incident, in which a 22-year-old woman was approached from behind and grabbed around the neck while walking alone to her vehicle, highlights the serious safety risks in the area.

Several incidents in recent times indicate that the current level of visibility is insufficient. The FF Plus is requesting increased patrols at the dam and along the surrounding routes, and that all incidents continue to be reported so that crime patterns can be identified and addressed.

However, the solution cannot be for people to stay away from the dam out of fear. When residents avoid public spaces, it becomes easier for criminals to take control of them.

Visitors are instead encouraged to act responsibly, move in groups where possible and remain vigilant.

"Tourism is an important pillar of George’s economy and supports numerous businesses and jobs. The town cannot afford for a valuable tourism and recreational area to develop a reputation for being unsafe," the FF Plus said in a statement.

The political party is calling on all stakeholders to work together to make the Garden Route Dam safer, so that residents and visitors can enjoy it with greater peace of mind.

Photo by Wessel Van Heerden Photography

Four Suspects Now Linked to Tsengwa Murder

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Three suspects have appeared in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court in connection with the murder of former Knysna mayor Aubrey Tsengwa.

Tsengwa was shot dead in his vehicle last week.

A fourth suspect handed himself over to Plettenberg Bay police on Monday morning.

The suspects face charges of conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder, relating to the three passengers who were travelling with Tsengwa at the time of the shooting. One of the passengers remains in critical condition.

An identification parade involving witnesses is still to be conducted. The case has been postponed until next Monday.

Two Men Shot Dead in Knysna After Tsengwa Murder

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Western Cape Serious Violent Crime detectives have launched a manhunt for the gunmen responsible for a shooting that claimed the lives of two men in Knysna on Thursday evening, just a day after former Knysna executive mayor and ANC Ward 8 councillor Aubrey Tsengwa was shot and killed in the town.

According to preliminary information, the two victims, aged 47 and 48, were in a vehicle in Bongani at about 21:00 on Thursday when unidentified gunmen opened fire.

The latest shooting follows the murder of Tsengwa in Ngxalo Street, Joodsekamp, at approximately 21:20 on Wednesday, 19 August.

Police have opened a murder case and three cases of attempted murder following that attack. Tsengwa was reportedly travelling home with three other people when an unidentified gunman approached the vehicle and opened fire before fleeing the scene.

Tsengwa, who was driving at the time, sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene. The three other occupants were injured and taken to a medical facility for treatment.

The Provincial Serious Violent Crime detective team, which was already investigating Tsengwa's murder, has since been reinforced, with additional detectives deployed to investigate both shootings.

Police have not yet established the motives for either attack and are investigating whether the two shootings are linked.
No arrests have been made, with detectives continuing to follow up on all available leads.

Tsengwa served as executive mayor of Knysna from August 2022 until February 2025. He was removed from office following a successful motion of no confidence. He returned to the Knysna Municipal Council in June 2025 after being elected as the ANC's Ward 8 councillor in a by-election.

Tributes have since begun pouring in following his death.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigations is urged to contact SAPS Sergeant Nobuntu Thundezwa on 082 522 1251, contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit information anonymously through the MySAPS mobile application.

Western Cape teenager to appear in court over alleged possession of child sexual abuse material

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
A 16-year-old teenager has been arrested in Malmesbury, Western Cape, for allegedly accessing, possessing, facilitating and downloading child sexual abuse material.

The teenager is expected to appear in the Malmesbury Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday following his arrest on Monday in an operation involving the South African Police Service (SAPS) and international law enforcement agencies.

SAPS said several child victims have been identified as part of the investigation.

“A preliminary on-site analysis of the suspect’s electronic devices uncovered explicit images and videos depicting child sexual abuse and animal mutilation,” police said.

The devices will undergo a full forensic examination to establish the extent of the alleged offences. Investigators are also probing possible charges linked to fraud and money laundering.

The investigation was launched after the SAPS National Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Team received intelligence from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the US Embassy and the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

The intelligence reportedly linked the teenager to “764”, a violent international online network associated with child exploitation and the coercion of minors into sexual abuse, animal torture and other criminal activity.

Following an extensive investigation, the National SECI Team traced the suspect to an address in Malmesbury, where he was arrested.

The operation was supported by SAPS Head Office’s Occult Unit, the Paarl Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, the Paarl K9 Unit and the Western Cape Crime Scene Investigation Unit.

Agents from the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) at the US Embassy also assisted in the operation.

The investigation is continuing, with forensic analysis expected to determine whether further victims or offences can be identified.

SAPS sergeant arrested for alleged corruption at Mitchell’s Plain police station

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
A South African Police Service (SAPS) sergeant has been arrested on corruption charges after allegedly accepting cash to smuggle dagga and tobacco into the holding cells at Mitchell’s Plain SAPS in Cape Town.

The arrest took place on Sunday, 16 August 2026, during a sting operation conducted by members of the SAPS Anti-Corruption Unit.

According to police, the sergeant was caught in the act after allegedly accepting cash in exchange for taking the contraband into the cells. The money was found in his possession, while the dagga and tobacco were confiscated.

Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Sizakhele Dyantyi has issued a stern warning to police officers involved in corrupt activities, saying SAPS is taking a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and the abuse of police powers.

“The adult male suspect is expected to appear in the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, on a charge of corruption,” SAPS said.

The arrest forms part of ongoing efforts by the Anti-Corruption Unit to tackle corruption within the police service.
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