Latest news with #JohanvanDyk
The Citizen
30-06-2025
- The Citizen
Keep your children safe during winter school holidays
School holidays are a time for children to take a break from their daily routines and spend quality time with family and friends. Adolescents also start exploring their independence and freedom. As thousands of South African children prepare to go on a winter school break from June 27 to July 22, parents and guardians are urged to prioritise their children's safety. Police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk warns that holiday periods often see an increase in crimes involving children, particularly when they are left alone. 'Parents must make sure that an adult is present at all times or children are left under trustworthy supervision,' he said. Van Dyk also expressed some concerns, which can make children easy targets for robbers. 'Children walk with their cellphones and electronic equipment exposed in public, which enhances the possibility of being robbed. 'They are also tricked by criminals asking for assistance with their cellphones', only for their phones to be stolen. 'Social media platforms also pose a threat from strangers whereby they are befriended and asked to meet at a place and are abducted or raped,' said Van Dyk. To reduce these incidents, he highlighted crime prevention operations and patrols that are being executed daily in all of the Tshwane policing areas. 'There are ongoing awareness campaigns executed on a weekly basis at schools where police interact with the children on various topics such as drugs, gang-related topics, personal safety tips, bullying and social media awareness and safety measures.' He said CPFs play an integrated part within the communities with patrols and information gathering to keep children safe during the holidays. Van Dyk advised parents to always know where their children are and where they are going at all times. 'Make sure who their friends are and which social media platforms they make use of. Any uncertainty, they can visit their closest SAPS station to assist or report it by contacting 0800 10111 or download the SAPS app and share information there,' he said. The Department of Basic Education advised parents to prioritise their children's safety by adhering to the following guidelines: – Children must avoid talking to strangers, especially when you're not around. – Teach your children to always tell you if they have been approached by a stranger, and never keep secrets. – If your child needs a lift, tell them only to get lifts with friends, and to get out when they feel uncomfortable. – If your child gets lost, they should ask for help from a police officer, another grown-up with children or someone working at a nearby shop. – Have your children learn and know their address and telephone number by heart. – Try to keep your children within your sight or another adult whom you trust. – When out and about visiting places, always arrange a meeting point for you and your child, in case either of you gets separated and lost. – Make sure you all travel together or have seats close together on a bus or taxi. – Always accompany your child to public toilets. – Stick to busy, well-lit roads, and avoid shortcuts through alleyways. – If your child thinks someone is following them, they should cross the road or go to a place with lots of people around, like a bus stop or shop. – Encourage your child to speak up if they are being bullied or feel they might be in danger. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
29-06-2025
- IOL News
More than 300 suspects arrested in Tshwane crime crackdown
The SAPS in Tshwane seized tons of liquor and arrested 343 suspects during a weekend crackdown on crime, focusing on the rural areas of Cullinan and Boschkop policing precincts. Image: Supplied/SAPS A total of 343 suspects were arrested in Tshwane during a weekend crackdown on crime, targeting the rural areas of Cullinan and Boschkop policing precincts. The operation, led by Tshwane's District Commissioner, Major-General Samuel Thine, brought together a coalition of law enforcement agencies, including SAPS, Department of Home Affairs, Tshwane Metro Police, Gauteng Traffic Police, Gauteng Traffic Wardens, and local Community Policing Forum representatives. SAPS district spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk stated that the operation was launched on Saturday as part of ongoing efforts under Operation Shanela to disrupt and combat crime in Tshwane. 'This combined effort resulted in the arrest of 343 suspects for various criminal offences. These results are a direct outcome of planning, strategic deployments and heightened visibility aimed at reducing crime and continued track and tracing of wanted suspects,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Detectives were responsible for 274 arrests, including 82 suspects for gender-based violence-related offences, one for murder, six for attempted murder, eight for armed robbery, 26 for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and 10 for rape. Van Dyk said a roadblock set up in Cullinan and Boschkop led to the detention of 22 undocumented foreign nationals, who are currently being processed by immigration authorities. During the operation, 906 individuals and 450 vehicles were searched, and 13 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. Targeted patrols were conducted at 18 identified crime hotspots, resulting in additional arrests and fines, including 20 people for public drinking and eight people for public intoxication. Traffic enforcement units issued 16 AARTO infringement notices, totaling R7,250 in fines. Liquor compliance inspections were conducted at 15 establishments, resulting in the closure of four for non-compliance. Authorities confiscated 724 145ml of alcohol and two music sound systems. Thine expressed gratitude to all participating stakeholders for their continued cooperation, and commitment to enhancing community safety. He also encouraged the public to report suspicious activities to SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or via the My SAPS App. Meanwhile, MMC for Community Safety, Hannes Coetzee, welcomed the handover of 11 new motorcycles to the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD), aimed at enhancing their response capacity. According to him, the handover would improve the effectiveness, mobility, and visibility of law enforcement across the metro. 'The motorcycles will be deployed as part of a broader effort to strengthen front-line safety operations, particularly in high-risk and high-traffic areas where rapid response and agile patrols are essential. Their introduction comes at a time when residents are calling for more responsive, more present and better equipped safety personnel,' he said. Coetzee said the new motorcycles will allow TMPD officers to better navigate congested urban areas, support targeted operations, and maintain a visible presence in high-need areas, including main roads and informal settlements, as well as during coordinated safety initiatives.
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- The Citizen
Mooiplaats home invasion ends in fatal shooting
A home invasion in Mooiplaats, East of Pretoria, on Friday, June 20, culminated in a shooting between security guards and suspects. According to police spokesperson Johan van Dyk, the events began when a resident heard his dogs barking outside and went to investigate at around 21:30. 'The man was approached by five adult African men armed with pangas,' Van Dyk stated. The men then attacked the victim. 'The suspects also forced entry into the homes of other tenants, attacking them and robbing them of a television and a cell phone. The suspects then fled the scene on foot.' While police did not disclose the extent of the victims' injuries, social media posts suggested they were severe. According to Van Dyk, private security in the area tracked the suspects into nearby bushes. 'Seeing that they were surrounded, the suspects allegedly attacked the security guards with the pangas. The guards retaliated, shooting two of the suspects. One died at the scene, while the other was rushed to a nearby hospital.' Van Dyk confirmed that police are investigating a case of house robbery, murder, possession of stolen property, and possession of house break-in tools. ALSO READ: Pretoria's Operation Shanela: 297 arrested in major crime crackdown Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- The Citizen
Pretoria's Operation Shanela: 297 arrested in major crime crackdown
Multi-disciplinary efforts involving police, other government departments, and community policing forums led to the arrest of nearly 300 individuals as part of ongoing initiatives to combat crime in Pretoria this weekend. A coalition of various crime-fighting organisations resulted in the apprehension of 297 suspects for a range of offences, including murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, bribery, and rape, according to police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk. Captain van Dyk stated that Saturday's Operation Shanela specifically targeted the Hercules and Pretoria West policing precincts. 'A roadblock with two tactical teams was deployed across the Hercules and Pretoria West areas, resulting in the detention of 33 undocumented foreign nationals, who are currently being processed by immigration authorities,' he explained. During the operation, 544 individuals and 291 vehicles were searched, leading to 14 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol. 'Targeted patrols were conducted at 41 identified crime hotspots, resulting in further arrests and the issuance of fines. This included one person arrested for public drinking, interfering with police duties, and resisting arrest, as well as one suspect found in possession of three zip-lock bags containing crystal meth,' van Dyk added. Traffic enforcement units issued 19 AARTO infringement notices, totalling R13,500 in fines. Liquor compliance inspections were carried out at 12 establishments, resulting in the closure of seven for non-compliance. A total of 272,310 ml of alcohol and 17 cartons of illegal cigarettes were confiscated. The breakdown of other arrests included: – Gender-based violence-related offences: 1 – Murder: 1 – Attempted murder: 1 – Armed robbery: 4 – Kidnapping: 6 – Bribery: 2 – Rape: 8 The operation involved collaboration among various authorities, including SAPS, the Department of Home Affairs, the Tshwane Metro Police Department, Gauteng Traffic Police, Gauteng Traffic Wardens, the Department of Correctional Services, the Department of Community Safety, and representatives from local Community Policing Forums. SAPS District Commissioner of Tshwane, Major-General Samuel Thine, expressed gratitude to all participating stakeholders for their ongoing cooperation and commitment to enhancing community safety. He emphasised that such disruptive crime-combatting operations will continue across Tshwane to maintain and restore law and order. To report suspicious activities, please contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or via the My SAPS app. ALSO READ: Mozambican kidnapping kingpin shot, killed in police op Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
20-06-2025
- The Citizen
Elderly woman brutally murdered, found in bathtub in Pretoria-Moot
An 81-year-old woman was found brutally murdered in her Pretoria-Moot home on Tuesday, sparking a swift and intense police investigation. Pretoria Rekord reports that, within 12 hours, detectives arrested two suspects, one of whom was caught with the victim's belongings. According to police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk, members of the Pretoria Moot SAPS responded to a call for police assistance at a local residence on Tuesday morning at around 10:00. 'Upon arrival, officers met with a security officer who had been contacted by a woman affiliated with a local NGO providing social support services. The woman explained that she regularly visited the 81-year-old female resident to assist with laundry and provide food support, as the elderly woman lived alone.' He says that on the morning in question, the NGO worker was surprised when her visit was answered by an unknown coloured female, who claimed the elderly resident was unwell and had taken medication to rest. 'Although unsettled, the NGO worker accepted the laundry handed to her and left. Her concern prompted her to contact the security officer, requesting a welfare check at the residence.' Van Dyk says police officers proceeded to the address. 'The front door was locked, and after failed attempts to gain entry, officers moved to the rear of the house, where they found the back door open. 'Inside, the home had been ransacked. Bloodstains were visible in the main bedroom, and in the bathroom, the body of an elderly white female was discovered in the bathtub, partially submerged in water with visible blood.' He adds that emergency medical services were summoned and, upon arrival, declared the woman deceased. 'Crime scene experts were immediately called to process the scene. 'Pretoria Moot detectives began their preliminary investigation and obtained a description of a possible suspect. Informers were activated to assist.' Van Dyk adds that later that evening, at around 21:30, informants notified detectives that a possible suspect matching the description had been seen in the area. 'Detectives swiftly responded and traced a woman accompanied by her boyfriend on a nearby street. Upon searching the pair, police recovered several items belonging to the deceased.' Both suspects were arrested on the scene and detained for murder. 'Further investigation led to the recovery of additional stolen items at locations where the suspects had allegedly sold them.' Major-General Samuel Thine praised the investigating team for their swift and committed response, ensuring that justice was served within 12 hours of the incident. Both suspects appeared in court today and were remanded and returned to custody. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
