Latest news with #MagonseniNkosi
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
Hawks arrest man for selling endangered barn owls in Nelspruit
A barn owl in flight. Image: Chris Collingridge A MAN selling endangered barn owls for R1 000 at Nelspruit shopping mall yesterday was swooped upon by the he Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks. Acting on an alert received by Parks Board official, the arresting officers also seized the 48-year-old man's vehicle, which was used to transport the birds. The bust, yet again highlighted the constant threat and the battle authorities have with the illegal trade in wildlife in South Africa, a country rich in biodiversity. A man will appear before the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court, facing charges under the Mpumalanga Nature Conservation Act, and keeping or conveyance of live game. Image: Hawks 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. 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. Advertisement 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. 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 ✕ According to Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, spokesperson for the Mpumalanga provincial Hawks, the suspect was discovered selling the owls at a local shopping complex for R1,000 each. The brazen act of illegal wildlife trade prompted swift action from the Hawks, following a tip-off from the Parks Board officials. A joint operation ensued, leading to the suspect being caught in the act, with no necessary permits to sell the protected species. 'The vehicle used to transport the wildlife, a Nissan light delivery vehicle, was seized in the operation,' Nkosi confirmed. The arrested individual is set to appear before the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. He faces serious charges under the Mpumalanga Nature Conservation Act, specifically regarding the keeping and conveyance of live game. Brigadier Danie Hall, the acting provincial head of the Hawks, welcomed the arrest, emphasising the importance of wildlife to South Africa's cultural and natural heritage. 'Wildlife is part of South Africa's heritage, which must be protected,' Hall asserted. He encouraged local communities to report any suspicious activities related to the illegal sale of wildlife, stressing, "When we take care of our wildlife, we safeguard our heritage for future generations." This recent incident is part of a broader trend in South Africa, where law enforcement agencies are stepping up efforts to combat wildlife trafficking. J Last year, another significant case was reported where a 59-year-old man, Neo Tongwane, lost his Mercedes-Benz after being convicted of attempting to sell a pangolin. The Asset Forfeiture Unit secured a final forfeiture order for the vehicle, valued at R150,000, highlighting the legal repercussions faced by those involved in illicit wildlife trade. The fight against wildlife crime is critical for maintaining biodiversity and ensuring that future generations inherit a naturally rich environment. As authorities increase their vigilance, the hope is that such actions will serve both as a deterrent to would-be traffickers and a rallying call for public involvement in safeguarding South Africa's unique wildlife. DAILY NEWS
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
Wildlife crime: Hawks seize vehicle and arrest man for selling barn owls in a mall
A man will appear before the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court, facing charges under the Mpumalanga Nature Conservation Act, and keeping or conveyance of live game. Image: Hawks A 48-year-old man was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, in Nelspruit, after he was found selling barn owls. The vehicle, a Nissan bakkie, used to transport the nocturnal birds was also seized by the Hawks during the arrest on Monday. 'The suspect was arrested after he was found selling wildlife. He was found in one of the shopping complexes in Nelspruit for allegedly selling four barn owls for R1,000 each,' said Mpumalanga provincial Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi. The Hawks were alerted by the Parks Board officials, and a joint operation was conducted, where the suspect was caught red-handed with the owls, without a permit. 'The vehicle, a Nissan light delivery vehicle that was used to transport the wildlife, was seized, and the animals were handed over to Parks Board,' said Nkosi. The arrested man is on Tuesday expected to appear before Nelspruit Magistrate's Court, facing charges under the Mpumalanga Nature Conservation Act, and keeping or conveyance of live game. 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. 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. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Meanwhile, acting Mpumalanga provincial head of the Hawks, Brigadier Danie Hall, has welcomed the arrest, adding that wildlife is part of South Africa's heritage, which must be protected. Hall has urged community members to report incidents of where wildlife is being illegally sold. 'When we take care of our wildlife, we safeguard our heritage for future generations," he said. Last year, IOL reported that a 59-year-old man, Neo Tongwane, lost his Mercedes-Benz to the State after he was arrested by law enforcement agents in Northern Cape for possession and attempting to sell a pangolin. The Hawks and the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) had applied for the final forfeiture order and they succeeded, when the forfeiture order was granted by the High Court in Kimberley. 'This comes after the accused was arrested in July 2023 during an intelligence-driven operation by members of Kuruman serious organised crime investigation and Tactical Response Team (TRT). A buy and bust operation was conducted in Kuruman whereby four suspects were arrested for illegal dealing in an endangered species, the pangolin,' Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi said at the time. 'The matter was referred to the National Prosecuting Authority's Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) for a detailed asset forfeiture investigation. A final forfeiture order was granted for a Mercedes-Benz, with an estimated value of R150,000.' IOL News
The South African
5 days ago
- The South African
Mpumalanga man arrested for allegedly selling owls
On 14 July 2025, the Mpumalanga Hawks arrested a 48-year-old man in Nelspruit, for contravention of the Conservation Act. The Organised Crime Investigation Unit accosted him for allegedly selling wildlife without a permit. 'A Nissan Light Delivery Vehicle that was used to transport the wildlife was seized,' said Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi. According to Nkosi, authorities found the suspect trading in one of the local shopping complexes. He was allegedly selling four Barn Owls for R1000 each. Nkosi said the Hawks received a tip off from the Mpumalanga Parks Board officials, who provided his unit with the location of the suspect. The Hawks then conducted a joint operation and found the suspect red-handed with the owls, without a permit. The province's Acting Head of Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Brigadier Danie Hall, commended the swift arrest. 'Wildlife life is part of our heritage and we have a duty to protect it,' he said . 'When we take care of our wildlife, we safeguard our heritage for future generations,' Hall continued. After rescuing the owls, the Hawks handed them over to the Mpumalanga Parks Board. They will rehabilitated and released back into the wild. The suspect will appear before the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court tomorrow, 15 July 2025, to answer on the charges leveled against him. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
The Citizen
06-06-2025
- The Citizen
Bogus lawyer ordered to pay back murder accused client's R40k
The fake lawyer was rearrested after his sentencing for another fraud case in Gauteng. A 32-year-old man has been ordered to pay back money he received unlawfully from a client while posing as a lawyer back in 2019. On Thursday, the Bethal Magistrate's Court in Mpumalanga instructed Doctor Sobetha to pay back R40 000 he received from a client that he tried to conduct a bail application for. Four-year sentence Sobetha has been ordered to pay the client – who was charged with murder – R3 000 in monthly instalments until the last cent is paid up. According to the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks), the order to pay back the money was made in addition to a sentence of four years behind bars, with the option to pay a R20 000 fine. This was after the bogus lawyer pleaded guilty to the charges. 'Two years of his four-year imprisonment were suspended for five years on condition that he is not found guilty of a similar offence,' Hawks regional spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said. Sobetha arrested in court The bogus lawyer was arrested after a state prosecutor found fault in his arguments during court proceedings. Sobetha was then asked to prove that he was a legal practitioner before the court, but failed to do so. ALSO READ: Bogus doctor bust in Havenside sting operation He was arrested by members of the Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime investigation unit who were in attendance. Hawks nab bogus lawyer in KZN 'The matter was referred to the Hawks Secunda-based Serious Commercial Crime investigation unit for further investigation. The suspect, Sobetha, was granted bail in 2024 and never set foot in court again,' Nkosi said. 'Investigation led members of the Hawks' tactical operations management system to Durban, where the suspect was arrested on 22 May 2025.' Sobetha was brought back to Mpumalanga, where he first appeared in the Bethal Magistrate's Court on 30 May. Sobetha rearrested after sentencing He was rearrested immediately after sentencing on Thursday for a fraud case in Moroka, Gauteng, dating back to 2023. He is now in police custody in Gauteng. Hawks provincial head Major General Nico Gerber warned people to only consult with registered legal advisers. 'It is concerning if people are defrauded by people like Sobetha whose formal education does not even go beyond high school level,' Gerber said. NOW READ: Hawks investigating Peet and Melany Viljoen for fraud with Tammy Taylor franchises
IOL News
21-05-2025
- IOL News
R5 million fraud: Court orders forfeiture of house and vehicles linked to Covid-19 looting
The High Court in Mpumalanga has granted a forfeiture order for authorities to seize several assets including a house and vehicles which were acquired fraudulently through funds meant to fight the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Image: File The High Court in Mbombela has issued a forfeiture order which empowers law enforcement officials to seize several assets which were acquired fraudulently through funds meant to fight the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The Mpumalanga Department of Health lost millions of rand during the Covid-19 pandemic as an official working in a director's office engaged in fraudulent activities. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, said through the secretary's fraudulent activities, the provincial department suffered a loss of almost R5 million in 2020. 'According to information, the secretary colluded with two service providers and allegedly faked the purchase and delivery of personal protective equipment (PPE). As a result, the service providers unlawfully benefitted from the products that were never delivered,' said Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. After receiving the payments, it was established that the service providers purchased a residential property worth R1.5 million in Barberton. The house was registered in a company named Zanderson Establishment, with the sole director being the secretary's daughter. 'The house was later sold for the same amount. Shortly thereafter, the family bought another residential house in Sunninghill, Johannesburg,' said Nkosi. 'The house was then registered in the company named SS Umoya under the former secretary's name, Sanele Sanderson.' 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. 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. Advertisement 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. 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 ✕ After thorough investigations, the Hawks' asset investigation unit in Mpumalanga successfully obtained a preservation order to forfeit the house and three vehicles. Nkosi stated that the forfeited house is valued at R1.5 million, along with three vehicles owned by the two service providers. The forfeited vehicles include a Toyota Quantum, Hyundai light delivery vehicle, and a Volkswagen Golf. The vehicles have an estimated combined value of R1 million. Meanwhile, provincial head of Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber said the Hawks will continue with the criminal investigation. 'Benefits derived from proceeds of crime, as is the case in this matter, will be traced , restrained, forfeited and sold to recoup the state's losses. This is a clear example of law enforcement entities working in collaboration with one another,' said Gerber. The asset forfeiture unit of the National Prosecuting Authority and the asset investigation section of the Hawks collaborated and ensured the successful forfeiture of the property. 'This must send a stern message that we will seize assets no matter how it is disguised, if they are bought through proceeds of crime. Crime must not pay,' said Gerber. Provincial head of Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber said the Hawks will continue with the criminal investigation after the forfeiture of assets. Image: Henk Kruger/ Independent Newspapers Last year, IOL reported that various movable and immovable assets and property, valued at approximately R52.6 million were seized in an extensive joint operation linked to personal protective equipment corruption and Covid-19 looting. The operation was carried out in Mpumalanga by the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), and the Hawks. The assets and properties are linked to 22 senior management officials, service providers, and entities involved in an alleged corruption network within the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works. IOL News
