Latest news with #Mukhathi
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
SAPS reports over 170 arrests in the battle against gender-based violence
The South African Police Service's 90-day blitz campaign sees over 170 arrests in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). Image: File The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the 90-day blitz to combat gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) has yielded more success with the arrest of more than 170 suspects connected to rape cases across the country. According to reports, the campaign was launched in April by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to fight the GBVF scourge plaguing South Africa. SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Mukhathi said police are continuing to accelerate their response to combat and prevent GBVF through intensified nationwide operations across the country. Mukhathi said between June 30 and July 6, 2025, police operations led to the arrest of 99 rape suspects. Gauteng accounted for the highest number of arrests, with 26. 'In addition, police arrested 73 wanted rape suspects as well as 16 individuals tracked down for sexual offences in various provinces,' he said. The SAPS is also focusing on community mobilisation, enhancing better response, and strengthening collaboration with other government departments and community-based organisations in the fight against GBVF in the country, he noted. This week, Mukhathi said police effected key arrests for perpetrators of GBVF. He said on July 6, 2025, police in Limpopo arrested a 29-year-old man for the alleged murder of his 33-year-old girlfriend at Nailana village. 'He allegedly assaulted his girlfriend to death with sticks. He appeared before the Senwabarwana Magistrate's Court on July 8, 2025, facing murder charges,' he said. In Kaapmuiden, Mpumalanga, 37-year-old Sanele Fakudze, an Eswatini national, was apprehended in connection with the murder of a 4-year-old girl and her 28-year-old mother. According to Mukhathi, the victims were discovered unconscious next to the road. Mukhathi added that on July 8, 2025, a 40-year-old man was apprehended for the alleged rape of his 39-year-old ex-girlfriend in Thohoyandou on June 16, 2025. He appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on July 9, 2025, facing rape charges. 'These arrests form part of the SAPS's intensified 90-day blitz to combat and prevent gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) across the country,' he emphasised. Moreover, Mukhathi said the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) members successfully secured the following notable convictions during this period. He said between May and June 2025, detectives from the Gauteng Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit secured 21 life sentences and an additional 1,420 years' imprisonment for 40 accused individuals for crimes committed against women and children in the province. A 22-year-old in KwaZulu-Natal received a life sentence after being convicted of repeatedly raping an 11-year-old girl in Mdantsane in August 2020. In the Northern Cape, the Calvinia Regional Court sentenced a 40-year-old accused to life imprisonment after being found guilty of raping three siblings aged between 4 and 11 years in October 2022. Samuel Boomfire Mbuyane, a 42-year-old hip-hop artist, received three life sentences from the Burgersfort Regional Court in Limpopo on July 4, 2025. This conviction was for three counts of rape, committed in November 2020, involving a 9-year-old boy in Driekop village. In another case, Mosala Benito Ellester, 22, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape of a 64-year-old woman in Phelindaba, Bloemfontein, in December 2023. 'Police will continue to conduct their targeted operations to address criminal activities, including GBVF, and ensure the safety and security of communities, especially women, children, and vulnerable groups,' stated Mukhathi. [email protected]
The South African
10-07-2025
- The South African
Operation Vala Umgodi results in 512 suspects arrested
On 10 July 2025, the South African Police Service reported that they had arrested 512 suspects during Operation Vala Umgodi in the month of June. 'Nationwide Vala Umgodi operations continue to register commendable progress in the fight against illegal mining and related crimes,' said SAPS spokesperson, Lt. Colonel Vincent Mukhathi. He said the suspects arrested were of different nationalities. While authorities arrested most for illegal mining, they charged others with attempted murder, theft of minerals, unlawful possession of explosives, unlawful possession of firearms and possession of suspected stolen property. 'The month-long operations targeted illicit activities across multiple provinces, resulting in significant seizures of unpolished diamonds, gold bearing material, chrome, explosives and mining equipment,' said Mukhathi. During the national operations, police seized 83 phendukas (a tool they use to grind gold), 36 generators and 1 TLB. SAPS say they have arrested almost 28 000 suspects since the inception of Operation Vala Umgodi, in November 2023. Mukhathi said in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, the police arrested 22 suspects for illegal mining in the month of June. Officers found the suspects in possession of illegal mining equipment. In a separate operation, in Kagiso, south of Johannesburg, police arrested 11 suspects. They were charged with illegal mining, illegal immigration and unlawful possession of ammunition. 'Vala Umgodi Operation is continuing to intensify its efforts to combat and dismantle illegal mining, ensure compliance with immigration laws, and protect the country's mineral resources,' Mukhathi concluded. 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 South African
09-07-2025
- The South African
SAPS confiscate illegal firearms amid General Mkhwanazi storm
Over the past seven days, the South African Police Service has confiscated 106 illegal firearms nationwide. This comes three days after General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said illegal guns are often linked to political killings. Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Mukhathi said SAPS arrested 64 suspects following the discovery of the illegal guns. He said police made the discovery during a nationwide Operation Shanela, where SAPS also seized 1 355 rounds of ammunition. On 3 July 2025, police arrested two suspects and two suspects died, following a foiled cash-in transit robbery in uMsinga, KwaZulu-Natal. Police found two unlicensed firearms, ammunition and a Mercedes-Benz vehicle in their possession. The next day, SAPS recovered stolen vehicles and two unlicensed firearms during a similar incident in Gauteng. 'Three suspected cash-in-transit robbers were fatally shot in a shootout with police and other law enforcement agencies on the N3 highway road,' said Mukhathi. During a media briefing held on 6 July 2025, General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused the minister of police, Senzo Mchunu, of interfering with police investigations. He alleged that that minister was in cahoots with drug cartels. The briefing has since caused public outrage, while the Mchunu labelled the allegations as baseless. According to Mukhati however, authorities arrested 286 drug dealers in the past week. A further 2 515 suspects were arrested for being in possession of drugs. According to Mukhathi, SAPS remains steadfast and resolute to not only combat, but to prevent crime from happening in the country. 'Police will continue with their operations by asserting the authority of the state to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans and visitors to the country,' concluded Mukhathi. 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
11-06-2025
- The Citizen
Police issue warrant of arrest for Vereeniging murder suspect
Armard Swart was shot and killed while seated in his vehicle. Police have issued a warrant of arrest for Lucky Boitumelo Molefe in connection with the murder of a 30-year-old engineer in Vereeniging. Armard Swart was shot while seated in his vehicle outside his workplace on 17 April 2024, allegedly by two suspects driving a white Hyundai i20. Murder Police said Swart sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead on the scene. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Mukhathi said an intensive investigation led by the head office organised crime team and crime Intelligence led to the arrest of four suspects, including one who was suspected to be behind the murder. 'It was reported that the suspects orchestrated the assassination in order to silence him after he blew the whistle about fraud and corruption that was linked to a Transnet tender contract. 'Molefe from Johannesburg has been in hiding since December 2024, and police have been searching for him,' Mukhathi said. Lucky Boitumelo Molefe. Picture: Saps ALSO READ: Four killed, three others injured at Mfuleni taxi rank in Cape Town Search Mukhathi added that the other four accused are still in prison, and their case has been postponed for trial to be heard at the Palm Ridge High Court in August 2025. 'Police are still searching for Lucky Boitiumelo Molefe, and he is warned to hand himself over at the nearest police station. 'Police are appealing to anyone who might have information about the whereabouts of the suspect to contact the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Khorommbi, on 063 695 8590,' Mukhathi said. Parents arrested Meanwhile, police have arrested a 47-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man for the alleged sexual abuse of their two young daughters. The couple were handcuffed in Bloubergstrand, Western Cape, on Tuesday. Police said the daughters are aged three and eight years old. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said the suspects face multiple charges, including the production of child sexual abuse material (commonly referred to as 'child pornography'), rape, sexual assault, and sexual grooming. Van Wyk said the children rescued during the operation have been placed in a place of safety. ALSO READ: Former Stellenbosch mayor Nyaniso Jindela shot dead
