Latest news with #SAPS
The Herald
38 minutes ago
- The Herald
Kidnap victim rescued and two arrests made
The police national anti-kidnapping task team rescued a 30-year-old kidnap victim on Friday and arrested two suspects during an operation in Germiston on the East Rand. According to police spokesperson Lt-Col Amanda van Wyk, the victim's vehicle was reportedly found abandoned in Dawnpark. 'Further investigation revealed that the owner of the vehicle had been kidnapped and was being held against his will,' Van Wyk said. Within 24 hours, intelligence directed the task team to an identified address in Germiston. With support from a tactical unit, the team entered the premises and rescued the victim. 'Two suspects were arrested at the scene, while others managed to flee during a shoot-out with police. The rescued victim confirmed he had been kidnapped on Thursday' Last week police traced a Mozambican kidnapping kingpin to an apartment block in Fourways, Johannesburg. The suspect, linked to several kidnappings, was fatally wounded in a shoot-out with police. 'The SAPS remains resolute in its commitment to dismantling kidnapping syndicates and bringing perpetrators to justice,' Van Wyk said. TimesLIVE
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Elderly man hacked in face during brutal Kameeldrift smallholding attack
An elderly man was hacked in the face with a panga during a brutal smallholding attack in Kameeldrift East in the early hours of Saturday morning. At around 2am, a group of between three and six armed suspects stormed a smallholding on Plot 401, Karee Street in Pumulani, where an elderly couple resides. The attackers broke into the main house and began looting, assaulting the elderly man with a panga before fleeing with multiple stolen goods, including television sets. The victim was rushed to hospital with serious facial injuries. SAPS and forensic teams remain on the scene. The suspects then targeted a second house on the property, where a woman was asleep alone. She was held at gunpoint, a shot was fired inside the home (believed to be a warning), and her walking aid was taken to prevent her from escaping. She is receiving trauma counselling. A gold Toyota Urban Cruiser was stolen, and a spent cartridge and matching bullet casing were recovered in the room. National police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the police are investigating a case of attempted murder and house robbery after a family was attacked by unknown suspects in their home in Karee Weg, Kameeldrift, this morning. 'According to information received, a husband and wife were sleeping when they were woken by a bang on the door. About five unknown men entered the house and the husband was struck with a sharp object on the face.' She furthermore added that the suspects fled the scene with the victim's Toyota Cruiser and some household items. Police request anyone who may have information that can assist in arresting the suspects to contact their nearest police station or the Crime Stop Line at 08600 10111. Police investigations continue. This is the third violent attack on rural residents in the Pretoria region in just over a week. June 20 – Mooiplaats Farm Attack Five suspects armed with pangas attacked a family on their property in Mooiplaats, Pretoria East. The residents sustained moderate injuries and were robbed of electronics and cell phones. It is believed one of the victim's Achilles tendons was severed with pangas. Echo-1 security teams responded rapidly. In a dramatic shootout near a nearby informal settlement, two suspects were shot — one killed, the other critically injured. Stolen property was recovered. June 25 – Kameeldrift Murder Tragically, Carolina Frederika Dicks was found murdered in her home on Ringduif Street, Kameeldrift. Her vehicle and several belongings were missing. The case is under investigation. Community leaders have urged residents to stay vigilant and connected, especially at night. Police could not yet confirm or provide more information on these two cases. Also read: Here are the most dangerous suburbs in Pretoria 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
3 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Senzo Mchunu refutes DNA backlog crisis in forensic labs
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu says the historical DNA backlog, which was at one point standing at 241 152 and increased by 4.33% to 251 603, was eradicated during 2023. Image: GCIS Police Minister Senzo Mchunu firmly refuted allegations of a substantial backlog of forensic exhibits in the South African Police Service (SAPS) laboratories. This after EFF MP Rebecca Mohlala asked in parliamentary questions about concrete steps the police has taken to address the persistent and massive DNA backlog that continued to delay justice for victims of rape and femicide amid thousands of forensic samples remain unprocessed for years, perpetrators remain at large within communities and affected families are left in a prolonged state of uncertainty. 'How does the SAPS justify the ongoing backlog crisis when the lives and dignity of women urgently depend on timely forensic intervention?' Mohlala asked. Mchunu said the assertion that there was a persistent and massive backlog of exhibits at the police forensic science laboratory (FSL) was invalid. 'The FSL has had an increase in the volume of exhibits received. Registered case entries for analysis, increased by 63.21% from 307 826 in 2021/22 to 502 407, as at the end of the 2024/25 financial year,' 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. 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 ✕ 'A total of 284 529 case entries were finalised during the 2021/22 financial year, and comparatively, the FSL has finalised 358 684 case entries, as at the end of 2024/25 financial year.' He also said the registered case entries for analysis increased by 118 549 from 2023/24 383 858 to 502 407 in 2024/25. 'A total of 343 973 case entries were finalised during the 2023/24 financial year, and comparatively, the FSL has finalised 358 684 case entries, as at the end of 2024/25 financial year.' Mchunu said the main contributor to the case exhibits were reference samples used for DNA intelligence purposes. He pointed out that the police have four forensic science laboratories in the country, of which three are fully operational in Gauteng, Western Cape and Eastern Cape. 'The KwaZulu-Natal laboratory is only partially utilized after flooding in 2022, however, an alternative accommodation solution has been sought, and it is at an advanced stage, which will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the FSL.' The minister stated the process with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure on alternative accommodation for Kwa-Zulu-Natal would be inclusive of the DNA processing Laboratory that was never there before. There is 'on-going discussions with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure on appointment of a permanent contractor to resolve any facility challenges immediately.' Mchunu also said the SAPS has established a project with the National Prosecuting Authority to ensures the prioritisation of cases for the timely analysis of DNA exhibits as well as ensure the provisioning of the required reports, known as 212 Statement), to prevent the withdrawal of cases due to an outstanding DNA report. 'A total of 55 702 gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF)-related DNA reports were provided for GBVF cases since the commencement of the project, until 31 May 2025. Furthermore, a total of 127 078 DNA reports (212 statements) were generated for other types of offences requiring DNA analysis,' he said.
TimesLIVE
3 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Kidnap victim rescued and two arrests made
The police national anti-kidnapping task team rescued a 30-year-old kidnap victim on Friday and arrested two suspects during an operation in Germiston on the East Rand. According to police spokesperson Lt-Col Amanda van Wyk, the victim's vehicle was reportedly found abandoned in Dawnpark. 'Further investigation revealed that the owner of the vehicle had been kidnapped and was being held against his will,' Van Wyk said. Within 24 hours, intelligence directed the task team to an identified address in Germiston. With support from a tactical unit, the team entered the premises and rescued the victim. 'Two suspects were arrested at the scene, while others managed to flee during a shoot-out with police. The rescued victim confirmed he had been kidnapped on Thursday' Last week police traced a Mozambican kidnapping kingpin to an apartment block in Fourways, Johannesburg. The suspect, linked to several kidnappings, was fatally wounded in a shoot-out with police. 'The SAPS remains resolute in its commitment to dismantling kidnapping syndicates and bringing perpetrators to justice,' Van Wyk said.
The Herald
5 hours ago
- The Herald
Gauteng health officials sound alarm over baby abductions from clinics
'Shockingly, the mother left her child on a changing table in the bathroom where an unknown woman offered to assist. On returning, both the woman and the infant were gone. The matter was immediately reported to the police, CCTV footage was reviewed and a photo of the suspect was circulated,' said the department. Thanks to the rapid dissemination of the suspect's image and collaborative efforts by police, health-care staff and the community, the baby was found and reunited with the family. The suspect is now in custody. 'The department commends the swift action taken by facility staff, security personnel, the SAPS and members of the public who played a role in ensuring the safe return of both infants,' the department said. It said despite maximum security at health facilities and CCTV camera surveillance, these incidents highlight the need for heightened vigilance when it comes to the care of children. Gauteng health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko urged parents and guardians to remain alert and to avoid leaving children unattended under any circumstances. 'We are seeing a trend where parents place their trust in strangers, often during vulnerable moments within health facilities. While we strive to offer a safe and caring environment, we wish to emphasise the importance of vigilance and personal responsibility when it comes to the safety of children,' she said.
