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Saai: Rural crimes severely underreported
Saai: Rural crimes severely underreported

The Citizen

time19 hours ago

  • The Citizen

Saai: Rural crimes severely underreported

Saai warns unreported rural crimes distort trends and hamper justice, pushing for improved definitions and statistics with Saps. Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai) is concerned about the number of farm attacks and murders reported in the past three months. In May, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said there was a notable decrease in farm attacks, with six incidents recorded in the fourth quarter (1 January to 31 March), compared with 12 in the previous quarter of the previous financial year. Saai development coordinator Leon Lourens said from January to May this year, 72 farm attacks and 10 farm murders were reported, an increase compared to the same period last year. 72 farm attack and 10 farm murders – Saai Lourens said farm attacks, livestock theft and illegal hunting – which are South Africa's rural crime – were underestimated. 'The most recent incident comparison meeting has once again proven the true extent of crime on farms and in rural areas is severely underestimated, particularly because many incidents are not reported to the police,' he said. ALSO READ: Farm attackers sentenced to life for the murder of Limpopo farmer Lourens said a comparison between statistics from external stakeholders and SA Police Service's (Saps) database reveal shocking discrepancies. He said only 50% of all livestock theft incidents reported through organised structures are recorded in the Saps system and only 15% of all illegal hunting incidents, especially those involving dogs, are officially registered. 'These differences indicate little crime is reported in rural areas, leading to misinterpretation of crime trends,' he added. Appeal to report rural crimes Lourens appealed to farmers, land users and rural communities to report crime incidents – from attacks, illegal hunting with dogs, livestock and game theft, poaching, trespassing and theft – to the police; no matter how minor it may seem. 'There is growing concern that the lack of official case numbers not only hampers investigations, but also undermines the state's ability to effectively manage crime in rural areas. A crime that is not officially recorded does not get investigated or acted upon,' he said. ALSO READ: Trio convicted for brutal farm attack in Eastern Cape Lourens said Saai was actively involved in external working groups with the Saps to ensure the definitions and classifications of rural areas, farm attacks and related crimes are comprehensive and inclusive. As part of this work, Saai has submitted a detailed document to Saps, specifically addressing: What should be considered a rural area, the inclusion of smallholdings, communally farmed land, game farms and settlements; Proper recognition of victims – farmers, farm workers, residents, visitors and service providers; and The importance of economic sabotage, infrastructure destruction and theft as key elements of farm-related crime. Detailed document to Saps Lourens said this contribution was an effort to make police statistics, prioritisation and resource allocation at ground level more realistic and targeted. In a recent attack in Mooiplaas, Pretoria, it was alleged the victim's Achilles tendons were severed with pangas. ALSO READ: Calls to address farm murders after Trump meeting [VIDEO] Pretoria regional spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk confirmed a case of house robbery, murder, possession of stolen property and housebreaking implements in Boschkop on 20 June. 'Complainant indicated he heard dogs barking outside, he went to investigate and was attacked by five men armed with pangas,' said Van Dyk. 'Suspects also attacked other tenants and robbed them of a TV set and cellphones before fleeing on foot.' Rural crimes ignored by police Criminologist Witness Maluleke said rural crimes have, over the years, been ignored by police, despite their biggest impact on the rural economy. 'This is coupled with low rural crime reporting rates, grey areas, ineffective investigations, inadequate resources, limited convictions and decided cases,' said Maluleke. ALSO READ: Rural safety in the spotlight amid calls to classify farm attacks as priority crime 'Rural crimes are proving to be difficult for the police to deal with.'

Police probe kidnapping of 9-day-old baby Cape Town mall
Police probe kidnapping of 9-day-old baby Cape Town mall

The Citizen

time3 days ago

  • The Citizen

Police probe kidnapping of 9-day-old baby Cape Town mall

Baby Mogamat Imaad Shamar was last seen at Middestad Mall in Bellville by his mother at about 1:26pm on Saturday. Police are appealing for information leading to the whereabouts of a nine-day-old baby who went missing with a person who was with his mother at a shopping mall in Cape Town. Baby Mogamat Imaad Shamar was last seen at Middestad Mall in Bellville by his mother at about 1:26pm on Saturday. Missing baby Western Cape police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said the mother reportedly began feeling ill and went to the bathroom, leaving the baby in the care of the person accompanying her. 'When she returned, the person of interest and the baby were both gone'. Swartbooi said the Bellville Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit is probing the circumstances surrounding the incident. He said a case of kidnapping had been opened. When he was last seen, baby Mogamat was wrapped in a blue blanket. He has brown eyes, a light complexion. black hair, and weighs 2.1kg. ALSO READ: Police rescue kidnapped man in Germiston, two arrested Kidnapped man rescued Meanwhile, the South African Police Service's (Saps') Anti-Kidnapping Task Team rescued a 30-year-old man and arrested two kidnappers during an operation east of Johannesburg. The man was rescued in Germiston on Friday evening. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said the victim's vehicle was found abandoned in Dawn Park. 'Further investigation revealed that the owner of the vehicle had been kidnapped and was being held against his will. '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 successfully rescued the victim,' Van Wyk said. ALSO READ: Kidnapped Gqeberha woman Lindsay Knowlden reunited with family Arrests Van Wyk added that two suspects were arrested at the scene, while others managed to flee during a shootout with police. 'The rescued victim confirmed he had been kidnapped on Thursday, 26 June 2025'. Kamogelo Baukudi On Friday, Saps made a major breakthrough and confirmed that the kidnapped 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi had been found alive. The grade 11 pupil from Martie du Plessis Special Needs School was found alive early on Friday morning, six weeks after he went missing. Police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said they were relieved that Baukudi had been found. ALSO READ: Gauteng family pleads for safe return of their little daughter

Chikunga urges stronger GBV fight as stats paint grim picture
Chikunga urges stronger GBV fight as stats paint grim picture

The Citizen

time3 days ago

  • The Citizen

Chikunga urges stronger GBV fight as stats paint grim picture

The Saps recorded 969 women murdered, over 11 000 rape cases, and nearly 15 000 assault cases involving women. Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has called for a 'more deliberate partnership' between government and the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Response Fund to combat the ongoing scourge of violence against women. Chikunga delivered these remarks during a recent engagement with the Fund's leadership in Sandton, Johannesburg, where she stressed the urgency of aligning public and private responses. 'Let today mark the beginning of a more deliberate partnership, one rooted in shared responsibility, mutual respect, and an unwavering commitment to justice,' said Chikunga. 'Dire' statistics demand urgent action The minister warned that gender-based violence and femicide remain a national and global crisis. According to Chikunga, between January and March 2025, the South African Police Service (Saps) recorded 969 women murdered, over 11 000 rape cases, and nearly 15 000 assault cases involving women. 'Each of these numbers is a tragedy [and] a call to action,' she said. 'Violence continues where women should feel safest — in homes, workplaces, and places of worship.' Chikunga also drew attention to the plight of women with disabilities, noting that many experience violence without access to justice. 'These are the hidden faces of gender-based violence and femicide.' ALSO READ: 'Declare Limpopo a GBV disaster zone' – ANCWL GBVF Fund praised The GBVF Response Fund, which has reached over 772 000 people nationwide, was lauded for its efforts. However, Chikunga stressed the importance of coordination. 'We believe this is a critical moment to strengthen alignment… to ensure that survivors across all communities are supported with care and dignity.' Fund leadership, including interim CEO Zanele Ngwepe and Board Chairperson Faith Khanyile, joined the engagement with officials from the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. ALSO READ: Protection orders and police 'failing victims of GBV' National Council reforms in the pipeline Chikunga confirmed that the long-awaited National Council on GBVF will be operational by April 2026 and will anchor implementation of the National Strategic Plan. She also announced the expansion of Thuthuzela Care Centres, a GBVF Dashboard, and 100-Day Challenge models to boost frontline responses. 'This work is not easy. But it is a non-negotiable because there can be no freedom… where women and LGBTQIA+ individuals live in fear,' said Chikunga. She concluded by inviting the Fund to support ongoing legislative efforts, including the Women Empowerment and Gender Equality (WEGE) Bill. NOW READ: Are police winning the war on gender-based violence?

Police probe double murder in Nyanga, Cape Town
Police probe double murder in Nyanga, Cape Town

The Citizen

time4 days ago

  • The Citizen

Police probe double murder in Nyanga, Cape Town

This is the fourth shooting in Cape Town in the past week. Western Cape police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a double murder in Cape Town. This comes after two people were murdered in Bush Street, White City, Nyanga, on Sunday morning. Double murder Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said the circumstances surrounding this incident are still under investigation. Swartbooi said Nyanga detectives are hard at work pursuing all available leads in a bid to apprehend those responsible for the double murder. According to reports, unknown gunmen entered the dwelling and opened fire on the two victims, aged 23 and 25. Both victims did not survive the onslaught on their lives and were declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. 'The unknown assailants fled the scene, and they are yet to be arrested. The motive for this attack now forms part of the police investigation. Nyanga police are investigating two counts of murder,' Swartbooi said. ALSO READ: Outrage after seven people killed in mass shooting in Gugulethu Shootings Police have appealed to anyone with information to please call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or alternatively use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously. This is the fourth shooting in Cape Town this week. On Saturday, seven people were killed in a mass shooting at a house in Gugulethu, Cape Town. Police spokesperson Andrè Traut said the motive for the shooting is being investigated. 'At approximately 3.30am, Saps members on patrol were alerted to the shooting. Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered the bodies of seven men, all with gunshot wounds. 'Preliminary information suggests that the victims were socialising in the kitchen when they were ambushed by unknown assailants. Three other men who were asleep elsewhere in the house at the time of the attack escaped unharmed,' Traut said. ALSO READ: Six extortion suspects killed in shootout with police in Mthatha Vigilante attack Last week, three people were killed in a vigilante-style attack at the Samora Machel informal settlement on Wednesday. It is understood that the bodies of three men, aged between 26 and 35, were discovered around 8am in different locations within close proximity of each other. On Thursday, a shooting incident in Nyanga during an apparent hijacking led to the deaths of three suspected hijackers. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has expressed deep concern and outrage following the series of mass killings. ALSO READ: Three killed in vigilante-style murder in Samora Machel

Police seize fake Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Rolex's in Bloemfontein
Police seize fake Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Rolex's in Bloemfontein

The Citizen

time4 days ago

  • The Citizen

Police seize fake Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Rolex's in Bloemfontein

Six foreign nationals were also arrested during separate takedown operations in Bloemfontein. Police have made another breakthrough in the fight against counterfeit goods and seized fake products valued at more than R19 million. Picture: Saps Police have made another breakthrough in the fight against counterfeit goods and seized fake products, including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, high-end sneakers and Rolex's valued at more than R19 million. Six foreign nationals were also arrested during separate takedown operations in Bloemfontein on this week. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said the operations were led by the National Counterfeit Goods Unit, with support from members of Public Order Policing (POP) in Bloemfontein, officials from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs division, brand protectors, and private security personnel. Fake goods Van Wyk said search and seizure warrants were executed in accordance with the Customs and Excise Act at targeted shops in the Bloemfontein CBD. 'Over the course of two days, more than 13 000 counterfeit items were confiscated that included clothing, shoes, bags, and jewellery. The majority of the seized items are imitations of high-end luxury brands. 'Six foreign nationals were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act. One of the suspects is also facing an additional charge for resisting arrest,' van Wyk said. Illegal trade Van Wyk added that Saps remains committed to disrupting and dismantling the illegal trade in counterfeit and illicit goods in order to protect consumers, safeguard legitimate businesses, and support the South African economy. NOW READ: Over R200 million worth of counterfeit goods seized at harbour in Durban Durban harbour Earlier this month, authorities confirmed the contents of a shipping container at Durban harbour were loaded with counterfeit brands. Port inspectors executed a search warrant at the Roseburg container depot following a two-month investigation. No arrests have been made yet, but the investigation is still ongoing. Luxury fake goods Police first intercepted the container in April, after which samples were taken for analysis by representatives of the brand. The items in the container ranged from high-end clothing brands to electronics and even toothpaste, with a total value of just over R13 million. The brands in the container included Adidas, Nike, Samsung, Steve Madden, Colgate, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and more. ALSO READ: Counterfeit goods worth R400m seized over eight months in SA

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