Latest news with #ThembisilePatekile
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Police officer faces corruption charges for extorting R5,000 from suspect
The officer, after receiving part payment of R3,000, failed to release the suspect and the matter was reported. Image: IOL An alleged corrupt police officer is expected to make his first court appearance today after he allegedly forced a suspect to pay him R5,000 to secure his release after the suspect's arrest. The officer, after receiving part payment of R3,000, failed to release the suspect, and the matter was reported. The officer will appear in the Leeu Gamka Magistrate's Court today on a charge of corruption. After the cop's arrest, provincial police commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, issued a stern warning against corruption within the ranks of police officers. Patekile emphasised the SAPS' zero-tolerance approach to corrupt officials. Police spokesperson, Joseph Swartbooi, said the 31-year-old constable was arrested on June 25. 'The initial reports at our disposal suggest that on May 9, the constable stationed at Leeu Gamka SAPS requested a suspect in custody for fraud to make a payment of R5,000 to secure his release. The suspect agreed to pay the constable an amount of R3,000 and arranged to pay the balance upon his release. 'The constable in question used his mobile device to ensure the suspect made a payment into his bank account. The suspect, however, was never released from custody. The conduct of the police member was reported and ultimately transferred to the Western Cape Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit for further investigation,' said Swartbooi. SAPS has urged the public to report any corrupt activities involving police members on the Anti-Corruption Hotline 0800 701 701, Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or alternatively use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously. [email protected]
IOL News
6 days ago
- IOL News
Justice demanded for runners injured by Cape Town driver in DUI incident
A Cape Town man is facing charges of driving under the influence and negligent driving after injuring two runners in Bantry Bay. Image: File A Cape Town man continues to make court appearances on charges relating to driving under the influence of alcohol and negligent driving, after two runners were rammed in Bantry Bay. The man made his latest appearance in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Friday, where the matter was postponed for further investigation. The incident, which was filmed on March 30, was caught on CCTV footage along Victoria Road, Bantry Bay, and shows how the runners were hit, one of whom was flung into the air and landed in nearby bush and rock terrain along the coast. Police initially confirmed the man's arrest and that he was detained and charged. The DA's National Council of Provinces member on security and justice, Nicholas Gotsell, said he has since written to Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile regarding cases of reckless and negligent driving. 'The DA notes the postponement in this case to August 12 for further investigation,' he said. 'We will continue to play an active oversight role and ensure that the police fulfil their constitutional duty to protect citizens – and that they do not neglect their responsibilities when others' lives are deliberately put at risk. 'This tragedy follows shortly after a Nigerian rapper crashed through a wall in Sea Point more than three months ago with no concrete actions taken by SAPS against the driver. 'Reckless drivers are increasingly using our roads as a racetrack. 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 'The DA has repeatedly written to the Western Cape Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile, about complaints of reckless driving and the failure to act against suspects – but no concrete steps have been taken. This lack of response raises serious questions about SAPS's bona fides and their commitment to public safety." The Cape Argus approached the provincial SAPS office for Patekile's response and await feedback. Earlier, Pedal Power Association CEO, Neil Robinson, said they called for justice to be served and were shocked at the number of lawless and poor driving of persons under the influence on the road. The incident also happened just a month after dental surgeon from the Eastern Cape, Dr Ncumisa Mdlokolo, was tragically killed by a speeding Ferrari while walking with her sister in Buitengracht Street. The driver, David Polet, is accused of being under the influence of drugs and alcohol and was arrested and charged and granted bail of R10 000 by the Cape Town Magistrate's Court. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
News24
12-06-2025
- News24
Man arrested after R18m cocaine, arms and ammunition found in Cape Town storage facility
A 40-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a massive stash of drugs, firearms and ammunition found in a storage facility in Cape Town. Fifteen bricks of cocaine worth an estimated R18 million were found, as well as one AK47 rifle, an Uzi, five 9mm pistols and an assortment of ammunition. The man was arrested for allegedly dealing in drugs and the unlawful possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Police have arrested a 40-year-old man in connection with a cache of arms, ammunition and drugs found in a storage unit in the heart of Cape Town's city bowl. Cocaine and weapons worth millions of rand were found at the storage facility in Roeland Street. Officers from the Anti-Gang Unit, Crime Intelligence, and provincial organised crime detectives arrested the man for allegedly dealing in drugs and the unlawful possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk said: 'They conducted a search of the unit upon which they discovered 15 bricks of cocaine of about 15 kilograms (1kg each) with an estimated street value of R18 million as well as one AK47 rifle, an Uzi, five 9mm pistols and an assortment of ammunition.' The man is scheduled to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court. Western Cape police commissioner Thembisile Patekile said: 'SAPS remains resolute to eradicate drug abuse and the prevalence of firearms which poses a threat to the safety of communities in the Western Cape.' Earlier this year, Western Cape police confiscated mandrax tablets worth more than R5.5 million in two busts over three days. Anti-Gang Unit officers uncovered R4 million worth of mandrax at a 'stronghold of one of the major gangs' in Mitchells Plain. In a separate incident days later, police searched a car on the N1 highway and found a consignment of mandrax tablets valued at around R1.5 million. At the time, Patekile said the prevalence of drugs in the Western Cape was 'problematic' and was linked to gang activity. He said there was a link between the drug trade, illegal firearms and gangsterism. Crime expert Guy Lamb previously told News24 that while mandrax was often circulated on the local market, other drugs - such as cocaine and heroin - often moved through the country, destined for other, wealthier markets. Gangs play a key role in both the arrival of drugs into the local market, the sale of those drugs, as well as the transportation of drugs through the country to other markets, he said. The ENACT Organised Crime Index for Africa, produced by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC), found that the cocaine trade in southern Africa was growing, and South Africa was at the heart of the illicit market. The global crime index's report described South Africa as 'a key player in the global cocaine trade'. South Africa also has the highest prevalence of cocaine consumption in Africa, the report found.
TimesLIVE
11-06-2025
- TimesLIVE
Bricks of cocaine worth R18m and guns seized in Cape Town CBD
Fifteen bricks of cocaine worth an estimated R18m have been seized with several firearms from a storage facility in the Cape Town CBD. The police raid on a self-storage facility in Roeland Street on Tuesday also led to the arrest of a 40-year-old man for allegedly dealing in drugs and the unlawful possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. 'Armed with intelligence about drugs and firearms being stored at the address, the officers operationalised the information and pounced on the self-storage facility where they found the suspect at one of the units,' said spokesperson Capt Frederick van Wyk. 'They conducted a search of the unit upon which they discovered 15 bricks of cocaine of about 15kg [1kg each] with an estimated street value of R18m as well as one AK-47 rifle, an Uzi, five 9mm pistols and an assortment of ammunition.' The suspect is expected to appear in the Cape Town magistrate's court soon. The bust was the culmination of an intelligence-led operation by members of the police anti-gang unit, crime intelligence and provincial organised crime detectives. Western Cape police commissioner Lt-Gen Thembisile Patekile said the drugs and firearms could have caused havoc in the wrong hands in communities where gang and gun violence are prevalent.
TimesLIVE
30-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Cape Town cop shot dead outside his home in Muizenberg
A police sergeant in uniform was shot dead outside his home while leaving for work early on Friday in Cape Town. The 48-year-old officer's body was discovered at 5am outside his home in Vrygrond, Muizenberg. 'He sustained fatal gunshot wounds. At the time of the incident, he was in uniform and en route to report for duty at Wynberg SAPS. His family members, who were inside the residence, were unharmed,' said police spokesperson Col Andrè Traut. The Hawks were assigned to lead the investigation. Western Cape police commissioner Lt-Gen Thembisile Patekile said no resource would be spared in the pursuit of those behind the shooting. 'An attack on any member of the SA Police Service will be met with the full force of the law. We will not rest until justice is served,' he said. Anyone with information that could assist in solving the case is urged to contact Crime Stop anonymously at 08600-10111.
