Latest news with #crimeSyndicate
News24
02-07-2025
- News24
Three City of Tshwane officials appear in court over R7m transformer theft
Three City of Tshwane officials were arrested for their alleged role in a transformer theft at Laudium's Claudius substation. The crime syndicate allegedly used municipal vehicles and cranes, but failed to provide proper work authorisation when confronted in November 2024. The case has been postponed to Friday for a bail application. Three City of Tshwane officials accused of stealing a transformer worth R7 million appeared in the Atteridgeville Magistrate's Court on Wednesday. Sphiwe Mahlangu, 45, from Soshanguve, Thomas Baloi, 41, from Pretoria North, and Daniel Kubayi, 50, from Hammanskraal, are facing charges of theft of essential infrastructure. The three were arrested on Tuesday following a police investigation into a crime syndicate that reportedly began operating in November 2024. This syndicate allegedly stole a transformer worth R7 million from a Laudium substation. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), on the afternoon of 7 November 2024, the Tshwane Metro Police Department and police received a tip-off about a theft taking place at the Claudius substation in Laudium. 'When they arrived at the scene, they found cranes, trucks, and a City of Tshwane-marked truck at the substation,' said NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana. 'When the police requested proof of work authorisation and it could not be produced, 11 people were arrested on the scene, and 10 were later released from police custody.' According to the police, the 10 people released were subcontractors who could not be linked to the crime. The 11th person, Madimetja Jacob Malebane, 38, a City of Tshwane official, appeared in the Atteridgeville Magistrate's Court on 28 November 2024. He has since been released on bail. Mahanjana stated that police investigations revealed Mahlangu, Baloi, and Kubayi allegedly left the scene before the police arrived. The police issued warrants of arrest, and the three accused were apprehended at their workplaces on Tuesday. The matter was postponed to Friday for a bail application.
Malay Mail
08-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Johor cops bust loan shark gang targeting Malaysians in Singapore, used meth-fuelled runners to splash paint, lock homes over unpaid loans
KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 — A loan shark syndicate targeting Malaysians working in Singapore has been dismantled following the arrest of four individuals in raids around the city. Johor police chief Datuk M Kumar said the suspects, three local men aged between 30 and 34, and a 27-year-old woman, were detained by the Johor Baru Selatan district police's D7 Criminal Investigation Division on April 17, according to a report published in Buletin TV3 today. 'Initial investigations revealed the group was paid between RM100 and RM350 to commit acts of mischief such as splashing paint, locking victims' homes, and issuing threats to those who failed to repay their loans. 'Items seized during the raids included a car, four mobile phones, a can of paint, a small knife, house keys with keychains, victim information sheets, and materials used for writing threat notes,' he said in a statement today. Kumar added that all suspects tested positive for methamphetamine. He said the syndicate lured Malaysians working in Singapore by offering loans via social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok. 'The loans were transferred directly into borrowers' bank accounts without any formal agreements, and interest rates ranged between 20 and 50 per cent, with transactions conducted through Singapore-registered accounts,' he said. Kumar said police believe nine cases have been solved following the arrests — six in Johor including Johor Baru Selatan, Johor Baru Utara, Kluang, and Seri Alam, and three in Pahang. 'The case is being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code (for mischief), Section 29B of the Moneylenders Act 1951 (for harassment of borrowers), and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (for drug use). 'The suspects are scheduled to be charged at the Batu Pahat Magistrates' Court today,' he added.
