Operation SA

Urgent action, innovation & transformation to seek hope, tolerance & social justice, overcoming poverty where all people live with dignity & security.

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

Department of Correctional Services (DCS) Commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale, has been elected to the Board of the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA).

The election took place this week during the ICPA Annual General Meeting at the Association’s 28th Annual Conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

“[This marks] an important achievement for South Africa.

“The appointment provides South Africa with an opportunity to contribute to international discussions on correctional practices, rehabilitation, human rights and public safety. It also creates a platform for sharing the country’s correctional experience and strengthening cooperation with international counterparts,” a DCS statement read.

The department noted that the election also comes at an important time, particularly as preparations advance for the 2027 ICPA Annual Conference to be held in Harare, Zimbabwe.

“For DCS, this achievement reflects the importance of international engagement in advancing effective and humane correctional practices. It also presents an opportunity to strengthen partnerships and contribute to the development of correctional services in Africa and beyond,” the statement concluded.

The election is for the 2026–2030 term.

@DCS_ZA

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

Full statement: @NPA_Prosecutes

NPA SECURES RESTRAINT ORDER OVER R99 MILLION IN ASSETS LINKED TO ALLEGED EXTORTION SYNDICATE

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), through its Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) in Mpumalanga, in collaboration with the NPA’s Organised Crime Unit and the South African Police Service (SAPS), has secured a provisional restraint order over assets currently estimated at R99 million, linked to Joe Sibanyoni and others who are alleged to be involved in organised criminal activities, including extortion.

On 28 September 2026, the AFU obtained an uncapped provisional restraint order from the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court, Middelburg, in terms of section 26 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998 (POCA).

The order emanates from ongoing investigations by SAPS into alleged criminal activities involving extortion and related offences linked to Sibanyoni and others.

The restrained assets comprise movable and immovable property currently estimated at R99 million. The restraint order was obtained on the basis that the assets constitute realisable property and represent benefits allegedly derived from criminal activities.
The assets include properties in exclusive golf estates in Centurion, as well as several houses and estate properties in Centurion and Pretoria. Luxury motor vehicles subject to the order include Ferraris, a Porsche, a Lexus, Mercedes-Benz vehicles and BMWs.

The defendants are also required to surrender various bank accounts and investments to the curator appointed by the court.
The restraint order advances one of the key objectives of POCA, namely to deprive persons of the proceeds and benefits of crime.
Organised crime, in its various forms, poses a serious threat to South Africa’s economy and communities. If left unchecked, extortion and related criminal activities undermine legitimate businesses, discourage investment and impede economic growth.

The NPA remains committed to working with law-enforcement partners to dismantle organised criminal networks and ensure that crime does not pay.

-Kaizer Kganyago
NPA – National Spokesperson

Issued by:
National Prosecuting Authority
South Africa

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

JUST IN:

NPA SECURES R99- MILLION ASSET RESTRAINT ORDER IN ALLEGED EXTORTION CASE

The NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit, working with SAPS and the NPA’s Organised Crime Unit, has secured a provisional restraint order over assets estimated at R99- million linked to Joe Sibanyoni and others allegedly involved in organised crime, including extortion.

The order was granted by the Mpumalanga High Court in Middelburg on 28 September 2026.

The assets include luxury properties in exclusive golf estates and other residential properties in Centurion and Pretoria, as well as high-end vehicles, including Ferraris, a Porsche, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and BMWs.

The defendants must also surrender various bank accounts and investments to a court-appointed curator.

The NPA says the action aims to deprive alleged criminals of the proceeds of crime and dismantle organised criminal networks.

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

COMPANY AND DIRECTOR SENTENCED IN R993,330 VAT REFUND FRAUD CASE

Hanson Distribution CC and its director, Hanson Ntjangase, have been sentenced after pleading guilty to charges linked to fraudulent VAT returns that resulted in an illicit refund of R993,330.

The Specialised Commercial Crime Court sentenced the company to a R500,000 fine, wholly suspended for five years. Ntjangase received a R500,000 fine or five years’ imprisonment, also wholly suspended for five years, and a further R50,000 fine or one year’s imprisonment for contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.

The court heard that fraudulent VAT returns were submitted after Ntjangase provided access to the company’s SARS tax profile to two women who allegedly promised to help him financially. More than R700,000 was subsequently transferred to various bank accounts.

Ntjangase later reported the fraud to SARS, repaid the amounts from which he personally benefited and agreed to testify against the remaining suspects.

The NPA says it remains committed to tackling tax fraud and financial crimes that deprive the country of revenue needed to fund essential public services.

@NPA_Prosecutes

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

VEHICLE CRIME RISK DECLINES, BUT BUSINESS VEHICLES REMAIN MORE VULNERABLE

Tracker’s 30-year review shows the proportion of its customers affected by vehicle theft and hijacking has dropped from around 4% in the late 1990s to 0.5% in recent years.

Key findings from January to June 2026:

-Business vehicles are 17% more likely to be targeted than privately owned vehicles.
-Business vehicles are almost twice as likely to be hijacked as stolen.
-Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal account for 80% of all vehicle crime incidents.
-Vehicle crime is more common over weekends. Theft peaks on Saturdays, while hijackings peak on Friday afternoons and evenings.
-Business hijackings most commonly occur on weekday afternoons and evenings, between 4pm and 9pm.

Personal vehicle crime is slightly more likely to involve theft than hijacking, with theft accounting for 55% of incidents.

Tracker says it has recovered 142,253 vehicles, assisted in 21,461 arrests and helped recover 1,154 firearms to date. It reported a 96% industry recovery rate for the last financial year.

The warning: Although the overall risk has declined significantly, vehicle crime remains a serious concern, particularly for businesses exposed to hijackings, cargo theft and operational losses.

@Tracker_Connect

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

WATCH: LAPTOP STOLEN FROM VEHICLE IN SEA POINT

-Ocean View Drive, Sea Point, Cape Town

The public is asked to help identify a man who astole a laptop from a vehicle on Ocean View Drive.

If you recognise the man or have information that could assist in identifying him, please contact SAPS.

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

YOUR TAKE?

Should Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi become the next National Head of the Hawks?

Will this strengthen South Africa’s fight against organised crime and corruption?

👇 Have your say. Comment.

[Operation SA @OperationSA1]

@Abramjee Excellent

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

MAN ARRESTED IN EVATON WITH SUSPECTED STOLEN SAPS FIREARM AND POLICE UNIFORM

A 34-year-old man is expected to appear in the Vereeniging Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 30 October 2026, after being arrested in Evaton during an intelligence-driven police operation.

The operation followed information that the suspect was allegedly in possession of an unlicensed firearm and SAPS uniform stolen during a housebreaking in Sebokeng Zone 7 over the weekend.

Police recovered a SAPS-issued Beretta pistol with seven rounds of ammunition, a SAPS uniform, handcuffs, a suspected stolen sound bar and a 32-inch smart TV at the suspect’s residence.

The Sedibeng Roving Team, Sedibeng K9 Unit and Gauteng Traffic Police Highway Patrol and Crime Intelligence Association (GTP HPCIA) members participated in the operation.

Police investigations are continuing.

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

A video circulating online shows a woman, being confronted with dashcam footage linked to the armed robbery of an e-hailing driver in Eldorado Park.

She approached the driver before three male suspects joined her.

SAPS confirmed the arrest of five suspects, aged between 15 and 21, in connection with the robbery.

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

BREAKING:

ACTING MINISTER OF POLICE TO SEEK CABINET CONCURRENCE FOR APPOINTMENT OF LT GENERAL NHLANHLA MKHWANAZI AS NATIONAL HEAD OF THE DPCI

The Acting Minister of Police, Mr Firoz Cachalia has, pursuant to the powers vested in him in terms of the South African Police Service Act 68 of 1995, initiated the process to appoint a National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks.

In accordance with Section 17CA(1)–(3) of the Act, the appointment of the National Head of the DPCI is made by the Minister of Police, with the concurrence of Cabinet.

The Act further provides for the reporting of the appointment to Parliament.

The Acting Minister has submitted a Cabinet Memorandum seeking Cabinet’s concurrence for the appointment of Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as the National Head of the DPCI.

The Memorandum will be presented at the earliest opportunity during a Cabinet sitting.

The DPCI plays a critical role in South Africa’s fight against organised crime, corruption, and other serious priority offences.

This is a priority for the Police Reset Agenda.

The appointment of a National Head is important in ensuring strong leadership, strategic direction and operational effectiveness in addressing these crimes.

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

COMMENT:

The proposed appointment of Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as National Head of the Hawks could be a game-changer for South Africa.

We need strong, fearless leadership to take on crime kingpins, expose corruption and dismantle criminal networks -no matter how powerful or connected they are.

South Africans want action, accountability and results. It’s time to go after the big fish!

The fight against organised crime must be relentless.

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

POLICE RECOVER THREE AK-47 RIFLES AND AN R5 RIFLE, ARREST TWO SUSPECTS IN WESTONARIA

@SAPoliceService

Gauteng police have arrested two suspects, aged 32 and 35, and recovered four unlicensed firearms and ammunition during an operation at Kloof Gold Mine Hostel in Westonaria.

It is reported that on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, at approximately 16:00, Sibanye Protection Services received information about a group of armed illegal miners and requested assistance from the South African Police Service (SAPS) Gauteng Public Order Policing (POP) unit and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

During the operation, two suspects were found in possession of an AK-47 rifle and an R5 rifle, while two additional AK-47 rifles were found abandoned at the scene.

The following items were recovered during the operation: three AK-47 rifles, one R5 rifle, six magazines, 246 live rounds of ammunition and two Lesotho passports.

The two arrested suspects are Lesotho nationals and face charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Both suspects are expected to appear before the Westonaria Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 30 October 2026.

Police investigations are ongoing. The recovery of these firearms and ammunition forms part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies and security partners to combat illegal mining and curb the proliferation of illegal firearms in Gauteng.

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

Further ruling of the Chairperson of the Madlanga Commission regarding the application for the testimony of the Acting Coordinator of the National Intelligence Coordinating Committee (NICOC), Dr N Sifolo, to be heard in-camera.

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

Scene..

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

Statement:

@CityTshwane

@nasiphim says:

“City of Tshwane confirms operation involving Chief Financial Officer
The City of Tshwane can confirm that an operation was conducted at Tshwane House
this morning involving individuals who identified themselves as officials of the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

“We can further confirm that the City's Chief Financial Officer, Mr Gareth Mnisi, subsequently left the premises accompanied by these individuals.

“As Executive Mayor, I have engaged the City Manager to establish the circumstances
surrounding this development and assess any potential implications for the
Municipality, particularly given Mr Mnisi's senior position and responsibilities within the City's financial administration.

“At this stage, the City is not in a position to comment on the nature of the operation.

“Any further enquiries regarding the operation should be directed to SARS.

“The City remains committed to cooperating with the relevant authorities and ensuring
that all matters involving municipal officials are handled in accordance with the law and applicable processes.”

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

RTMC SECURES PRISON SENTENCE AND UPHOLDS DISMISSAL IN CORRUPTION CASES

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has scored two victories in its fight against corruption in traffic law enforcement and vehicle licensing.

🔴 Traffic officer jailed: Job Mthombeni has been sentenced to five years’ direct imprisonment by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court for corruption involving a R100 bribe. He was arrested in August 2020 alongside 13 Tshwane Metro Police Department colleagues during Operation Bunny, an anti-corruption operation led by the RTMC’s National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit and the Hawks. Other accused are still facing trial.

🔴 Licensing clerk’s dismissal upheld: The South African Local Government Bargaining Council has upheld the dismissal of KH Mchunu, a clerk at the Estcourt registering and licensing centre in KwaZulu-Natal. His NaTIS system credentials were used to process fraudulent transactions remotely in January 2024.

An arbitrator found that the municipality had established, on a balance of probabilities, that Mchunu was either dishonest or grossly negligent.

The RTMC says the outcomes highlight the importance of accountability, effective investigations and cooperation in tackling fraud and corruption within the road traffic sector.

Members of the public are urged to report suspected corruption and irregularities.

@TrafficRTMC

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

MOTHER OF THREE MISSING FOR THREE WEEKS IN CAPE TOWN

📍 Forest Hill/Kenilworth, Cape Town | Western Cape

The family of Lucille “Lulu” Wernich (38) is appealing for public assistance to find her after she was last seen in the Forest Hill/Kenilworth area approximately three weeks ago.

Lucille is about 1.52m tall and was last seen wearing blue shorts and a black vest. She has several visible tattoos that may help with identification.

A missing-person report has reportedly been opened with police, but the family is still awaiting the reference number.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to come forward.

📞 Contact details:

Missing Person South Africa WhatsApp: [phone]
Stephane: 079 976 2165
Shannon: 061 081 5416

Please share.

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

Taxi violence.

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

Deadly taxi violence is going unabated in Cape Town.

Three taxi drivers were killed and four others wounded in attacks in Khayelitsha and Philippi East on Wednesday between 6pm and midnight.

It came hours after the brazen attack at the Palm taxi rank in Delft in the morning where two men were shot and wounded and scores of commuters were forced to flee and take cover.

It also came after several taxi-related shootings on Tuesday. Police spokesperson Colonel André Traut says the Provincial Taxi Unit is investigating these shootings.

He adds that arrests have yet to be made.

Calls have been made for the leaders of the taxi associations CATA and CODETA to immediately bring their members to order and put an end to the violence.

Shooting incidents:

- In Site B, Khayelitsha, a taxi driver was shot dead while driving in Japhta K Masemola Street.

- A taxi driver was wounded in Govan Mbeki Road, Philippi East.

- In Lower Crossroads, a taxi driver was shot in the face and body while driving. He was taken to a medical facility for treatment.

- In Browns Farm, a 22-year-old taxi driver was killed at his residence in Buhlungu Street.

- A taxi driver was killed and another man injured in an attack in Boston Road, Browns Farm. They were travelling in a minibus taxi.

- On the corner of Govan Mbeki and Sheffield roads, a taxi driver was shot in the back. He was transported to a medical facility for treatment.

-Radio 786