Latest news with #BrigadierMathe
News24
04-06-2025
- General
- News24
Westbury residents attack Anti-Gang Unit cops after arresting man on drug charge
National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola has condemned the attack on Anti-Gang Unit officers in Westbury. In a viral video, community members can be seen throwing rocks and bottles at the officers. National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said no injuries or damage were reported. National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola has condemned the attack on members of the Anti-Gang Unit conducting routine operations in Westbury, Johannesburg, on Tuesday. Their operations included stop-and-search efforts in Steytler Street. National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the officers came under attack when they arrested a man for possession of drugs. 'Members immediately placed the suspect under arrest, and that is when community members started mobilising themselves and throwing rocks and bottles at police officers,' she said. 'Members tactically withdrew from the operation, ensuring the safety of the very community that was attacking them.' Mathe added that no officers were injured and no vehicles were damaged and said the officers 'tactically withdrew' after discharging a warning shot. Masemola expressed disappointment in the conduct of Westbury residents, who have frequently raised concerns about crime in the area, including turf wars between drug dealers and traffickers. 'The community of Westbury have from time to time been complaining about the high levels of crime, including drug dealing, in the area,' Masemola said. The National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola has condemned the behaviour of community members in Westbury(JHB) who threw police with rocks& bottles for arresting a man found in possession of drugs. Police were conducting their stop&search operations when they were attacked — Athlenda Mathe (@AthlendaM) June 3, 2025 'We have deployed the Anti-Gang Unit to deal decisively with this type of crime, but it seems as though when police take charge and enforce the law, communities turn on them and attack them. We cannot allow such a situation.' Masemola added that the unit had been deployed to various gang hotspots, including Westbury, Eldorado Park, Moffatview, South Hills, Toekomsrus and Sophiatown. 'We need the community to appreciate, support and work with the police and not attack them,' he said. 'We cannot and will not tolerate this lawlessness. Our members will continue to discharge their duties without fear or favour.'
BBC News
30-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Olorato Mongale: Suspect in South Africa student's murder killed in police shootout
A suspect wanted for the murder of a South African university student has been killed in a shootout with the police. Olorato Mongale's body was found on Sunday in Lombardy, north of Johannesburg, about two hours after she was reported missing having gone on a the early hours of Friday morning, police officers found the main suspect hiding at a residential complex in the coastal town of Amanzimtoti, police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe suspect, who has not been named by the police, shot at the officers, who returned fire and killed him, Brigadier Mathe added. Ms Mongale's death has sparked a fierce debate about the levels of violence faced by women in South Africa. You may also be interested in: Chris Brown concert shines spotlight on violence against women in South AfricaSexual violence in South Africa: 'I was raped, now I fear for my daughters'Tears and heartbreak over tragic story of South African girl sold by her mother Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
News24
23-05-2025
- News24
Bank executive and two others rescued from suspected kidnapping syndicate in Gauteng
Police believe they've 'dismantled' a suspected kidnapping syndicate after officers rescued a bank executive and one other person who were tied up at a house in Tembisa, Gauteng, on Thursday. They tracked down a third person after the kidnappers released him. It is alleged that the syndicate hijacked people, kidnapped them and withdrew large sums of money from their bank accounts. According to national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the police's Anti-Kidnapping Task Team arrested four of the suspected syndicate members. Mathe said: 'The first suspect was arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport while boarding a flight to Durban.' The others were arrested in Tembisa 'and found in possession of two stolen vehicles' allegedly used to hijack and kidnap the victims, she added. 'The bank executive's Mercedes-Benz was recovered in Ivory Park,' she said.
