Latest news with #Ledwaba
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Suspected domestic violence behind fatal Limpopo shooting that left 2 dead
The Seshego police in Limpopo have launched an investigation into the deaths of two adults who were found with gunshot wounds near overnight accommodation in Zone 6. Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba says the community heard gunshots at around 20:45 on Tuesday night. Polokwane Review reports that when police arrived at the scene, they found a man and a woman lying in pools of blood. The police were immediately notified. 'On arrival at the scene, two victims, a male (38) and a female (39), were found with gunshot wounds. The woman had multiple gunshots to the upper body, and the man had one gunshot to the side of his head. They were transported to the hospital for medical attention but unfortunately succumbed to their injuries,' says Ledwaba. He says domestic violence cannot be ruled out as a motive, but it is yet to be confirmed. Anyone with information that can assist in the investigation is urged to contact Warrant Officer Calvin Magoro on 084 411 8008, Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or report information via the MySAPS App. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
06-06-2025
- The South African
Limpopo police seize R3m worth of stolen goods, foreign nationals arrested
Limpopo police have arrested four foreign nationals and recovered goods valued at over R3 million in the fight against organised crime with the successful dismantling of one of the most sophisticated cross-border smuggling networks operating between South Africa and Malawi. On Thursday, 5 June, at approximately 02:00, the Limpopo Anti-Smuggling Task Team, supported by private security companies, intercepted a Scania truck pulling superlink trailers near the Polokwane weighbridge. The vehicle was en-route from Cape Town to Malawi via the Beitbridge border post. Following an extensive 18-hour operation and thorough search, the joint team recovered various parts from vehicles and motorcycles that were reported stolen in Cape Town. South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in Limpopo colonel Malesela Ledwaba said they were able to recover chopped parts of a Ford Ranger reported stolen in Nyanga in May, including an engine, dashboard, radiator, differential and steering wheel, sixty(60) disassembled motorcycles concealed in drums and containers, reported stolen from multiple Western Cape police stations including Bellville, Mfuleni, Muizenberg, Nyanga, Milnerton, Sea Point, and Athlone. Ledwaba said various electronic goods including plasma TVs, sound systems, solar tower batteries, and cellphones suspected to be stolen, were recovered. Additionally, the Scania truck and trailers used in the smuggling operation were also seized as part of the investigation. The total value of recovered goods is over R3 million. The four foreign national males aged between 37 and 50 years, were arrested and will appear before the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on Monday, 9 June, on charges of possession of suspected stolen goods. Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe commended the successful operation saying the breakthrough represents a major victory against sophisticated criminal networks that have been exploiting our borders to traffic stolen goods. 'The collaboration between our Anti-Smuggling Task Team and private security partners demonstrates the power of coordinated law enforcement efforts. We will continue to target these criminal syndicates relentlessly until they are completely dismantled,' Hadebe said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
04-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Limpopo couple arrested after alleged kidnapping hoax to extort worried husband
The woman and her partner allegedly staged the crime to scam her husband out of R5000. A Limpopo couple has landed in court for faking a kidnapping to extort R5 000 in ransom from the woman's worried husband. The Limpopo police arrested a 34-year-old woman and her 60-year-old boyfriend, who allegedly faked her own abduction to extort ransom from her husband. The couple appeared before the Seshego Magistrate's Court on Wednesday on charges of kidnapping and extortion. Kidnapping faked to extort R5000 from husband The police described the incident as an 'elaborate deception that traumatised a family and wasted police resources'. On 2 May, a concerned husband reported his wife missing after she failed to arrive at her destination in Garawele Village, Mokopane. The husband had dropped his wife off at the Tibane Crossroad hiking spot in Matlala at about 11am, expecting her to travel to visit family. ALSO READ: Two Cape Town police officers arrested for kidnapping foreign national Troubling ransom calls at police station Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the husband tried to contact his wife, but he couldn't reach her, and her family members confirmed she hadn't arrived at her destination. He suspected foul play and immediately reported the matter to police in Matlala. Ledwaba said the husband received a troubling call from his wife's phone while he was giving his statement to the police. 'An unknown male voice demanded R5000 ransom money, while the sound of a woman crying could be heard in the background,' Ledwaba said. 'The caller abruptly ended the call, only to phone again from a different number with further ransom demands.' A thorough police investigation, however, revealed a shocking twist; there had been no kidnapping. Ledwaba said the wife willingly left with her boyfriend, and the two of them planned the whole scam, including the ransom calls to extort money from the unsuspecting husband. ALSO READ: Are you the real Godfrey Lebeya? Fake Hawks head extorts more than R100k The duo was subsequently arrested and detained at the Matlala Police Station. The provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has issued a stern warning regarding such criminal deception. 'The Saps [South African Police Service] will not tolerate individuals who manipulate family bonds and exploit genuine concern to commit fraud and extortion. This case demonstrates the emotional trauma and resource wastage caused by false reporting and criminal deception,' Hadebe said. Police warn against abusing systems for personal financial gain 'We want to send a clear message that fabricating kidnapping scenarios for financial gain is a serious criminal offence that will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Our officers work tirelessly to investigate genuine missing person cases, and those who abuse this system will face the consequences.' Ledwaba added that the investigating team commended the husband for reporting the matter swiftly, as it enabled the police to uncover the deception before any ransom money was paid. 'The case serves as a reminder to the public to remain vigilant against extortion schemes and to report suspicious demands for money to the nearest police station immediately,' Hadebe said. NOW READ: After years on the run, police finally arrest 'Putin' in Midrand
TimesLIVE
31-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Police arrest man with R8m in dagga in trailer
Limpopo police arrested a 27-year-old man who was found with 42 bags of compressed dagga in a trailer on Friday. Polokwane police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba said the man was nabbed during a joint anti-smuggling operation conducted by the Limpopo tracking and task teams together with other police units and external law enforcement agencies. They received intelligence information about a white Toyota Hilux bakkie suspected to be transporting dagga from Eswatini destined for Vhembe District. 'An immediate search operation commenced for the bakkie and it was positively spotted towing a trailer along the R36 public road next to Mooketsi Weigh-bridge at about 7am. It was stopped, searched and found transporting 42 bags of compressed dagga weighing 851.8kg with an estimated street value of R8m.' Ledwaba said a 27-year-old male suspect failed to account for the origin of the dagga and was immediately placed under arrest. He is expected to appear in the Tzaneen magistrate's court on Monday. Police investigations are continuing.
The Citizen
31-05-2025
- The Citizen
R8 million worth of dagga from Eswatini seized
Police swooped on a bakkie suspected to be carrying drugs into Limpopo. Limpopo police on Friday seized around R8 million worth of dagga during an anti-smuggling operation in the province. According to police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, officials received intelligence that a white Toyota Hilux bakkie was suspected to be transporting dagga from Eswatini. 'An immediate search operation commenced for the lookout of the bakkie, and it was positively spotted towing a trailer along the R36 public road next to Mooketsi Weigh-bridge at about 7 am. 'It was stopped, searched and found transporting forty-two bags (42) bags of compressed dagga weighing 851,85 Kg with an estimated street value of R8 million rands,' Ledwaba explained. Picture: Supplied He said a 27-year-old male suspect was questioned about the load and then arrested. He is expected to appear before the Tzaneen Magistrate's Court on Monday, 2 June 2025, on a charge of dealing in drugs. Picture: Supplied Other drug busts In February, two South Africans were arrested at OR Tambo International Airport for drug trafficking. They were travelling from Brazil and carrying cocaine with an estimated street value of R7.5 million. A few months earlier, a Brazilian woman was nabbed at the same airport, also coming from Brazil. She was carrying around R1.8 million worth of cocaine. NOW READ: Human trafficking exploiters spin web of drugs – expert
