Latest news with #TMPD
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
4 women freed in Tshwane human trafficking and online pornography bust, 2 arrested
Four women were rescued from the clutches of alleged human traffickers in the north of Pretoria this week. Pretoria Rekord reports that police conducted an operation on Monday after receiving a tip-off about a woman suspected of trafficking young women and coercing them into pornography, says Superintendent Isaac Mahamba, spokesperson for the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD). The operation, by the TMPD's Tactical Response Team in collaboration with SAPS, led to the arrest of two suspects for alleged human trafficking and online sexual exploitation. Mahamba says police successfully traced the suspect to a property in Gezina. The suspect then led the officers to another residence where the four victims were allegedly found producing online sexual content against their will. 'The suspect led the officers to a residence in Pretoria North where they discovered four female victims, aged between 18 and 38, actively engaged in online sexual performances using large screens and recording equipment.' Mahamba says the victims were three South African citizens and a Malawian national. 'During interviews, the women revealed that their IDs were being withheld by the female suspect, who claimed to be their employer.' The woman was immediately arrested, Mahamba says. Further investigation led officers to a separate address, where the suspect's husband, a Nigerian national, was arrested. 'Both suspects were formally charged with human trafficking and the forced production of online pornography, and they are detained at a local SAPS station. 'As the investigation progresses, additional charges may follow.' He says the TMPD remains committed to combating human trafficking and all forms of exploitation. 'The chief of police, Commissioner Yolanda Faro, commends all the members for their swift response and hard work,' he adds. 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 Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Police rescue four women forced into alleged online pornography
Four women were rescued from the clutches of suspected human traffickers in the north of Pretoria this week. Police conducted an operation on June 16 after receiving a tip-off about a woman suspected of trafficking young women and coercing them into pornography, said Superintendent Isaac Mahamba, spokesperson for the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD). The operation, by the TMPD's Tactical Response Team and done in collaboration with SAPS, led to the arrest of two suspects involved in human trafficking and online sexual exploitation. Mahamba said police successfully traced the suspect to premises in Gezina. The suspect then led the officers to another residence where the four victims were allegedly found producing online sexual performances against their will. 'The suspect led the officers to a residence in Pretoria North where they discovered four female victims, aged between 18 and 38, actively engaged in online sexual performances using large screens and recording equipment.' Mahamba said the victims were three South African citizens and a Malawian national. 'During interviews, the women revealed that their identification documents were being withheld by the female suspect, who claimed to be their employer.' The woman was immediately arrested, Mahamba said. Further investigation led officers to a separate address, where the suspects' husband, a Nigerian national, was arrested. 'Both suspects were formally charged with human trafficking and the forced production of online pornography, and they are detained at a local SAPS station. 'As the investigation progresses, additional charges may follow.' He said the TMPD remains committed to combating human trafficking and all forms of exploitation. 'The Chief of Police Commissioner Yolanda Faro commends all the members for their swift response and hard work,' he concluded. ALSO READ: Faulty valve blamed for prolonged water outage in Silverton Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Zim woman and Nigerian husband arrested for sexual exploitation
The victims were three South African citizens and a Malawian national who were allegedly held against their will. A Zimbabwean woman and her Nigerian husband have been arrested for alleged human trafficking and coercing women into online pornography in Tshwane. According to the City of Tshwane, the Tshwane Metro Police Department's (TMPD) Tactical Response Team, in collaboration with members of the South African Police Service (Saps), arrested the two suspects on Monday. 'The officers received information and pursued leads regarding a Zimbabwean woman suspected of trafficking young women and coercing them into producing online pornography. The female suspect was successfully traced at a premises in Gezina, Pretoria North,' said senior superintendent Isaac Mahamba. ALSO READ: Child pornography case: It took 40 days for authorities to download material seized from couple 'The suspect led the officers to a residence in Pretoria North, where they discovered four female victims aged between 18 and 38 years actively engaged in online sexual performances using large screens and recording equipment.' The victims were three South African citizens and a Malawian national who were allegedly held against their will. During interviews, the women alleged that their identification documents were being withheld by the female suspect, who claimed to be their employer. The Zimbabwean woman was immediately arrested. ALSO READ: Luxury vehicle and R647 000 seized from alleged child pornography couple Further investigation led officers to a separate address, where her husband, a Nigerian national, was arrested. Both suspects were formally charged with human trafficking and the forced production of online pornography. The police have not ruled out the possibility of more arrests as the investigation progresses. Couple arrested for child pornography In another incident last week, police arrested a 47-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man in Bloubergstrand, in the Western Cape, for the alleged sexual abuse of their two daughters, aged three and eight. ALSO READ: 40-year-old stepfather sentenced to 15 years for sexual grooming and child pornography 'The suspects face multiple charges, including the production of child sexual abuse material (commonly referred to as 'child pornography'), rape, sexual assault and sexual grooming,' said police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk. 'The operation was carried out by a multidisciplinary team comprising members of the national and Western Cape Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations Units, officials from the Department of Social Development supported by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI),' the police said. Several electronic devices were seized during the arrest. Police said the investigation remains ongoing. READ NEXT: EC father sentenced to more than 3 000 years for child pornography and sexual abuse
The Citizen
7 days ago
- The Citizen
Metro dismisses fake TMPD recruitment ads
The Tshwane metro has recently issued a statement warning residents regarding a fraudulent advert circulating for this year's Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) intake. In a statement issued by the metro, the ads were denounced, and the public was assured that no such advert had been sanctioned. The ad is a flyer which features an altered image of the Mayor of Tshwane, Dr Nasiphi Moya. It states that the recruitment drive involves the intake of 200 trainees for the TMPD, which is taking place from June 15 and closing on July 31. The metro said that the unauthorised use of the mayor's image is a clear violation of municipal branding protocols and is intended to falsely legitimise the scam. It also assured residents that there is no current TMPD recruitment process matching these dates or details. 'This disinformation campaign is an attempt to exploit job seekers and tarnish the reputation of the city's official recruitment processes. All legitimate municipal vacancies and training opportunities are only advertised through formal and verified communication channels, including newspapers and the city's official website: specifically under the Job Forum and E-Recruitment portals. Any recruitment process outside of these channels should be treated as a scam,' the statement read. The metro urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious job advertisements to the relevant authorities. Under no circumstances should residents share their personal information or make any form of payment in response to this fraudulent flyer. The metro reiterates that the flyer in circulation is fake news and should not be entertained or acted upon. Tshwane Metro Police Department condemns the circulation of false advertising for Metro Police trainee intake of 2025 #TMPDSafety — Tshwane Metro Police (@TMPDSafety) June 13, 2025 Residents are encouraged to verify all official information directly with the municipality to avoid falling victim to scams. Also Read: City manager condemns attacks on metro staff Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
11-06-2025
- The Citizen
Rietondale residents distraught over police inaction
Rietondale residents have expressed growing frustration over what they describe as ongoing safety concerns being ignored by the metro police, despite repeated calls for intervention. According to Ward 84 Councillor Anru Meyer, there have been several events happening in the area without the metro's permission, and a lack of police visibility is making things worse. 'For over a month now, lack of TMPD visibility has led to by-laws being violated in parts of the suburb, such as Rietondale Park and the property on the corner of Nico Smith Street and Codonia Avenue.' He said the Hardy Muller circle and CR Swart Drive have become taxi ranks, with taxis stopping anywhere on the corner of Nico Smith Street, where buses and trucks need to come to an instant stop. 'These violations make it harder for truck drivers who need to stop [trucks] of more than 15 tons.' He said vagrants are setting up camp at the park, making open fires, and on weekends, events are hosted at the park without the Joint Operations Committee's (JOC) approval. 'Delivery vehicles, trucks and taxis also use it for parking.' He said recently, a sports event was hosted at the park, and spectators were drinking alcohol on the sidewalks and playing loud music. 'When we call the metro police to assist, they are not available, and if they do arrive, nothing is done about the situation they are called for. 'The TMPD has been contacted numerous times on these issues, but to no avail. Emails have been sent with no response.' Meyer said the lack of TMPD visibility has affected the lives of the whole ward, not only Rietondale. He said crime has increased in parts of the suburb and urged for more patrols in Rietondale Park, especially over the weekends. 'In Rietondale last week, a bin was also stolen. There was a recent cable theft in Villieria, which was also not responded to.' He said the TMPD must respond to complaints when there are events without JOC approval. Meyer added that he open space on the corner of Nico Smith and Codonia should be constantly patrolled by by-law enforcement and be cleared regularly. Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo confirmed that the metro had not been informed of the events that took place on the reported days. 'The city was not informed of any planned events taking place at the facility on those days.' The TMPD was contacted for a response to the complaints. Spokesperson Isaac Mahamba said the issues raised were operational matters, which are not discussed publicly. 'As police, we do not discuss operational plans in public as they are confidential and classified. We don't announce when we are planning to conduct our operations,' he said. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
