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Licensing department cracks down on criminal elements within the system |
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Thursday, 11 December 2008 10:29 |
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By Lerato Serero VANDERBIJLPARK.- Five traffic officials appeared at the Vanderbijlpark magistrates’ court on charges of fraud and corruption on Friday. Two suspects were arrested at the licensing department offices in Vanderbijlpark on Thursday, three handed themselves in at the Vanderbijlpark police station on Friday while one was expected to hand himself over on Tuesday. Six suspects in total were investigated, 5 females and one male. According to police spokesperson, Inspector Kinnie Steyn, a joint operation between the West Rand Organized Crime Unit of the SAPS and the Department of Community Safety, led to the arrest of two female employees (aged 30 and 31) of the local Traffic Licensing Department on Thursday. "The aim of the joint venture is to crack down on corruption in state and local authorities. The arrests were on charges of corruption and fraud that was committed over a period of time. The partnership between the two state departments proved to be very effective," adds Steyn. Mandla Radebe, the spokesperson for the Department of Community Safety, says that their strategy is to root out fraud and corruption with the festive season in full swing. "We always face serious fatalities during this season and this is our way of rooting out criminal elements within the system," he says. The licensing offices were closed for the whole day after the arrests. The five suspects are out on R1 000 bail each and will appear in court again on 19 January. |
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Thursday, 11 December 2008 10:27 |
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By Jacques Steenkamp VANDERBIJLPARK.- A Vaal University of Technology (VUT) student was leaving a shop in CW5 last Tuesday at around 18:00 when she was hit by lightning. Pieter Fourie witnessed what happened and it was probably his swift reaction that saved 20-year-old Nompumelelo Zondo’s life. He immediately took her to Emfuleni Medi-Clinic in Vanderbijlpark after which ER24 Paramedics later took her to Sebokeng hospital where she was stabilised. "We cannot find the words to express our gratitude for what Pieter has done for us. He saved her life," says Akeem-Joe Tsotetsi, a family member. According to him Nompumelelo is making a remarkable recovery and they believe she will be able to spend Christmas with her family at home. |
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Suspect arrested for paraplegic’s murder |
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Written by Grethe
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Thursday, 11 December 2008 10:21 |
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By Lerato Serero SHARPEVILLE. - A 24-year-old man was arrested in Boipatong and was charged with murder last Tuesday. The arrest comes after police followed information indicating that he was allegedly responsible for the murder of Papi Molamu, a paraplegic whose body was found in a water canal in Vuka section with several stab wounds along with a murder weapon, a silver knife, still stuck in his spine. Police spokesperson Inspector Trudie Wilken says that the suspect, who is originally from Sharpeville, was arrested at a shebeen in Boipatong near Vanderbijlpark last Tuesday. "It appears that the motive might have been robbery as the deceased’s pension money was gone. This forms an important part of the investigations. The suspect will remain in custody until his first court appearance at the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court. Wilken adds that police seized blood stained clothes from the suspect, which will be sent for forensic analysis while investigations are underway. |
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Emfuleni traffic officials say nepotism is rife at department |
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Written by Grethe
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Thursday, 11 December 2008 10:24 |
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By Lerato Serero SEDIBENG.- Sedibeng traffic officials are up in arms over what they perceive as nepotism and corruption within the department. This comes after they allege that no less than 21 new traffic officers have been unlawfully hired and will be receiving college training in early January while traffic wardens with approximately ten years of service are being denied promotion. Vaal Weekly is in possession of a list of the alleged 21 new traffic officials. According to a reliable source most of the new traffic officers who are to train next year have connections to top officials at the traffic department. "We know that the vacancies are there, but when we enquire about the training of wardens who have years of service we are told that the budget does not allow, " say the sources. The sources add that there are a whole lot of other issues that also need to be addressed such as the unavailability of firearms and basic equipment. "We are tired of this, the correct procedures should be followed, not these corrupt practices," he concludes. Meanwhile traffic officers threatened to down tools last Thursday but were allegedly asked not to do so by Emfuleni Local Municipality Mayor, Assistance Mshudulu. Paseka Rakosa, Emfuleni Local Municipality marketing and communications manager says he will only comment when he has all the facts on the matter in front of him. |
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Initiator beaten by angry mothers |
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Thursday, 11 December 2008 10:20 |
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By Mduduzi Mathebula SEBOKENG.- Community members is fed up with initiators (traditional surgeons) who allegedly steal their children and take them to the mountain (Thabeng). Last Wednesday, police had to intervene before angry mothers accompanied by members of the community beat a man to death. The man was taken to hospital after he sustained serious injuries. This comes after Vaal Weekly reported on two desperate mothers’ attempt to locate their children at initiation schools in the area. The two mothers, Olga Mntshilibe and Busi Mguni say they went to an initiation school in Poortjie to look for their sons, Paseka Mntshilibe and Lindo Mnguni last Tuesday. Although Orange Farm police accompanied them, they were unsuccessful. On Wednesday they went to the Sebokeng Police station to report their children missing. "We did not think this would be much help and decided to send children who have already been initiated to try and find our children. Not only did they manage to return our children to us, they also found the man who abducted them," says Mntshilibe. Solomon Mofokeng, Tradition Surgeons' Chairperson says they were not aware of the incident but promised that they are working hard to prevent the abduction of children. "We are going to search all the initiation schools and look for children whose parents did not sign consent forms," says Mofokeng. Superintendent Maria Mazibuko, police spokesperson says, "A case has not yet been opened, but the matter will be thoroughly investigated. Mazibuko adds that people do not have the right to assault a suspect. |
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