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A fifth suspect was arrested in Kimberley on Tuesday, 24 January, in connection with the case involving R3 million of alleged stolen copper cables.
The five suspects, four men and a woman, appeared in the Kimberley Magistrates Court on Friday, 27 January, on charges of tampering, destroying and damaging essential infrastructure, possession of suspected stolen copper. and theft.
Lt. Col. Sergio Kock, police spokesperson, said Tumelo Manchona (34), Ishmael Kamanji (29), Nkosinathi Mgabhi (31), Walter Sedibe (42) and Nosipho Dlongolo (29) will remain in custody as the case is remanded to 2 February for a formal bail application.
This follows after four suspects – one a scrap metal dealer – were arrested and suspected stolen copper cables worth about R3 million confiscated during a bust in Bloemhof and Kimberley on Tuesday. The fifth suspect was arrested later.
- In other unrelated cases this week, the police yield success during several actions against crime.
A joint operation by different components and units in the ZFM District led to the arrest of four male suspects, aged from 20 to 63 years, on Wednesday for dealing in drugs.
The suspects were found in possession of dagga, mandrax and Tik with a total value of more than R19 000.
Sgt Omphile Masegela, of the Upington Corporate Communication unit, said cell phones to the value of R2 000 were also confiscated by the police for further investigation.
- Also, from Friday, 20 January, until Thursday, a team consisting of detectives from Roodepan, and members of the Crime Office and Crime Prevention Unit, arrested 20 wanted suspects for various crimes.
This action formed part of the police’s normal weekly wanted suspects tracing operations, said Sgt Timothy Sam of Galeshewe Communications.
Sam said the suspects have been on the run from the police for various crimes including attempted murder, theft, robbery, housebreaking and theft, assault GBH, and the contravention of a protection order.
Some of the suspects have been evading court appearance dates, while others violated court orders.
The suspects were apprehended and arrested at their respective homes in and around Roodepan.
The Roodepan station commander, Col Pieter Jansen, commended the members for bringing the wanted suspects to book.
Jansen remarked that that there seem to be a growing tendency of accused persons disrespecting the law and courts.
“The police will ensure that the correct message is sent,” he concluded.
- In another case, Senokoatsane stated, additional accused persons were arrested in the case of a social media dating swindler.
Senokoatsane said Pius Emokpe (47) has appeared in the Kimberley Magistrates’ Court, where he was joined by four co-accused who were arrested by the Hawks in Cape Town.
The three women and a man have joined Emokpe who is facing multiple fraud and money laundering charges.
The other four suspects, Lulama Dilimini, Shafwaan Fakier, Nomcebo Agrineth Sibisi, and Juany Michaels, are accused of being part of a syndicate that targets and defrauds unsuspecting victims of their money.
The accused operated a scam where they would create false online dating profiles and target vulnerable individuals by grooming them, building trust, and later requesting money for ostensible emergencies.
The prosecution, led by Adv. Lentswe Setouto, is charging the four accused with more than 140 fraud and money laundering charges.
Emokpe is accused of having defrauded a woman he met on a social media platform for an amount of more than R3,4 million. The accused, who was using a false name, informed his victim that he was a biologist, employed by a South African company. The accused was arrested by the police after the victim, from Kimberley, opened a case.
The case was adjourned to Thursday, 2 February, for bail information and possible bail application. Emokpe is remanded in custody as he had earlier abandoned his bail application.
Investigations led by the Hawks are continuing, Senokoatsane said.
