Police has confirmed an arrest of two suspects who were found in illegal possession of counterfeit notes in Upington,Northern Cape.
Police said the swift response by members of Upington Border Police and ZF Mgcawu highway patrol secured the arrest of two suspects for illegal possession of counterfeit currency.
Police confirmed that arrested man and woman in possession of money worth millions of Rands.
"The police received information regarding alleged counterfeit currency kept at a flat in Upington on Monday,11 December 2023.They immediately operationalised the information and searched the premises.
"During the search,the police discovered counterfeit bank notes amounting to R1 864 200.00 in Rands and $2900.00 in US Dollars(R55 100.00).
Police arrested a 55-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman and they are expected to appear in court soon,"police statement said.
Police launched manhunt
The statement said police in Matlala have launched a manhunt for suspects that robbed a construction company of a TLB(CAT) truck and white Mitsubishi double cab,both at a value of R1 650 million,as well as a firearm belonging to a security guard.The incident took place on Sunday night,10 December 2023.
Police said:"According to reports received,the security guard alleges he was on duty at Ga-Ramoshwane construction site in Matlala policing precinct,when an unknown man emerged,pointed him with firearm and tie him with cable tiers.The suspect took him to the guard room and found other two suspects.While in there,another security guard who was out of the site,returned driving in a white Mitsubishi vehicle.The suspects approached him,then pointed him with firearm,was also tied with cables.
"They then robbed them of a TLB truck and white Mitsubishi double cab,and a one firearm that was inside the vehicle and drove off.Police were alerted about the incident,and a business robbery case was opened.Manhunt for the suspects was then activated.
In the early hours of Tuesday,12 December 2023,the vehicle was found abandoned at Moletji in Ga-Rapitsi village."
Three former Tshwane metro officials appeared in court
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation(HAWKS) confirmed that three former officials for Tshwane Department of Human Settlements appeared in court after being arrested on 11 December 2023.
Police said Marumo Rapetswa(52),Nnyadzeweni Maguga(55) and former deputy director in the Tshwane Department of Human Settlements,Cecil John(59) appeared in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Palm Ridge yesterday,11 December 2023 following their arrest.
These officials accused of soliciting millions of Rands which were meant to assist people who were affected by hailstorm in 2013 and after appearing in court were granted bail.
"It is alleged that during the 2013 hailstorm,many houses were damaged in the Mamelodi,Soshanguve and Tshwane areas which prompted the Department of Human Settlements to appoint service providers to deal with fixing the damages.The Department spent approximately R500 million in the project however the service providers were not contracted following proper procurement processes and some of the work was not completed.
"Investigation by the Johannesburg Serious Commercial Crime Investigation revealed that the trio received gratification from certain service providers involved in the project and prejudiced the department of R500 million actual loss.
The trio briefly appeared in court where they were granted R10 000 bail each and are to appear again on 12 March 2024 on charges of corruption and money laundering,"said Hawks.