Pretoria – The South African Police Services have encouraged South Africans to take precautionary measures to safe-guard themselves and their properties during festive season. Police have advised residents, who will be leaving their houses to go to their holiday destinations, not to leave them unoccupied. "This can be done by leaving a relative or any trusted and known person to take care of the house as well as to inform your neighbours about your absence," North West Police's Captain …
South African Police Service
Police uncover R2.5m drug lab in Fourways
Pretoria - In a joint operation, police discovered an apparent drug laboratory in Fourways and seized narcotics with an estimated street value of R2.5 million. The joint intervention by the National Intervention Unit (NIU) of Pretoria and Crime Intelligence (CI) members carried out the operation on Monday, says SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale. Drugs seized include crystal methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and 25 bags of salt and isotone. Two 9mm glocks; 70 x 9mm …
Retired judge to probe complaints involving the Hawks
Pretoria - Retired Judge Essa Moosa has been appointed to attend to complaints regarding the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), known as the Hawks. Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa made the appointment in terms of section 17L of the South African Police Service Act which provides for a complaints mechanism in respect of the DPCI. His appointment is effective immediately. "A retired judge may be appointed by the Minister of Police, after consultation with the Minister of …
Crime scene experts to get overtime payment
Pretoria - The South African Police Services (SAPS) says it has approved the Local Criminal Record Centres' (LCRC) overtime plan and that overtime due would be paid out. While it was not procedural to work overtime without approval, SAPS management was of the view that officers had worked and should therefore be paid, said SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale. Responding to media reports regarding unpaid overtime, Makgale explained that claims were submitted for payment by …
Summit zooms in on police blues
Pretoria - From January to June this year, 34 members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) had committed suicide. In 2009, the SAPS lost 73 officers; in 2010 the figure increased to 97; in 2011 there were 85 cases and in 2012, the figure was 98. Speaking at a three-day SAPS Summit on Suicide Prevention on Tuesday, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said the officers committed suicide either by utilizing a service firearm, hanging themselves or overdose by tablets. Tensions in personal …
Cabinet weighs in on crime stats
Pretoria - Cabinet has commended the efforts of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and all organisations that have partnered with government in the fight against crime. In a statement released on Monday after the executive's regular meeting, Cabinet once again reiterated its call for all South Africans to join the fight against crime. "The release of South Africa's annual 2012/13 National Crime Statistics reaffirms our conviction that working together, we will reach our goal of a …