August, 2026
Couple allegedly conned people out of R14 m
Dating ‘scammers’ arrested
CRIME SCENE: Bellville, Cape Town: A foreign national couple has been arrested for allegedly conning people out of R14 million in a romance scam.
The couple was on the radar of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) for a while, but their luck ran out this week when they were arrested by the City of Cape Town’s enforcement services.
According to the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, the suspect allegedly preyed on vulnerable people searching for love, using dating apps and other online platforms to build trust before manipulating victims into handing over large sums of money.
“Since before 2021, the syndicate is believed to have conned victims out of an estimated R14 million.
“The breakthrough came when the only available lead, a possible vehicle registration linked to the suspect, was circulated among enforcement officers after the Hawks requested the City to assist,” said Smith.
Metro Police Neighbourhood Safety Officers quickly spotted the vehicle parked in Bellville.
When a male returned to the vehicle, officers stopped it on Giel Basson Drive, where he was arrested and handed over to Bellville SAPS.
“During questioning, the suspect admitted that the other person implicated in the investigation was his wife. Acting on this information, Metro Police proceeded to an identified address, where the female suspect was also arrested.
“Both foreign nationals now face charges including fraud and money laundering. One of the cases was registered at Muizenberg SAPS in 2021.
“For years, the pair allegedly manipulated the emotions of people searching for companionship, leaving many with not only broken hearts, but devastating financial losses. Sadly, feelings of embarrassment often prevent victims from reporting these crimes, allowing scammers to continue targeting others.
“If you believe you may have fallen victim to a similar scam from these perpetrators, please contact the Hawks on 021 918 3762,” said Smith.
Polisie kry 26 000 Mandrax tablette in George
Dwelmhandel kry bloedneus
MISDAADTONEEL: George, Suid-Kaap: Die Suid Afrikaanse Polisiediens (SAPD) het hard teen dwelmhandel geslaan toe hulle dwelms met ‘n geraamde straatwaarde van R1,3 miljoen tydens ‘n klopjag in Conville (Lawaaikamp) gekonfiskeer het.
Volgens die SAPD het die Conville Misdaad-voorkomingseenheid, in samewerking met die Outeniqua K9-eenheid Woensdag 5 Augustus 2026 omstreeks 15:00 inligting opgevolg en ‘n lasbrief uitgevoer by ‘n woning in Potsolo Notyeke Crescent, Lawaaikamp.
Tydens die klopjag het die polisie ‘n boks, met die handelsmerk van ‘n koeriermaatskappy, vol Mandrax-tablette gevind.
“Die wakker lede het ook ‘n stukkende vrieskas opgemerk en toe hulle dit deursoek, het hulle op plastiek sakke vol Mandrax-tablette afgekom.
“In totaal is daar 26 000 Mandrax-tablette gekonfiskeer en ‘n 42-jarige man is gearresteer op ‘n aanklag van dwelmhandel,” het die SAPD gesê.
Die verdagte sal na verwagting sy Vrydag 7 Augustus 2026 sy eerste hofverskyning in die Thembalethu-landdroshof maak.
Police find Mandrax worth R1,3 million
Big drug bust on Garden Route
CRIME SCENE: George, Southern Cape: The illicit drug trade was dealt a heavy blow with the confiscation of drugs with an estimated street value of R1,3 million during a raid in Conville (Lawaaikamp).
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) the Conville Crime Prevention Unit in collaboration with the Outeniqua K9 unit, received information and executed a search warrant at on Wednesday, 5 August 2026, at about 15:00 at a residence in Potsolo Notyeke Crescent, Lawaaikamp.
During the raid, the police found a box marked with the logo of a courier company, containing packets of Mandrax tablets.
“The vigilant members also noticed a chest freezer, which was not in working conditionm and when they searched it, they discovered plastic bags filled with Mandrax tablets.
“The total Mandrax tablets seized came to 26 000. They arrested a 42-year-old man on a charge of dealing in drugs,” said SAPS.
The suspect is expected to make his first court appearance in the Thembalethu Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 07 August 2026.
Verdagtes skiet uit Polo en ry weg
Man in Bo-Kaap vermoor
MISDAADTONEEL: Bo-Kaap, Kaapstad: ‘n Man is Woensdagaand, 5 Augustus 2026 in ‘n verbyry-skietery hier dood.
Thembakazi Mpendukana, ‘n skakelbeampte vir die Wes-Kaapse polisie, het gesê die voorval het omstreeks 20:30 in Voetboog-straat, Bo-Kaap, plaasgevind.
“Volgens omstanders het onbekende verdagtes uit ‘n rooi Polo Vivo op die man geskiet en van die toneel gevlug. Die 35-jarige manlike slagoffer is deur mediese personeel op die toneel dood verklaar.
“’n Moordsaak is by die Kaapstad-Sentraal-polisiestasie geopen en geen arrestasies is nog gemaak nie,” het Mpendukana gesê.
Enigiemand met inligting wat die polisie met die ondersoek kan help, word vriendelik versoek om Stop Misdaad te kontak by 08600 10111 of die MySAPS-App te gebruik om dit anoniem aan te meld.
Shooters flee in red Polo Vivo
Man dies in Bo-Kaap drive-by
CRIME SCENE: Bo-Kaap, Cape Town: A man died in a drive-by shooting here on Wednesday night, 5 August 2026.
Thembakazi Mpendukana, a media liaison officer for the Western Cape Police, said the incident occurred in Voetboog Street, Bo-Kaap at about 20:30.
“According to bystanders, unknown suspects who were in a red Polo Vivo shot at the man and fled the scene. The 35-year-old male victim was declared deceased at the crime scene by medical personnel.
“A murder case has been opened at Cape Town Central police station and no arrest has been made yet,” Mpendukana.
Anyone with information that might help the police with the investigation is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or utilize the MySAPS App to report it anonymously.
Man in Namakwa vas oor Mandrax tablette
Gatslag vir dwelm-smousery
MISDAADTONEEL: Nieuwoudtville, Noord-Kaap: ‘n Vermeende dwelmsmokkelaar is gearresteer nadat hy na bewering met ‘n besending Mandrax-tablette betrap is.
Die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens (SAPD) het gesê ‘n polisiebeampte van Nieuwoudtville was Woensdag, 5 Augustus 2026 omstreeks 18:35 op roetine patrollies toe hy ‘n verdagte wit motorvoertuig opgemerk en afgetrek het.
Die polisie het die motor deursiek en ‘n swart sak met vermeende Mandrax-tablette, met ‘n geraamde straatwaarde van R8 000, daarin gekry..
‘n 38-jarige manlike insittende het eienaarskap van die dwelms erken en is onmiddellik gearresteer op ‘n aanklag van handel in dwelms. Hy sal na verwagting binnekort in die Calvinia-landdroshof verskyn.
Die polisie in die Namakwa-distrik het gesê hulle bly vasberade om die plaag van dwelmhandel en -misbruik te bekamp deur die voortgesette uitvoering van Operasie Shanela 2.
Die Distrikskommissaris van Namakwa, Brigadier Schalk Andrews, het die polisielid geprys vir sy waaksaamheid en proaktiwiteit in die stryd teen dwelmverwante misdaad.
“Ons sal voortgaan om dwelmhandelaars en kriminele netwerke te teiken deur middel van intelligensie-gedrewe operasies wat daarop gemik is om onwettige dwelms uit gemeenskappe te verwyder,” het Andrews gesê.
Vigilant police arrest alleged dealer
Blow to Namakwa drug dealing
CRIME SCENE: Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape: A suspected drug trafficker has been arrested after he was allegedly caught with a shipment of Mandrax tablets.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said a Nieuwoudtville police officer conducting routine patrols on Wednesday, 5 August 2026, at about 18:35, identified a suspicious white motor vehicle and proceeded to stop and search it.
The police discovered a black bag containing suspected mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of approximately R8 000.
A 38-year-old male occupant admitted ownership of the drugs and was immediately arrested on a charge of dealing in drugs. He is expected to appear in the Calvinia Magistrate’s Court soon.
The poloice in the Namakwa District said it remained resolute in its commitment to combating the scourge of drug trafficking and abuse through the ongoing execution of Operation Shanela 2.
The District Commissioner of Namakwa, Brigadier Schalk Andrews, commended the member for remaining vigilant and proactive in the fight against drug-related crime.
“We will continue to target drug dealers and criminal networks through intelligence-driven operations aimed at removing illicit drugs from communities,” said Andrews.
Polisie loods soektog na gewapende verdagtes
Bejaarde egpaar beroof en ontvoer
MISDAADTONEEL: Kopanong, Suid-Vrystaat: Die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens (SAPD) het ‘n soektog van stapel gestuur na drie gewapende verdagtes wat na bewering ‘n bejaarde egpaar beroof en ontvoer het.
Die 73-jarige man en sy 67-jarige vrou is vir twee dae lank as gyselaars aangehou voor hulle vrygelaat is.
Die twee het Sondag, 2 Augustus 2026 by hul huis in Bophelong geslaap toe hulle verras is deur drie gewapende mans wat by die huis ingekom het deur ‘n skuifdeur te breek. Die verdagtes het kontant geëis terwyl hulle albei slagoffers aangerand het.
Volgens die SAPD het die verdagtes huishoudelike items in die slagoffers se Suzuki-voertuig gelaai en ook die slagoffers in die voertuig gedwing.
Die SAPD het gesê die verdagtes het toe saam met die egpaar deur Bloemfontein gery voordat hulle hulle na Botshabelo geneem het.
“Daar is die slagoffers in ‘n plakkershut toegesluit terwyl die verdagtes onemagdigte transaksies uitgevoer en ‘n onbekende bedrag geld digitaal van die slagoffers se bankrekeninge oorgeplaas het met behulp van hul selfone.
“Dinsdag, 4 Augustus 2026, omstreeks 04:00, het die verdagtes die slagoffers terug na hul huis in Bophelong geneem, hulle in die voertuig gelos en te voet van die toneel gevlug,” het die SAPD gesê.
Die Kopanong-polisie is na die toneel ontbied, en sake van huisroof en ontvoering is vir verdere ondersoek geopen.
Die polisie doen ‘n beroep op enigiemand met inligting wat kan help om die verdagtes te identifiseer of op te spoor om dringend speur Luitenant-Kolonel Sias Smit van Kopanong-speurders te kontak by 063 692 1196, Stop Misdaad te skakel by 08600 10111, of ‘n anonieme wenk via die MySAPS-toepassing in te dien.
Manhunt for suspects after kidnapping, robbery
Days of horror for elderly couple
CRIME SCENE: Kopanong, Southern Free State: The South African Service Police (SAPS) have launched a manhunt for three armed suspects following a house robbery and kidnapping of an elderly couple.
It is alleged a 73-year-old man and his 67-year-old wife were asleep at their home in Bophelong on Sunday, 2 August 2026, when they were surprised by three armed men who gained entry by breaking a sliding door. The suspects demanded cash while assaulting both victims.
According to SAPS the suspects loaded household appliances into the victims’ Suzuki vehicle and also forced the victims into their own vehicle.
SAPS said the suspects then drove with the couple around Bloemfontein before taking them to Botshabelo.
“There, the victims were locked inside a shack while the suspects performed fraudulent transactions and digitally transferred an undisclosed sum of money from the victims’ bank accounts, using their cellphones.
“On Tuesday, 4 August 2026, at approximately 04:00, the suspects drove the victims back to their residence in Bophelong, left them inside the vehicle, and fled the scene on foot,” said SAPS.
The Kopanong police were called to the scene, and cases of house robbery and kidnapping have been opened for further investigation.
Police appeal to anyone with information that can assist in identifying or locating the suspects to urgently contact Detective Lieutenant Colonel Sias Smit of Kopanong detectives on 063 692 1196, call Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or submit an anonymous tip-off via the MySAPS-App.
R420 000 se nagemaakte drank gekonfiskeer
Droë tyd wag vir onwettige drinkers
MISDAADTONEEL: Saldanha, Weskus: ‘n Uiters droë naweek wag op diegene wat daarvan hou on ‘n glasie onwettige drank te drink.
Die provinsiale polisie se eenheid teen vervalsde en onwettige goedere, in samewerking met die Wes-Kaapse Drankraad en die Suid-Afrikaanse Inkomstediens (SAID) Doeane-eenheid, het Maandag 3 Augustus 2026 onwettige drank ter waarde van R420 000 gekonfiskeer.
Volgens die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens (SAPD) het die spanne ‘n intelligensie-gedrewe operasie aan die Weskus uitgevoer en verskeie onwettige drank-handelsmerke en ‘n onbekende bedrag kontant teruggevind. Alhoewel geen arrestasies gemaak is nie, word die omstandighede rondom die saak ondersoek.
Die Wes-Kaapse SAPD het gesê hy veroordeel die verkoop en verspreiding van onwettige drank ten sterkste.
“Gemeenskapslede word versoek om onwettige drankwinkels aan te meld, aangesien hulle ‘n ernstige bedreiging vir Suid-Afrika se ekonomiese stabiliteit en die veiligheid van verbruikers inhou,” het die SAPD gesê.