NeIlScOtt24
Cops arrest four as they also seize firearms
Police raid suspected drug lab
CRIME SCENE: Scheerpoort, North West Province: The South African Police Service (SAPS) have dismantled a suspected drug laboratory and seized multiple firearms during an intelligence‑driven operation at a plot in Scheerpoort, near Hartbeespoortdam.
Hartbeespoortdam Crime Prevention members acted on information about illegal activities at the property, working with Brits Crime Intelligence and the Hartbeespoortdam K9 Unit to verify the details.
On arrival, on Tuesday, 6 October 2026 officers found three women and one man at the premises, said SAPS.
“A search uncovered what appeared to be a drug laboratory, including processed narcotics, chemical mixtures, and equipment allegedly used for manufacturing drugs. Police also seized four firearms — a rifle and three handguns — along with ammunition.
“The suspects, a 39‑year‑old Zimbabwean national and three women aged between 23 and 29, were arrested and charged with possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, as well as dealing and manufacturing drugs under the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act,” said SAPS.
Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams praised the swift collaboration between units.
“We remain committed to dismantling organised crime syndicates involved in the manufacturing and distribution of drugs,” he said, warning that SAPS is resolute in its fight against crime.
Head on collision leads to six deaths, one injured
Cops, prisoners die in crash
ACCIDENT SCENE: Limpopo police are investigating a case of culpable homicide after a head-on collision in which three police members, two awaiting-trial prisoners and the driver of a civilian vehicle were killed.
One awaiting-trial prisoner sustained serious injuries and was transported to hospital under police guard
The accident, between a SAPS vehicle and a civilian bakkie, occurred on Tuesday morning, 6 October 2026 on the R524 Levubu Road in the Vhembe District.
The SAPS vehicle, from Tshilwavhusiku Police Station, was transporting three awaiting‑trial prisoners to Thohoyandou when it collided with a white Mahindra bakkie belonging to Tshisimani Water.
Emergency services confirmed five deaths at the scene. A third SAPS member, who was critically injured and taken to hospital, later died, bringing the death toll to six.
The fatalities include one male and two female SAPS members, two male awaiting trial prisoners and a male civilian driver.
Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Petrus Scheepers extended condolences to the bereaved families, colleagues, and loved ones, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Skieters wond ook vrou en steeds op vrye voet
Twee sterf in Lavender Hill skietery
MISDAADTONEEL: Lavender Hill, Kaapstad: Die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens (SAPD) het ‘n moordondersoek van stapel gestuur ná ‘n dodelike skietvoorval in Lavender Hill Dinsdag-oggend, 6 Oktober 2026.
Volgens die polisie het die voorval omstreeks 8:20 in Muir-hof, Depsiton-singel, plaasgevind, waar twee mans doodgeskiet en ‘n vrou gewond is.
“Polisiebeamptes het op ‘n klag van ‘n skietvoorval gereageer en met hul aankoms op die toneel die slagoffers met skietwonde aan hul liggame aangetref. Die mans is deur mediese personeel op die toneel dood verklaar, terwyl die vrou vir behandeling na ‘n mediese fasiliteit vervoer is,” het sersant Wesley Twigg, ‘n skakelbeampte vir die Wes-Kaapse polisie, gesê.
Daar word vermoed ndie motief vir die aanval is bendeverwant. Die verdagtes het van die toneel gevlug en is steeds op vrye voet.
Speurders van Steenberg-polisie ondersoek sake van moord en poging tot moord.
Die polisie het ‘n beroep op die publiek gedoen vir hulp. Enigeen met inligting oor die skietvoorval kan Stop Misdaad by 08600 10111 kontak of die mobiele MySAPS-App anoniem gebruik.
Sentenced to 6 months suspended sentence
Drunk mom assaults child (8)
FROM THE COURTS: A mother has received a suspended sentence for assaulting her eight‑year‑old child, following an investigation by the Family, Child Protection and Sexual (FCS) Offences Unit in partnership with the National Prosecuting Authority
The 31-year-old mother received a six‑month prison sentence, wholly suspended for five years, on condition that she does not commit a similar offence during the suspension period.
The case stems from an incident on 7 August 2025, when the Department of Social Development in the Free State received a complaint of child abuse. Social workers, already in possession of a prior complaint against the same mother, retrieved the file and pursued the matter.
It is alleged that the mother instructed her daughter to care for a one‑year‑old child while she went out drinking. Upon her return, she assaulted the girl, kicking her with booted feet and injuring her eye.
A case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm was opened and assigned to Detective Constable Moeti of the Phuthaditjhaba Family, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.
The mother was convicted and sentenced by the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrates’ Court.
The South African Police Service has welcomed the sentence, stressing its commitment to protecting children and ensuring that perpetrators of violence against vulnerable members of society face justice.
Man just dropped off child before gunmen strike
Dad killed outside school
CRIME SCENE: Athlone, Cape Town: There was chaos and terror outside a primary school early on Tuesday morning, 6 October 2026 when gunmen shot and killed a 31‑year‑old father moments after he dropped off his child.
The attack unfolded at about 07:40 opposite Heatherdale Primary School in Belgravia Road,shocking parents and learners arriving at school. Witnesses reported that unknown assailants approached the victim and unleashed a hail of bullets, striking him multiple times in the face and upper body.
“Crime scene experts were on the scene to comb the area for clues following a shooting incident this morning in which a 31‑year‑old male was shot and fatally wounded,” said Lieutenant Colonel FC Van Wyk, a media liaison officer for the Western Cape Police.
“Medical personnel declared the man dead at the scene. The motive for the attack is believed to be gang‑related, and the suspects fled before police arrived.
“Athlone police have registered a murder case and detectives are pursuing leads,” said Van Wyk.
Authorities have appealed to the public for assistance. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS-App anonymously
Woman also wounded in Lavender Hill shooting
Deadly shooting claims two
CRIME SCENE: Steenberg, Cape Town: The South African Police Service (SAPS) have launched a murder investigation following a deadly shooting in Lavender on Tuesday morning, 6 October 2026.
According to police, the incident occurred at about 08:20 in Muir Court, Depsiton Crescent, where two men were shot and killed, while a woman sustained gunshot wounds.
“Police members responded to a complaint of a shooting and upon arrival on the scene they found the victims with gunshot wounds to their bodies. The adult males were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel, while the other victim was transported to a medical facility for treatment,” said Sergeant Wesley Twigg, a media liaison officer for the Western Cape Police.
The motive for the attack is believed to be gang-related. The suspects fled the scene and remain at large.
Steenberg detectives are investigating cases of murder and attempted murder.
Police have appealed to the public for assistance. Anyone with information about the shooting can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile MySAPS-App anonymously.
Victims lured into trap through fake adverts
Facebook scamsters sentenced
FROM THE COURTS: Jouberton, North West: A police investigation into a syndicate that lured victims through fake Facebook vehicle and taxi advertisements has led to the conviction of two men in the Stilfontein Regional Court.
Cleopas Msipa (51) and Tshepiso De Beer (46) have both pleaded guilty to theft and were each sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years.
The court heard that victims responding to online adverts were lured to premises where a group of men posed as Potchefstroom police officers. Victims were separated, interrogated, and falsely told that gold‑bearing material or diamonds had been discovered at the premises.
They were then threatened with arrest and forced to hand over money or transfer funds. In some cases, bank cards were stolen and used for transactions at taverns and other businesses.
In March 2023, the Provincial Organised Crime Unit, working with Crime Intelligence, carried out an entrapment operation that resulted in the arrest of eight suspects. Identification parades later linked several of them to additional cases with the same modus operandi.
The matter against three remaining accused has been postponed to 21 October 2026, with the suspects remanded in custody pending a new trial date.
North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Arthur Adams, praised Detective Constable Thabiso Pheela for his diligent work in connecting the accused to outstanding cases. He also commended the multidisciplinary team for their efforts in bringing the syndicate before court.
Police have urged the public to remain vigilant when responding to social media advertisements, particularly for vehicles and other high‑value items, stressing the importance of verifying sellers and transactions before making payments or sharing personal information.
Operation Shanela strikes hard against violent crime
Police nab 670 wanted suspects
CRIME SCENE: Gauteng: The police have made a major breakthrough in the fight against violent crime, arresting more than 670 wanted suspects during the latest phase of Operation Shanela II, led by Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the suspects had been on the run for serious offences including murder, armed robbery, rape, fraud, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, housebreaking and theft.
They were traced and arrested during the first phase of the operation. Detectives focused on tracking down wanted individuals as part of the intelligence‑driven clampdown, said SAPS.
“The second phase saw integrated law enforcement agencies conducting roadblocks to intercept illegal goods, stolen vehicles, and contraband. At a roadblock in Protea, Soweto, police arrested 14 people for driving under the influence of alcohol, nine for possession of drugs, and detained 13 undocumented immigrants for processing by Home Affairs officials.
“Parallel weekend operations across Gauteng districts also yielded significant results: 86 arrests in Tshwane, 45 in West Rand, 29 in Sedibeng, and 22 in Ekurhuleni.”
Mthombeni praised detectives and operational teams for their relentless efforts, saying the coordinated approach was crucial in tracking fugitives and disrupting criminal networks.
Cellphone leads cops to victim and arrest of 5 suspects
Police rescue kidnapped man
CRIME SCENE: Johannesburg, Gauteng: The police have rescued a kidnapped man unharmed and arrested five suspects in a major breakthrough against kidnappings.
The 38‑year‑old victim was allegedly abducted on 30 August 2026 in the Johannesburg CBD, with his captors demanding a ransom of two million dollars for his release, according to the South African Police Service (SAPS)
A multidisciplinary team — including Johannesburg Central detectives, Crime Intelligence, the Anti‑Kidnapping Team, the Flying Squad, and private security companies — launched an intelligence‑driven investigation to track down the perpetrators and locate the victim.
“On Sunday, 4 October 2026, the operation led to the arrest of three men found in possession of the cellphone allegedly used to contact the victim’s family with ransom demands.
Further investigation directed officers to a plot in Randfontein, where the kidnapped man was discovered and safely rescued. Two additional suspects were arrested at the premises.
“All five suspects are expected to face charges of kidnapping and extortion,” said SAPS who confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing.
Suspects fires at victim and flee on foot
Man shot and killed in Belhar
CRIME SCENE: Belhar, Cape Town: A man has been shot and killed by two suspects who fled on foot.
A Western Cape police media liaison officer, Constable Ndakhe Gwala, said Belhar police registered a case of murder following the shooting that occurred in Accordian Street on Friday 2 October 2026 at about 22:05.
“According to reports, the deceased was approached by two suspects and they both shot at him and fled on foot. The 42-year-old male was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel.
“The motive for the shooting is a subject of police investigation and no arrest has been made yet,” said Gwala.