Pages

20110904

Crime: South Coast KZN

Summary: Convicted drug-trafficking health-director, senior ANC-politician Sheryl Cwele finally fired after residents’ petition; four black police-officers arrested for serious crimes; four Afrikaner men arrested for alleged murder of Margate Country Club cloak-room attendant; vulnerable white South Coast pensioners killed, attacked; pensioner Louise Pitzer’s arrested murderer gets trial postponed over dog-bite injury

-0-

'Outraged ratepayers demand convicted drug-trafficker health-director Sheryl Cwele be fired;

Aug 31 2011 – The Drug-trafficking-convicted Hibiscus Coast health-director Sheryl Cwele has been dismissed from her position as director of health – without pay -- in response to a massive petition lodged by the community from May 12 2011.  Journalist Judi Davis recorded that within 24 hours, more than 200 Hibiscus Coast residents in KZN signed a petition objecting to the suspension of their local health-director Sheryl Cwele on full pay – after she was convicted of drug-trafficking. Uvongo Community Safety Forum members believe that her suspension undermined their fight against crime. “We know for sure many housebreak incidents can be linked to drug addiction. Criminals often earn their income for drug buying through theft,” said chairman Ernest Booysen. http://www.looklocal.co.za/looklocal/content/en/kzn-south-coast/kzn-south-coast-news-general?oid=4408134&sn=Detail&pid=4196914&-Sheryl-must-go---say-outraged-ratepayers

CWELE Cheryl ConvictedDrugDealerHealthDirector KZN Margate residents petioners Cwele, the Hibiscus Coast Municipality’s health director, received a 12-year prison sentence in the Pietermaritzburg High Court for drug trafficking the previous Friday: but she was still out on bail and still not jailed: instead, the high-level ANC-leader was granted leave to appeal, and the following Tuesday the municipal announced that she would keep her full pay while she was ‘suspended as health-director’. This has infuriated many Hibiscus Coast ratepayers, who believe she should have been fired outright. “As a ratepayer, I object in the strongest possible terms to Director Cwele, a convicted drug trafficker, remaining in the employment of the municipality,” said Uvongo resident Mike Thom. “I have lost a niece who overdosed on drugs. There are surely many on the South Coast who have children at school and who are concerned about drugs,” he added. He has circulated the petition, protesting against her suspension. It reads as follows: “If you object to Sheryl Cwele, a convicted drug trafficker, being suspended on full pay by the Hibiscus Coast Municipality and want her fired or jailed, then please sign.”  Those who have signed the petition have added their comments. Many have questioned her fitness for her post and have called for her to be jailed.  “I hate drugs!” wrote one signee.“What about our children?” asked another. Mr Booysen has urged Hibiscus Coast residents who feel strongly about the matter to voice their opinions by writing to  local newspapers. “If there is an overwhelming response in the media, we might influence our municipality not to keep convicted criminals in their employment,” he said.
http://www.looklocal.co.za/looklocal/content/en/kzn-south-coast/kzn-south-coast-news-general?oid=4408134&sn=Detail&pid=4196914&-Sheryl-must-go---say-outraged-ratepayers

Crime unit swoops on Margate station Police officers, sworn to uphold the law, in court

9 June 2011 - The Port Shepstone Organised Crime Unit descended upon Margate SAPF this week. Two more policemen were arrested, bringing to four the number arrested since mid-May this year. One is believed to be in jail at the moment awaiting a bail hearing, one is out on bail and another two appeared in court yesterday (Wednesday, June 8). They are charged with serious crimes from armed robbery, attempted murder, kidnapping, corruption, theft of cash.

POLICE corruption MARGATE four bl. cops arrested by PtShepstoneCrimeUnit_for serious crimes POLICE corruption Margate four bl cops arrested serious crimes Steven Ngubane, Margate SAPF detective, arrested June 7 for attempted murder of tuck shop owner, Masinenge squatter camp

Constable Steven Ngubane, a Margate SAPF detective, was arrested on June 7 by Detective Warrant Officer Basil Crouse from the Port Shepstone Organised Crime Unit. He appeared in court in Port Shepstone on charges relating to robbery, attempted murder, possession of  unlicensed ammunition and theft of ammunition. The case was postponed until June 9 for bail application.

Ngubane Steven constable Margate SAPF detective arrested June72010 for robbery att murder Ngubane, left, was arrested after a formal complaint from a complaint by a tuck shop owner at the Masinenge squatter camp near Margate on April 17. The complainant said he had been in bed in the early hours of the morning when he was woken by a man wearing a police uniform, who shone a torch light in his eyes. When the tuck shop owner asked who he was, the uniformed man did not reply.The tuck shop owner then grabbed the torch, whereupon the man in the police uniform fired shots at him.The ‘policeman’ allegedly told the man to cover himself with a blanket, before taking a sum of money and leaving.

In another case, Constable Mduduzi Kenneth Mpofana, also a detective at Margate SAPF, was arrested on May 19 by DWO Crouse.Constable Mpofana appeared in court the same day on charges of corruption, kidnapping and theft of cash. He was released on bail of R1 000. The case was postponed until June 30. Yesterday (Wednesday), the Organised Crime Unit arrested two more detectives alleged to be involved in the same case.Warrant Officer Mzingisi Sukantaka and a Constable Nkuleleko Mditshwa face the same charges as Constable Mpofana and appeared in court on June 8 2011. They were released on bail of R1 000 each and the case has been postponed to June 30.The constable will face an additional charge of possession of stolen property after his office was raided and property, which was seized from suspects and which was supposed to be handed into the exhibit store, was found in his office.These items included 183 CDs, an amplifier, a television, two cellphones and cellphone chargers. A civilian was also arrested in connection with the case but has not yet appeared in court. The investigation is ongoing. http://www.looklocal.co.za/looklocal/content/en/kzn-south-coast/kzn-south-coast-news-general?oid=4474358&sn=Detail&pid=4196921&Crime-unit-swoops-on-Margate-station

Four Afrikaner men arrested for alleged murder of cloak-room attended Lwandile Mampofu, Margate Country Club
Eyewitness statements to the police claim that the four men kicked Mampofu, a cloak room attendant, and jumped on his head it is being alleged. Apparently a row broke out over a cigarette. The local ANC immediately held ‘impromptu’ demonstrations out the court with printed posters.

31 August 2011. Reported by Mike Fisher South Coast Herald - The four white men accused of murdering Lwandile Mampofu, the cloakroom attendant at Margate Country Club, were denied bail at Ramsgate Court on August 31 2011. Although they will only be asked to plead to murder charges on September 30, their names have already been released to the news media. In South Africa it is illegal for the news media to publish the names of arrested people until they have been charged and asked to submit their pleas. The four arrested Afrikaners were named as Jake Putter, Petrus Opperman, Douw van der Walt and Carel Volschenk, all resident in the greater Margate area, and they were remanded in custody until September 30 when they will appear in court where they will be asked to plead to a charge of murder. Police claim that Mampofu allegedly beaten to death over an altercation involving a cigarette.

http://www.looklocal.co.za/looklocal/content/en/kzn-south-coast/kzn-south-coast-news-crime?oid=4635622&sn=Detail&pid=4196921&Bail-postponed-for--cigarette-murder—accused

ANC MARGATE PROTEST AGAINST 4 AFRIKANERS ARR ALL_MURDER COUNTRYCLUB 

 Trial of alleged murderer of Umtentwni pensioner Louise Pitzer, 71, delayed due to police dog’s bite

Hlanganiso Fizile arrested murder Margate pensioner Mrs Pitzer9 June 2011 Margate journalist Mike Fisher: “Elderly people living on their own will sleep easier, knowing the trial of a man accused of murdering Umtentweni pensioner Louise Pitzer (71) is set to begin tomorrow (Friday). Mrs Pitzer, who was stabbed and killed two weeks ago, was one of four South Coast pensioners who were murdered in their homes over a four-week period.

The murder trial would have started earlier but had to be postponed as the suspect, Fizile Hlanganiso (24), is in Port Shepstone Provincial Hospital, recovering from a dog bite. When police arrested him in Port St Johns, less than two days after the murder, Mr Hlanganiso resisted arrest. Police dog Rudi apprehended him as he attempted to flee the arresting officers. Hlanganiso faces charges of murder, house robbery and theft of a motor vehicle. Police have recovered Mrs Pitzer’s stolen jewellery, her car and what appears to have been the murder weapon.

  Fizile Hlanganiso (24) was charged with murdering Margate pensioner Mrs Louise Pitzer, 71 in May 2011. She was one of four KZN south coast pensioners murdered in their homes that month. Report by Margate journalist Mike Fisher.

White South Coast Pensioners under attack

This vulnerable sector of the community is increasingly coming under attack, writes Sugan Naidoo from Margate, writes Fisher.

Mrs Gillian Wingrave, 70, of Anerley, survives attack:

May 26 2011 - IN the last three weeks, three white South Coast pensioners have been attacked and murdered in their homes and several others have escaped with their lives after being robbed. On Tuesday this week, 70-year-old  Gillian Wingrave, who lives in Anerley, was hospitalised after two men broke into her home and assaulted her.According to police spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Zandra Wiid,  Mrs Wingrave answered a knock at the door.“When she opened the door, a man  told her he was looking for two other men whom he thought were on the property. Mrs Wingrave said she told the man to leave and closed the door.“Two men then smashed a window to gain entry. They  grabbed Mrs Wingrave and demanded cash. They  hit her head against the wall before fleeing with a cellphone and cash.” Police are investigating a house robbery.

Mrs Ellen Nel, 66, of Southport suffers burglary:

In another incident on the same day, Ellen Nel (66) of Southport awoke to find her cellphone was missing from her room. She then discovered that a window had been forced open and household appliances were missing. Her car had also been broken into.

Mrs Maureen Colam, 66, survives attack at Southport home:

On Monday, Southport pensioner, Maureen Colam (66) was attacked and robbed at her home. “When Mrs Colam opened the door to let her dog out at around 11pm,  a man, armed with a screwdriver, confronted her,” said Lt-Col Wiid. “He told her to keep quiet and demanded money. He also removed some articles from her handbag which he had seen on the couch. “Mrs Colam tried to activate the alarm but the man shook her and threatened to stab her with the screwdriver. After a few minutes he released her and fled.” The woman was bruised in the attack. A case of house robbery is being investigated. Lt-Col Wiid added that the recent spate of attacks on the elderly was cause for great concern.“We have safety measures in place in the area and are working flat-out to identify the perpetrators.“It is a priority for us to ensure that these criminals are put behind bars as soon as possible,” she said.Everyone, but especially the elderly and vulnerable, are cautioned to be aware  that they may be watched, especially at night, by opportunistic criminals waiting to seize any opportunity to attack.The public is encouraged to draw the curtains as darkness falls and to leave outside lights on for additional security. In case of  emergency, contact  Hibiscus Coast Protection Services at 039 6825555 or the police control room at 10111.

http://www.looklocal.co.za/looklocal/content/en/kzn-south-coast/kzn-south-coast-news-general?oid=4451704&sn=Detail&pid=4196921&Pensioners-survive-attack

Smith Peter Margate pensioner murdered May 8 2011 bludgeoned

Murdered: Pete Denver Smith: for just a small amount of cash.
84-year-old Peter Denver Smith was found dead on 8 May 2011 by a friend. Journalist Sugan Naidoo quoted Ltcol Zandra Wiid as saying that Mr Smith appeared to have been bludgeoned to death. "Mr Smith had multiple open wounds to the face, head and hand. The  garage door was open and two safes had been opened. A small amount of cash was missing.”
http://www.looklocal.co.za/looklocal/content/en/kzn-south-coast/kzn-south-coast-news-crime?oid=4398947&sn=Detail&pid=4196921&Southport-pensioner-murdered

 Pensioner Edgar Morsden, 79, hospitalised after attack and robbery, Palm  Beach, Margate KZN
11 May 2011 – 79-year-old pensioner Edgar Morsden was admitted to hospital in unconscious condition to a Durban hospital after being attacked at his Palm Beach home on Monday two days earlier. The attack was in broad daylight. Police spokesman Sergeant Pumzile Makaula said Mr Edgar Morsden was found unconscious by his children at around 2pm on May 9. “Mr Morsden suffered injuries to his head. He was rushed to Port Shepstone Regional Hospital before later being transferred to hospital in Durban,” she said. A DVD player and a playstation were allegedly missing. Port Edward police are investigating a case of house robbery.
http://www.looklocal.co.za/looklocal/content/en/kzn-south-coast/kzn-south-coast-news-crime?oid=4402146&sn=Detail&pid=4196914&-Pensioner-hospitalised-after-robbery.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.