She has intensified the investigations into crimes committed by SAPS members and redoubled her efforts to expose police impostors.
Her measures to stamp out corruption are now bearing fruits.
Since October last year, to date, the National Investigation Unit (NiNU) has arrested 21 people, in connection with charges relating to the impersonation of police officers and SARS officials among other charges.
According to SAPS spokesperson Lieut-Gen Solomon Makgale, the suspects arrested comprise of SARS officials, SAPS members, members of the Gauteng Traffic Police and a civilian.
The national investigation team set up by Phiyega has uncovered two syndicates that are linked to one another, operating in the Gauteng cities of Boksburg, Florida, Johannesburg CBD, Langlaagte and Randburg.
They target foreign-owned businesses from China, Somalia and Pakistan for any valuables, particularly cash.
On October 20, last year, six suspects were initially arrested after they approached business premises owned by a Chinese businessman in Boksburg North.
The suspects allegedly produced a fake Custom’s search warrant with the intention of robbing the businessman.
A vigilant employee immediately alerted the police resulting in these six suspects being arrested.
These suspects are out on bail on charges of corruption, fraud, racketeering, robbery and house break-in.
On November 7, last year, members of NiNU arrested eight other suspects for their alleged involvement in the robbery of a Pakistani businessman at his house in Randburg.
The nine suspects allegedly approached the businessman and produced a ‘search warrant’ and demanded that he open his safe and thereafter made off with a substantial amount of money.
Also on Friday, July 4, 2014, NiNU, led by Lieut-Gen Vinesh Moonoo, arrested five more people on the Boksburg North matter.
They are Gauteng Traffic Police officials Sipho Mokate (38) and Neo Rampete (40); SARS officials, Ayanda Monareng (27), Sydney Radebe (41) and Thulani Sihlangu (26). They have all appeared in the Johannesburg Central court on July 4, on charges of corruption, fraud, racketeering, robbery and house break-in.
They were remanded in custody and reappeared in court on Tuesday, July 8, for a formal bail application.
Thulani Sihlangu and Sydney Radebe are already suspects in the Randburg case.
The arrest of these five suspects brings the number of people arrested in connection with the Boksburg North case to 11.
With regard to the Randburg case of corruption, fraud, racketeering, robbery and house break-in, the National Investigation Unit arrested a 10th suspect, Ephraim Seanego, 31 years of age.
The unit arrested Seanego on Friday, July 4, at his house in Primrose and during the arrest police found him to be in possession of SAPS, SANDF and SARS uniforms.
In addition to the Randburg case, Seanego now also faces charges of unlawful possession of SAPS and SANDF uniforms.
He appeared in the Randburg court on charges of corruption, fraud, racketeering, robbery and house breaking and then in the Primrose Magistrates’ Court for unlawful possession of uniform.
He was remanded in custody until July 10 on the unlawful possession of uniforms charge and July 21, when he will appear together with the other nine suspects on the Randburg matter.
Three more suspects were also arrested in the Johannesburg central on July 11, in connection with the above-mentioned cases.
Of the four police officers that have been charged, two (Capt Reginald Zulu – former Visible Policing head of Langlaagte police station and detective Sgt Elvis Magamba also from Langlaagte) have been dismissed from the SAPS, while the other two (Const Mafomo Noone and Matimba Baloyi of Johannesburg Central Tactical Response Team) are facing disciplinary action.
All of these suspects are being investigated for their possible involvement in at least seven other cases, in which the same modus operandi has been used.
According to SAPS spokesperson Lieut-Gen Solomon Makgale, the challenge in these instances is that most of the people targeted kept large sums of cash.
Makgale once again appeal to anyone who may wish to provide information anonymously to contact 08600 10111.
-@FanieBoksburg
