Hard work pays off for officers

PINETOWN SAPS awarded its staff for their dedication with the help of Boxer Superstores, Nandos and Spur. Cst Mathiam Janse van Rensburg and W/O Norman John were awarded the Spur Bust of the Month.

Pinetown SAPS communications officer, Lt Bongumusa Manqele said on Thursday 6 February at about 3.30pm, the members responded to complaint of rape in Moseley Park in Pinetown.

“When they arrived at the scene in Hopewell Road, the man was arrested while trying to run away from the police.

“The members swift response is commended,” said Manqele.

Janse van Rensburg and John were also awarded with the Nandos Bust of the Month for another swift arrest of a robber.

“On Friday 28 February, the members responded to a complaint of a business robbery in Hill Street, Pinetown where a betting shop was allegedly robbed of about R57 000 by five men.

“At the scene they were given a description and the direction in which one of the men ran.

“They chased after him from Dales Avenue and when they reached Chapel Street, the robber pointed a gun at the police.

“The police then fired a shot and the man was arrested and taken to hospital,” said Manqele.

A revolver and five rounds of ammunition were recovered. He appeared in court on Monday 10 March.

The Boxer Bust of the Month was awarded to Cpt Thobile Mlaba and Det/Sgt Sugar Sosibo. The officers arrested Zola Gwacela (20) who was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for house robbery and rape by the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Monday 24 February, 2014.

Manqele said Gwacela entered a house in Rietief Street in Ashley on 8 December 2012 where he raped a domestic worker (23), stole a TV and a DVD player.

A case of house robbery and rape was opened at the Pinetown SAPS and the docket was assigned to Det/Sgt Sosibo for investigation. On 16 January 2013, the accused was arrested by Cpt Mlaba in Pinetown.