Police provincial task team make notable impact on crime

The Provincial Commissioner of the police in Mpumalanga, Lieut-General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has put together a team in an effort to tackle new trends of serious crime.

Manamela said in a media statement released on Tuesday, July 5 that these new trends threaten the safety and security of the community of Mpumalanga.

“The team did not disappoint, they worked tirelessly and made some notable achievements,” said Manamela.

According to Manamela, the team recently made positive breakthrougs in several cases.

During May, the gruesome murder of Hillary Gardee made headlines. Gardee’s body was found outside Nelspruit in the bushes. The team was tasked with the responsibility to trace the suspects in the murder case of Gardee. A few days later, the goal was achieved and three suspects Philemon Lukhele (47), Sipho Lawrence Mkhatshwa (39), and Albert Mduduzi Gama (52) were arrested and charged.

On Monday, June 13, the team conducted an operation that led them to the arrest of two suspects, a Mozambican National, Carlos Mondlane (32) and Sylvester Nyathi (30) in connection with burglary business cases at the Police Provincial Office in Nelspruit.

The arrest of the suspects is regarded as a success because suspects were linked to several cases at the police headquarters.

In yet another success the specialised team reacted to an incident in which a group of suspects broke into the NTT Toyota dealership in Sarel Cillierstreet in Delmas and stole several vehicles. The incident occurred on Wednesday, March 23.

The team arrested three suspects in Cleveland and recovered a Toyota single cab bakkie as well as a Toyota double cab bakkie.

Alassane Kani (29) and David Mushazazose (28), both from Zimbabwe, as well as Collen Nawana (61) are currently in custody and are due in court on Thursday, July 28.