Tag: illegal

SA police illegally tap journalists’ phones

phone_tappingPolice have finalised the investigation into crime intelligence officers accused of duping a judge to illegally bug the phones of former police chief Bheki Cele and two Sunday Times journalists, the newspaper reported.

Former KwaZulu-Natal police spy boss Maj-Gen Deena Moodley and covert intelligence collection officials Colonel Dumisani Zulu and Captain Bongani Cele are suspected of inserting the three mobile numbers under false names into a legitimate interception order, the paper reported.

The order, granted by Judge Joshua Khumalo on December 6, 2010, authorised police to record “real time” calls, gain access to all text messages, and use GPS co-ordinates to pinpoint the location of phone users.

National police commissioner Riah Phiyega’s spokesman Solomon Makgale told the publication that police had finalised the criminal investigation into the illegal interception of the cellphones belonging to the two employees of the newspaper and the former national commissioner.

“We believe that there is prima-facie evidence against the three SAPS members who were involved. It is now up to the prosecuting authority to prosecute or not,” he was quoted. – Sapa

15 illegal Soweto taverns shut by police

shebeenFifteen illegal taverns around Soweto were shut down on the weekend, Gauteng police said on Sunday.

“The owners were arrested and the liquor confiscated,” said Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela.

He said the taverns were found in Eldorado Park, Zola, Diepkloof, Protea Glen and Dobsonville.

A number of other arrests in those areas were conducted on Saturday night – many related to drug dealing and abuse.

Makhubela said the arrested would appear in various magisrate’s courts on Monday. – Sapa

Four illegal miners found dead on East Rand

guns_ak47sFour illegal miners died and 11 were wounded during a clash in a mine shaft in Brakpan North, Ekurhuleni emergency management services said on Monday.

“We’ve counted four [dead miners], but there’s a possibility that the number could rise,” said spokesman Rogers Mamaila.

Mamaila said shots were fired during an underground clash between two groups of illegal miners.

“We rescued 11 people with various injuries, including gunshot wounds, and some needing amputations,” Mamaila said.

Emergency workers were still at the scene. -Sapa