Jabulani Festive Season Operation Lungisa Delivers Major Crime Prevention Success

On Thursday, 27 November 2025, the Jabulani Festive Season Operation Lungisa was launched in Johannesburg District, Soweto West, under the leadership of Overall Commander Brigadier Lefa Tsotetsi and Operational Commander Lieutenant Colonel Rajesh Balram. The operation aimed to strengthen law enforcement visibility and tackle crime hotspots ahead of the festive season.

The deployment included officers from Jabulani SAPS, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department Bylaws Unit, Crime Prevention Wardens, Community Policing Forum representatives, and community patrollers. Resources mobilised for the operation comprised multiple vehicles and a significant personnel presence to ensure maximum impact.

Key Achievements:

- Illegal Shebeen Closed: One unlicensed establishment was shut down.

- Arrests of Illegal Immigrants: Several individuals were apprehended during compliance checks.

- Liquor Confiscations: Four cases of alcohol were seized.

- Detective Interventions: Suspects linked to common assault and business burglary were taken into custody.

- Vehicle Recoveries: A silver Toyota Fortuner and a blue Hyundai Atos were successfully recovered.

Stop and Search Operations:

- 23 vehicles searched  

- 66 individuals searched  

- Patrols conducted at Jabulani Mall, Jabulani Hostel, and Inhlazane Railway Station  

- Carjacking hotspots monitored to deter criminal activity  

The operation demonstrated a united front between law enforcement and community stakeholders, reinforcing safety measures and restoring public confidence. These efforts form part of an ongoing strategy to maintain order and security during the festive season.

City of Johannesburg Urges Residents to Stay Alert Against Fraudsters

The City of Johannesburg has issued a strong warning to residents, businesses and account holders to remain vigilant as criminal syndicates continue to target municipal customers with fraudulent schemes disguised as official City communication.

These scams involve individuals posing as City officials, debt collectors, electricity technicians, meter readers or revenue agents to solicit money, steal personal information or gain unlawful access to homes and businesses.

Common Scams Reported:

- Fake disconnection threats demanding immediate EFT payments to avoid electricity or water cut-offs  

- Impersonation of City officials using forged ID cards, uniforms or vehicle markings to request property access  

- False SMS notifications claiming outstanding debt and directing customers to non-City banking details  

- Fake meter replacement or inspection visits used to collect “call-out fees” or gain entry into homes  

- Email phishing scams using City logos to trick customers into clicking harmful links or providing account details  

Important Reminders from the City:

- All legitimate payments must be made through official City of Johannesburg banking accounts or authorised platforms such as EasyPay, SA Post Office, Pick n Pay or www.joburg.org.za  

- City officials never demand cash payments at your door  

- Disconnection teams carry full identification, official job cards and branded vehicles, and will never request on-the-spot payments  

- SMS messages from the City originate from verified platforms and will never include non-City bank account numbers  

- Meter inspections and replacements are conducted only by authorised contractors with accreditation and job cards  

How to Protect Yourself:

- Verify any communication by contacting the City’s 24/7 Call Centre on 0860 56 28 74  

- Report suspicious account numbers, emails or SMS messages immediately  

- Do not allow anyone into your property without proof of appointment and identification  

- Cross-check City information on official digital channels, including the Joburg website and social media pages  

- Register on e-Joburg to access your municipal statements and reduce reliance on third-party communication  

Kgamanyane Maphologela, Director of Communications and Stakeholder Management, warned that criminal syndicates are misrepresenting themselves as City officials, issuing fake disconnection notices and circulating fraudulent banking details to deceive customers into making illegitimate payments.  

“We urge all customers to remain alert, verify information and report any suspicious behaviour immediately. Protecting our community is a shared responsibility,” said Maphologela.  

Reporting Fraud:

Residents can report fraud through any of the following channels:  

- City of Johannesburg Anti-Fraud Hotline: 0800 002 587  

- Joburg Call Centre: 0860 56 28 74  

- Email: anti-fraud@joburg.org.za  

- Nearest JMPD offices or SAPS station for criminal cases  

Mozambican Duo Arrested After Police Recover Stolen Firearms Linked to Ivory Park Murders

An intelligence-led operation has resulted in the recovery of two South African Police Service (SAPS) firearms stolen during the brutal killing of two officers in Ivory Park, Johannesburg, on Friday evening.  

The recovered weapons, an SAPS-issued 9mm pistol and an R5 rifle with several rounds of ammunition, were positively identified as belonging to Sergeant Rapetsoa and Constable Montja, who were attached to the Ivory Park police station. Both officers were disarmed before being fatally shot.  

Following the murders, SAPS mobilised maximum resources to track down the perpetrators and retrieve the stolen state-issued firearms. Crime intelligence officers, supported by the Sedibeng Tactical Response Team and the Hawks, conducted targeted operations in Tembisa and Mamelodi East, where the firearms were successfully recovered.  

Two Mozambican nationals have been arrested and will face charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Investigations into the murders are ongoing, and the search continues for additional suspects and a missing 9mm state pistol.  

SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola commended the team for their swift and tireless efforts, emphasising the commitment to bringing those responsible for the killings to justice.  

Heavy Rainfall Puts City Power Under Pressure as Outage Calls Surge

City Power is grappling with severe strain on its electricity network following last night’s intense thunderstorms and persistent rainfall across Johannesburg. More than 2,700 outage calls have been logged since early morning, signalling widespread disruption to supply.

The storms caused significant damage, including a lightning strike at the Northcliff Water Tower, which interrupted operations and affected supply. “Our teams have been dispatched urgently to attend to the incident,” said Isaac Mangena, City Power spokesperson.

Wet conditions have compounded the challenge, hampering restoration efforts as technicians struggle to access waterlogged areas. “The prolonged rainfall continues to affect our ability to respond timeously to faults and maintain a stable electricity supply,” Mangena explained. “Our teams are navigating hazardous terrain, limited access routes and unsafe working environments.”

Several roads remain closed by the Johannesburg Roads Agency due to flooded low-lying bridges, while fallen trees block routes in various parts of the city. “Before we can access some areas, we must wait for the clearing of routes and removal of debris,” Mangena added, noting that these disruptions have delayed response times.

The adverse weather has also led to a spike in underground cable faults caused by excess moisture seeping into the network. Fault detection is proving difficult as equipment cannot function effectively in waterlogged environments, and repairs are delayed where trenches are flooded.

According to this morning’s status report, Roodepoort is the hardest hit, with 906 open calls. Reuven follows with 402 calls, affecting Mulbarton, Glenvista and Soccer City. In the Inner City, outages linked to the loss of Observatory and Orchards substations have impacted areas such as Cheltondale, Linksfield, Orange Grove and Sydenham, with 309 calls logged. Other affected regions include Hursthill (317 calls), Randburg (288), Lenasia (253), Alexandra (209) and Midrand (99).

Despite unavoidable delays, City Power has deployed additional technical teams to accelerate restorations. “Safety remains our priority,” Mangena emphasised. “Technicians cannot operate in areas where there is a high risk of electrical flashover, unstable ground or exposed live infrastructure.”

Residents are urged to exercise caution near damaged or fallen electricity equipment and to keep appliances unplugged, as supply may be restored without prior notice. Those not affected by outages are asked to use electricity sparingly to avoid overloading the already constrained network.

“We apologise for the inconvenience and thank customers for their patience while we work urgently to restore supply across Johannesburg,” Mangena said.

Outage queries can be logged via citypower.mobi or by calling 011 490 7484.

Five Arrested for Alleged Contravention of Foreign Military Assistance Regulations in Gauteng

The Hawks' Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation has announced the arrest of five individuals in Gauteng suspected of contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act. The accused, identified as Nonkululeko Mantula (39), Thulani Mazibuko (24), Xolani Ntuli (47), Siphamandla Tshabalala (23), and Sfiso Mabena (21), appeared before the Kempton Park Magistrates Court on charges related to the offence on Monday, 1 December 2025.

According to Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale, the arrests followed a tip-off from the OR Tambo SAPS concerning three males attempting to travel to Russia via the United Arab Emirates. The individuals were identified at the boarding gate and subsequently detained by Hawks’ Crimes Against the State unit. An initial investigation revealed that a South African woman was facilitating the travel and recruitment of these individuals into the Russian Federation Military.

Further investigations uncovered that a fourth suspect was apprehended upon her return from an international trip, while the fifth was arrested on Saturday, 29 November 2025. Search and seizure warrants were executed on the suspects believed to be involved in facilitating the travel of four individuals, with another suspect having already left the country for Russia.

On 27 November 2025, an individual arriving at OR Tambo International Airport was interviewed, revealing additional evidence that led to the arrest of three more male suspects on 28 November 2025. Electronic devices and two backpacks were seized during the operations for further forensic analysis.

The case has been postponed to 8 December 2025 for formal bail applications, with the five accused remanded in custody. Colonel Mogale confirmed that the Hawks are working closely with intelligence agencies and international law enforcement partners to uncover the full extent of the network and assess any potential security threats stemming from the investigation.

Joburg Celebrates Record-Breaking Success of the 2025 Soweto Marathon

The City of Johannesburg has expressed pride in the outstanding success of the 2025 African Bank Soweto Marathon, widely recognised as The People’s Race which took place on Saturday, 29 November 2025 in Soweto. The event reaffirmed Soweto’s status as one of South Africa’s most iconic sporting and cultural destinations.

This year’s marathon drew an impressive field of eighteen thousand runners, positioning it alongside major national races such as the Comrades Marathon. Participants from across South Africa, the continent, and abroad, including France, Lesotho, Zambia, and Kenya, brought vibrant energy to Soweto’s historic streets.

Johannesburg’s Executive Mayor, Cllr Dada Morero, underscored the event’s significance. He stated that the marathon is a vital occasion for both Johannesburg and Soweto, which boasts a rich history in South Africa’s struggle for liberation. The event’s growth demonstrates increasing global confidence in Soweto’s infrastructure and capacity to host major sporting events.

The Mayor also reaffirmed the City’s commitment to strengthening its long-term partnership with the marathon organisers, aiming to develop the event further in the coming years.

Despite challenging weather conditions at the start, including early rain, mist, and cloud cover, participants demonstrated remarkable resilience. Showers returned around 6.30am before clearing as runners crossed the finish line, exemplifying the enduring spirit that has made the Soweto Marathon one of the country’s most cherished sporting occasions.

Behind the scenes, meticulous coordination among the Community Development Department, Sports and Recreation Directorate, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, Emergency Medical Services, and various City agencies ensured a safe and well-organised event. Support from sponsors was also integral to the event’s success.

During the awards ceremony, Deputy President Paul Mashatile presented medals to the top three male and female finishers. MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services, Cllr Sithembiso Zungu, joined to congratulate the athletes with bouquets and words of encouragement.

Official results were announced, with the male winners completing the 42-kilometre race in times of just over two hours. Khoarahlane Joseph Seutloali led with a time of 2 hours, 20 minutes, and 9 seconds, followed closely by Ntsindiso Mphakathi and Onalenna Khonkhobe. In the women’s race, Margaret Jepchumba secured victory with a time of 2 hours, 34 minutes, and 33 seconds, with Elizabeth Mokoloma and Gerda Steyn also placing prominently.

A historic moment was marked by veteran runner Julian Karp, who completed his thousandth marathon, adding to the event’s significance and inspiring participants.

As a formal partner of the marathon, the City is already planning to expand participation and elevate the event further. Mayor Morero expressed the aspiration for the race to grow significantly, encouraging every Sowetan to participate at least once in their lifetime.

The City wishes to extend its gratitude to all sponsors, organisers, runners, volunteers, and residents whose efforts and support made the 2025 People’s Race a resounding success.