Johannesburg – Police have ruled out any foul play in the death of Brigadier Jackson Mkhaulesi who was a senior investigator in the escape of the rearrested “Facebook Rapist” and murderer Thabo Bester.
Brigadier Mkhaulesi was found dead inside his white Ford Ranger with a gunshot wound on Monday, (5 June 2023).
He is thought to have shot himself at the busy intersection in Bloemfontein, where he was found dead.
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During an update on “Operation Shanela” at Klipgat Police Station, in the North West on Friday, National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) General Sehlahle Fannie Masemola said: “The SAPS has sadly lost a number of members this week”.
The national commissioner of the police added: “We also take this opportunity to pay tribute and send condolences to the family of Brigadier Jackson Mkhaulesi who died in Bloemfontein earlier this week.
“We will remember him as a hardworking and dedicated detective with a career spanning more than three decades.”
General Masemola said initial investigations suggested that Brigadier Mkhaulesi took his own life.
General Masemola said the police didn’t suspect any “foul play”, adding: “Indeed, we confirmed a suicide.”
The SAPS also lost other members during the week.
“Our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues of the detective commander of Mooinooi police station, Lieutenant Colonel Morris Lekone Mohajane who was killed after a hijacking incident outside his home.
“We also pay tribute to Constables Mohlopi, Mokoena, and Mdende from Fochville SAPS who tragically lost their lives in a car accident 10km outside Potchefstroom, also on Tuesday afternoon.
“Our sincerest condolences also go to the families of Sergeant Maja and Warrant Officer Durandt.”
Sergeant Maja was fatally shot in a shootout with suspects in Mamelodi during an operation by the Hawks Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS).
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Warrant Officer Durandt was the Detective Branch Commander of Villers in the Free State.
He was fatally shot while responding to a truck hijacking.
“Our condolences also go to the family and colleagues of Mr. Kevin Pillay,” said the national police commissioner.
At the time of his death, Pillay was serving as Secretary of the National Community Police Consultative Forum (NFPCF) board.
He also served as a Chairperson of the Mpumalanga CPF Board for two terms.
General Masemola said: “Pillay will be remembered for his commitment and contribution to forging good relations between SAPS and communities”.
General Masemola also paid tribute to the late Chairperson of the National Assembly Portfolio Committee on Police, Tina Joemat Pettersson who died earlier this week.
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“On behalf of the men and women in blue, we remember the late chairperson for her oversight role, holding officials to account in the execution of our constitutional mandate,” said General Masemola.
Giving an update on Operation Shanela, General Masemola said: “We continue to implement our five-pillar approach in our resolve to reduce the volumes of crime in our communities.
Operation Shanela involves regular stop and searches, vehicle checkpoints, roadblocks, cordon and searches, high visibility patrols including foot patrols, and the tracing of wanted suspects with a focus on the arrest of murder and rape suspects.
The operation also enforces compliance inspections at liquor outlets and second-hand goods dealers.
I am pleased to report that we are starting to see the positive impact of these integrated, high-density operations that are intensified over the weekend when crime is most prevalent and reported,” said Gnerl Masemola.
He said 21 200 suspects were arrested for various crimes ranging from murder, rape, and malicious damage to property.
The breakdown is as follows:
1 126 wanted suspects were arrested
188 suspects were arrested for murder
219 suspects were arrested for attempted murder
210 suspects arrested for rape
134 suspects for robbery with aggravating circumstances such as carjacking, truck hijacking, and CIT robbery
729 for burglary at residential and business premises
2 522 for assault GBH
1 808 for possession of illegal drugs
1 103 for common assault
1 062 for dealing drugs
861 for dealing illegally in liquor
774 for driving under the influence of alcohol
846 for possession of a dangerous weapon such as knives and other sharp objects
163 for possession of illegal and unlicensed firearms
1 425 illegal immigrants were also arrested during this period
Recoveries:
138 vehicles have been recovered during this reporting period
Drugs seized:
397 grams of cocaine seized
861 grams of crack cocaine seized
8 047 grams of crystal meth seized
19 533 grams of Nyaope seized
383 642 grams of Mandrax powder seized
11 344 tablets of Mandrax seized
“Over and above the Operation Shanela successes, I am therefore pleased to announce that in the past six months starting period 1 December 2022 to 5 June 2023, a total of 120 278 suspects were arrested for various crimes with the majority of their cases still before the court,” the national commissioner of police said.
GUN VIOLENCE
“It is encouraging to report that 215 151 firearms and more than 2 million rounds of ammunition have been destroyed from 2019 to date,” said General Masemola.
“These were illegal and unwanted firearms that were either confiscated and seized during operations as well as voluntarily handed over to our police stations during the firearms amnesty period.
“In this financial year, we plan to destroy a further 12 592 firearms that were also confiscated during operations.”
Gender-based violence and femicide cases
“I am pleased to announce that 17 481 suspects were arrested for Gender-Based Violence and Femicide related cases during the past financial year,” said General Masemola.
“386 life imprisonment sentences were handed down to 230 accused during that same period.”
