Community Safety
With reference to missing persons case CAS 105/04/2014 Montagu and Enquiry 1/01/14 Ladismith:
(1) Whether the suspects for which warrants of arrest were issued have been arrested; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether the suspects when initially questioned by the South African Police Service (SAPS) had identification documentation and/or relevant paperwork; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether the warrants of arrest for the suspects are for those same individuals from Lesotho who were initially questioned by SAPS; if so,
(4) whether SAPS has requested assistance from the Lesotho police for locating the suspects; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(5) whether the CCTV footage of the suspects using the missing person’s bank card has been lost; if so, what are the reasons;
(6) whether any disciplinary action has been taken against anybody regarding the missing footage; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(7) what is the status of the investigation into this matter, two years after it was reported?
[1] No, the two suspects were identified as Ernest Mphatswana and Meshake Mphatswana. It is believed that they originate from Lesotho. There is no ID or passport numbers available for the suspects and it is not sure if their names and surnames are correct, because it was never verified on the farm where they worked.
[2] No, the suspects were only identified on video footage.
[3] The suspects were never interviewed therefore their documentation could not be verified.
[4] No assistance was obtained from Lesotho Police. Assistance from cross border need to be obtained from Interpol.
[5] No, the CCTV footage was never lost; it is available at Montagu Police.
[6] No, CCTV video footage is not lost.
[7] Ladismith Enquiry 01/01/2014 – Missing person, investigation is still ongoing however no new leads or clues is available. Montagu CAS 105/04/2014 – theft warrant of arrests has been issued for suspects.
