PROVINCIAL LAUNCH OF SAFER FESTIVE SEASON “OPERATION DUTY CALLS” AND “ARRIVE ALIVE CAMPAIGN”: NORTH WEST PROVINCE

The Provincial official launch of Safer Festive Season “Operation Duty Calls and “Arrive Alive Campaign” was successfully held on Friday, 2 November 2012 at Mahikeng.

With the festive season around the corner and the expected influx of people into the Province during this period, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies including Customs and Department of Home Affairs participated in the official launch. The latter was done by the North West Premier, Honourable Thandi Modise, and graced by MEC Nono Maloyi of Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, who also outlined the roll out of the plan.

“Fear is the word of those who are not committed,” said the North West Provincial Commissioner, Zukiswa Mbombo upon her welcoming remarks. She also appreciated handing over of vehicles to Provincial Traffic which she believed will contribute in bringing down the level of drunken driving.  She also welcomed participation of Community Police Forum (CPF) members in Safer Festive Season Operation Duty Calls in a bid to ensure the safety of the community.

The launch was preceded by suspect raiding operation that was held on Thursday night (2012-11-01) and achieved the following successes:

16 persons were arrested in Ottoshoop, Mahikeng, Lomanyaneng and Mmabatho for the following crimes: Theft, Murder, assault common, Assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm, business robbery, common robbery and the contravention of a court order.

In another operation conducted by a tracking team in Mahikeng, 2 vehicles, Toyota Yaris and Corolla were recovered and 2 suspects, a male and female aged 36 and 34 respectively and were arrested for being in possession of suspected stolen vehicles at Magogwe and Unit 6. The suspects are expected to appear before Molopo Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 5 November 2012. The recovery of the two cars and arrests of suspects are linked to the case whereby police recovered  10 cars in Mahikeng during June 2012 and 4 suspects were ultimately arrested.

Subsequent to roadblocks that were conducted at Ramatlabama Road, Mahikeng-Vryburg after the launch, 23 traffic fines were issued to motorists for various offences.  In another road block on Lichtenburg-Mahikeng Road whereby MEC Nono Maloyi and Deputy Provincial Commissioner Mpembe participated, 17 traffic fines were issued to motorists for different road traffic offences.

The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo urges all communities to work together with the Police to fight and prevent crime in our townships, suburbs, rural places including farms.   “We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to expose and apprehend all those who are still living with criminal thoughts ”  said General Mbombo.”

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