By BAKANG MOKOTO
More than 200 people have been arrested for various offenses during Safer Festive Season Operation Tlotla Molao thus far on 20 and 21 December 2022 in the North West. According to the North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone, the operation was held on 20 and 21 December 2022.
Mokgwabone further said the suspects were arrested for offences such as assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and common, burglary residential and business, theft of the motor vehicle, rape, contravention of a protection order and many others.
“Of the 299 suspects, 107 were arrested in Bojanala Sub-District 2 (Rustenburg), 100 in Bojanala Sub-District 1 (Brits), 66 in Dr Kenneth Kaunda and 26 in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati.
“In another operation by detectives and visible policing to enforce the Second-Hand Goods Act, 2009 (Act No. 6 of 2009), 16 business owners in Rustenburg were fined for contravening various sections of the Act. In addition, police subsequently visited butcheries and the owner of the butchery was fined for contravention of section 7(1)(c) of the Stock Theft Act, 2000 (Act No. 40 of 2000),” he said.
Mokgwabone further said, still in Rustenburg, a team comprising of Crime Intelligence, Organised Crime and K9 Unit, arrested five suspects for possession and dealing in drugs. He added, that in the first incident, the police spotted two males performing what appeared to be a drug dealing transaction.
“As a result, ix zip lock plastic packets and one plastic bag were found in possession of Ihionou Chinasa after being searched. Consequent to the arrest, a search and seizure warrant was authorised and executed at the accused’s place where R7 100 and eight cellphones were found and seized.
“In the second incident, a man was arrested at a block of flats after being found packaging crystal meth with an estimated street value of R1 600. In the third and last arrest, three suspects (two males and a female) were found in a room packaging drugs (crystal meth),” said Mokgwabone.
He said a search was also conducted in a vehicle belonging to one of the suspects. Mokgwabone said during the search, 120 packets of CAT, two mandrax tablets and crystal meth were found.
“All accused persons, Ihionou Chinasa (43) Everistus Egu (36) Nelson Keledukwe (42), Jude Eze (36) and Refiloe Malwane (21) were remanded in custody upon appearance before the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. They will reappear before the same court on 29 December 2022,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded the police for their coordinated efforts that led to the arrests.
The Guardian 