Picture: The suspect arrested for allegedly stealing generator/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A man (31) has been arrested for business burglary in Kagung village, near Taung. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Captain Nomvuyo Makoloi said the police were summoned to the crime scene and upon arrival at the tuck shop, the complainant showed the police a CCTV footage, clearly showing the suspect.
Makoloi further said the police followed information, which led them to the suspect’s house. She added that, on arrival at the suspect’s house, they allegedly met the suspect who allowed them to search the house.
“While conducting the search, they found the stolen red Ryobi generator 6800 watt, which was identified by the complainant. The suspect was arrested and charged. He will appear at the Mothibistad Magistrate’s Court soon.
“The police are applauded for their swift response and determined actions in apprehending the perpetrator,” she said.
Picture: Police confiscated home-made beer during Operation Shanela/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
More than 300 suspects were arrested during Operation Shanela. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said, Operation Shanela remains focused in clamping down on crime in the province.
Sam said it is evident in the weekly arrests and police actions executed from 1 until 7 April 2024. He further said, with the focus on the reduction of contact and violent crimes in crime hotspot areas, they netted 300 suspects.
“Actions and police activities executed during the operations included, Vehicle Check Points (VCPs), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, drugs and other commodities smuggling actions.
“Several VCPs and roadblocks were conducted across the province during which a total of 3561 vehicles and 7696 persons were stopped and searched. More than 1168 compliance inspections at second hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, farms and mines were executed,” said Sam.
He added that, numerous operational successes were achieved and 177 suspects were apprehended and arrested for murder, attempted murder, rape, assault, burglary, theft, illegal possession of firearm, malicious damage to property, dealing in drugs, stock theft as well as undocumented immigrants.
Sam said 124 daily wanted suspects were traced and brought to book for evading court appearances and contravention of court orders.
“The police confiscated large volumes of alcoholic beverages, including closing down a tavern in Gobblershop for operating without a liquor licence, drugs, non-ferrous metal items and cash that is believed to be the proceeds of crime,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, expressed his gratitude to all law enforcement agencies for the collective efforts and actions executed during this period.
Ngubelanga said Operation Shanela’s successes to date, are due to improved collaboration between the private sector and communities in the fight against crime.
Picture: A bus that was involved in an accident/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi has met with affected individuals, who were involved in a bus accident. The bus accident ferrying 37 learners and two teachers from North West, was involved in an accident en route to Kimberly from Hopetown on 7 April 2024.
Motsumi said one of the buses had safely arrived in North West and upon arrival, the department immediately convened at the district office to meet with the learners and officials.
“I had the privilege of meeting with the affected individuals. Accompanied by a delegation from the Employee Health Wellness, the department provided much-needed psychological support to the learners and teachers, who were involved in the traumatic incident.
“One teacher remains hospitalised in Kimberly due to serious injuries sustained in the accident. We send our support to the affected and their families. As a continuation of our commitment to supporting those impacted, the psychosocial team will continue to offer sessions to both the families of the learners and the teachers involved,” she said.
Motsumi further said it is imperative that they provide ongoing care and assistance during this challenging time. She added that, during times of adversity, it is crucial that they come together to provide unwavering support to those affected.
“Our priority is the well-being and recovery of the learners, the teachers who are both recovering at home and in hospital, as well as their families. We are committed to offering the necessary resources and assistance to help them navigate through this difficult period.
“Our hearts go out to the injured teacher, and we wish them a speedy and full recovery. Together, as a community, we will overcome this challenge. The department will continue to provide updates as the situation progresses,”
Picture: Copper cables seized by the police/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
In a continuous effort to clamp down on non-ferrous metal related criminality, a crime intelligence-driven operation by the members of Brits Visible Policing and District Trio Task Team, led to the arrest of two suspects on 3 April 2024, for possession of copper cables.
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said, the arrests were effected after intelligence was operationalised regarding collection of copper cables from a certain place in Brits. Mokgwabone said following an observation, a white Mahindra vehicle with Gauteng Province (GP) registration number, was spotted.
“The police followed the vehicle to the place, where copper cables were allegedly kept. Two suspects, a woman and a Zimbabwean man, were arrested after being found in possession of 254kg of copper cables and 11 motor vehicle clutches.
“The police also confiscated the suspects’ vehicle. Consequently, Pascal Shuro (34) and Karen Nicholson (36), appeared in the Brits Magistrate’s Court on the same day of the arrest,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said they were granted R1000 bail and their case was postponed until 8 April 2024.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, thanked the police for their collaboration and subsequent arrest of the suspects.
Six undocumented Zimbabwean nationals aged between 23 and 45, were arrested for alleged illegal mining in the Bontekooi Informal Settlement in Kleinzee. The suspects were arrested during Operation Vala Umgodi on 6 April 2024.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the police seized tools suspected to be used in illegal mining activities.
Shemane said in Steinkopf, the police also received a tip-off regarding a woman (19), who was found to be in possession of dagga with an estimated street value of R39 000.
“Cash believed to be the proceeds of crime, was also confiscated. The suspect was arrested and is expected to appear in the Springbok Magistrate’s Court on 8 April 2024,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, applauded the police for their efforts in affecting arrests and for their commitment in eradicating illicit mining activities in the Namakwa District.
Picture: The bus that was ferrying learners involved in an accident/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Learners from North West who were participating in the Secondary School Track and Field Athletics event held in the Western Cape, were involved in an accident. This comes after the bus that they were traveling with was involved in an accident 60km before Hopetown, along Kimberley route in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said, there have been no fatalities reported at this stage. Motsumi said, however, two teachers and the driver have been transferred to Kimberly for X-ray examinations as a precautionary measure.
“The department is relieved to report that no learners have sustained injuries. Nevertheless, all learners are currently undergoing medical checks at Hopetown Hospital. We call for calm during this time.
‘We are thankful that there have been no fatalities in this unfortunate incident. Our immediate focus is on ensuring the well-being of those involved. We are closely monitoring the situation,” she said.
Motsumi further said their thoughts are with the affected learners, teachers, and their families. She added that they are providing all necessary support and assistance.
“We urge everyone to remain calm as we work through this challenging time together. The department is deeply grateful to the emergency responders, medical personnel, and authorities who swiftly responded to the scene and provided assistance.
“The safety and well-being of our learners and educators remain the department’s utmost priority, and we are committed to providing all necessary support during this time,” said Motsumi.
TaungDailyNews 