By REGINALD KANYANE
Seven suspects aged between 29 and 32 years are expected to appear in Hartswater Magistrate’s Court for possession of drugs. The suspects were arrested on 13 May 2024, during Operation Vala Umgodi, which is an illicit mining multi-disciplinary operation.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the police received a tip-off regarding a suspected drug premises in Hartswater and operationalised intelligence-driven information. Shemane said during the execution of the operation, suspected drugs with an estimated street value of R9000 were confiscated.
“The drugs, as well as money believed to be the proceeds of crime, were confiscated at Hartswater Taxi Rank. The police also followed up on information at a business premises in Hartswater, regarding the possession of an illegal firearm.
“The premises were searched and the police recovered a firearm with ammunition. The firearm was circulated and found to belong to a person, who passed away in 2007 and was never reported stolen,” he said.
Shemane said subsequently, an Ethiopian national (33) was arrested for possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition. He said two undocumented Malawian men aged 23 and 24, were also arrested.
“All arrested suspects are expected to appear in the Hartswater Magistrate’s Court soon,” said Shemane.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended community members for their continued support in providing information to the police that led to the arrests, confiscation, and recovery of dangerous weapons. Otola said with the assistance of the community, they will ensure that the combating of illicit mining-related activities continues unabated.
The Guardian 