By BAKANG MOKOTO
9 April 2025- During the Weekly High Density Shanela Operations, inclusive of Safer Easter Paseka Operations, police in the North West apprehended a total of 986 suspects for a variety of crimes. To mention a few, 124 were arrested for possession of drugs, 22 for illegal dealing in liquor, 72 for assault with the intent to do previous bodily harm, 45 for common assault, 15 for burglary and 48 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said operations led by the District Commissioners, were conducted from 31 March until 6 April 2025. Myburgh said out of the 986 arrested suspects, 442 were arrested by the Detectives as those on the circulated wanted suspects’ lists, this included 17 for murder, 29 for rape and 141 for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm.
“In addition, 124 illegal immigrants were arrested for being in the country in contravention of the Immigration Act. Through Joint law enforcement compliance inspections (to enforce the provisions of the Liquor and Second-Hand Goods Acts), 8 unlicensed Liquor outlets (shebeens) were closed and more than 1300 litres of liquor were confiscated.
“The police also seized 112 rounds of ammunition and a variety of drugs. On Tuesday evening, four cattle were allegedly stolen in Masamane village in Tshidilamolomo and a theft case was reported. The members of the Mahikeng Stock Theft and endangered Species Unit (STES) discovered during their investigation that the cattle were sold later at an auction in Tosca,” she said.
Myburgh further said with the assistance of Mahikeng Public Order Policing (POP), two suspects, Kopano Iven Melangwane (44) and Tsaone Edward Mooki (47), were traced and arrested on 29 March 2025. She added that the duo appeared before the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court on 31 March 2025, and again on 4 April 2025.
“They were granted bail of R300 and R500 respectively and will appear before the same court soon. In Kanana on 3 April 2025, information received via crime intelligence-led team consisting of the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit, Provincial Drug Task Team, Potchefstroom Public Order Policing (POP) and Stilfontein K9 to a house in Extension 11, where police discovered and seized 173 bottles of liquor, wrapped in layers of plastic.
“It is suspected that it forms part of illegal mining activities,” said Myburgh.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General, Patrick Asaneng, said the arrests as well as confiscations made by police across the province are as a result of intelligence-led, integrated, multi-agency, high density operations, which are intended to ensure that law abiding citizens are safeguarded from the endemic serious and violent crimes. Asaneng said the public is advised to report crime at their nearest police stations or anonymously through the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or the MySAPS application.
“Extortion-related incidents can be reported on the Extortion hotline on 080 091 1011,” he said.
The Guardian 