By BAKANG MOKOTO
30 April 2025- The police in the North West working with other law enforcement agencies, conducted the weekly high density intelligence led joint law enforcement operations throughout the province between 21 and 27 April 2025. The police said the operations covered all the province’s districts and included the setting of roadblocks on all the national and provincial arterial roads, tracing of wanted suspects, stop and searches and compliance inspections at liquor selling outlets and closing of unlicensed liquor premises.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said operations, which were conducted under the Operation Shanela resulted in the arrest of 667 suspects and recoveries, of among others, 12 rounds of ammunition, drugs, three shotguns, 57 cell phones, liquor and other contraband such as cigarettes.
Mokgwabone said out of 667 suspects, 35 were nabbed for driving under influence of alcohol or drugs seven for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, 56 for possession of drugs, 17 for illegal dealing in liquor, 69 for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH), 41 for common assault, five for murder and 14 for burglaries at residential and business premises.
“The Anti-Gang Unit arrested three Lesotho foreign nationals on Friday morning, 25 April 2025, after being found in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
“The accused, Rethabile Johannes Ntoyi (39), was arrested for illegal possession of a Norinco firearm with eight rounds of ammunition. The other two accused, Seronthe Thipe (30) and Thabo Mphinyame (40), were found to be in possession of an unlicensed revolver, four rounds of ammunition and a spent 9mm cartridge,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said all three accused briefly appeared in the Orkney Magistrate’s Court on 29 April 2025. He added that, they were all remanded in custody until 9 May 2025, for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, is once again calling upon the communities in the Matlosana Municipality, including Community Policing Forums (CPF) and ward councillors, not to harbour illegal foreigners who are in the main involved is serious violent crimes such as murders, robberies and damage of essential infrastructure.
“These suspects are often arrested in possession of illegal firearms, including automatic rifles smuggled into area and which are not traceable due to them not being in the Central Registry database,” said Asaneng.
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