By REGINALD KANYANE
16 September 2025- In an effort to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms and address serious and violent crimes in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District, the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing in the Northern Cape, Major General Johnny Besnaar, led Operation Dinaledi from 11 until 14 September 2025, in Kuruman and surrounding mining areas.
Besnaar was supported by the acting John Taolo Gaetsewe District Police Commissioner, Provincial Heads and members of various provincial components including Pro-Active Policing, Public Order Police, the SAPS Airwing, Kimberley Search and Rescue, Provincial Finance, Provincial Internal Audit, Provincial Corporate Communication, as well as the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Police Stations, District Crime Intelligence, Ga-Segonyana and Municipal Traffic Departments and private security companies.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the high-density operation focused on removing illegal firearms and dangerous weapons, tracing of wanted suspects, conducting compliance inspections at formal and informal businesses and engaging with communities across the district. Shemane said simultaneous roadblocks were conducted on strategic routes leading to and from the targeted towns, with air support provided by the SAPS Airwing in Kimberley and the Free State.
“A total of 219 vehicles were stopped and searched, resulting in fines amounting to R67 500 for road traffic violations, while 2 657 persons were searched. At identified crime hotspots, police arrested 37 suspects for offences including murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, assault with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), sexual offences, rape, theft of motor vehicle, malicious damage to property, drug-related crimes, driving under the influence and contravention of immigration laws.
“The police also confiscated alcoholic beverages, dangerous weapons, drugs and a suspected stolen vehicle. On Saturday, Besnaar, accompanied by the Provincial Search and Rescue Unit with air support from the SAPS Airwing, conducted foot and aerial searches for missing Boemo David Ditshetelo (65), who was last seen on 3 September 2025 in Maruping, Kutlwanong Section, Kuruman,” he said.
Shemane further said the search for Ditshetelo is ongoing. He added that Besnaar applauded the efforts of all multi-disciplinary teams involved, emphasising that the police remain committed to ensuring that perpetrators are brought before court and to restoring public confidence.
“He further assured communities that such operations will continue without interruption. As we approach the Festive Season, police in the province will intensify their operations and execute targeted intelligence driven actions in our quest to address crime.
“The police appeal to anyone with information on criminal activities to contact their nearest police station, call Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or use the MySAPS App. All information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality,” said Shemane.
The Guardian 