By OBAKENG MAJE

More than 661 suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Shanela. The 84 suspects were arrested for drug-related offences, 10 for illegal dealing in liquor, 54 for driving under the influence of liquor, 8 for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, while 56 suspected undocumented persons were handed over to the Department of Home Affairs for further processing.

The North West police spokesperson, Capt Aaftje Botma said, a further 203 arrests were made for serious and violent crimes that included 17 for murder, 123 for assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), 40 for assault common and 23 for rape.

“During the detective wanted suspect raid operations, 13 suspects were arrested for house robberies. All suspects will make their respective court appearances in various courts this week.

“In one of the operations, police in Marikana received a tip-off about a robbery at a local tavern on 22 November 2023.  A search was conducted and three suspects were ultimately arrested. They appeared in court today,” she said.

Botma added that the safer festive season, Operation Shanela, was conducted in the province as part of keeping the province safe and secured.

North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General, Sello Kwena, commended the police and all other role players for their continued collaborative efforts to send a clear message that, the province is not and will never be a ‘haven’ for criminals or organised crimes.

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Setshwantsho-papiso: Letamo le sepodisi le ntshitseng moswi o a ne a nwetse mo go lone

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Mosimanyana wa dingwaga di le 12 o tlhokofetse kwa motseng wa Lekaleng, gaufi le Taung ka Labotlhano. Se se tla morago ga gore a gatiwe ke serori. Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, moswi ga mmogo le ditsala tsa gagwe ba ne ba ile go thuma kwa Mangope Dam fa serori se se gelelang metsi se ne se fitlha.

“Go ya ka dipego, basimane ba, ba ne ba palama serori se, mme mokgweetsi was one ga a ba bona. Moswi one a wa, mme a gatwa ke serori se.

“Ba ditirelo tsa phaloso, ba ne ba bilediwa kwa lefelo la tiragalo, mme ba netefatsa fa moswi a tlogetse botshelo jo bo ka kwano. Kgetsi ya dipaltisiso tsa morago ga loso di butswe,” van Rooyen wa tlhalosa.

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Picture: The firearm allegedly confiscated from the suspect/Supplied

By BAKANG MOTO

A 25-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested for kidnapping and murder. According to the police, the atrocity was committed in Richie in January 2023.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said, the suspect was arrested at a local tavern in Weeen in Kwazulu Natal on Sunday. Kock further said his arrest comes after the Provincial Organised Crime Investigations Unit received a tip-off regarding the suspect’s whereabouts.

“On Sunday at around 6pm, the police traced the suspect to a local tavern in Weenen, Kwa-Zulu Natal. During the arrest, the suspect was allegedly in possession of a 9mm pistol and 5 rounds of ammunition.

“The police confiscated the firearm and he was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The suspect will appear in court soon. The investigation into the matter continues,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Head for Organised Crime Investigations, Brig Johan Myburgh, commended the police for the meticulous investigation, which led to the arrest and seizure of the firearm. Myburgh also reiterated that the robust proliferation of firearms remains a priority in the fight against crime.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

More than 178 suspects were arrested for various crimes such as dealing in drugs, possession of illegal cigarettes, illegal dealing in liquor, possession of counterfeit goods, possession of drugs, robbery, assaults, housebreaking and theft, malicious damage to property, assault GBH, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and the detention of illegal immigrants during Operation Shanela.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said, the police multi-disciplinary high-density operation, Operation Shanela remains consistent in putting more boots on the ground during the Safer Festive Season Operations in its quest to squeeze crime in all hot spot areas throughout the province.

“The disruptive actions across the province commenced on 23 until 26 November 2023. The police and other law enforcement agencies executed 8300 actions that included random stop and search of 3690 persons and 1661 vehicles.

“More than 1330 high visibility patrols, vehicle check points, roadblocks, tracing of wanted suspects, compliance inspections at liquor outlets, second hand goods dealers and scrapyards, compliance inspections at firearm dealers and visits to spaza shops,” he said.

Kock added that, during the operations, the detectives traced and arrested 143 daily wanted suspects, who have been on the run from the police for various crimes including, house robbery, murder, rape, assault GBH, and illegal possession of a firearm.

He said the police actions also focused on the confiscation of dangerous weapons, drugs including crystal meth, tik, dagga, mandrax, alcohol, cash, and vehicles were confiscated, while tuck shops were also raided and expired items removed and destroyed.

The acting Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, applauded the joint efforts of the law enforcement agencies, Community Police Forums (CPFs), and Community in Blue Patrollers that led to the arrest of criminals.

Ngubelanga also appreciated the efforts of police officers and reiterated that the police are ready to keep the province safe, secure, and peaceful during this festive season and beyond.

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Picture: The North West MEC for Social Development, Lazarus Mokgosi

By BAKANG MOKOTO

North West MEC for Social Development, Lazarus Mokgosi is set to launch the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign at Reivilo Golf Club in Taung on 28 November 2023. Mokgosi said the launch will be under the theme: “Accelerating actions to end Gender-Based Violence & Femicide (GBV&F): Leaving No One Behind”.

“The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children is a United Nations campaign, which is held annually from 25 November (International Day for No Violence Against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day).

“This year marks the 25^th anniversary since South Africa initiated the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign. The 16 Days campaign focuses on raising awareness on the devastating impact that GBV&F has on women and children, and the social fabric of our society,” he said.

Mokgosi further said, that as part of the activities of the day, they will visit the families of the survivors of GBV and the child-headed households in the area. He added that, a service delivery blitz will also be held on-site to enable residents to access government services from departments and state-owned entities. 

“The launch of the 16 Days campaign is part of the department’s festive season campaign, which is aimed at educating the communities about the adverse effects of alcohol and substance abuse, responsible drinking, and spending during the festive season.

“The LGBTIQ+ community, a representative from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), survivors of GBV, substance users, and political and religious leaders will attend the event.

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Picture: The ten awaiting trial detainees who escaped from police cells/Supplied  

By OBAKENG MAJE

Ten awaiting trial detainees escaped from Mogwase Police Holding Cells in Mogwase on Wednesday morning. The detainees who are between the ages of 18 and 56, allegedly escaped through the roof after cutting the mesh wire.

The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said Johannes Mogari Nowata, Katlego Nkitle, Omphemetse Moeng, Joseph Molefe, Tebogo Michael Langeni, Obvious Mlambo, Lebogang Mokotleng, Adonis Mpofu, Eric Mkhonazi and Tshiamo Mogale were at the time of the incident, facing charges ranging from house robbery, possession of suspected stolen goods, robbery aggravating, murder, attempted rape and burglary.

“The police have launched a manhunt and internal investigations regarding the incident have also been instituted. The members of the community are encouraged not to attempt to re-arrest the detainees as they are considered to be dangerous, but to contact the Investigating Officer, Captain Malope Mabula on 082 569 4887 or Crime Stop number on 08600 10111.

“Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the MySAPS App from one’s smartphone,” he said.

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Picture: One of the suspects arrested for tampering with infrastructure/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Two suspects aged 33 and 30 were arrested during a safer festive season operation in Kimberly. They were arrested for tampering with infrastructure and possession of suspected stolen property.

The suspects will briefly appear in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court soon.

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Dikeledi Gopane said the operation is gaining momentum as the police were out in full force on Friday.

Gopane further said Operation Shanela’s actions were conducted in the Greater Kimberley area by the police from the Tactical Response Team, Public Order Police, Mounted unit, Roodepan, Galeshewe, Kimberley, and Kagisho.

“The operation commenced with a parade under the command of Brigadier Nicholas Mtongana. During the first phase of the operation, blue light patrols were conducted in the Greater Kimberley area and 387 persons were stopped and searched.

“Foot beat patrol was also conducted at the Diamond Pavillion Mall and North Cape Mall to sensitise the community about crime prevention and safety tips, compliance inspections at liquor outlets,” she said.

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Picture: Some of the dagga confiscated by police/Supplied  

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Two men aged 43 and 46 were arrested for illegally being in possession of endangered plants and dagga. Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Sergio Kock said on 22 November 2023 at approximately 7pm, the police received a tip-off regarding a truck driver and his crew allegedly transporting endangered plants and dagga worth R700 000.

Kock further said, the police reservist, WO Happie Van Wyk and Const Collin Jabulani, stopped and searched the truck on the N7 road, outside Springbok.

“The police confiscated endangered plants worth about R450 000 and dagga worth approximately R250 000 from the delivery truck. We are grateful that, the police have made a significant dent in the endangered plants and dagga trade,” he added.

Kock said the suspects will appear at Springbok Magistrate’s Court soon.

Meanwhile, the Namakwa District Police Commissioner, Brig Schalk Andrews, commended the police for their vigilance and swift reaction that ensured the arrest of the two suspects. Andrews also thanked the community for their assistance in this regard.

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Picture: The Manyane Lodge

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West calls for a probe on two contracts allegedly awarded for the same project at Manyane Lodge, Mahikeng. The DA caucus leader in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Freddy Sonakile said it is absurd that, the National Department of Tourism, allegedly awarded yet another contract for the refurbishment of the lodge.

Sonakile said, regrettably, not a word has been said about the initial R47 million contract for the same project that was never completed. He further said, that last year, they conducted an oversight inspection at the lodge and found it in a dilapidated and neglected state.

“There was no evidence of refurbishment work done by Re A Aga Consulting, despite receiving a R47 million contract in 2016 to refurbish the lodge. To date, there has been no accountability for this wasteful expenditure and not a single official could account for the lodge’s assets, yet an additional R24 million contract has been awarded to ALF ZIM and Associates CC to complete a project that should have been completed in 2016.

“A blame game between the national and provincial departments persists. We have approached the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate the R47 million awarded to Re A Aga Consulting, the missing assets, and to recover all funds lost,” said Sonakile.

He added that they will also monitor the implementation of the R24 million contract closely to prevent any corruption or fraud and to ensure that the residents of Mahikeng benefit from this project.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille will visit the project on Monday. De Lille’s spokesperson, Zara Nicholson said: “De Lille’s visit is part of oversight duties and to help speed up delivery of critical tourism infrastructure projects. The project started several years ago but remains incomplete. The delay in this infrastructure project has a negative impact on the surrounding communities, especially the tourism sector in the region.  

“However, de Lille is working with stakeholders to unblock a number of delayed tourism infrastructure projects to get projects back on track and delivered across the country for the benefit of the tourism sector.”

Nicholson said the quality and diverse tourism infrastructure projects are essential to the department’s objective to grow tourism numbers, which will in turn grow the country’s economy and job creation.  

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