By OBAKENG MAJE

More than 900 suspects were arrested for various crimes such as rape, assault with intention to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and common, murder, robbery aggravating, burglary residential and business, drug-related offenses, illegal dealing in liquor, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and unlawful possession of firearms, among others.

North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said, this was done in an endeavour to keep the province safe during the safer festive season and beyond.

“The South African Police Service (SAPS) members in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies, arrested 979 suspects between 1 and 7 January 2024. Of the 979 suspects, 276 were arrested during detective suspect raiding operations.

“During the actions executed, items such as two vehicles, seven firearms, 536 ammunition, a variety of drugs including 32 mandrax tablets, 750 packets of tobacco products, liquor, and nine cell phones were confiscated,” he said.

Mokgwabone further said regarding suspected undocumented persons, 27 of them were handed over to Immigration Officials for further processing. He added that 27 premises, 2 311 persons, and 1 385 vehicles were also searched during the operation.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, expressed thanks to all stakeholders for their commitment to prioritising the safety and security of the citizens and in the process sent out a clear message that, the long arm of the law will not be selective.

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Picture: Two rifles allegedly found in possession of one of the suspects/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

Two suspects were arrested for unlawful possession of firearms and business burglary on 5 January 2024. The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said on Friday morning, the Klerksdorp Tactical Response Team and BIU security officers, received a tip-off regarding a suspect, who had firearms in Extension 3, Ikageng Township, near Potchefstroom.

Mokgwabone said the police went to the identified place for a search. He further said upon being asked if there was something he needed to declare before the search, the suspect informed the police that there were guns underneath the bed.

“As a result, the bed was lifted and three rifles fell to the ground. The suspect was then arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms and 72 different ammunition. The operation also led to the apprehension of the suspect’s friend in connection with a burglary business that was allegedly committed at a bar in Ikageng Township.

“Further investigation linked the firearms with a break-in committed last month in Potchefstroom. The suspects are expected to appear in the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on 8 January 2024 for unlawful possession of firearm and burglary business respectively,” he said.

Mokgwabone added that, in Swartruggens, the police also received a tip-off on 3 January 2024, regarding a man who was in possession of a firearm. He said Kgotlaetsile Selebogo (22) was eventually questioned and took the police to his friend in Extension 4, Borolelo Township.

“Selebogo’s friend took the police to a neighbour’s place, where a 9mm pistol with the magazine was found under the tree. He was arrested and successfully linked with a burglary committed in Swartruggens on 23 December 2023.

“Selebogo briefly appeared before the Swartruggens Magistrate’s Court on 5 January 2024 for unlawful possession of a firearm and burglary residential. Selebogo was remanded in custody and his case was postponed to 10 January 2024,” said Mokgwabone.  

The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, thanked all members involved, including security officers for swift and collaborative efforts to remove the firearms from the wrong hands.

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Picture: The poisoned cattle/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

Six accused persons were arrested for poisoning 44 cattle in Morokweng village, near Ganyesa on 4 January 2024. The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said, the arrests come after the establishment of a task team by the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, to investigate the existence of a stock theft syndicate in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.

Mokgwabone said the accused persons, Lobelo Setlhabetsi (48), Moses Monchusi (47), Karabo Ditlamelo (31), Tshepiso Masite (32) Sarel De Lange (21), and White Basime (42), are all linked with malicious damage to property case, in which Keobakile Kenosi is the accused.

He further said the accused persons were arrested in Morokweng and Ganyesa for theft in general, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful possession of firearms, and malicious property damage. 

“The crimes were committed between August 2022 and January 2024.  Four of the six accused persons are facing a charge of theft general after they allegedly stole a JoJo water tank worth R5 500 in Boshoek between 23 and 27 August 2023.

“The other two accused persons are facing separate charges of unlawful possession of ammunition and unlawful possession of a firearm. They were arrested in Ganyesa and Morokweng respectively after being found in possession of ammunition and a shotgun on 4 January 2024,” said Mokgwabone.

He added that, at the time of the arrest, the police were looking for the suspects in connection with malicious damage to property cases allegedly committed in Boshoek in August 2022. Mokgwabone said that one of the accused is facing an additional charge of malicious damage to property committed in October 2023.

“The reports suggest that the suspects intentionally bumped a private security company’s vehicle from the rear and pelted it with stones. During the arrest, the police confiscated a Toyota Hilux D/Cab bakkie, ammunition, and two firearms. 

“They all appeared in the Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on 5 January 2024 and remanded in custody until 9 January 2024,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, commended the police for their diligence and ongoing delivery of their mandate to ensure that, alleged perpetrators are brought to book.

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Picture: The 9mm firearm allegedly found beneath the spare wheel/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

Two suspects aged 30 and 36 were arrested for armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition during a tactical crime intelligence-driven operation by the Brits Trio Task Team and Operational Coordination Centre on 5 January 2024.

The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said the police received a tip-off regarding the whereabouts of the suspects involved in a robbery committed at a butchery in Mmakau. Mokgwabone further said the suspects were apprehended in Mabopane Block B and Beirut.

“The police also confiscated a white Toyota Yaris vehicle, which was seemingly used during the commission of the crime. During the search of the said vehicle, a black 9mm Vector firearm with five ammunition was found in the boot underneath the spare wheel.

“Further investigation into the matter, linked the suspects with a business robbery allegedly committed in Garankuwa in December 2023, as well as similar offences committed in and around Soshanguve and Akasia,” he said.

Mokgwabone added that, the suspects are expected to appear in the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 8 January 2024 for armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, thanked the police for their collaboration and their valuable role in sending out a clear message through arrests that those who commit crimes will not be spared.

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