24 November 2024– Two Zimbabwean foreign nationals aged 47 and 50, were arrested for being in possession of illicit cigarettes worth R1.6 million. The suspects were arrested but the Potchefstroom Crime Intelligence, Potchefstroom Flying Squad, and Ventersdorp Visible Policing during a crime intelligence-led operation 22 November 2024.
According to the North West police spokesperson, Colonel Amanda Funani, Ventersdorp Visible Policing received a tip-off regarding a suspicious Volvo Truck, that was traveling from Rustenburg to Gauteng Province. Funani said a follow-up was made, and the truck was spotted and stopped along the R30 road for a search.
“During the search, the police discovered 124 boxes containing 50 cartons of Remington gold cigarettes worth R1.6 million inside the truck. As a result, two suspects were arrested after failing to account for the possession.
“The pair is expected to appear before the Ventersdorp Magistrate’s Court on 25 November 2024,” she said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the units involved for working together in the fight against illicit economic activities. Kwena said the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) is investigating.
“The public is urged to report Crime by calling the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or the MySAPS application anonymously. Extortion-related incidents can be reported on the Extortion hotline on 080 091 1011.
Five Suspects have been arrested for house robbery, kidnapping, extortion and unlawful possession of firearms in Stilfontein on 26 April 2024.
The suspects were arrested during the multi-disciplinary team comprising of Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Detectives and Hostage Negotiators, Khuma Detectives, Provincial Crime Intelligence, Potchefstroom Flying Squad, District Illicit Mining Task Team, Klerksdorp Tactical Response Team (TRT), as well as Harmony Gold and BIU Security employees.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the arrests stem from an incident wherein, four armed men allegedly stormed into a house in Extension 6, Khuma Township on Thursday evening, 25 April 2024. Mokgwabone further said the suspects allegedly threatened the mother, then robbed her of R6 500 cash and took her son (19)’s cell phone.
“Furthermore, the son was kidnapped and put in the family’s silver Toyota Corolla, which they also used to flee from the scene. Soon after the incident was reported to the police, the suspects used the son’s cell phone to call the family demanding ransom.
“With the involvement of hostage negotiators, a drop-off point was agreed upon after the suspects reduced the ransom amount. The team tactically kept an observation until a man was allegedly spotted walking from a panel beat workshop, then took the money and ran back,” he said.
Mokgwabone added that, the police finally arrested two suspects and recovered the state money and seized a silver Volkswagen GTI suspected to have been used during the commission of the crimes. He said the preliminary investigations led the police to Extension 3, Alabama Township in Klerksdorp, where two men got out of a white Toyota Camry and ran away when they saw the police.
“However, the police chased and apprehended the pair after one of them was shot on the leg. The kidnapping victim’s cell phone was discovered in the vehicle, while he (the victim) was found unharmed in the boot of the Camry.
“The injured suspect was taken to hospital, where he is under police guard. Investigations further led the police to a house in Extension 13, Kanana Township in Orkney, where two 9mm Glock pistols and a 38 special revolver, all with serial numbers filed off, were seized,” said Mokgwabone.
He said the suspect was arrested for unlawful possession of firearms. Mokgwabone said moreover, the family’s Toyota Corolla was found abandoned near Rex Flats at Extension 2 in Jouberton Township, Klerksdorp.
“Three Mozambicans and two South Africans aged between 29 and 38, are expected to appear in the Stilfontein and Orkney Magistrate’s Courts on 29 April 2024. The police are also verifying the legal status of Mozambican nationals in the country,” said Mokgwabone.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded the police for working around the clock to arrest the suspects, reunite the kidnapped victim with the family. Kwena also lauded the police for confiscating illegal firearms that are often used to commit violent and serious crimes.
The Guardian 