Tag Archives: The acting North West Police Commissioner

North West High Court preservation order welcomed   

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

30 October 2025 – The acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo said he welcomes the preservation order granted by the North West High Court sitting in Mahikeng on 29 October. Naidoo said the order issued in terms of Section 38 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA),  1998 (Act No. 121 of 1998), preserves vehicles that were used as instruments of an offence listed in Schedule 1 of POCA.

He further said the preservation order follows incidents that occurred in Mmabatho on 11 September 2023. Naidoo added that after the establishment of a multidisciplinary team consisting of Provincial Organised Crime, Mmabatho Serious, Organised Crime and Provincial Crime Intelligence, the members conducted operations on identified targets around Mmabatho, Lomanyaneng and Mahikeng relating to drugs.

“The action led to the arrest of two Nigerian nationals during an undercover operation. From these operations, cash and two vehicles, a Volkswagen Polo and Volkswagen Vivo, which were allegedly used for trafficking of drugs, were seized.

“We welcome the preservation order and commend the Asset Forfeiture Unit, including the investigation team for their diligence in ensuring that criminals are deprived of the tools they use to commit crime. We further applaud the police and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), noting that such collaborative efforts are critical in dismantling drug trafficking networks and protecting communities from the scourge of illegal drugs,” he said.

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SAPS to investigates a case of alleged abuse of a destitute man

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Picture: The acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng

By BAKANG MOKOTO

21 August 2025- The acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng said he has instructed the Mahikeng Police Station Commander to contact both the SABC News and the North West Department of Social Development, to get information on the alleged robbery committed against the elderly man (77). Asaneng said he did this immediately upon seeing a video footage on the SABC News about a destitute man living in squalor in a village, outside Mahikeng.

He further said the South African Police Service (SAPS), which has a constitutional and legal duty to prevent, combat and investigate crimes, views this information in a very serious light and would want to immediately investigate the alleged abuse, harassment and attack of a vulnerable and defenceless old man so that those involved are identified and arrested. 

Asaneng added that the police are therefore, calling upon anyone who has information that could lead to the identification, arrest, and prosecution of the culprits, to call the SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or share information via MySAPS App.

“By remaining silent while knowing or being aware of this crime will only encourage those criminals to continue with their abhorrent deeds. Let us rise and work together to rid our communities of crime and criminals,” he said.

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Altercation between police officer and a civilian at Stilfontein Police Station probed

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

3 August 2025 – The acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng said he has just become aware of a video clip that is circulating, apparently showing a member of the South African Police Service (SAPS) at Stilfontein Police Station engaged in a verbal altercation with a member of the public. Asaneng is calling upon this individual who was at the police station to please come forward so that a formal investigation can be conducted to establish what led to the altercation.

“The exchange between this individual and a member of the police is unacceptable as it is expected of police officers and members of the public to work together and to respect one another. Therefore, it is important, if police community-relations are to be restored, that an investigation should be conducted to get to the veracity of this so that future incidents of this nature can be avoided,” he said.

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Breaking News: Police launch a manhunt for Stilfontein underground kingpin

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Picture: The fugitive, James Neo “TIGER” Tshoaeli

By BAKANG MOKOTO

20 January 2025- The acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng said he has ordered maximum resources to be mobilised in finding an alleged kingpin who resurfaced from shaft 11 in Stilfontein last week. Asaneng has also warned that heads will roll once they find those officials that aided the kingpin to escape from police custody after resurfacing from shaft 11.  

He further said extensive investigations and tracing operations are underway to find those officials, who aided his escape between shaft 11 and the Stilfontein Police Holding Cells. Asaneng added that, according to records, TIGER was never booked into various other stations, where some illegal miners are being kept.

“TIGER is also not admitted at a local hospital for further medical care. The alleged kingpin and ringleader is a Lesotho national and according to records, his name is James Neo Tshoaeli but is commonly known as TIGER.

“TIGER is being fingered in several statements as one of the ring leaders who controlled operations underground. He is also being accused by some illegal miners who resurfaced underground as him being allegedly responsible for some deaths, assault and torture that is alleged to have taken place according to videos in police possession,” he said.

Asaneng said TIGER is also alleged to have hoarded and kept food away from other illegal miners. He has expressed disappointment in what he terms as an embarrassment to the Vala Umgodi operation that has been running from December 2023.

 “I vow to ensure that those responsible for this escape from custody are brought to book and that TIGER is found. TIGER is a fugitive of justice and is considered dangerous.

“Members of the public are advised to share any information pertaining to his whereabouts to the Stilfontein Police Station,” said Asaneng.

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North West police officer gunned down!

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Picture: A police officer, the late Fundiswa Motlhaoleng/Facebook

By REGINALD KANYANE

15 January 2025 – The acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng conveys his heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, relatives and colleagues of the late Sergeant Fundiswa Motlhaoleng (45) who was allegedly gunned down on Tuesday afternoon, 14 January 2025, at Randlespark, Klerksdorp.

According to Asaneng, Motlhaoleng who is stationed at Jouberton Visible Policing and in full uniform, was shot by unknown suspects while in her private vehicle, on her way to work. He further said the incident took place on Taljaart Kruger Street, Randlespark, where three empty cartridges and ammunition were found.

“Motlhaoleng’s body was found with what appeared to be gunshot wounds on the right jaw and hand respectively. A black Volkswagen Polo vehicle with four occupants, was allegedly spotted driving off from the scene at a high speed.

“The motive of the incident is yet to be determined and no arrest has been effected and investigations into the matter by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) are underway,” said Asaneng.

He added that they condemn the incident, which he described as intolerable and callous, considering that the loss of a police officer impacts negatively on service delivery and the entire organisation. Asaneng ordered the investigation team to work around the clock to ensure that alleged perpetrators are arrested. “We remind our members to constantly be alert whether on or off-duty,” he said.

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