By REGINALD KANYANE
6 May 2025- The weekly Joint Law Enforcement operations conducted under Operation Shanela, have resulted in the arrest of suspects and the seizure of illegal contrabands, including three illegal firearms, a variety of drugs, liquor and dangerous weapons.
In the space of a week from 28 April to 4 May 2025, a total of 919 suspects were arrested for a variety of crimes. The suspects, include 18 for murder, four for robberies, eight for attempted murders, 19 for burglaries, 103 for assaults, three for illegal dealing of drugs, 90 for possession of drugs, 17 for selling of liquor without license, 46 for driving under the influence of liquor, 33 for malicious damage to property and seven for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh said during these operations, 43 illegal migrants were apprehended for contravention of Section 49 of the Immigration Act, 2002 and are currently being processed through the courts before being deported by the department of Home Affairs back to their countries. Myburgh said 355 out of the 919 arrested suspects were circulated wanted suspects, after they were positively linked to the committed crimes through forensic DNA leads.
“In Tshidilamolomo and Atamelang, information received led the police to various addresses, where seven suspects were traced and three firearms confiscated.
“These firearms were allegedly stolen during a housebreaking and theft case reported between 12 and 20 September 2024, in Tshidilamolomo. Fredy Tsokonya (33), Donald Kamanyane (42), Hendrick Lethobeng (22), Aobakwe Mogwasi (18) and Tshepang Tsokonya (27), briefly appeared before the Molopo Magistrate’s Court in Mmabatho on charges of housebreaking and theft,” she said.
Myburgh further said they were all remanded in custody until their second court appearance on 9 May 2025. She added that Lawrence Rambo Gabonewe (35), who was found in possession of a firearm in Atamelang, appeared before the same court on 2 May 2025.
“He was granted R2000 bail and his next court appearance will be on 9 May 2025. The last suspect, Cacious Patrick Kamanyane (38), was also found in possession of two firearms in Tshidilamolomo and appeared before the Molopo Magistrate’s Court on a charge of possession of unlicensed firearms on 2 May 2025.
“He was granted R1000 bail and his next court appearance will be on 30 June 2025. The public is advised to report crime at your nearest police station or anonymously through the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or the MySAPS application,” said Myburgh.
She said extortion-related incidents can be reported on the Extortion hotline on 080 091 1011.
The Guardian 