POTCHEFSTROOM: 17 February 2025 – “The SAPS focusses on enhanced crime prevention and combatting and will continue to have a zero-tolerance approach for criminals,” emphasised the Acting Provincial Commissioner of North West, Major General Patrick Asaneng.
“With heightened police visibility and crime prevention and combating actions like roadblocks as well as stop and searches between 10 and 16 February, 1 076 suspects were arrested,” advised Colonel Adéle Myburgh.
“Of 1 076 arrests, five were held for murder, five for attempted murder, three for rape, six for robberies, 40 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, 39 for malicious damage to property, 142 for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH), 69 for common assault, 24 for illegal mining, 18 for burglaries and many more other offences.
“Detectives also conducted raids that led to the arrest of 505 wanted suspects for business robbery, murder, rape, assault GBH and house robbery. During the operations, 300 premises, 2 169 persons, and 769 vehicles were searched. Furthermore, 290 high visibility patrols were conducted including 264 stop and searches while liquor premises and second-hand goods dealers were visited for compliance inspections. In total, 4 966 actions were executed in different crime focus areas.
“In Ikageng, police raided numerous liquor premises on Friday, 14 February, leading to the closure of eight illegal liquor outlets. Throughout the province 10 more unlicensed premises were shut down and 38 licensed liquor premises were inspected. Regarding second-hand goods dealers, 65 premises were also inspected,” concludes Colonel Myburgh.
