Klerksdorp Record, Orkney - It was a busy long weekend for the police in the province.
The Anti-Gang Unit arrested three Lesotho foreign nationals in Kanana on Friday morning April 25, after being found in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The first suspect, Rethabile Johannes Ntoyi, was arrested for illegal possession of a Norinco firearm with eight rounds of ammunition. The other two suspects, Seronthe Nthipu, and Thabo Mphinyame, were found in possession of an unlicensed revolver, four rounds of ammunition and spent 9mm cartridge.
All three accused, Ntoyi (39), Nthipu (30) and Mphinyame (40), appeared in the Orkney Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday April 29. They were all remanded in custody until May 9 for further investigation.
Police were active in all the province’s districts and included the setting of roadblocks on all the national and provincial arterial roads, tracing of wanted suspects, stop and searches and compliance inspections at liquor selling outlets and closing of unlicensed liquor premises.
“The operations, which were conducted under the Operation Shanela resulted in the arrest of 667 suspects and recoveries, of among others, 12 rounds of ammunition, drugs, three shotguns, 57 cell phones, liquor and other contraband such as cigarettes. Out of 667 suspects, 35 were nabbed for driving under influence of alcohol or drugs, seven for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, 56 for possession of drugs, 17 for illegal dealing in liquor, 69 for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH), 41 for common assault, five for murder and 14 for burglaries at residential and business premise,” said Brig Sabata Mokgwabone.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in North West, Major General Patrick Asaneng, is once again calling upon the communities in the Matlosana Municipality including Community Policing Forums and ward councillors not to harbour illegal foreigners who are in the main involved is serious violent crimes such as murders, robberies and damage of essential infrastructure.
“These suspects are often arrested in possession of illegal firearms including automatic rifles smuggled into area and which are not traceable due to them not being in the Central Registry database,” concluded Asaneng.
