Lentswe, Klerksdorp - The High Density Safer Festive Season Operation Shanela 2 continues to bear fruits as over 1 000 suspects were apprehended for various crimes in the province. In a notable incident, police received information about suspects who are in possession of unlicensed firearms, suspected to be involved in a spree of robberies, reported in Delarey-ville. The information was operationalised and on January 23 at about 22:00, the provincial Tracing Task Team, Lichtenburg K9 as well as Mahikeng Crime Intelligence pounced on them, when the vehicle they were traveling in had a puncture on the road between Delareyville and Vrisgewaagte.
Kegomoditswe Samuel Mooketsi (28), Mangaliso Godfrey Tubatsi (31), Falakhe James Khumalo (30) and Letlhogonolo Christopher Mosala (34) were arrested and charged with possession of unlicensed firearms after a search of their vehicle, a red Volkswagen Polo, led to the discovery of four firearms (all pistols) with serial numbers filed off as well as 22 rounds of ammunition.
Lt-Col Sam Tselanyane, police spokesperson, added they all appeared in the Delareyville Magistrate’s Court on Monday January 26 and were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on February 10 for a formal bail application. Investigation into the matter continues and linking the suspects to other cases are eminent.
The weekly actions and activities - between January 19 and 25 - included vehicle check points (VCP’s), stop and searches, roadblocks, tracing of wanted suspects, foot and vehicle patrols and compliance inspections that were conducted across the province.
This saw 1083 suspects arrested for crimes ranging from, among others, dealing in drugs, illegal dealing in liquor, robbery, murder, rape, assault GBH, assault common, burglaries at residential and businesses premises, theft off/out of motor vehicle, malicious damage to property, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and illegal migrants.
Furthermore, the dedication and commitment of the detectives to bring those who thought they can evade the long arm of the law, resulted in the tracing and arrest of 268 wanted suspects for serious crimes including murder, rape, assault GBH and illegal possession of firearms.
