Lentswe, Klerksdorp - It was an action-packed festive season for the police with more than 3 000 people arrested within the last weeks of 2023 and first week of 2024 in the province. Some 1 250 suspects were arrested between December 21 and 27, another 1 122 between December 26 and 31 and yet another 979 between January 1 and 7.
“The suspects over Christmas were amongst others, arrested for rape, murder, assault GBH, malicious damage to property, burglary residential and business premises, theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle, theft out of / from motor vehicle and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“Of the 1 250 suspects, 399 were wanted for contact crimes like murder, attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, assault common, house robbery and business robbery. Furthermore, 169 suspected undocumented persons were taken in for processing,” said Capt Sam Tselanyane.
The operation also resulted in the confiscation of mandrax tablets, Crystal Meth, five dangerous weapons, six handguns, one rifle, ammunition, cellular phone, liquor and copper cables.
The suspects who were arrested over New Year’s weekend were arrested for serious crimes such as murder, burglary, theft and assault. Eleven motorists were arrested for driving under the influence and 386 were nabbed during raids at hot spots.
“More than 3 000 litres of liquor and 14 000 grams of mandrax, crystal meth and cocaine were seized,” said Brig Sabata Mokgwabone.
Those arrested between January 1 and 7 were arrested for crimes such as rape, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and common, murder, robbery aggravating, burglary residential and business, drug related offences, illegal dealing in liquor, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and unlawful possession of firearms, among others.
Of the 979 suspects, 276 were arrested during detective suspect raiding operations.
During the actions executed, items such as two vehicles, seven firearms, 536 ammunition, a variety of drugs including 32 mandrax tablets, 750 packets of tobacco products, liquor and nine cell phones were confiscated.
Regarding suspected undocumented persons, 27 of them were handed over to the immigration officials for further processing.
Furthermore, a total of 27 premises, 2 311 persons and 1 385 vehicles were searched.
