BRITS POS – BRITS - As part of stamping the authority of the state, the weekly High-Density Operation Shanela 2 conducted between Monday, 15 September and Sunday, 21 September, resulted in the arrest of 1 038 suspects for different transgressions across North West. “This included stop and searches, roadblocks, vehicle check points (VCPs), high-visibility patrols including foot patrols, the tracing of wanted suspects as well as visits to liquor outlets, taverns, and second-hand goods premises,” says Colonel Adéle Myburgh, spokesperson for SAPS North West.
“The arrested suspects included 21 for murder, 10 for robbery, 43 for rape, 275 for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH), 70 for common assault, 12 for burglary at business and residential premises, 19 for illegal possession of firearms, 30 for driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, 76 for contravention of the Immigration Act, 24 for illegal dealing in liquor and 129 for possession of drugs.
“Of the 1 038 suspects, 489 were circulated wanted suspects and nabbed by Detectives after being linked to the committed crimes through forensic DNA and other leads.
Furthermore, police confiscated 18 firearms, 82 fireworks, three vehicles, 99 rounds of ammunition, three cellular phones, tablets, laptops, liquor and a variety of drugs and tobacco products.”
In another separate incident, conducted at Freedom Park, Phase 1, Phokeng on Thursday night, 18 September, by Rustenburg Public Order Police (POP), led to the search and arrest of two males and the recovery of two firearms, ammunition, explosives as well as dye-stained money. Itu Monjane (33) and Nelson Lahlewe Huahwa (34) appeared before the Bafokeng Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 22 September, on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, explosives and dye-stained money. The pair was remanded in custody and will apply for bail at their next court appearance.
Ongoing investigations by the Murder and Robbery Unit in Nietverdiend concerning the Masebudula incident, led to the recovery of a R1 and R5 rifle with 25 rounds of ammunition on Saturday, 20 September. Investigations are continuing.
Thank you to all police officers and other role players for their continuous efforts to confiscate illegal firearms, which are used to commit violent and serious crimes,” concludes the Acting Provincial Commissioner of the North West, Major General Dintletse Molefe.
