Day: January 2, 2023

POTCHEFSTROOM - A 27-year-old suspect is expected to appear before the Itsoseng Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 3 January 2023, on a charge of robbery.

The accused's court appearance stems from his apprehension on New Year’s Day after he and two other suspects allegedly robbed a Mini Market owner in Zone 1, Itsoseng, of an undisclosed amount of money and cellphones.

After the robbery, the suspects allegedly fled in a vehicle that was later traced by police, leading to the arrest of the suspect. Subsequently, the police seized a firearm, the vehicle and robbed cash. Investigations are continuing and more arrests are imminent.

The District Commissioner of Ngaka Modiri Molema, Major General Mmatlhapi Mmolawa, congratulated the members for their swift response and apprehension of the suspect. She said police will continue to work hard to ensure a safe environment during festive season and beyond.

Source: South African Police Service

KENTON ON SEA - The South African Police Service with the assistance from NSRI and other stakeholders are continuing with the Search and Recovery operation of the fourth body, after four children were allegedly swept out to sea and disappeared at the Kariega beach in Kenton on Sea on New Year's Day.

On Sunday afternoon, 1 January 2023, at about 17:00, police and the NSRI immediately responded to a complaint of drowning in progress (four children) at Kariega beach in Kenton On Sea.

It is said that three victims died after extensive Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation efforts were made. The search for the fourth victim (a nine-year-old boy) is continuing. The identities of the three deceased children aged between 11 and 12 years, will be released on completion of the formal identification process. Police opened inquest dockets for further investigation.

Source: South African Police Service

WESTERN CAPE - Efforts to keep communities safe during the festive season and to rid the streets from the illegal possession of firearms in the hands of criminals yielded positive results when members of Operation Restore were busy with stop and search operations in Kalossie Street, Rosendal, Delft on Sunday evening 01 January 2023 and arrested a 24-year-old male with an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The suspect saw the police approaching and attempted to flee, but was apprehended with a 9mm pistol and ammunition.

He will appear in the Bellville Magistrates court on Tuesday.

Source: South African Police Service

WESTERN CAPE - Safer Festive Season Operations with the strategic deployment of men and women in blue under the theme “More boots on the ground towards enhanced police visibility”, yielded excellent results with the arrest of 683 suspects and the confiscation of drugs with an estimated street value of R250 000 during crime combatting operations in the Garden Route District (GRD) which commenced on Tuesday, 27 December 2022 until this morning 02 January 2023.

Various police units which includes members attached to the Garden Route Crime Combatting Team, Rural Flying Squad, Public Order Police, Crime Intelligence, K9 and the station’s crime prevention units were deployed in a number of crime fighting efforts as part of the Western Cape police’s operational plan. It included roadblocks, vehicle check points, closing down of shebeens, compliance inspections at second-hand goods dealers, security companies and liquor licenced premises, high density patrols, foot patrols at malls and beaches. All operations were conducted in conjunction with Western Cape Provincial Traffic, Municipal Traffic and Law Enforcement of local authorities, security companies as well as community safety structures (neighbourhood watches, farm watches and street committees).

Substance abuse remains one of the biggest contributors to serious and violent crimes in this region. Focused operations led to the arrest of 141 suspects for drug related offences, 131 for possession of drugs and 10 for dealing in drugs. The forces confiscated 2570 mandrax tablets, 204 gram tik, 100 gram cocaine and 1,2 kilogram of dagga. More than 2000 dagga trees were also confiscated in crime vested areas. Other than this, police also confiscated just over 30 litres of liquor during the closing down of illegal outlets.

Road safety operations to ensure the safety of road users and pedestrians on highways, byways and secondary roads led to the arrest of seven suspects for driving motor vehicle whilst under the influence of liquor. Two stolen vehicle were also recovered.

The other arrests were for crimes reported during the period as well as minor offences. It includes the arrest of three suspects after stolen sheep were found in their possession.

All arrested suspects are expected to appear in their respective courts once charged.

The Safer Festive Season Operations forms part of concerted efforts by police to safeguard communities and visitors to the region as well as to curb serious and violent crimes normally reported during this period. This strategic deployment of police resources in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies will be sustained for the rest of the festive period and beyond.

Source: South African Police Service

WESTERN CAPE - Rural safety and effectiveness in partnership policing were on full display when police and farm watches joined forces in swift response to a stock theft incident reported on a Mossel Bay farm. The response landed a duo behind bars and the recovery of stolen sheep.

On Friday, 30 December 2022 members attached to the Kwanonqaba Crime Prevention unit, Oudtshoorn Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit in conjunction with various farm watches embarked on an operation after a suspicious red vehicle was spotted leaving a farm in the vicinity. Police members pursued the vehicle, a red Toyota Corolla during a chase along the N2 highway towards Mossel Bay. In an attempt to evade police the vehicle left the road, however it was brought to a halt when one occupant disembarked and fled the scene on foot. A search conducted on the vehicle led to the recovery of 5 sheep on the back seat and boot of the vehicle.

Police arrested one occupant found at the scene. The second suspects, allegedly the driver of the vehicle, freedom was short-lived after detectives assigned to the matter tracked him down, yesterday 01 January 2023 and arrested him.

The pair, 21 and 33, remains in police custody. They are expected to make their first court appearance in the Mossel Bay Magistrates’ court on Tuesday, 03 January 2023 on a charge of stock theft.

In an unrelated incident, on 28 December 2022 members of the Kwanonqaba police responded to information about a Volkswagen Golf which dropped of cattle at a residence at Kwanonqaba. Upon arrival at the premises they found four men slaughtering a sheep. The foursome were taken into custody and one, a 57-year-old man, charged with possession of stolen property and stock theft. The stolen sheep was later linked to a farm in the area.

Both cases are being probed by the Oudtshoorn Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit.

Western Cape police management lauded the collaboration with farm watches in the rural sector as well as the team for their persistence to arrest the perpetrators. These arrests are part of concerted efforts by police to eradicate stock theft which threatens farming community as well as the economy of this region.

Source: South African Police Service