Odirile Jerry Masinga (23), Elvis Moremi Mogoe (47), Tumisang Lucas Mokone (34) and Tshepo Andrew Mpudi (30) appeared before the Rustenburg and Bafokeng Magistrates’ Courts respectively on Friday, 1 October 2021 on various charges after being arrested by the District Trio Task Team working together the Rustenburg Public Order Police (POP) and Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU).
It is alleged that a follow-up on information received on Tuesday, 28 September 2021, led the team to the first address in Mmupudu Street, Tlhabane West where a silver Kia Rio vehicle was found and inspected. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the VIN number plate was shifted. Further investigations by the VCIU, revealed that the vehicle was hijacked in August 2021 in Yeoville, Gauteng Province. The suspect, Elvis Moremi Mogoe (47), was arrested on Thursday, 30 September 2021, for being in possession of a suspected stolen vehicle. He appeared before the Bafokeng Magistrates’ Court in Tlhabane on Friday, 1 October 2021, and was remanded in custody until Friday, 8 October 2021.
On Wednesday, 29 September 2021, the team went back to Mmupudu Street and searched a vehicle. During the search, ammunition and a signal jammer were found and seized. Tshepo Andrew Mpudi (30) was arrested and appeared before the Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 1 October 2021, for unlawful possession of ammunition and possession of a signal jammer. He was released and warned to reappear before the same court on Tuesday, 5 October 2021.
In another incident on Thursday, 30 September 2021, the team went to an address in Motsatsi Street, Tlhabane and conducted a search at a shack leading to the discovery of a 9mm Browning pistol with two rounds of ammunition as well as a CZ Lugar, 9mm pistol, with nine rounds. Three suspects; Odirile Jerry Masinga (23), Elvis Moremi Mogoe (47) and Tumisang Lucas Mokone (34) were arrested for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. They were all upon appearance before the Bafokeng Magistrates’ Court in Tlhabane, remanded in custody until Monday, 4 Octobet 2021. The accused include Elvis Moremi Mogoe who was arrested in Mmupudu Street for possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded the Units for their collaboration that resulted in the achievement of successes and indicated that the police will continue to work hard to ensure that illegal firearms are removed from the hands of criminals. He also urged the public to immediately report theft or loss of their firearms to the police.
Source: South African Police Service