NELSPRUIT - A joint operation that was comprised of Standerton Community Policing Forum (CPF) members, Crime Prevention Unit and Detective Services responded to the community outcry in the area and managed to put seven suspects aged between 25 and 40 behind bars yesterday, Tuesday, 10 January 2023.

The suspects were nabbed for various crimes including housebreaking, possession of unlicensed firearms and for illegal possession of suspected drugs.

During the operation, police and CPF members managed to recover one firearm, electrical appliances including two laptops, four plasma TV's, a bag full of suspected clothing and suspected nyaope. The total value of the recovered items is estimated to be above R100 000-00.

All the arrested suspects are expected to make their first appearance at the Standerton Magistrate's Court tomorrow, Thursday 12 January 2023.

Meanwhile the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela was overwhelmed about the partnership between community structures and police. "I strongly believe that community members will now sleep peacefully as the suspects who terrorized the community are now removed from the streets," said the General.

Source: South African Police Service