GQEBERHA - The SAPS in Nelson Mandela Bay achieved significant successes in combatting crime and arresting suspects during weekend Operation Sikhona operations.
During a multi-disciplinary operation at approximately 18:00 on Friday, 10 February 2023, SAPS Bethelsdorp members followed up on information in Hazelnut Street, Jacksonville. On arrival, a suspect was seen jumping over a wall when he saw the police. He was apprehended in a backstreet and was found in possession of 38 mandrax tablets, 29 half and 22 quarter mandrax tablets, 17 packets of tik, one packet of cocaine and schedule six medication. The estimated value of the drugs are R8600. The suspect (31) was detained for illegal possession of drugs as well as under the Medicine Control Act; illegal possession of prescriptive medication.
Also on Friday, at approximately 22:55, SAPS Walmer members and a private security company arrested one suspect, aged 22, on charges of housebreaking in Moore Street, Walmer. The members followed up on information obtained and on Saturday, 11 February 2023 at approximately 11:00, police visited an address in Walmer location, where they recovered all the stolen goods, plasma tv, cellphones and kettle. Two suspects aged 30 and 32 were arrested on charges of possession of suspected stolen property.
On Saturday, the SAPS Anti-Gang unit operationalised information and at approximately 09:25, they searched a house in Chatty 5, Booysens Park. Two firearms and one replica firearm, various calibre magazines and ammunition were confiscated. The suspect (40) was arrested on charges of possession of prohibited firearms and illegal possession of ammunition.
Also on Saturday at about 14:10, SAPS Gqeberha K9 unit, were patrolling in Missionvale when they were informed by SAPS Mount Road detectives and the complainant of a robbery in Uitenhage Road. The members followed up on information and the suspects fitting the description were spotted in Corsa Street Missionvale. As the suspects noticed the SAPS vehicle they started to run. The suspects were chased on foot and all three suspects aged between 17 and 18 were apprehended. The members also confiscated the cell phones that was stolen during the robbery. A 9mm pistol was also found, allegedly disposed of by the suspects as they fled. They are detained on a charge of robbery.
Bethelsdorp members arrested a 32-year-old suspect on Saturday 11 February 2023 at approximately 20:35, while patrolling in Siebrits Street, Bethelsdorp. A white Ford Focus was stopped in Stanford Road, Aspen Heights and searched. A total of 250 mandrax tablets was found in possession of the suspect.
All the arrested suspects will be appearing in their respective magistrate courts on Monday, 13 February 2023.
The Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Maj Gen Vuyisile Ncata welcomed the arrests and applauded the persistence of the operational members who are resolute in cleaning up the metro of illegal firearms and drugs.
Source: South African Police Service