NOORDWESTER – LICHTENBURG - The Police in the North West Province working with other law enforcement agencies conducted the weekly high density intelligence led joint law enforcement operations throughout the province between Monday, 21 and Monday, 27 April.
The operations covered all the province’s districts and included the setting of roadblocks on all the national and provincial arterial roads, tracing of wanted suspects, stop and searches and compliance inspections at liquor selling outlets and closing of unlicensed liquor premises.
The operations, which were conducted under the Operation Shanela resulted in the arrest of 667 suspects and recoveries, of among others, 12 rounds of ammunition, drugs, three shotguns, 57 cell phones, liquor and other contraband such as cigarettes. Out of 667 suspects, 35 were nabbed for driving under influence of alcohol or drugs, seven for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, 56 for possession of drugs, 17 for illegal dealing in liquor, 69 for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH), 41 for common assault, five for murder and 14 for burglaries at residential and business premises.
The Anti-Gang Unit arrested three Lesotho foreign nationals on Friday morning, 25 April, after being found in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The first suspect, Rethabile Johannes Ntoyi, was arrested for illegal possession of a Norinco firearm with eight rounds of ammunition.
The other two suspects, Seronthe Thipe, and Thabo Mphinyame, were found in possession of an unlicensed revolver, four rounds of ammunition and spent 9mm cartridge.
All three accused: Rethabile Ntoyi (39) Seronthe Nthipu (30), and Thabo Mphinyame (40) appeared in the Orkney Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 29 April. They were all remanded in custody until Friday, 9 May, for further investigation.
