Lentswe, Klerksdorp - The weekly Joint Law Enforcement operations conducted under Operation Shanela, resulted in the arrest of suspects and the seizure of illegal contraband, including three illegal firearms, a variety of drugs, liquor and dangerous weapons. In the space of a week, from April 28 to May 4, a total of 919 suspects were arrested for a variety of crimes.
The suspects include 18 for murder, four for robberies, eight for attempted murders, 19 for burglaries, 103 for assaults, three for illegal dealing of drugs, 90 for possession of drugs, 17 for selling of liquor without licences, 46 for driving under the influence of liquor, 33 for malicious damage to property and seven for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
“During these operations, 43 illegal migrants were apprehended for contravention of section 49 of the Immigration Act and are currently being processed through the courts before being deported by the department of Home Affairs back to their countries,” said Col Adéle Myburgh, police spokesperson.
She added 355 out of the 919 arrested suspects were circulated wanted suspects, after they were positively linked to the committed crimes through forensic DNA leads.
In Tshidilamolomo and Atamelang, information received led the police to various addresses, where seven suspects were traced and three firearms confiscated. These firearms were allegedly stolen during a housebreaking and theft case reported in September 2024, in Tshidilamolomo. Fredy Tsokonya (33), Donald Kamanyane (42), Hendrick Lethobeng (22), Aobakwe Mogwasi (18) and Tshepang Tsokonya (27) appeared in the Molopo Magistrates’ Court in Mmabatho on charges of housebreaking and theft. They were all remanded in custody until their second court appearance on May 9.
Lawrence Rambo Gabonewe (35) who was found in possession of a firearm in Atamelang, appeared in the same court on May 2. He was granted R2 000 bail and his next court appearance will be on May 9.
The last suspect, 38-year-old Cacious Patrick Kamanyane, was also found in possession of two firearms in Tshidilamolomo. He appeared in the Molopo Magistrates’ Court on a charge of possession of unlicensed firearms on May 2 and was granted R1 000 bail. His next court appearance will be on June 30.
The public is advised to report crime at the police station or anonymously through the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or the MySAPS application.
Extortion-related incidents can be reported on the Extortion hotline on 080 091 1011.
