Lentswe, Klerksdorp - The police have their hands full during the winter break with hundreds arrested all over the province last week. The weekly Joint Law Enforcement operations conducted under Operation Shanela II, have resulted in the arrest of suspects and the seizure of illegal contrabands, including illegal firearms, a variety of drugs, liquor and dangerous weapons.
In the space of a week from July 7 to 13, a total of 894 suspects were arrested for a variety of crimes.
The suspects included 15 for murder, 19 for robberies, 11 for attempted murders, 21 for burglaries, 162 for assaults, five for illegal dealing of drugs, 178 for possession of drugs, 46 for selling of liquor without licences, 65 for driving under the influence of liquor, 14 for malicious damage to property and six for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
During these operations a total of 67 illegal migrants were apprehended for contravention 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.
According to Col Adele Myburgh, spokesperson, 411 out of the 894 arrested suspects were circulated wanted suspects, after they were positively linked to the committed crimes through forensic DNA leads.
On Monday evening, July 7, Provincial Anti-Gang Unit, Provincial Proactive Drug Operations Unit and Mahikeng Public Order Policing (POP) effected the warrant at an identified house in Lonely Park, Mahikeng. Police discovered a pistol with serial numbers filed off, ammunition and suspected crystal meth. Poloko Lentswana (23) was arrested and appeared in the Mmabatho Magistrates’ Court on charges of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition as well as possession of drugs on July 9. He was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on July 15.
The Acting Provincial Police Commissioner of the North West, Maj Gen Patrick Asaneng, said the targeted weekly Operation Shanela operations will continue not only to assert the authority of the state, but also maintain public order.
