In a continuous effort to reclaim and stamp the authority of the State, a high density crime combating operation dubbed “Operation Tlotla Molao” which was conducted between Thursday, 10 and Friday, 11 October 2019, resulted in the arrest of 13 suspects aged between 18 and 65.
The suspects were arrested for various offences including burglary, assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and malicious damage to property. The crimes were allegedly committed between 2014 and 2019 and Warrant of Arrests had already been issued on some of the cases after the suspects failed to appear in court.
The other three suspects including a 65 year old woman were nabbed for possession and in dealing in drugs. The old woman was arrested after being found in possession of drugs (dagga) at Extension 5. In another drug related case, a 52 year old man was arrested after being found in possession of 102 mandrax tablets at Extension 10. That was after the police searched the suspect’s premises and eventually found the drugs in his vehicle, a Ford Ranger. Furthermore, a fine of R1 500.00 was issued to the owner of a liquor outlet for contravention of the Liquor Act.
The arrests bring to 36, a total number of suspects apprehended since Monday, 30 September 2019 to ensure that those who commit crime are pursued and prosecuted. The first 22 suspects were arrested in connection with cases that emanated from acts of vigilantism and public violence earlier this year in Bloemhof.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Bloemhof Magistrates’ Court.
Meanwhile, provincial suspect raiding operation conducted between Wednesday, 9 and Thursday, 10 October 2019 led to apprehension of 241 suspects including 31 for crimes against women and children.
The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane welcomed the arrests and said that “Operation Tlotla Molao”, want not only to send a very strong message that those who commit crime will have no space to hide. She emphasised that acts of criminality which often, as it happened in Bloemhof earlier this year, lead to vicious destruction of properties including Essential Infrastructure, disruption of developmental projects, basic services and schooling will not be tolerated. She further discouraged the use of social media platforms to incite violence and mobilisation of members of the community to commit crime especially youth as this will eventually lead to arrest, prosecution and ultimately a criminal record. “We are therefore calling upon all members of society to not only avoid being part of these criminality, but to join the legally established crime prevention structures in building safer communities,” said Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane.
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