On going operations to assert the Authority of the State through the Integrated National Plan and which seeks to combat general lawlessness and anarchy has resulted in the arrests of 150 suspects during track and recovery operations held last night in Jouberton and Sannieshof.
The operations were conducted to recover goods that were looted from various businesses during the day and to apprehend suspects involved in the commission of crime.
Recovered goods include groceries, clothes, liquor, cash dispensing machine, vehicles used in the transportation of stolen goods, a casket as well as equipment which was robbed from South African Broadcasting (SABC) television crew in Jouberton, Extension 1. The equipment which is worth R300 000,00 was found at a residence in Extension 20 following positive information given to the police.
These recoveries and arrests follow those made last week in Mmabatho and Mahikeng where material stolen from a looted local hardware business was recovered.
These arrests now bring to more than 400, a total number of suspects apprehended in the North West since the outbreak of the violent marred protests in Mahikeng on Wednesday, 18 April 2018. The protests have since spread to other places such as Itsoseng, Delareyville, Taung, Pudimoe, Christiana, Dryharts, Khuma, Ikageng, Kanana, Alabama, Sannieshof, Jouberton, Schweizer-Reneke, Bakerville, Coligny and Blydeville.
The arrests include five suspects that were apprehended in Taung for attempted murder of a member of Community Policing Forum (CPF).
Arrested suspects are expected to appear before the courts in various parts of the province where they will among others, be facing charges of Sedition, contravention of Criminal Matters Amendment Act and possession of suspected stolen goods.
“With these arrests, the police would like to send a clear message that criminals will have no safe refuge. They will be tracked down and brought to justice to face the full might of the law. Law abiding citizens are encouraged and requested to isolate criminals who want to perpetuate anarchy and vicious destruction of innocent people’s properties. The SAPS in the North West will continue to execute its constitutional duties without fear or favour and anyone who incites others to break the law and thus subvert the authority of the state will be arrested” said North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane.
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