Gang members in their late teens behind bars
Police: Can you imagine if the suspect we arrested was to get a hold of the learner he was looking for?
The Bekkersdal Police vow zero tolerance this year for gang-related crimes in schools and they will make an example of anyone who breaks the rules.
Five suspects between the ages of 17 to 20 were arrested by police after they were caught armed with knives,” said Linkie Lefakane, Bekkersdal Police spokesperson.
The incident occurred at 10am last Wednesday just two weeks after the schools reopened for the new year.
“It is alleged that Sargeant Mokhabukhi and Constable Magoro were performing their normal duties when they received a complaint of people heavily armed around the school in Simunye near Westonaria,” Lefakane said.
The police immediately responded and on arrival, the group had already dispersed. The principal of the school gave the officers information regarding the whereabouts of one of the suspects and they followed suit.
The suspect was traced and when the police confronted him, he gave up his accomplice.
They all confessed they belong to a gang called Crazy Night West,” Lefakane explained.
The members of the gang were all found in possession of dangerous weapons. They were subsequently arrested and will be charged with being in possession of dangerous weapons.
The Bekkersdal Police have a plan of action for gangsterism in schools in the area. They have recently reached out to a troubled school in Bekkersdal.
“We really don’t want to see these children behind bars and we want to stop it before anything even happens. Can you imagine if the suspect we arrested was to get a hold of the pupil he was looking for?”
The police currently have a project running in a school around the area. The Adopt a School and Safer School Desk work hand-in-hand; one police officer works with a school and the school lets him or her know about anything happening in the school that can be potentially criminal and thereafter the officer will dispatch.
The Bekkersdal Police also go around to schools giving talks about crime and getting involved in gangsterism.
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Also read:
Weapons found in Randfontein school raid
VIDEO: Pupil stabbed at local school
Man arrested for dangerous weapon
Resident attacked by gang armed with knives
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