Criminals removed from city hotspots

Criminals were in for a nasty surprise on Tuesday morning when Police joined by members of Nirvana Community Policing Forum (CPF), representatives of local security companies and other crime fighting structures closed in on certain hotspots in the city resulting in the arrest of close to 50 suspects.
Focussing on various crimes within the city centre the operation started in Church Street where four suspects were apprehended at two vacant houses.
The second spot, the park between Thabo Mbeki and Grobler streets adjacent to Motor City, resulted in high drama when the area was approached from all angles to ensure that no suspect has a chance of escaping. Suspects who tried to make a dash for it in the direction of Nikkel Street ran right into the arms of crime fighters. Eighteen suspects were taken into custody and transported to the local Police station.

The convoy then departed to College Street where street vendors, vehicles and students were searched. A suspect in possession of a number of sachets of dagga was arrested. It was made clear by Police on the scene that the area is of big concern as pushers are seen selling dagga and drugs to students on a daily basis.
The last target was the Indian Centre where they planned on cornering possible nyaope smugglers. The team split into two groups with one awaiting fleeing suspects next to the railway adjacent to the taxi rank. A number of suspects attempted to evade arrest but team members quickly mobilised and hunted them down on foot. More than ten suspects, one of whom was found in possession of a knife, were apprehended and taken to Polokwane Police Station.

Information received informed that the operation had focussed on crimes such as possession of dagga, drugs, suspected stolen property and dangerous weapons.
A preliminary breakdown indicated that 37 persons had been apprehended for smoking dagga, seven for illegal gambling, one for possession of suspected stolen property, one for possession of a dangerous weapon and one for contravention of the Immigration Act.

Story/photos: RC Myburgh
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