POLOKWANE – A total of 101 suspects between the ages of 19 and 50 were arrested in the city on Saturday for various crimes.
Among those arrested, were 28 illegal immigrants, nine drunk drivers, 55 public drinkers, six drug (dagga) related offenders and three who were found in possession of dangerous weapons.
The local police and community policing structures launched Operation ‘Wu Kwihi Nawu’, translated from XiTsonga as “Where is the law?” during the night, by performing roadblocks involving stop-and-search patrols across the city, and the Westenburg, Seshego and Mankweng policing areas.
“The aim is to crack down on suspects involved in illegal mining, drugs, related contact crimes and crime in general,” spokesperson Lt. Col Malesela Ledwaba confirmed.
The operation was conducted with the support of other law enforcement agencies including the Traffic Department, Correctional Services, the security cluster, private security, the Department of Home Affairs, Health, traditional authorities, the Polokwane Municipality as well Community Policing Forums.
Two other suspects were arrested in Seshego for assault with the intention to commit grievous bodily harm, and a toy gun was also recovered.
Police also arrested male and female foreign nationals in Westenburg for possession of unregistered medicines after they were found in possession of 249 bottles of Broncleer cough syrup. Their vehicle was also confiscated.
“In addition, fines were issued for non-compliance in terms of the Liquor Act, and admission of guilt fines worth R6 000 were paid. Two summonses were issued for the contravention of the Road Traffic Act. Confiscated items include liquor, knives, a toy gun, dagga and unregistered medicines,” Ledwaba added.
Detectives who were at the helm of other investigations, separate from this operation, on May 22-28 and which focused on tracing wanted suspects, resulted in the arrest of 477 suspects for serious crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, assault with the intention to do grievous bodily harm, robberies, carjacking, rape, fraud, burglary, malicious damage to property and theft.
