Police in the Northern Cape clamped down on crime by executing numerous drug raids, roadblocks, random vehicle check points(VCP), mass patrols, mall visits and pouncing on all crime hot spots areas during the Christmas weekend. During the long weekend, all five districts namely Frances Baardt, Pixley Ka Seme, John Taolo Gaetsewe, Namakwa and ZF Mcgawu saw a huge amount of criminals arrested for various crimes. Some of the successes included the arrest of three males traveling in a black Peugeot 207 that was spotted at the VCP in Douglas and seemed hesitant to pass. Douglas SAPS, POPS, VCIU, K9 and Visible Policing members immediately responded and managed to arrest the suspects with 33kg of dagga and also confiscated the vehicle. The vigilant Douglas SAPS also seized another White VW Golf that allegedly had the identification tampered with. During visible policing patrols in Kakamas police spotted a suspicious looking male and searched the bag he was carrying and found R100 000-00 worth of dagga. The 17-year-old foreign male suspect was arrested. In Nababeep police followed up on information and raided a premises and found 35 dagga plants and some loose dagga worth R35 000 with one male arrested. In a separate incident in Okiep one suspect was also arrested for allegedly cultivating a large dagga plantation. In Club 2000 in Galeshewe the Security Intelligence and Kimberley POP raided a house and seized 13 plastic bags of Tik worth about R5000 and arrested a 36-year-old male. De Aar POP and Sunrise SAPS raided and closed down some shebeens in Sunrise after confiscating liquor and homemade brew. The owners were also issued with R1500 fines for illegal dealing in alcohol. In Marydale, two males and one female was arrested in three separate incidents for possession of a substantial amount drugs and dagga. In Steynville, Hopetown police spotted a suspicious looking black VW Polo that failed to stop when it was flagged down by the SAPS. A high-speed chase ensued and the vehicle was eventually stopped and searched. Police found four slaughtered ewes worth R12 000-00 in the vehicle and arrested three males, including a police official. In Kuruman the SAPS followed up on information and raided a hair salon and arrested one suspect with drugs worth approximately R10 000-00. All the mentioned suspects will be appearing in their respective courts soon. “The Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Lt Gen Koliswa Otola reiterated that with the assistance of Traffic Departments, Home Affairs, Nature Conservation, Community Police Forums, the Community in Blue and all other relevant role players hundreds of vehicles were stopped and searched during roadblocks and VCP’s throughout the province and a substantial amount of fines were issued where persons were found to be in contravention of the law. More boots on the ground gaining momentum resulting in enhanced police visibility, clamping down on crime and ensuring that our communities are and feel safe during this festive season and beyond, said Gen Otola.” |
