Two suspects were arrested in Kimberley on Thursday, 10 November, for being in possession of copper cables worth R67 000.
Police of the Kimberley Visible Policing Unit were busy conducting stop and search, and random crime prevention duties in the Kimberley Central Business District when they spotted a vehicle parked near the scrapyard in Cecil Sussman Road in Kimberley.
Policing instincts by members lead them to tactically approach the vehicle and after searching it they found copper weighing 68 kg in the vehicle.
Capt. Olebogeng Tawana, police spokesperson, says the suspects were arrested for failing to prove the ownership of the copper cables. One of the suspect was found in possession of a licensed firearm.
The vehicle was confiscated as it was instrumental in the commission of crime. They were charged for damaging essential infrastructure under the Criminal Amendment Act.
The duo are expected to appear in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court soon.
The Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt. Gen. Koliswa Otola applauded police members for their vigilance and putting the suspects behind bars.
“This is a clear indication that more boots on the ground reaps success,” she says.
- In an unrelated case, Paul Conradie (39) received double life sentence in the Northern Cape High Court for raping and killing his biological mother.
This followed an incident on 2 February 2020 when the accused and the victim were consuming homemade ginger beer, said Capt. Olebogeng Tawana, police spokesperson.
According to evidence in court, Conradie later raped and killed his mother. He was arrested the following day.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lt. Gen. Koliswa Otola commended WO Attie Browers for his exceptional investigative work.
“Justice has been served. The country is currently facing a scourge of gender based violence. I am confident that the sentence will deter criminals committing crimes against women and children”, says Otola.
- In yet another unrelated case, Kediemetse Sehemo (53) received life sentence in the Taung Regional Court for raping a 74-year-old woman in February.
Capt. Olebogeng Tawana, police spokesperson, said according to evidence Sehemo broke into the victim’s house at approximately 23:30 and assaulted and raped her.
DNA evidence linked the accused with the crime scene.
On Tuesday, 8 November, Sehemo pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
The case was investigated by Sgt Sidwell Dastile.
- In another rape case, Katlego Kingsley Langa (38) was found guilty as charged on one count of rape and two counts of attempted rape by the Kathu Regional Court on Tuesday, 8 November. He also received life sentence.
The court heard that in March 2012 and January 2013 the accused attempted to rape a four-year-old and a seven-year-old girl.
The victims were rescued by the community members during these separate incidents.
In September 2016 the accused raped a nine-year-old boy.
Langa was declared unfit to possess a firearm and his name will be registered in the National Sexual Offences Register.
Sgt Jam Tyers was praised for the excellent investigative work.
