Since New Year’s Day, police members in the Northern Cape confiscated drugs worth hundreds of thousands and arrested many suspects in various crimes as part of Operation Vala Konke.
Capt Olebogeng Tawana, police spokesperson, said some of the successes of recent police actions are:
- On Thursday, 5 January, two male suspects were arrested by members of the ZF Mgcawu District task team, K9 Unit, Paballelo Visible Policing and Upington Border Police after being found in possession of dagga with an estimated street value of R156 250.
- In Deben, police pounced on crystal meth with an estimated street value of R17 100, as well as copper cables weighing 4 kg. This resulted in the detention of several suspects.
- Another suspect was found in possession of dagga with an estimated street value of R2 300 in Mapoteng Village near Mothibistad.
- A 26-year-old suspect was arrested by members of Kathu Visible Policing for being in the possession of suspected stolen property. This includes bicycles, laptops, a television set, computer monitors, an I-pad, shoes, a hammer, and crystal meth.
- A joint operation by members of Marydale and Prieska Visible Policing yielded positive results when they arrested a 29-year-old foreign national for dealing in drugs. The suspect was found in possession of crystal meth with an estimated street value of more than R22 000.
- Detectives across the Pixley Ka Seme District, with the assistance of Visible Policing members, embarked on daily wanted suspect tracing operations. During the tracing actions, 24 suspects were apprehended.
- Suspects were arrested in Sunrise, Noupoort, Campbell and Strydenburg. These suspects have been evading arrest and failed to appear before various courts as warned by Magistrate Courts. They are facing charges ranging from murder, attempted murder, theft, malicious damage to property, rape, assault to cause grievous bodily harm, robbery, and contravention of protection order.
Over New Year’s weekend, operational members displayed high police visibility across the province.
Several suspects were brought to book for various crimes ranging from rape, murder, attempted murder, business robbery, stock theft, theft, house breaking, traffic violations and dealing in dagga.
These arrests were executed from New Year’s Eve until Tuesday, 3 January, said Tawana. In this period, drugs with an estimated street value of more than R770 000 were confiscated from various drug peddlers across the districts. Drugs confiscated include crystal meth, dagga, cocaine and mandrax tablets.
One suspect was caught red-handed while slaughtering a stolen sheep.
Members also conducted static roadblocks, vehicle check points and compliance inspections at liquor outlets. Several motorists were also issued with fines for contravention of the Road Traffic Act.
Among other items, crystal meth, dagga and dangerous weapons were confiscated at the static roadblocks.
The Northern Cape provincial commissioner, Lt. Gen. Koliswa Otola, applauded the members for their relentless efforts and diligence in the execution of their operational duties.
She also thanks the community for their support and cooperation during this period.
