National Police Commissioner, General Bheki Cele has applauded police for their achievements in preventing crime as well as arresting dangerous criminals, seizing weapons, drugs and ensuring convictions over the week.
Police in Gauteng followed up on information from the community and found two vehicles with a number of weapons and ammunition. The firearms included assault rifles, i.e. AK 47, R5 and a LM6 and a large amount of various types of ammunition. Police also seized reflective jackets belonging to the Johannesburg Metro Police Department, and one from the South African Police Service found together with a blue light, bullet proof vest (not police issued), balaclavas and hand gloves. Investigation into this seizure is still under way. The seizure was achieved less than 24 hours after having uncovered a major arms cache in the Centurion area. All the weapons will undergo ballistic testing to establish if they were used in the commission of any crimes.
A kidnapping incident, also in Gauteng recently, resulted in two victims being rescued by police and two Nigerians arrested. Mandrax tablets worth thousands of rands and cash found in possession of the two suspected Nigerians were also seized.
In KwaZulu-Natal, members of the National Mobile Rail Unit followed up information in Durban, which resulted in the seizure of R50 000 worth of dagga. They arrested three people, two for being in possession of narcotics and the third person for trying to bribe them with R9 740. In Ulundi, police arrested three suspects for having raped a 44-year-old woman.
In Mpumalanga, a man was arrested and charged with negligence after his eight-year-old son accidentally shot his three-month-old sister with his dad’s gun. It is alleged that their father had left the gun under the bed. An inquest docket has also been opened.
A 16-year-old has been arrested for the murder of another learner from Umthombo Secondary School and has appeared in the Kabokweni Magistrate’s Court. In the murder case of ANC Ehlanzeni Chief Whip, John Ndlovu, one of the accused, has been sentenced to 35 years imprisonment and the court case continues against two other accused.
In Limpopo, two men were shot and killed after a shootout with police and two firearms were seized. This after police had confronted a 31-year-old man wanted for attempted murder, house robbery and rape cases. The man and his friend apparently started shooting at police.
Four Constables from Vosman police station in Mpumalanga, who were charged for theft of copper cables worth R400 000 earlier this year, have been dismissed from the SAPS following an internal disciplinary hearing. The criminal case is still on-going. “This is indicative that no person is above the law, police or not’, said General Bheki Cele.
The National Commissioner has highlighted some of the successes which he says contributes to the bigger picture of crime combating and crime reduction. “Our police are working hard indeed, for every firearm recovered and every suspect arrested is one more step toward ensuring that people in South Africa are and feel safe”, said General Bheki Cele.
“I am visiting all the provinces for the roll-out of our festive season operations “Duty Calls” where I continue to motivate our members and thank them for a job well done,” added Cele.
Enquiries:
Colonel Vishnu Naidoo
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Fax: 012 400 7018
E-mail: mediacentre@saps.org.za
General Bheki Cele applauds work done by Police in the past week
