Yesterday, Monday 6 June 2011, was a busy day for South African Police Service (SAPS) members, with a few noteworthy incidents which ended well for the men and women in blue.
In the Western Cape the afternoon became interesting when two men were caught red handed concluding an illegal deal with elephant tusks. After receiving information regarding suspicious behavior, police members on patrol in Milnerton observed a Volvo motor vehicle fleeing at high speed, bags containing elephant tusks were thrown from the vehicle. A VW Golf, which was still parked on the scene, was searched. More elephant tusks were found and two Senegalese men aged 41 and 37 were arrested. In total seven tusks were seized by police and the search for the occupants of the Volvo is still underway.
By late last night, a hostage situation which developed during the day in Kleivlei, Eerste Rivier, resulted in the police's elite Special Task Force being deployed to resolve the conflict. A 25 year old man was overpowered by Special Task Force members after he had been holding four people hostage at knifepoint for several hours and negotiations with the hostage-taker failed.
The victims were a 36 year old male, two males of 10 and 15 years of age and a 15 year old girl. The suspect is in custody and is due to appear in court on charges of kidnapping, and possibly other charges, tomorrow. The Special Task Force is the police unit which responds to high risk situations and has the proud record of always getting their man.
North West Police also dealt with a hostage situation yesterday at the Kameeldoring Lodge, about five kilometres from Vryburg. A 31 year old man, armed with two knives held a 24 year old woman and her four year old daughter hostage. When police responded at about 16h05, the suspect fled and when confronted by police he ignored their warnings and tried to stab a police official, who fired a shot, fatally wounding the suspect. The ICD are investigating.
Eastern Cape police are in a celebratory mood after a thorough investigation led to 42 year old Pieter Michaels being convicted of rape and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and sentenced to life imprisonment. Michaels is one of two suspects who viciously assaulted and raped a 41 year old Hankey woman on 1 April 2010. After a week long investigation two men were arrested. Michaels pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Friday, 3 June 2011. The other suspect has pleaded not guilty and will appear in court on 23 August 2011 to stand trial.
As most of these situations involve crimes against women and children, the efforts of our police officials are greatly appreciated and top management of the SAPS commends them on their good work.Source: South African Police Service
