Premier Thandi Modise applauds crackdown of crime syndicates
The arrests of 16 members of crime syndicates are encouraging and should send an unequivocal message to criminals operating in and out of the North West Province that their honeymoon is over, Premier Modise said in applauding police on Tuesday.
“Our disappointment is that among those netted is a ring leader who purports to be a servant of God who is supposed to be in partnership with us to mobilise communities against crime,” said Premier Modise in calling on the police to intensify the onslaught against criminal syndicates for criminals to feel the heat.
Modise warned communities to be on the look-out for wolves in sheep’s skins.
She urged communities to work with police to fight the scourge of drugs which she said is destroying the future of our young people who are our future leaders.
According to police, the arrests were carried out after a week-long operation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI), also known as the Hawks.
Spokesperson for the Hawks, Captain Paul Ramaloko said that during the operation two Nigerian ringleaders were arrested and drugs valued at more than R40 million, vehicles valued at more than R1,4 million and cash amounting to R186 000,00 were seized.
“These syndicates were under surveillance for months before they were arrested” Ramaloko said.
The first syndicate specialised in fictitious tenders, whereby they allegedly instructed victims to pay them in return for being awarded provincial government tenders.
Ramaloko said this syndicate mostly operated in Mmabatho.
“The Hawks arrested nine suspects in Mahikeng on Friday, recovered one vehicle, two laptops and eight cellular phones. Victims in this ring involve prominent persons who would not want to report their ordeal for the fear of prosecution or embarrassment” he said.
Approximately 24 victims brought their ordeal to the Hawks.
Ramaloko said that the suspects, Dingaan David Selabe, 45, a ringleader and a Bishop of Cornerstone Ministries in Signal Hill, Mahikeng, Petrus Andries Byleveld, 42, James Sizwe Mulaudzi, 52, Patrick Thipe, 45, Jan Qhete Masire, 41, Dipetso Jopie Esau, 39, Jack Seleke Medupi, 32, Itseng Boitheko Mathube,44 and Boitumelo Nancy Kweetsane,30, appeared in the Mahikeng Magistrates’ Court on Friday and their case was postponed to 14 March 2014 for bail application.
He said that syndicate which is alleged to have conned people out of a little more than R12 million is to remain in custody and that more arrests are expected.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
