Day: December 19, 2021

WESTERN CAPE – Swift response by police landed five suspects behind bars who are expected to appear in court on Monday, 20 December 2021. Their arrests follows on robberies which were perpetrated at Thembalethu (George) and Knysna respectively.

On Friday, 17 December 2021, police responded to a house robbery scene at Zone 4, Thembalethu in George. It is alleged that at least four men entered the residence. One of them strangled the victim and stabbed him on the head. He managed to escape and sought assistance from a neighbour. The suspects thereafter took an undisclosed amount of cash, cellphone, liquor and keys before they fled the scene.

Investigation took police to an informal settlement at Zone 07, Thembalethu where four suspects were arrested on a charge of house robbery.

The foursome, aged between 22 and 24, remain in custody. They are scheduled to appear in the Thembalethu Magistrates’ court.

In an unrelated incident, on the same day, members of the Knysna police Crime Prevention Unit acted on information about a robbery at Waterfront Drive, Knysna. Information at the time revealed that a man armed with a firearm robbed a 54-year-old victim of a cellphone and personal belongings. Authorities were alerted which led to a tracing operation in the central business district.

Information on the whereabouts of the suspect took police to the Knysna Taxi Rank where he was taken into custody. Upon searching the suspect the members found an air pistol as well as the stolen items in his possession. Police confiscated these items.

The 36-year-old suspect remains in custody. He is expected to appear in the Knysna Magistrates’’ court on a charge of armed robbery.

Acting Eden Cluster Commander, Brigadier Phumzile Cetyana, praised the members for their prompt response in bringing these perpetrators to book.

Source: South African Police Service

KWAZULU-NATAL – Late yesterday afternoon a 36-year-old suspect was arrested by officers from the Estcourt Visible Policing Unit. The suspect was allegedly in the company of another male when they attempted to gain entry to a business premises in the CBD.

The guard flagged down officers who quickly chased the suspect who had a firearm tucked under his shirt. The chase ended in Industria road Estcourt with the suspect being taken to hospital under police guard. He sustained a gunshot wound after attempting to disarm an officer. A toy pistol was recovered on the suspect. He will appear in front of a Magistrate soon. He faces charges of Pointing of a Firearm as well as Malicious Injury to Property.

Source: South African Police Service

WESTERN CAPE – A clamp down on drug and liquor outlets let to the arrest of a number of suspects as well as the confiscations of various illicit items during Safer Festive Season operations over the past weekend. These operations included roadblocks, vehicle check points, closing down of drug and liquor outlets and patrols in crime ridden areas.

On Friday, 17 December 2021 afternoon, members attached to the Rural Flying Squad were strategically deployed when they conducted a vehicle check point on the N12 between Oudtshoorn and George. The vigilant members stopped an Opel Corsa. They proceeded with a search of the vehicle when they found 1040 gram of dagga hidden in the door panels. The driver, believed to be in his early forties, was subsequently arrested on a charge of possession of drugs.

Meanwhile on Saturday, 18 December 2021 members of the Eden Cluster Crime Combatting Team and Rural Flying Squad stopped a passenger bus at a roadblock near the Tsitsikamma Tollgate outside Plettenberg Bay. A search of the bus ensued when they found 350 bundles of Khat with an estimated street value of R27 000-00 in the trailer of the vehicle. The find was later linked to a passenger on board. Police arrested the 36-year-old suspect on a charge of possession of drugs.

Furthermore, efforts by the police to eradicate alcohol abuse which remains a contributor to serious and violent crimes yielded positive results when two suspects were arrested on charges of selling liquor without a licence.

Yesterday 19 December 2021, Thembalethu Crime Prevention Unit members, armed with a warrant, conducted an operation at a suspected illegal liquor outlet. The police confiscated 13 cases of beer and arrested a 51-year-old suspect.

On the same day 19 December 2021, Kwanokuthula police embarked on an operation at a house at Kranshoek outside near Plettenberg Bay where they confiscated a small quantity of liquor. They arrested a 30-year-old suspect on mentioned charge. He later paid a R2 000-00 fine and was released.

All other suspects remains in custody. They will appear in the respective local courts once charged.

Acting Eden Cluster Commander, Brigadier Phumzile Cetyana, commended the members for their vigilance in ensuring that illicit activities are being curbed during the holiday period. He said this zero tolerance approach would be maintained during the festive period to ensure that the public are and feel safe.

Source: South African Police Service