WESTERN CAPE – A rural safety operation conducted by various police stations to safeguard farming communities yielded positive results with the arrest of 21 suspects on various offences and recovery of stolen items. The operation commenced on Wednesday, 03 August 2022 until Thursday evening, 04 August 2022, with a specific focus on Ladismith, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. Focussed operations included but was not limited to, high density patrols, roadblocks, vehicle check points, compliance visits to scrap yards and second-hand goods premises.
In Ladismith the police arrested 15 suspects for contraventions of the Immigration Act after they were unable to produce any form of identification. The suspects aged between 20 and 48 already appeared in the Ladismith Magistrates’ court on Thursday, 04 August 2022. Five of accused are expected to make their second court appearance on 10 August 2022 and the others on 16 August 2022. All arrested were remanded in custody.
In addition to this, tracing of outstanding suspects led to the arrest of four suspects on a farm at Ladismith on a charge of housebreaking and theft each. Police also recovered an airgun that was proven to be stolen at a residence earlier the week. The suspects aged, 17, 25, 34 and 40, appeared in the Ladismith Magistrates’ court on Thursday, 04 August 2022. Three accused were remanded in custody and the juvenile released into the care of his parents.
On Thursday, 04 August 2022 the team conducted operations at various scrap yards in Oudtshoorn where they recovered small quantities of ferrous metal believed to be the property of Transnet. Police arrested a 24-year-old suspect on a charge of possession of suspected stolen property.
Later the same day, Grootbrak police members operationalised information on illicit activities when they conducted a focussed operation at a residence at Green Haven. A search of the premises ensued and members found a Ryobi generator inside. The occupant of the premises was unable to account for his possession and was subsequently arrested. The 29-year-old suspect is facing a charge of possession of suspected stolen property.
These suspects will appear in their respective courts once formally charged.
The strategic deployment of various police units and provincial traffic officers on the N12 and N2 highways also led to the confiscation of R180 000 worth of drugs and the issuing of R18 000 worth of fines for traffic related offences.
Rural safety operations are part of concerted efforts by police and other law enforcement agencies to safeguard farming communities. Similar operations with a special focus on gender based violence will be conducted during Women’s Month.
