A total of 183 suspects were recently arrested in the Free State after a joint operation in the province yielded successful results.
Police in the Free State joined hands with security structures of the SANDF, metro traffic, Metro Rail security, national and provincial traffic, custom officials, private security, and SARS, amongst others, to make this operation possible.
The multidisciplinary approach operations took place from 19 to 25 May 2021. It included tracing wanted suspects, conducting roadblocks and stop-and-search operations in a quest to bring down the volume of serious and violent crime in the province.
According to police spokesperson, Brigadier Motantsi Makhele, the arrests were made in connection with murder, attempted murder, rape, gender based violence, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, common assault as well as sexual offences.
“The suspects will all appear at various magistrate’s courts in the province. Further investigations will also be conducted to establish possible linkage of the suspects to other crimes,” said Makhele.
Two stolen vehicles were recovered during this operation and a total of 1094 fines were issued. Five firearms, including 89 rounds of ammunition and 31 dangerous weapons were also confiscated.
Provincial Commissioner of the Free State, Lt. Gen. Baile Motswenyane, said that the removal of illegal firearms from the hands of the criminals and confiscation of drugs will save many lives.
Pierce van Heerden
