FREE STATE: 29 August 2023 - The police in the Free State are making great strides and progress in the fight against crime, with another 1064 people arrested in the past week throughout the province. The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in the Free State, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, welcomed the arrests as a result of heightened police visibility. "Police were out in full force all over the province in collaboration with other government departments. The focus of these operations includes regular roadblocks, tracing of wanted suspects and searches at premises," she said.
One such operation was on the N1 outside of Bloemfontein on Thursday morning. The multi-disciplinary roadblock, which included members from the Traffic Department, Immigration and different units of the Police, searched vehicles and persons. Operation Basadi took to the streets of Thabong, where female members took part in a tracing operation to search for wanted suspects. In this operation, 80 people were arrested for various crimes, including murder, rape and attempted murder. This operation, aimed at addressing crimes against women and children will not only be in Women’s Month but on a continuous basis.
The police inspected 230 liquor premises, visited 66 second-hand dealers, 28 scrapyards and together with the Departments of Labour and Home Affairs visited 695 farms. A farm in Welkom was also visited where workers were assisted to apply for birth certificates and ID documents. In the fight against illegal mining, the police visited 43 mines in the Free State.
Police arrested eight people for the illegal possession of firearms. One of those arrested is a well-known gang member in Bronville who was arrested with a .38-special revolver and ammunition. In Bloemfontein, a SANDF member was found with firearms and ammunition in Brandwag. In Dewetsdorp, police stopped a Quantum with 22 sheep and arrested four suspects. In Selosesha, 100 stolen cattle were recovered.
Five people were arrested for murder, thirteen for robbery, 19 for attempted murder, 177 for assault, 100 for being illegal immigrants and 390 wanted suspects.
"I would like to share my gratitude with the community for their continuous support. These successes are a result of excellent collaboration between police, other government departments and our community, " said Lt Gen Motswenyane.