Media Statement from North West Media Centre
Corporate Communication
South African Police Service

04 May 2014

The Police in Rustenburg arrested four suspects when they conducted cordon-and-search operations at Freedom Park in Phokeng in the early hours on Sunday, 04 May 2014.

The aim of the operation was to confiscate dangerous weapons. During the operation, police arrested four suspects between the ages of 26 and 40. The suspects were found in possession of groceries at their own residential places. It is alleged that the groceries were taken during looting of shops in the same area between Saturday, 26 April and Sunday 27 April 2014.

A number of dangerous weapons, in terms of the newly-enacted Dangerous Weapons Act, such as knives, knobkerries, pangas, spears, steel pipes, wooden sticks, shampongs, axes and grass cutters were seized.

The suspects allegedly told the police that they took the items during public violence incidents last week. There is security presence in the area.

The arrested suspects expected to appear in Bafokeng Magistrates' Court soon on charges of possession of suspected stolen goods.

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Brigadier Thulani Ngubane
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