Download the Pondoland Times app for breaking Eastern Cape news, community updates, jobs, and important stories from around you.
OR Tambo District Police, alongside various stakeholders, conducted a successful crime sweep over the past week, leading to significant arrests and recoveries.
In a series of intelligence-driven operations, authorities seized eight unlicensed firearms and a significant cache of ammunition, with three firearms discovered in Bityi alone. Seven suspects were apprehended, each facing charges related to the possession of unlicensed firearms and are set to appear in various Magistrate courts within the OR Tambo District.
The crackdown extended to livestock theft, with swift action resulting in the recovery of 186 sheep across Mqanduli, Tsolo, and Qumbu. Ninety-one of these animals were safely returned to their rightful owners. Police arrested six individuals for possessing suspected stolen livestock, highlighting the importance of community vigilance.
In addition, 16 wanted individuals were arrested for serious offenses, including rape, assault, and murder. Immigration officials contributed to the operation, resulting in 10 arrests of undocumented immigrants.
Major General Norman Modishana, the OR Tambo District Commissioner, commended the officers for their diligence and commitment to combatting crime. “Let’s continue to squeeze the space for criminals, suffocating them to ensure safer communities,” he urged, reinforcing the police’s resolve in their ongoing battle against crime.
