The determination to discourage serious crimes committed through firearms, in the Vryburg Cluster gained success this week. That became evident when two accused, Joseph Thembisa and Onkemetse Thembisa (both 28 years-old) briefly appeared in the Ganyesa Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 11 October 2017 for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of suspected stolen goods and housebreaking. They were both remanded in custody until 17 October for Legal Aid assistance and further investigation.

The accused’s court appearance follows their arrest on Monday, 9 and Tuesday, 10 October 2017 respectively in Ganyesa through collaborative effort by members of K9 Unit, Visible Policing, Crime Intelligence and Public Order Police (POP). That was after a follow-up was made on information about stolen firearms and other items after a farm house in the Ganyesa vicinity was broken into last week. It was during the break-in that firearms, a laptop, a tablet device, cell phones and jewellery were stolen.

During the investigation, the police recovered a firearm and ammunition from a house in Phaposane village on Monday, 9 October 2017. Further investigation led the police to another house where other suspected stolen goods such as electrical appliances, a laptop and two firearms were recovered.

The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane applauded the members’ team work that led to the success. She said that the police in the province will continue to work hard to ensure that firearms are removed from the hands of criminals who use them (firearms) to commit crimes including trio.

Source: South African Police Service