EASTERN CAPE – In an effort to fight crime and ensure that Eastern Cape is a safe to stay in, work and do business without fear of rampant crime, at least 927 suspects were arrested in different crime fighting operations and interventions over the past weekend.
The crimes ranged from murder (10), assault (190), drugs (98), public drinking (68), COVID-19 related arrests (410), possession of dangerous weapons (175) suspected stolen stock (32 cattle, 105 sheep and 14 goats) and possession of illegal weapons.
Tactical Response Team deployed at Ngcobo followed up information of a possible hijacked vehicle that was parked at Newtown Area at Nqamakhwe.
Members proceeded to Ngqamakhwe and found the vehicle parked with nobody in the premises or inside the house. The vehicle is reported hijacked at Orlando.
Two male suspects aged 37 and 39 were arrested and charged for possession of unlicensed firearm, possession of a prohibited firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, possession of crystal meth and mandrax as well as dealing in drugs.
Members attached to the Tactical Response Team deployed at Qumbu were patrolling around Qumbu CBD when they noticed a white Toyota LDV without any registration number plates parked in front of Malinga Hardware store. The team approached the vehicle and noticed two male occupants who attempted to flee but were immediately apprehended. The following were discovered in their possession:
1. Thirty small packets of Crystal Meth;
2. Five Lolly Pipes;
3. Two Mandrax Tablets;
4. One Toyota LDV with no License Disc;
5. One Shotgun with an erased serial number and
6. Six live rounds of shotgun ammunition.
A total amount of seven hundred and fifty six (R756-00) was also recovered from the two suspects.
All the suspects are expected to appear at the various courts on Monday, 22 February 2021 facing the respective charges.
All firearms will be subjected to ballistic testing to establish if it can be linked to any other crimes committed in the country.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga welcomed the various interventions by members. “Each firearm recovered brings us closer to making Eastern Cape a gun free province,” she said.

Source: South African Police Service