Two suspects on the national wanted list were arrested, and drugs worth R510 000 confiscated, during the recent Operation Gijima in the Northern Cape.
In this operation simultaneous cross-border operations were conducted between the South African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) regions from Wednesday (27/07) until Friday (29/07).
This included operations in the Namakwa and ZF Mgcawu Distric. The areas the operations were conducted in were the Vioolsdrift Port of Entry, which is 120 km from Springbok on the N7, and the Nakop Port of Entry, 130 km from Upington on the N10.
Col Mashay Gamieldien, police spokesperson, said the theft of motor vehicles, illicit drug trafficking, the illicit trafficking of firearms and ammunition, human trafficking and smuggling, the smuggling of minerals, the theft of copper cables, wildlife related crimes, as well crimes committed during the timeframe of Operation Gijima, were focused on. A total of 65 arrests were effected during this period.
Ten arrests were also made for possession and dealing in drugs. Drug worth R510 000 were confiscated at various locations in Port Nolloth, Steinkopf, Garies, Rosedale, Paballelo, Keimoes and Kakamas. A total amount of 448 litres of alcohol to the value of R11 485 was seized during raids at liquor outlets in Upington in conjunction with the Northern Cape Liquor Board.
Numerous vehicle check points were set up on national and secondary roads during which vehicles were stopped and persons searched. Trucks crossing the border at the two ports of entry were also searched. Also, 18 undocumented Lesotho nationals were apprehended and arrested on a farm in the Augrabies farming area.
The SAPS fixed-wing Porter aircraft conducted air patrols covering the coastal areas and the border.
The acting deputy provincial commissioner for Crime Detection, Brig. Nicky Mills, commended the members from both the Namakwa and ZF Mgcawu district offices, stations, units and other provincial components who participated, for the discipline and professionalism displayed during the operation.
- In an unrelated case, the police in Delportshoop are requesting the assistance of the public in tracing the 26-year-old Refuoehape Mathibeli, who is a person if interest in a murder that occurred on the Eureka Farm in Delportshoop on Saturday, 22 June 2019. According to Sgt Timothy Sam of the police’s communication office in Galeshewe, preliminary investigations indicate he had been involved a fight with his girlfriend, who was found deceased in their farmhouse on the mentioned day. Any person who may have seen him or has any information can contact the investigating officer, WO William Jimm on 082-448-4850 or on 08600 10111 or via the MYSAPS App. All information will be treated confidentially.
