Police work to ‘turn tide against crime’

POLICE have made several breakthroughs in their fight against crime in the province, which will see many suspects appearing in different courts today, including a wanted suspect from 2016.

Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said Laingsburg police stopped a vehicle to conduct a search.

The vehicle sped off and the police gave chase. Rwexana said the vehicle veered off the road and came to a halt.

“On searching the vehicle, the police discovered 196kg of dagga, in bags, valued at R390 000. Three occupants, aged 20, 28 and 37, were arrested and will appear in court on Monday on charges of possession and dealing in dagga.”

Rwexana said in separate incidents, members of the Steenberg Crime Prevention Unit participated in efforts to “Turn the Tide Against Crime”, when they arrested a 29-year-old suspect on Thursday at about 9.40pm, for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in St Boniface Street, Lavender Hill.

“In an unrelated matter, they also arrested a 22-year-old man in Shepherd Court, Lavender Hill, on Saturday, at about 7.30pm, after they attended to a complaint of a shooting in the area.

“The members spotted the suspect and gave chase, and apprehended him with a 9mm pistol in his possession.”

Rwexana said both suspects were due to appear in Wynberg Magistrate’s Court today.

Meanwhile, Rwexana said the Nyanga Junction armed Tactical Response Unit and the police had high-visibility patrols at the Transport interchange hub.

“A 24-year-old man who was wanted for a murder in Athlone in 2016 was also arrested, in Manenberg.

“The suspect will appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court tomorrow,” Rwexana added.