Detectives praised for sterling work

DETECTIVES from various stations have been praised for securing long jail sentences for convicted criminals.

“Communities are often frustrated by the poor preparation of cases that cause criminals to walk free,” Grassy Park CPF spokesman Philip Bam said yesterday.

“It therefore comes as a breath of fresh air when police investigators prepare their cases in such a way that convictions can be assured.”

The detectives are from Grassy Park, Khayelitsha, Lwandle, Strand, West, Lingelethu Gordon’s Bay.

At Grassy Park, an attempted murder suspect investigated by detective constable Hakeem Williams was given a 20-year jail sentence. Detective Patrick Sikade of the same station tracked down a suspect who received 15 years for a hijacking.

Another Grassy Park officer, detective Calvin Mokwa, apprehended two people who received 12 and seven years respectively for robbery, illegal possession of a firearm and attempted murder.

Durbanville police arrested four men for illegal possession of

Somerset West and a revolver, four rounds of ammunition and hijacking. In Somerset West, two men were sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for robbing a business in 2012.

In Khayelitsha, 17 detectives arrested 23 people for crimes such as robbery, murder, illegal possession of firearms, rape and theft. The criminals were sentenced to a combined total of 158 years, said police spokesman Andre Traut.

“These, and many other successes, were achieved due to members’ vigilance, and some through information shared by responsible community members,” said Traut.