NELSPRUIT – The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela has commended the sterling work done by the women in blue from Kwamhlanga and Witbank, who conducted operations under the theme Operation Basadi and as a result, 19 suspects were arrested for different criminal offences.
During the operation at Kwamhlanga, five people were arrested for failing to produce valid documents and charged in accordance with contravening the Immigration Act, three were arrested for possession of drugs and one for dealing in dagga. They also issued two fines against people who were drinking in public. Four people were not spared as they failed to adhere to curfew times as per the Disaster Management Act Regulations.
The astute woman also recovered an unlicensed firearm that was apparently used to rob a pedestrian. According to information, a certain victim was mugged by a suspect armed with a firearm and during the commotion, the victim managed to disarm the suspect, who then fled, leaving behind the firearm at the scene. Police were summoned to the scene hence the recovery.
The women in blue at Witbank also started their anti-crime operation at Springvalley informal settlement. During the search, one female suspect was arrested for selling liquor without a license, and three men were arrested for Contravention of the Immigration Act. The suspects will appear before court soon.
Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga is very pleased with the approach and initiative took by the women in blue during the month of August which is Women’s Month. She further encouraged all women within the province to join in and conduct these operations every day.
