During the SAPS Vhutu Hawe operation that took place from 10 to 16 April across the Free State, 205 people were arrested for various crimes.
Two of the 205 suspects that were arrested was for murder.
In Paul Roux, a 39-year-old man stabbed his friend to death during an argument at a local tavern, and in Kestell, a 27-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly killing her husband with a knife during a quarrel at their house.
Five of the suspects were arrested for attempted murder, including a 20-year-old man who was arrested for stabbing his 60-year-old father with a knife at their home on a farm in the Warden district.
The police also visited 240 licensed liquor outlets and 140 taverns. During the visits police did compliance inspections where one outlet was shut down and one was fined for selling alcohol illegally.
In the fight against drug-related crimes, police arrested 33 drug peddlers. During these operations across the province, 17 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. Six illegal immigrants were arrested and six people were arrested for transgressions of Domestic Violence.
The police were in full force doing 457 crime awareness campaigns. The District Commissioner of Mangaung Metro, Maj Gen. Arthur Peter Adams, led a team including role players, such as the Department of Home Affairs, Department of Social Development, Department of Correctional Services, National Prosecution Authority, South African Police Service and Greater Bloemfontein Taxi Association. The purpose of the engagement with the community was to listen to issues affecting them.
The Provincial Commissioner of police in the Free State, Lt Gen. Baile Motswenyane, said the fight against crime can only be successful if communities and the police take hands.
“I want to thank the communities that came out during community engagements and awareness campaigns. We are going to continue with actions to curb crime in our province.”
