The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster of the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS) has noted with concern social media reports that are circulating purporting to be providing an update on the prevailing stability situation in the North West.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) together with PROVJOINTS role players would like to reiterate and assure the general public that contrary to unverified reports, the situation is stabilised and normalised through various interventions including daily deployments.
Members of the community, if not certain about security at their places, are urged to confirm with their police stations regarding travelling and accessing of services rather than relying on social and unverified sources.
Intervention efforts to reassert the authority of the state continue to bear fruits. This is corroborated by the recent Track and Recovery Operation by Public Order Police (POP) and Detectives in Taung which resulted in the arrest of 12 suspects for malicious damage to property, business burglary and public violence. The suspects, 10 males and two females, aged between 21 and 50 were arrested in the early hours of today in Maganeng village and Pudimoe. They are expected to appear in the Taung Magistrates’ Court soon.
In Klerksdorp, police arrested two suspects both aged 28 in Extension 15, Jouberton for possession of suspected stolen goods. it was during the arrest that the police recovered two refrigerators, two electrical stoves, music system, washing machine, pairs of shoes, television and motor vehicle parts. These are some of the goods that that were looted during the protest in Jouberton last week. The suspects are expected to appear in the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court soon.
The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane once more urges law abiding citizens to work together with the police to identify and isolate criminals as well as those who subvert the authority of the state so that necessary steps can be taken. “Spreading or disseminating false or unverified information which is intended to create uncertainty and fear is counterproductive towards the restoration of peace and stability and should not be allowed,” said Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane.