The police in Bloemfontein are tightening the noose around criminal activity with several recent successes.
As part of a multi-disciplinary disruptive operation, the police arrested 32 suspects for entering South Africa illegally.
During the operation on Monday, 19 February, the deputy minister of Home Affairs, Njabulo Nzuza, the premier of the Free State, Mxolisi Dukwana, the MEC for Community Safety, Roads, and Transport, Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae, and the provincial commissioner of police in the Free State, Lt Gen. Baile Motswenyane, took command of various forces to conduct crime prevention in the city.
One person was arrested for possession of dagga, two for contravening the Consumer Protection Act, and three were in possession of illicit cigarettes.
A television set that was reported stolen was found, and the police also recovered four sets of handcuffs at one of the buildings.
Later in the day, the members followed up on information about drugs being sold in the back of a grocery store in Grobler Crescent in Hilton. They found illicit liquor and cigarettes as well as a consignment of drugs worth around R140 000,
A foreign national couple was arrested for dealing in drugs, and possession of illicit liquor and cigarettes. Another illegal immigrant was found near the shop.
This follows the arrest of three suspects on Friday 16 February.
Sgt Jacques September and Const. Mahao Duiker from the Bloemfontein K9 unit were on duty when they followed up on information about an illegal firearm. They were joined by Const. Ronald Devasch from the Bloemfontein Public Order Police (POP) unit.
They went to Botshabelo where they spotted a suspicious vendor who fled the scene on the police’s arrival. They searched the area and found drugs at the scene.
They also found an illegal firearm hidden behind a toilet in Namibia Square and arrested the person who allegedly bought the firearm for someone else.
Three people were arrested for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
