CRIME IN TOWN DEALT A BLOW

LYDENBURG – The past weekend was one of the busiest for local law enforcement in a long time.

According to Capt Saartjie Roos, communications officer of the local SAPS, the officers focused on road-traffic offences as well as liquor-related crimes.

She said seven people were charged for driving without a valid driver’s licence, five for drunken driving, nine for drinking in public and one person was arrested in Ext 6 for the possession of dagga.

Another five suspects were arrested for charges ranging from dealing in dagga, selling liquor without a licence, shoplifting, dealing in counterfeit cigarettes and driving an un-roadworthy vehicle.

“A man was also arrested for excessive speeding on the Burgersfort Road and another for failing to adhere to a traffic sign at Kelleysville. Police also arrested three suspects on a charge of robbery after they allegedly robbed a man of his cash and cellphone in Ext 6 while walking home just before midnight on Thursday,” Roos said.

She confirmed the police were also investigating six cases of housebreaking reported over the weekend. Property taken included building material, a Playstation, a plasma TV, cellphones, groceries, clothing and crockery. In most cases doors or windows were forced open.

Roos added that other cases reported over the weekend included intimidation at Ext 8, malicious damage to property in Lange Street, a burglary at the Tumbleweed nursery as well as two cases of stock theft (one at Enkeldoorn- and another at Goedehoop farm). A case of theft was also being investigated after a

Jurgens trailer was stolen in Buhrman Street on Sunday. Police also arrested a man in Ext 6 on Saturday for the possession of an unlicensed firearm.

“We are nearing the last quarter of the year and the sooner we act, the better the impact would be during the festive season. The public are being warned that law enforcement officers will not tolerate any lawlessness in and around the town. Offenders will be arrested and brought before court,” Roos said.

“The SAPS are here to protect innocent citizens and will make sure that crime prevention remain a priority,” Col Hans Putter, acting station commander of the Lydenburg SAPS said in a statement.