09 Jan 2015

One of the three suspects connected to the PEP store break-in where over P70 000 in cash was stolen in the early hours of December 29 has been apprehended.

Selebi Phikwe Police Station Commander, Superintendent Victor Nlebesi said in an interview that the suspect was apprehended the same day the incident took place just around lunch time in Mmadinare.

He said the suspect, a 20 year old man was also found in possession of a bunch of explosives suspected to be used to blow up the PEP store safe which contained the money. He said two other suspects connected to the crime are still at large and police are working around the clock to arrest them.

Mr Nlebesi explained that the arrested suspect was arraignment before court on December 31 and remanded in custody until January 14 when he will appear for mention. He appealed to members of the public to assist in arresting the two suspects still at large.

Meantime, Mr Nlebesi has called on business owners to always do round-up checks in their shops before closing down to avert situations whereby criminals hide in the shops and steal later on.

On other issues, Supt. Nlebesi has applauded crime prevention clusters for playing a role in fighting crime during the festive season in Selebi Phikwe. He said due to their efforts and visibility in neighbourhoods, crime levels have dropped.

He said cluster policing members worked hand in hand with the police and the BDF and tipped them of any suspicious criminal behaviour. He also explained that another reason why crime levels went down is because more police officers were dispatched around the mining town during the festive season. He said more officers were on foot and road patrols during the day and night around the mining town.

Mr Nlebesi further explained that the numbers of road traffic offences were reduced during the festive season due to the visibility of traffic police officers on patrols. He said from December 17 to January 6, 458 cases were recorded compared 674 cases recorded during the same period in 2013/2014.

He also noted that 15 road accidents were recorded from December 17, to January 6 along the Serule and Selebi Phikwe road compared to 18 accidents recorded during the same period in 2013/2014.He said during the same period no fatal accidents were recorded.

He attributed reduction of road accidents to road blocks and highway police patrol vehicles which were patrolling the road as well an additional police vehicle to remove animals along the road. ENDS