This is according to police spokesperson in the Northern Cape, Mashay Gamieldien, who said the arrests followed after week-long efforts by members of the Upington Public Order Policing (POP) Unit to track the suspects. The suspects were part of a larger group that were arrested over the weekend, during the final voter registrations and ahead of the elections later this year.

Gamieldien said police confiscated dozens of cigarette boxes and believe that the illegal goods are worth around R30 000. Meanwhile, this arrest forms part of many more which were made over the weekend in the Kakamas and Augrabies policing areas, as Northern Cape police also made a further six arrests for drunkenness and rebellious behaviour. Additionally, six people were issued with the admission of guilt fines for offences such as drinking in public, urinating in public and various traffic offences. Finally, four arrests have also been made for undocumented persons in the country, while a further four case dockets have been opened for Contravention of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, No. 101 of 1965.

This brings the total of people that were arrested since last week Monday to Sunday in the Northern Cape to 22. All suspects will soon be appearing in the Kakamas and Augrabies Magistrate’s Courts respectively.

OFM News