This follows multidisciplinary crime prevention and law enforcement operations conducted as part of the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele's visit to the province on Saturday to monitor Safer Festive Season Operations. According to police spokesperson, Thandi Mbambo, 325 wanted suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from rape, stock theft, murder and sexual assault, amongst other crimes.

Mbambo says the Safer Festive Season Operations continued on Saturday with various operatives engaged in Cordon and Search operations in Bloemfontein CBD as well as roadblocks on the N8. During these operations 21 undocumented persons were arrested; three others were arrested for dealing in drugs and three vehicles impounded - two being state vehicles driven without authority - and one person was arrested for drunken driving.

In another incident, Bloemfontein police spotted a black Audi A3 at the corner of Hanger and St George streets. They asked permission from the owner to search the car and discovered pieces of crystal methane. The man was then asked to take police officers to his residence. 

"On arrival at a flat in Raymond Mhlaba Street, the lessee allowed members to search the house and inside a closet, the police found drugs in various plastic wrappings stashed away. CAT weighing at 1. 9 kilograms, Crystal methane, rock, cocaine and Thai White drugs with an estimated street value of R1 000 000 rand were found and confiscated," explains Mbambo. Three suspects, a male (40), his girlfriend (27) as well as another male (38) were arrested and charged with dealing in drugs. 

The three suspects will appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates court on Monday, 21 December 2020.

OFM News/Blaine Jones