Sitole is flanked at the event by the provincial police commissioner, Baile Motswenyane, Free State Police Roads and Transport MEC, William Bulwane, and the province’s Director-General Kopung Ralikontsane, at the Vuyo Charles Stadium in the Thabong township at Welkom. Ralikontsane is standing in for Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela. 

OFM News’ Isaac Mosia says Motswenyane and company are committed to ensuring there is high police visibility and operations in shopping centres, national roads, and crime hotspots. The police say they will have a zero-tolerance approach to public drinking over the festive season as well as towards crime that occurs as a consequence of alcohol consumption.

Thabong happens to be one of the most violent and crime-ridden areas in the province, consistently ranking in the top three police stations in the province where the most crime is reported. 

Quarterly police statistics for April to June 2021, revealed that overall contact crimes at that police station increased year-on-year by 91,3%. These contact crimes include murder, sexual offences, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and robbery, amongst others. 

In June 2021, 8-year-old Bokamoso Shabe – a learner at Mmantshebo Primary School in Thabong  – was kidnapped and killed. Her body was found in the suburb of Riebeeckstad on Thursday afternoon (24 June), following a 3-day frantic search by authorities. Shabe’s abductors had been seeking R50 000 ransom from the family for her safe return. A couple in their 40s was later nabbed for the kidnapping and the murder.

READ MORE: #Welkom #MissingGirl: Kidnapping ends in tragedy

OFM News/Isaac Mosia