According to the police spokesperson, Sabata Mokgwabone, Chris Sithole, who has been on the run for almost ten years for crimes allegedly committed in the province, is one of the top 50 most wanted suspects.

The suspect was arrested in Musina, Limpopo, and was handed over to the Brits Police near Rustenburg on Tuesday 13 September 2022 to face seven separate cases of rape, three of robbery, and one of housebreaking and theft. Mokgwabone adds that Sithole has already appeared before the Brits Magistrate's Court on Wednesday 14 September 2022, and he was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on Friday 7 October 2022.

In August 2022, the police in Wolmaransstad arrested the last group of eight suspects who escaped from lawful custody while awaiting trial. The suspects escaped after overpowering a police officer in Wolmaransstad.

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Sithole was handed over to the North West Provincial Tracking Team. “The long arm of the law caught up with Sithole, who is one of the Top 50 Most Wanted Suspects in the province."

The crimes were committed between January 2012 and February 2021 in the policing area of Brits. In one of the cases, the accused allegedly raped a woman in May 2012. A couple was travelling in their vehicle when they saw stones placed on the N4 road in the vicinity of Bokfontein, near Brits. The husband then reduced speed in order to stop, but the vehicle overturned just after the couple heard the sound of car tyres bursting. The couple was taken out of the vehicle by three males who then took turns to rape the woman,” Mokgwabone adds.

Sithole, before his arrest, was linked to several other cases he allegedly committed before fleeing to Limpopo outside the province.

Following investigations conducted on this case and others, Sithole was also linked to housebreaking committed in February 2021 in Brits. According to information, the occupant of the house was woken up by an activated alarm. On investigation, he realised that the intruder gained entrance into the house and stole clothes and various electrical appliances worth R20 500,” Mokgwabone further adds.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Police Commissioner, Sello Kwena, pointed out that the arrest will definitely send a clear message that for the police, no place in the country is too difficult to get to in order to bring offenders to book. Kwena also applauded the police in both provinces for their collaboration that resulted in the arrest.

On Sunday 11 September 2022, the MEC of Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari, joined the commemoration of police officers who have died during the 2021/22 financial year.

ALSO READ: North West MEC commemorates fallen officers

OFM News previously reported that four suspects were arrested in April 2022 in connection with the murder of two police officers in Mareetsane in July 2021.

ALSO READ: Mareetsane police murder suspects remain in custody

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