The accused Martin Nyakula (40) appeared in the Swartruggens Magistrate's Court on Monday 8 May 2023 on charges of housebreaking and theft. He will be back in court on 10  May  2023 to request legal representation.

An intelligence-driven operation in Swartruggens, conducted by the Boitekong police in collaboration with the Phokeng K9 Unit, Rustenburg Public Order Police, and Swartruggens Detectives on Friday night 5 May 2023, led to the arrest of Nyakula.

A burglary was reported at a farm in Swartruggens on Friday.

It is claimed that burglars took a safe that contained firearms, a 9 mm Glock with ammunition, three plasma televisions, cameras, and a motorcycle.

After obtaining information, the squad went to Sunrise Park and arrested Nyakula for theft and burglary.

Two gas cylinders, a cutting torch, a grinder, a five-pound hammer, a chain block, and further housebreaking tools with an approximate worth of R300 000 were discovered in his possession.

Charles Makgatho (46) was found in a separate location at Meriting Riverside.

Four firearms with ammunition, two plasma televisions, and a queen-size bed were discovered in his possession during the search and seize operation.

Makgatho also appeared in the Bafokeng Magistrate's Court in Tlhabane on Monday 8 May 2023 for the possession of the suspected stolen property and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

The case was postponed for a formal bail application to Monday 15 May 2023.

The provincial commissioner for North West, Sello Kwena, complimented the group for their persistent efforts in ensuring that offenders like these are imprisoned.

Additionally, he commended locals for helping the police make sure that the offenders were identified and arrested.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame