File picture: Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
A MAN who was arrested in the Northern Cape this week with uncut diamonds and foreign currency appeared in the Springbok Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Northern Cape Police spokesperson Captain Olebogeng Tawana said the man was arrested on Wednesday night by members of the Springbok Detectives, Springbok Stock Theft and Endangered Species, K9 and High Way Patrol units.
Dubbed ‘Operation Vala Konke’, Tawana said a team of detectives were busy with tracing operations of daily wanted suspects in Springbok just before midnight when they spotted a mini-bus with suspects at the Bergsig intersection.
“They pulled over the mini-bus and suspects jumped out and ran into the bushes. One suspect was apprehended inside the vehicle and found in possession of a bag containing uncut diamonds, an unlicensed firearm and an undisclosed amount of cash that included foreign currencies,” said Tawana.
The provincial commissioner of the Northern Cape, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, commended the team for their “vigilance and resilience, which resulted in the arrest of the suspect”.
“She also indicated that the community will see and feel the police this festive season with increased boots on the ground.”