Eastern Cape police had their hands full this weekend cracking down on crime – they discovered two dead bodies, recovered at least five illegal firearms and arrested three drug peddlers, including a woman.
In Mthatha, the body of a half-naked 23-year-old woman was found dumped near the Mthatha Country Club during the early hours on Saturday morning.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela said the body was discovered by a passerby who alerted the police.
“ It seems like she was stoned to death and there is suspicion that she might have also been raped.”
In Butterworth, police have opened a murder case after the body of a man was found next to the Butterworth hospital.
Witnesses said the body was tossed out of a car with five male occupants which sped off afterwards.
“Hospital security guards noticed the victim had upper body injuries and was already dead,” Manana added.
Anyone with information on the murder or who could help with identifying the victim, can contact Butterworth police on (047)401-1100 or Crime Stop on 086-001-0111.
In a separate incident, a 41-year-old man was arrested in Tholeni village outside Butterworth in illegal possession of four firearms – three shotguns with 22 rounds of live ammunition and a 9mm Norinco pistol with six rounds – yesterday.
Manatha said the arrest came after police received a tipoff.
“We received some information that the suspect had an arsenal of weapons in his house. The recovered weapons will be circulated to establish their rightful owners and also sent for ballistic tests to try and link them to other crimes reported around Butterworth.”
In an unrelated incident, a 43-year-old motorist was arrested along the N2 during a police operation near Qumbu after being found in possession of a 9mm pistol with nine rounds yesterday.
Fatyela said the serial number had been removed.
He said the weapon would be sent for ballistic tests.
“We are worried that there are still people with illegal firearms because these weapons are used to commit some heinous crimes. We urge people to come forward with information on whoever is in possession of illegal weapons so we can root out this problem,” he said.
In one of the biggest drug busts in the Eastern Cape this year, two Cape Town men were arrested yesterday afternoon with two huge bags filled with dagga worth about R48000.
Fatyela said the men, aged 39 and 40, were stopped by police near Mpantu Bridge between Lusikisiki and Port St Johns.
“They are from Khayelitsha in Cape Town,” the spokesman said adding that the pair had been charged with dealing in dagga following their arrest.
They are due to appear in the Port St Johns Magistrate’s Court today.
In Butterworth, a woman of 51 was arrested on Saturday shortly after lunchtime with 62 mandrax tablets worth about R6200.
“She was arrested at the Old Railway House. Her arrest came as a result of police intelligence,” Butterworth police spokesman Captain Jackson Manatha said.
She is due to appear in the Butterworth Magistrate’s Court today. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
Cops find two bodies dumped
In Mthatha, the body of a half-naked 23-year-old woman was found dumped near the Mthatha Country Club during the early hours on Saturday morning.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela said the body was discovered by a passerby who alerted the police.
“ It seems like she was stoned to death and there is suspicion that she might have also been raped.”
In Butterworth, police have opened a murder case after the body of a man was found next to the Butterworth hospital.
Witnesses said the body was tossed out of a car with five male occupants which sped off afterwards.
“Hospital security guards noticed the victim had upper body injuries and was already dead,” Manana added.
Anyone with information on the murder or who could help with identifying the victim, can contact Butterworth police on (047)401-1100 or Crime Stop on 086-001-0111.
In a separate incident, a 41-year-old man was arrested in Tholeni village outside Butterworth in illegal possession of four firearms – three shotguns with 22 rounds of live ammunition and a 9mm Norinco pistol with six rounds – yesterday.
Manatha said the arrest came after police received a tipoff.
“We received some information that the suspect had an arsenal of weapons in his house. The recovered weapons will be circulated to establish their rightful owners and also sent for ballistic tests to try and link them to other crimes reported around Butterworth.”
In an unrelated incident, a 43-year-old motorist was arrested along the N2 during a police operation near Qumbu after being found in possession of a 9mm pistol with nine rounds yesterday.
Fatyela said the serial number had been removed.
He said the weapon would be sent for ballistic tests.
“We are worried that there are still people with illegal firearms because these weapons are used to commit some heinous crimes. We urge people to come forward with information on whoever is in possession of illegal weapons so we can root out this problem,” he said.
In one of the biggest drug busts in the Eastern Cape this year, two Cape Town men were arrested yesterday afternoon with two huge bags filled with dagga worth about R48000.
Fatyela said the men, aged 39 and 40, were stopped by police near Mpantu Bridge between Lusikisiki and Port St Johns.
“They are from Khayelitsha in Cape Town,” the spokesman said adding that the pair had been charged with dealing in dagga following their arrest.
They are due to appear in the Port St Johns Magistrate’s Court today.
In Butterworth, a woman of 51 was arrested on Saturday shortly after lunchtime with 62 mandrax tablets worth about R6200.
“She was arrested at the Old Railway House. Her arrest came as a result of police intelligence,” Butterworth police spokesman Captain Jackson Manatha said.
She is due to appear in the Butterworth Magistrate’s Court today. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
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