Potchefstroom: The Rustenburg Cluster Intervention Team as well as detectives’ Organised and Commercial Crime Units nabbed six suspects aged between 20 and 22 on Tuesday, 15 November 2016 in the Rustenburg Central Business District (CBD).
The arrest of the suspects, (two Nigerian nationals, a South African and three Lesotho nationals) came after two of them (suspects), unknowingly approached and offered to sell Mine Blasting Certificates to police officials who were in civilian clothes. The police struck a deal with the suspects and waited outside while the suspects processed documents at their office. It is alleged that the police pounced on them a few minutes later while the suspects were busy processing the documents. It was discovered during the arrest that blasting certificate as well as a vehicle license disc had already been processed and ready to be printed.
Upon arrest of the suspects, the police confiscated fraudulent documents including Matric (Grade 12) certificates, Vehicle license discs, birth certificates, software and computers used to manufacture various documents. Other items such as plasma televisions, laptops, cell phones and an undisclosed amount of cash were also seized.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 17 November 2016 for Fraud and possession suspected stolen properties. Investigation into the matter continues.
The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane commended all police officials involved in the apprehension of the suspects. She said that the arrest will definitely send a clear message that the police will deal with any person who commits crime including fraud.