OFM News earlier reported that he kicked off his visit in the province yesterday by starting in Mahikeng, where he embarked on a walkabout at several areas in the town including the mall and the local taxi rank. Spokesperson at the Rustenburg Local Municipality, David Magae, confirmed that he would be in Rustenburg today.

"The police minister will be in Boitekong where there have been a number of complaints about the accessibility of the police station and the police in general. He will also later be heading to Sondela where, in the last three weeks, clashes between the Basotho and Xhosa clans in the area left a number of people dead. This forms part of his festive season operations that he is doing from province to province," Magae said.

OFM News earlier reported on mob killings in Boitekong by angry community members who were targeting young people in the area who were suspected of being part of a gang that was robbing people in the area. Six men were arrested because of their connection to the killing of a 16-year-old boy who the mob believed was also a gang member. However, the spokesperson for the provincial Education Department, Freddy Sepeng, said this was not true and the deceased was merely a passer-by. Meanwhile, OFM News also earlier reported that six suspects have been arrested with regards to the said clashes in Sondela, which resulted in 11 deaths. Police spokesperson in the province, Sabata Mokgwabone, said the suspects, who last appeared at the Local Magistrate's Court last month, face charges of kidnapping, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, murder, arson, and conspiracy to commit a crime. Cele’s visit forms part of his Safer Festive Operations in the December period and this initiative seeks to ensure that citizens of the North West and the surrounding areas are safe during this festive season.

OFM News