Parliament, Thursday, 20 April 2017 – The Portfolio Committee on Police has commended today’s swift arrests by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI/Hawks) in cases involving the armed robbery that took place at the Khayelitsha Military Base in Cape Town; as well as the Durban-based Nigerian pastor, Timothy Omotoso, who has been accused of human trafficking and sexually assaulting young girls.  

“The speed with which the police and Hawks moved in apprehending the alleged perpetrators of these serious crimes is commendable. We hope this will send out a strong message that the country does not take kindly to any form of crime,” said Committee Chairperson, Mr Francois Beukman.

Mr Beukman once again called on community members to continue assisting police in the fight against crime by informing their nearest police station of any criminal activities taking place in their respective neighbourhoods.

Reports indicate that a 40-year-old former South African National Defence Force member was arrested by SAPS members in Khayelitsha today on allegations of having been among the men who robbed the Khayelitsha Military Base on 14 April 2017. Meanwhile, reports on the arrest of Pastor Timothy Omotoso indicate that he was nabbed today at the Port Elizabeth International Airport by a team of police officers led by the Hawks, on allegations of human trafficking and sexually assaulting more than 30 girls at his Durban home.

ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE, MR FRANCOIS BEUKMAN

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