During a police raid conducted in a crime prevention operation at Louis Trichardt last Thursday (21st), 41 foreign nationals were arrested. Among the arrested suspects were Somalians and Tanzanians who were involved in a faction fight here in town.

According to Capt Maano Sadike, local police spokesperson, the faction fight resulted in damages to property and charges of assault were laid.

According to information one group started damaging the other group’s vehicles and buildings, before the fight erupted.

Capt Sadike also commented that there were injuries sustained during the fight.

The 41 foreigners appeared in the local magistrate court on Friday, facing charges of malicious damage to property, house breaking and assault with the intention to cause grievious bodily harm.

According to Capt Sadike, members of the police are convinced that the raid will send a strong message to the public, in particular to those who lay assault charges, but failed to testify in court.

Capt Sadike said that he hopes that foreigners living in the country without the proper papers, will also be more careful and not get involved with crime.

He said that the police investigation is still continuing to determine whether the suspects arrested are indeed involved in housebreaking activities. According to Capt Sadiki the amount of housebreak incidents have decreased since the arrests were made, but sufficient evidence is still needed to link the suspects to these crimes.

The suspects all appeared in court on Friday. but assault charges as well as the malicious damage to property charges were withdrawn after the group who was allegedly assaulted and whose vehicles were damaged in the fight, failed to lay charges.