| 2025/03/08 |
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Media Statement
POTCHEFSTROOM – The South African Police Service (SAPS) management in North West would like to request possible victims and witnesses to come forward after an alleged incident was observed on social media regarding a gunman who entered a Mosque in Brits and threatened people on Sunday, 2 March 2025. Anyone who would like to come forward or assist the police with information, can contact the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Hosia Sebatjane of the Brits Detectives on 082 557 0671. The victims or witnesses can also and anonymously report crime by calling the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS App from their smart phones. The video was captured and circulated following an incident wherein a 55-year-old man was allegedly assaulted and pointed with a firearm at around 17:00 at his house in Central Street, Brits. Following the incident, police arrested Azharudin Bhaiyat (36) later the same evening and seized two firearms. Bhaiyat appeared before the Brits Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 4 March 2025, and was released on a warning until Monday, 31 March 2025. He was ordered to report twice a week at Brits police station.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of North West, Major General Patrick Asaneng, welcomed the arrest and indicated that negligent handling of firearms is a concern and cannot be tolerated taking into considering the last released provincial crime statistics, that showed that firearms were mostly used to commit murders.
Enquiries:
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