Three suspects aged between 30 and 40 will appear before the Orkney Magistrates Court this morning on a charge of attempted murder. Their court appearance came after they handed themselves over to the police on Tuesday following a viral video where a group of people could be seen attacking the businessman at the resort.

This happened over the weekend when the owner of a resort in Orkney in the North West province confronted a man. The situation escalated and he was stabbed in the back. Let's if there will be any arrests! pic.twitter.com/32iv4gfxSf

— Stefani pieterse ???? (@Stefanipieters1) December 20, 2024

ATTACK OVER SMOKING OF HUBBLY BUBBLY

According to North West police, the trio attacked the 53-year-old owner of a day resort on Monday, 16 December, and he was admitted to the hospital in the Intensive Care Unit after the incident. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh said initial investigations indicated that a group of people were smoking hubbly-bubbly, which is not permitted at the day resort. "Employees warned the group twice not to use it at the resort but then called the owner when aggressive behaviour was displayed. When the owner went to the group a third time, he was assaulted and stabbed numerous times with a knife and rushed to a local hospital for treatment," Myburgh said. The businessman has since been discharged from the hospital.

COP IN COURT FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER

Meanwhile, a 34-year-old police officer is expected to make his first appearance in the Ganyesa Magistrates Court today on an attempted murder charge. The police officer, who is a constable attached to the Bray police station, was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday morning, 24 December 2024, in Ganyesa after he allegedly shot a 21-year-old victim at a local tavern. Colonel Myburgh said the victim was rushed to a local hospital where he was admitted in a serious condition. "A 9mm pistol was seized, and the matter was referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for further investigation," Myburgh said.

ZAMA ZAMAS ARRESTED

Meanwhile, the police in Potchefstroom, North West, have reported that since Monday, 23 December until yesterday, a total of 26 illegal miners were placed under arrest for illegal mining, trespassing and contravention of the Immigration Act, Act 13 of 2002. Of the 26 illegal miners, four resurfaced at Margaret Shaft and 22 at Buffelsfontein shaft no 10. The illegal miners who were arrested comprise of nine nationals from Lesotho, four Zimbabwe, nine from Mozambique and four South Africans.

North West police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh said in addition to the stipulated charges, one of the suspects will be charged for possession of gold bearing material and one suspect was found in possession of explosives.

All of suspects are still being processed and are expected to appear in the Stilfontein Magistrates' Court today.Myburgh said the "Vala Umgodi" operations continue in the Province.