JOE GQABI DISTRICT – Committed and dedicated SAPS members in a continuous effort to contain and manage COVID-19 by intensifying the enforcement of the Disaster Management Act regulations yielded positive results during the weekend in different crime prevention endeavours.

Members of different specialised units including Visible Policing, Detectives, K9, Mounted Unit formed part of special operations conducted at all the stations in the District.

The activities included stop and search, visits to shopping centres, businesses and second hand goods dealers. High visibility foot patrols and highway patrols and monitoring of funerals.

Roadblocks were also held daily at Aliwal North, Sterkspruit/Walaza and Venterstad. At the Aliwal North roadblock a suspect was arrested for drunk and driving and also having liquor in his possession.

At Phumalanga Station three cases of possession of dagga and an illegal trading of liquor case were opened.

Members of Ugie while patrolling saw a suspicious vehicle close to a tavern and on close investigation managed to stop the vehicle with liquor. The suspect was arrested and a fine of R7000-00 was issued

Members of the Barkly East Mounted Unit came to assist and formed part of the operations at Aliwal North and managed to arrest a suspect at Hilton for selling of drugs after they followed up positive information. 14 Plastic sachets of tik and cash were confiscated.

Barkly East members also arrested a suspect for the possession of presumed stolen property and recovered a Laptop, flat screen TV and 2 DVD players to the value of R25 000-00.

The acting District Commissioner Brigadier Rudolph Adolph commended the members on their commitment, dedication and good successes regardless of the ice cold weather we endure. Keep up with the good work! He also once again appealed to the community to work together with the SAPS to adhere to the DMA Regulations in order to contain and manage Covid-19.

Source: South African Police Service