WESTERN CAPE – Concerted efforts to safeguard the public during the holiday period as part of ongoing Safer Festive Season operations once again yielded positive results with the confiscation of counterfeit goods, drugs and non-ferrous metals in the Southern Cape.
Weekend crime prevention operations which commenced on Friday, 07 January 2022 involved the deployment of various police units, Public Order Police, Rural Flying Squad and Cluster Crime Combatting Teams, in conjunction with counterparts from Provincial and Local Traffic as well as Law Enforcements from local authorities. The combined efforts included roadblocks and vehicle check points along highways, vehicle and blue light patrols in crime stricken areas, closing of drug and liquor outlets and stop and search operations.
On Friday, 07 January 2022, these forces conducted a roadblock on the N2 highway at the Tsitsikamma Tollgate where they stopped and searched a passenger bus. The thorough search yielded positive results when police confiscated R52 000-00 worth of counterfeit goods. An enquiry docket was opened to investigate the origin and possible destination thereof.
The same day 07 January 2022, Ladismith members were deployed to patrol hotspot areas when they spotted a suspicious looking person at Bell Street, Ladismith. When noticing the police approaching the man fled. The vigilant members pursued the man and apprehended him. A search led to the confiscation of 100 Mandrax tablets which was found in his possession. The 18-year-old suspect was arrested on possession of drugs.
Furthermore, this morning 09 January 2022 at about 04:30 Swellendam police and Western Cape Provincial Traffic conducted a roadblock on the N2 highway where they noticed a suspicious looking vehicle. While approaching the vehicle, it sped off and a vehicle chase ensued. The vehicle, a Volkswagen Polo, stopped at a nearby gravel road where three occupants exited and fled into the bushes. A search of the area ensued when the team later apprehended two men. Upon searching the vehicle the members found 220 kilogram of copper cables in the back.
Both suspects aged, aged 22 and 24 are facing charges of possession of suspected stolen property. Their accomplice is yet to be arrested.
Investigation into the origin of the copper cable as well as involvement in possible similar crime in the area is under investigation.
In the meantime, the closing down of drug outlets continued when Eden Cluster Crime Combatting and Rural Flying Squad conducted focused operations where they arrested six suspects, two for dealing in drugs and four for possession of drugs, in Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Conville and Kwanokuthula . These forces confiscated 39 bankies of Tik, 32 Mandrax tablets and 14 Tik straws during the arrests.
All arrested remains in police custody. They will make their expected court appearances once charged.
The Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, expressed his gratitude towards the vigilance and commitment of the members involved with these busts. Lt Gen Patekile said: “These operational successes forms part of ongoing Safer Festive Season operations which will conclude later this month. Similar operations would continue beyond this period as part of continues efforts to curb these type of crime, especially infrastructural damage and theft to and of non-ferrous metals, which could have devastating impact to and on livelihoods as well as the economy of these remote areas”.
Source: South African Police Service