AMATHOLE DISTRICT - During the weekend police together with members of the Traffic Department in Amathole District conducted Operation Vala Konke and arrested suspects aged between 24 and 58 years.

During the operation roadblocks were conducted and fines to the value of more than R80 000.00 were issued. They also patrol the policing precincts doing stop and searches and checking compliance by taverns.

Shebeens that were not in compliance were closed and liquor confiscated. As part of the crime prevention strategy police ensure that they concentrate on hotspot areas where drugs and liquor are sold and more suspects were arrested for dealing and in possession of drugs and selling liquor without license. Police enhanced high visibility in their respective stations within Amathole District and drugs, liquor outlets and dangerous weapons were confiscated and they ensure that they are squeezing crime to zero.

These suspects are due to appear at different Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday, 28 December 2022.

The District Commissioner Major General Ngangema Xakavu thanked the members for their dedication in fighting crime and their commitment in ensuring that communities are safe and secure. He also thanked the external stakeholders that always form partnership with police in fighting crime and in ensuring that perpetrators of crime are brought to justice. "We will keep on doing operation as part of our crime prevention duties", he added.

Source: South African Police Service