OPERATION SHANELA A SUCCESS IN JOE GQABI

JOE GQABI: SAPS members continued with their efforts to prevent and detect  crime within the Joe Gqabi District as part of  Operation “Shanela II” over the psst weekend.

The operations included the activities of roadblocks, high visibility foot and vehicle patrols, stop and search of persons and vehicles and the monitoring of liquor outlets as well as spaza shops. 

SAPS specialized units and the provincial and local traffic departments joined the operational activities in the monitoring of road traffic compliance and drunk and driving. 

The searches included that of dangerous weapons, drugs, illegal firearms, prevention of stock theft were also focused on during the operations with  patrols on national and farm roads.

The larger stations in the Joe Gqabi District were complimented with the manpower of the different specialized units and smaller stations.

At the roadblocks 474 persons and 107 vehicles searched and 33 fines were issued at the roadblocks in Lady Grey, Steynsburg and Aliwal North to the value of R 34 000-00 – 33 J534 fines were issued for public drinking and 3 undocumented persons arrested.

In Sterkspruit alone, a 20-year-old suspect was arrested for selling liquor beyond trading hours and the liquor was confiscated.

Apart from that, three arrests were also made for driving under the influence of liquor and a liquor outlet closed down for selling liquor without a license. Suspects were traced and also arrested for common Robbery, GBH, Child neglect common assault,  rape and theft .

Meanwhile, Captain Ursula Roelofse said the following drugs were confiscated: 21 zip lock plastics with “tik”, 68 mandrax tablets in different sizes.

At Phumalanga, a blue plastic bag containing loose dagga were also confiscated including several dangerous weapons in the form of knives and scissors were confiscated.

By Phumzile Ngcatshe