WESTERN CAPE – The Garden Route District Commissioner, Major General Norman Modishana, deployed 131 newly trained Constables to various towns in the region supplementing police units already assigned to Safer Festive Season operations under the theme “More boots on the ground towards enhanced police visibility”. They gathered at a parade in George on Wednesday, 21 December 2022 before their deployment to Thembalethu where operations commenced.
Operations includes roadblocks, vehicle check points, closing down of shebeens, compliance inspections at second-hand goods dealers, security companies and liquor licenced premises, high density patrols, foot patrols at malls and beaches. The operations are conducted in conjunction with local municipal traffic and law enforcement, Western Cape Provincial Traffic, neighbourhood watch volunteers and other law enforcement agencies.
On Wednesday, the forces conducted high density patrols and stop and search operations in crime ridden areas at Thembalethu, George. The team arrested a suspect for possession of drugs and confiscated numerous dagga plants. Fines to the value of R5 500-00 were issued for offences committed.
Later the same day 21 December 2022, members of the Knysna Crime Prevention unit conducted tracing operations in Groot Brakrivier in search of a wanted suspect in a robbery committed at Knysna earlier. Investigation took the vigilant members to a house at Wolwedans where he was tracked down. A search of the suspect and premises led to the confiscation of 200gram tik, 47 bankies of tik, 174 stoppe dagga and R17 300-00 in cash. The cash is believed to be the proceeds of the illicit drug trade.
Two suspects, a man (30) and woman (40), were arrested on charges of dealing in drugs.
Yesterday 22 December 2022, the same team conducted focused operations in Oudtshoorn where they arrested two suspects who were charged for the illicit possession of drugs and possession of housebreaking implements respectively. The team confiscated small quantities of drugs, dagga plants and issued fines valued at R9400-00 for offences.
All the suspects will appear in their respective courts once charged.
Major General Modishana is leading the forces in high density operations in Still Bay and Riversdale today with a special focus on the closing down of drug and illegal liquor outlets.
Meanwhile, deployments were also increased where large groups gather, with a specific focus on malls and beaches. These deployments is in line with the provincial operational plan to curb serious and violent crimes over the festive period. Enhanced deployments to ensure that more boots are on ground will be maintained in the lead up to this weekend’s festivities and beyond to ensure that the public and holidaymakers are and feel safe.
Source: South African Police Service