GQEBERHA – Since the Nelson Mandela Bay District launch of the Safer Festive Season operation on Wednesday, 7 December 2022, police have been bolstering their efforts to ensure a safer festive season for its citizens.
Soon after the District Commissioner, Maj Gen Vuyisile Ncata addressed the men and women in blue including other law enforcement officers at a parade held on 7 December 2022 at the Gelvandale stadium, the Northern areas immediately saw an intensified police visibility. Known drug dens and houses of gang members searched, shopping malls visited and illegal shebeens closed down with the Maj Gen Ncata taking the lead.
A total of 63 arrests were made in special operations conducted during the day and night. Detective officers conducted operations during the night in search of outstanding suspects wanted in their cases. Suspects were detained for cases which included dealing in liquor without a licence, illegal possession of a firearms and ammunition, murder, attempted murder etc.
On Friday, 09 December 2022 at about 17:25 SAPS Kwanobuhle Crime Prevention members were patrolling in Lawrence Vinqi Street, when the owner of an Izuzu bakkie flagged them down and reported that he was hijacked. It is alleged that the complainant was pointed with a firearm by three suspects and his vehicle with groceries were taken. While patrolling the members were on the lookout for the vehicle and found is abandoned in Mqabi Street with all its groceries. One suspect was arrested for vehicle hijacking and two replica firearms were confiscated.
Also on Friday, 09 December 2022 at about 20:51 Anti-Gang Unit members arrested a 40-year-old woman at a house in Highfield road in Schauderville for contravening the Medicines Control Act – illegal possession of Schedule 5 and 6 tablets. The woman was arrested in November 2022 for the same offence and was released pending her next court appearance on 28 February 2023. A total of 406 tablets (stillpain, Perky’s and Tripiline) as well as cash were confiscated.
In another incident, SAPS Kwazakele members recovered a suspected stolen vehicle just after midnight on Sunday, 11/12. It is alleged that as members were patrolling at about 00:05 in Mahambahlala Street, Kwazakhele when they noticed a White Renault Triber with no license plates and lights were off. Upon approaching the vehicle, it sped off into the Qaqawuli area and two suspects abandoned the vehicle and ran away. The vehicle is brand new with less than 100km on the odometer clock. The vehicle was allegedly stolen from a business premises.
During the weekend, several taverns were visited to ensure compliance in terms of the Liquor Act.
Maj Gen Ncata has reiterated that police manpower and resources will be deployed during this festive period under the theme of ‘More boots on the ground towards enhanced police visibility’. ‘There will be intensified police visibility and operations conducted throughout the metro to combat crime and criminality in order to ensure the safety of both citizens and tourists in the metro. At the same time, we urge residents to play their part in making sure that their property and possessions are not compromised by taking being security conscious at all times,’ added Maj Gen Ncata.
Source: South African Police Service