By Kopano Dibakwane
Over 30 suspects were arrested for various crimes during the Overall Friday sting operation led by Mpumalanga MEC for DCSSL(Community Safety, Security and Liaison),Vusi Shongwe, and Mpumalanga Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt-General Semakaleng Manamela, starting from Friday 16 February and throughout the weekend.
The high density operation was reportedly carried out in areas such as Elukwatini, Standerton and Hazyview, with the assistance of members from the security cluster and other stakeholders including; Community Policing Forums(CPF’s), Mpumalanga Economic Regulator(MER), the Departments of Justice, Correctional Services and Home Affairs, as well as officials from the Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality.
According to DCSSL spokesperson, Moeti Mmusi, a briefing was held prior to the operation, in which Shongwe called on the security cluster members to protect each other if they wanted to win the war against crime. He said that Shongwe also urged the members to refrain from criticising one another in public.
“ The MEC bemoaned lack of compliance by some liquor traders. He called on MER and the police to always act decisively on transgressors.
“ The briefing also heard that Elukwatini Police Station was amongst the 30 top priority stations in terms of contributing to crime. It is also among the top 5 priority stations in Gert Sibande District Municipality,” said Mmusi.
He said that the priority crimes in the area include assault with intention to do grievous bodily harm(GBH), burglary at residential areas, and proliferation of drugs, amongst others.
Mmusi added that several taverns were raided and it was discovered that issues that contribute to crime include an increase of taverns in the area and the influx of foreign nationals who allegedly keep their money inside their businesses.
“ The selling of counterfeit alcohol and expired food to residents also came under the spotlight. The police were ordered to continue acting on those who are responsible,” said Mmusi.
He mentioned that all suspects who were arrested during the sting operation will appear in various courts across the province, facing various charges for crimes such as; rape, driving under the influence of alcohol, violation of a protection order, theft, dealing in drugs, contravention of the Liquor Act, drinking in public, common robbery, to name but a few. In addition, Mmusi said that three motorists were slapped with traffic-related fines to the value of R6000.
