MATATIELE – As the Eastern Cape prepares to launch the Provincial Operation Safer Festive Season Operations 2020/2021, various crime combating operations were held throughout the Alfred Nzo District focusing on enforcing compliance to Disaster Management Act, protecting our borders, fighting stock theft, public safety, road safety and eradication of illegal trade in alcohol.
Heavy police visibility was maintained at Matatiele and Flagstaff, Mbizana including the Maluti and Drakensberg.
Through concerted efforts to fight illegal trade in alcohol, 4 suspects, two males and two females aged between 24-41, were arrested and charged for illegal trade in alcohol. 286 cases of beer were recovered during these arrest.
One male suspect was arrested for illegally trading in alcohol at Magusheni. He pleaded guilty and paid a sum of R2500-00 Admission of Guilt fine.
Coastal Zone Mbizana:
Two (2) suspects, 31-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man were arrested for selling liquor without license at Mbizana.
Another 24-year-old man was arrested for possession of dangerous weapons namely four okapi knives and one dagger.
Alfred Nzo District Drakensberg Zone:
Police recovered thirty two (32) goats that were reported as stolen at Caba Location.
The goats were recovered near Caba locality and were released to the lawful owner.
Lesotho /South Africa success:
Members who were deployed at the Drakensberg border recovered one horse and the horse was released from Qachasnek Pound to RSA via Pholile SAPS.
• Twenty two sheep were also released from Qachasnek pound to RSA via Pholile SAPS.
• Four cattle were identified by Lesotho Nationals in RSA and will be released after proper documentation has been signed.
Alfred Nzo District, Mt Ayliff:
A stop and search roadblock was conducted and the following successes were achieved:
380 people and 186 vehicles were searched.
Six tickets for traffic infringements were issued all related to driving unlicensed motor vehicles
Members visited 4 (ATM) Automatic Teller machines, 4 taverns and three banks to ensure public safety.
A 34-year-old woman and 41-year-old man were arrested for illegal sales of alcohol. Seventy two cases of 750ml Castle Milk Stout and 21 cases of 750 ml Castle Lager were confiscated.
Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga commended the members for their dedication. “We will continue to intensify our efforts to thwart all criminality and public safety before, during and beyond Operation Safer Festive Season,” she said.
