KUGOMPO CITY – Operation Shanela II delivered a major victory in KuGompo City, with 25 undocumented foreign nationals arrested and 17 drunk driving cases recorded over the weekend.
Under the overall command of the Provincial Commissioner of Eastern Cape, Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata, with the District Commissioner of Buffalo City District Major General Christopher Wright as operational commander, a force comprising South African Police Service members, provincial traffic officers, officials from the Department of Home Affairs and officials from the Eastern Cape Liquor Board was deployed across the Buffalo City Metro District.
The operation ran from 21:00 on 17 April to 03:00 on 18 April. The MEC for Community Safety, Xolile Nqata, was also present.
SAPS said in a statement that the operational concept focused on combat actions, including foot patrols, vehicle patrols, stop-and-search procedures, closing of shebeens, flooding the central business district, vehicle checkpoints, enforcement of the Road Traffic Act, and enforcement of the Immigration Act.
“Specific priorities included combating human trafficking, drug trafficking, stock theft, carjackings, illegal firearms, possession of presumably stolen property, cash-in-transit robberies, and searching for stolen vehicles. The focus area was the KuGompo City policing area, with a zero-tolerance approach to crime in the BCM District,” the statement said.
In the field, members visited eight problematic registered liquor outlets in Duncan Village and KuGompo City. A compliance post inspection was conducted. No compliance notices were issued.
One vehicle checkpoint was established. A total of 168 persons were searched, and 70 vehicles were stopped. Patrols covered three malls, 19 ATMs, four taxi ranks, two railway stations, two retail centres, eight filling stations and eight key points. Two drug premises were also searched.
The Department of Home Affairs Immigration Unit checked 30 undocumented foreign nationals. Following verification, 25 were arrested.
In KuGompo City, 17 motorists were arrested for drunk driving. One suspect was arrested for possession of ammunition. Another was arrested for possession of drugs. A further suspect was charged with failing to safeguard a firearm.
In Kidd’s Beach, one person was arrested for possession of drugs. A search led to the discovery of drugs, ammunition and an undisclosed amount of cash.
Ncata said that Operation Shanela II continues to prove that there is no sanctuary for lawlessness in the Eastern Cape. He praised the multi-disciplinary approach, especially the immigration enforcement that led to the arrest of 25 undocumented persons, and warned that those who drive under the influence or possess illegal items will be arrested.
Nqata commended the men and women in blue for their dedication and visible policing, stating that such integrated operations send a strong message that crime will not be tolerated across the province.
The arrested suspects are expected to appear in the East London Magistrate’s Court soon.
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