Over the past quarter, between 1 April and 30 June, the Swartland and Overstrand K9 Units have made their bite felt across the West Coast and Overberg districts.
This according to Reagan Allen, Provincial Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety.
These units ensured 236 individuals could be arrested for a variety of crimes, while also detecting large amounts of contraband such as drugs, which is a huge issue in communities.
The Swartland unit, which has nine officers and nine dogs, had an expenditure of over R4,58 million, while Overberg, which has seven officers and five dogs, had an expenditure of R2,42 million.
The K9 Unit’s main objective is to serve as a crime fighting force multiplier to the South African Police Service and other role-players with the search for and detection of contraband, particularly drugs, explosive devices, firearms, ammunition as well as providing assistance to the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (Daff) to curb the illegal trade of abalone, crayfish and other marine products.
Highlights from the Swartland Unit are as follows: . They made 98 arrests, of which 46 were drug related.. They conducted 11 roadblocks and searched 482 persons and 745 vehicles.. One firearm was confiscated.. Various drugs were confiscated, including 1 838 Mandrax tablets, 113 tik straws and various other illicit drugs.. Conducted searches at the Malmesbury Medium A Correctional Centre, and on the two occasions found dagga, tik, Mandrax and cash.
Allen said: “I commend these units for their continued effort to keep areas outside of the Metro safe. They play a significant role and their presence is being felt by criminals.
“With their and Leap (Law Enforcement Advancement Plan) [officers’] intervention, we’re ensuring more visibility on the ground across the province, which are vital interrupters to the plans and activities of criminals.
“During a visit at the end of June I had the privilege of joining the Malmesbury unit at a vehicle checkpoint, which led to the arrest of a male suspect and the confiscation of dagga bankies. I saw how effective the officers and our K9 friends are. I’m looking forward to visiting and engaging the Overstrand unit in due course.
“We want to have more K9 units deployed along our highways and various other spaces, and this is why it is important that the South African Police Service is managed by the Western Cape Government, so its K9 Unit can also be effectively used.
“We will continue our effective and efficient working relationships with all role-players, ensuring collaboration of resources by creating a culture of cohesion to reach operational goals, which ultimately leads to creating safer roads and communities.”
