The Nelson Mandela Bay District launch of Operation Sikhona in KwaNobuhle raked in significant successes as police and other law enforcement officers clamped down on criminals on Thursday.
The multi-disciplinary, multi-faceted operation included participation by all 18 police stations of the NMB District as well as Metro Police and Traffic Services. The NMB District Commissioner, Maj. Gen. Vuyisile Ncata, addressed local stakeholders, which included councillors, the religious fraternity and operational members as well as the media with a strong message that SAPS cannot fight crime alone.
“We need the partnerships of our community in terms of neighbourhood watches and Community Police Forums, as well as partnerships by our local businesses and religious fraternity. Our sector policing enables us to police and manage smaller sections of the area together with various stakeholders within those smaller sections,” Ncata explained.
He added that the role of fighting and preventing crime is a huge undertaking, and that the SAPS appreciates all projects and events aimed at assisting them to make the streets safe for communities.
“Corruption within our police ranks will not be tolerated and will be rooted out as it is discovered. General discipline and friendly service delivery are important aspects which are being stepped up in all 18 of our police stations within this district,” he continued.
The operations included roving stop and searches, vehicle check points, visits to taverns, liquor outlets, second hand goods businesses and local spaza shops for compliance with relevant permits and licenses as well as the searching for unlicensed firearms and drugs.
The successes included: Traffic fines to the value of R52 000 issued, a total of R10 500 fines in terms of non-compliance with liquor licences and second hand goods licences. A further fine of R1 500 was issued to a business in terms of selling fireworks products without the necessary permit.
Three suspects were arrested for the possession of Mandrax and dagga, and one man was arrested for drunk driving. A total of 33 Mandrax tablets and five rolls of dagga were confiscated.
Two vehicles were impounded as their engines numbers were tampered with.
With the Festive season approaching, policing operations will be intensified with more boots on the ground in all hotspot areas across Nelson Mandela Bay.
