On 26 August 2022 a sting operation was conducted in Delmas by the multi-disciplinary stakeholders consisting of members of the SAPS from Delmas (Visible Policing and Detectives), SAPS members from the District office, Department of Home Affairs (Immigration officers) and AAA Security Company.
During the said operation, which was mainly carried out in Sarel Celliers in Delmas as well as in Botleng, great successes were achieved which include the arrest of five suspects aged between 22 and 33 for possession of illegal drugs. Several items were seized, including 36 small Ziplock bags stashed with dagga, 10 suspected rock cocaine, 33 sachets compressed with suspected heroin.
Furthermore, seven undocumented persons aged between 23 and 35 were arrested and charged for contravention of the Immigration Act.
It is further reported that a street vendor who is alleged to be an undocumented person evaded arrest as he fled when he became aware of the arrival of the law enforcement officers. The man is said to have left some items, including 187 schedule 4 tablets and amongst these tablets were antibiotics. The other items that he abandoned in the street include hats and wallets.
The arrested suspects are expected to appear in the Delmas District’s Court on Monday, 29 August 2022 facing the said charges.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has applauded the team spirit displayed by the law enforcement agencies which yielded positive results. “The public should expect more of such operations especially now that the winter season is coming to an end. Normally this is a period where movements of people after hours is expected to rise. It is during these times where criminals also take advantage and target their victims. We will be jointly increasing our crime prevention activities to mitigate the challenges. Therefore we will not allow any criminality in the province” said the General.
