As the year 2023 has begun, members from Standerton carried out Operation ‘Vala Konke’ on Monday 2 January 2023 which yielded some positive outcome, including various drug related arrests where Tik, Nyaope and dagga were confiscated.
As a result of this operation, two shebeens were closed down with about 319,38 litres of liquor confiscated. It is said that members were patrolling and noticed a group of people at a certain premises.
As the members drew nearer, it was discovered that the alleged owners were in fact running a shebeen. The place was searched where a large volume of liquor was found. A 35-year-old man was arrested and he paid a fine as an admission of guilt. Meanwhile the second illegal liquor outlet was closed after members discovered that a certain spaza shop was used to trade on liquor. A 33-year-old man was arrested and he paid a fine as an admission of guilt.
In another incident, information was received that there was a vehicle which was allegedly driven by a person under the influence of alcohol and the car was from Charl Cilliers heading to Standerton.
The vehicle was spotted and stopped and a male suspect aged 34 was arrested. A man (39) suspected to have murdered his female companion was also arrested after members involved in the said Operation received information on his whereabouts in Standerton.
Four other suspects were arrested on charges of public drinking and they paid fine as an admission of guilt.
As part of the operation, two suspects aged 23 and 30 were reportedly arrested on theft charges where it is alleged that they stole some tools and a 45-year-old male suspect was nabbed on charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The arrested suspects are expected to appear at the Standerton Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 3 January 2023 facing various charges.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the successes made by members during the operation.
