Concerted efforts by Police in the Eden Cluster in the Garden Route District and the strategic deployment of integrated forces on the ground ensured that 487 suspects were arrested between Wednesday evening, 7 July 2021 and Sunday morning, 11 July 2021 at 06:00. Of these, three hundred and eighty three (383) were arrested for reported crime, committed during the mentioned period.
These arrests represent various criminal offences, ranging from petty crime to Contravention of DMA Covid-19 Regulations and other serious crime.
Twenty (20) were wanted suspects for serious crimes.
This weekend’s operations included high visibility patrols in crime stricken areas, stop and search operations with a special focus on drug and liquor outlets, illegal firearms, the tracing of wanted suspects and the confiscation of dangerous weapons.
Most of the arrested suspects will make their court appearance in the local magistrates’ court on Monday, 12 July 2021, whilst others either received an admission of guilt fine or a warning to appear in court on a later date.
Meanwhile integrated forces pounced on eight illegal drug outlets in their respective areas over the weekend and confiscated a considerable, although smaller amount of dagga, Mandrax and liquor whilst arresting several suspects. All these illegal outlets were closed. In addition to these illegal outlets, two Legal liquor outlets in Oudtshoorn and Thembalethu respectively, were closed and heavily fined for the contravention of the Disaster Management Act by selling liquor which is prohibited as per current Lockdown Regulations under Level Four.
Eden Acting Cluster Commander, Brigadier Phumzile Cetyana, commended all members for their vigilance in bringing these perpetrators to book. He reiterated that although seemingly insignificant for some, these police initiated interventions indeed prevented the commission of other serious crimes such as Murders, Robberies, serious assaults, Domestic-Violence and Gender Based Violent crimes from happening. He also appeals to the community to adhere to the Covid-19 Protocols to prevent the transmission of the Virus and to also adhere to the Curfew that applies from 21:00 to 04:00.
Western Cape Provincial Management has lauded the members for their efforts that contributed to a safer weekend in the various policing precincts.
