Clamping down on crooks this festive season

GEORGE NEWS - Provincial Deputy Commissioner of Visible Policing, Major-General Mpumelelo Manci, officially opened the start of the Safer Festive Season campaign at the Garden Route Mall on Friday 9 December.

The event was due to start at 14:00 but due to unforeseen circumstances only commenced nearer 16:00.

The management of police in the Western Cape, led by Manci, also joined local police members, municipal and provincial traffic officers and law enforcement on safer festive season operations aimed at drug and liquor outlets in the Garden Route throughout the day and the rest of the weekend.

According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies, these operations yielded excellent results with the confiscation of drugs, liquor and dangerous weapons during operation Vala Konke, which started last Thursday.

Provincial Deputy Commissioner of Visible Policing, Major-General Mpumelelo Manci, addressing the parade.

Operations included roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, visits to licensed liquor outlets, closing down drug and illegal liquor outlets, mall patrols and blue-light patrols in crime-ridden areas.

"A total of 24 suspects were arrested in Conville, Thembalethu and Knysna for drug-related offences, eight for possession of dangerous weapons and one for unlawful possession of ammunition. Police also seized small quantities of Mandrax, tik, dangerous weapons, ammunition and an imitation firearm," said Spies.

The Garden Route rural flying squad also recovered a Chevrolet bakkie stolen at Great Brak River, when they spotted the vehicle parked in Sedgefield.

The team seized the vehicle and arrested a suspect (26) on charges of theft of a motor vehicle, housebreaking and theft.

"Safer Festive Season operations will be enhanced with the deployment of more resources in the lead-up to the holiday period to ensure that the general public and visitors are and feel safe," said Spies.

The parade at the Garden Route Mall on Friday afternoon. Photos: Kristy Kolberg