Police shut down illegal shebeens, hunt for murderers

The Reiger Park SAPS held a massive operation on October 14 to shut down illegal shebeens, believed to be fuelling the township’s violent crime problem.

The proactive measure, led by the station commander Lieutenant Colonel Roets and supported by the CPF patrollers, resulted in the closure of two unlicensed taverns and the seizure of over 100 crates full of alcohol in Ramaphosa and Reiger Park.
According to Reiger Park SAPS’ Constable Msimang, the owners were arrested and charged for contravening the Gauteng Liquor Act.

“All of their stock was confiscated, and they (the suspects) were scheduled to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court soon,” explained Msimang.
Msimang pointed out that in the area liquor remains one of the biggest contributors to violent crime, including murder, attempted murder, assault GBH and gender-based violence.

The station management vowed to continue clamping down on illegal shebeens throughout the approaching festive season and in the years to come.
The station has in the fourth quarter according to the police crime statistics recorded a 280% increase in attempted murder, while assault GBH (13%), murder (9.1%) and common assault (28.1%) also spiked.

Murdered
In another unrelated crime, police are investigating a case of murder after a 31-year-old man was shot and killed while on his way to work on October 14.
“The victim was walking along Delmore informal settlement near Actom on Magnet Road in Knights when he was shot once in the upper body. He was certified dead on the scene.”
This fatal shooting came barely a day after a shopkeeper was robbed and fatally shot in his workplace in the same area.
No arrests have been made in connection with the two incidents, and police have made a renewed appeal for anyone with information to come forward
To share any relevant information, visit the police station or contact Roets on 011 960 0220/011 960 0219.

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