According to Captain Fritz Kriel, operations commander for the new tactical team, they have already performed a number of successful operations in and around the Fourways area.
On 14 November, the team conducted a high-visibility operation in Kya Sands and Msawawa informal settlement. Kriel said five shebeens were closed, three people were arrested for drug dealing and three knives were confiscated during the operation.
On 19 November, the tactical team conducted an operation to monitor taxi behaviour on Cedar Road in response to numerous complaints from residents about lawless driving. According to Warrant Officer Balan Muthan, head of communications for Douglasdale police, during the operation 16 taxis were fined for various contraventions of the National Road Traffic Act.
On 20 November, the team conducted another operation in Douglasdale and Jukskei Park during which four people were arrested for illegal gambling, another four were arrested for trespassing, and one person was arrested for possession of drugs.
Kriel said due to the increase in domestic violence-related offences in the Douglasdale policing precinct, the team is clamping down on illegal liquor outlets as well as drug and alcohol abuse.
In total 23 drug-related arrests were made by the tactical team in November.
Kriel said the team was planning to intensify their operations leading up to the festive season, so the community can expect more roadblocks on all routes, as well as roving roadblocks.
“If community members are planning on drinking they should hire taxis or designate a sober driver,” Muthan said.
“At the end of the day these operations are for the public’s safety.”
