Police to take back the streets through Operation Fiela
Police hope Operation Fiela will take back the streets of Ekurhuleni.
There was a sea of blue at the Germiston City Sports Club on Friday, when over 600 police officers stood on parade during the launch of Operation Fiela.
The operation sees officers from all departments of the SAPS and EMPD joining forces to take a stand against crime.
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“Today is all about the operation launched by our minister of police Fikile Mbalula last month – Operation Fiela,” said SAPS provincial commissioner of Gauteng, Lt Gen Deliwe de Lange.
“Operation Fiela translates to ‘sweep’, and we plan to sweep across Gauteng targeting hijacked and derelict buildings which have been known to be used by the homeless and prostitutes.
“We will also be searching for wanted criminals during the operation, especially those accused of aggravated crimes such as house robbery.
“In short, we are reclaiming the streets of Gauteng for our community so that they feel safe to walk in the streets,” she said.
When asked why the launch had taken place in Germiston, de Lange explained that Ekurhuleni’s mayor, Mzwandile Masina, requested that the operation visit the area as a number of problems with crime have been identified.
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“Though the operation starts in Germiston it will cover the whole of Ekurhuleni,” said de Lange.
During Operation Fiela officers will conduct a number of different operations, including but not limited to stop-and-searches and roadblocks.
Also present at the event was Gauteng MEC for Community Safety Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, who spoke to the officers before they headed out into the community.
“I am not sending you out into the community to be brutal to our people,” Nkosi-Malobane warned.
“You are not a ‘skop, skiet en donder’ department, you are the police service, you are to provide service to the people and to protect property and people against criminals.
“Your job is to show that you care and you protect.
“Now let’s go out there and do our job.”
Nkosi-Malobane commended the officers for the good work they do and wished them the best of luck as they took to the streets.
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