The Germiston SAPS cluster stations have started with their festive season operations, which aim to increase visibility in certain parts of the cluster.
So far the operations have seen a number of suspects being apprehended for various crimes, a lot of illegal shebeens being closed down and drunk drivers being nabbed.
In one instance, last Friday, at 11pm, the police arrested a man in possession of an illegal firearm.
The arrest came after three men were observed in President Street by plain-clothed policemen.
The trio pretended to be withdrawing money at an ATM, but two of them stood far from the one who was busy with ATM.
“When they realised they were being observed by the police the two ran away; the man at the ATM was cornered and searched and a firearm was found in his possession,” said WO Mduduzi Nhlabathi, communications officer for the Germiston cluster police.
The 30-year-old man was arrested.
The operations have yielded the following results so far: 50 people were nabbed for drunken driving, 10 for dealing in liquor without a licence, 10 for possession of dagga, 15 for assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm and three for pointing of firearms.
“These operations are going to continue throughout the festive season, because the cluster has noticed that crime has a tendency to pick up during this time and we want to ascertain that our malls, taxi ranks, busy shops and busy roads are constantly monitored to curb crime,” said Nhlabathi.
Germiston SAPS cluster commander Brig Phumla Mdlankomo applauded the members who are working around the clock to keep the community safe, and encouraged the community to stay vigilant at all times when withdrawing money from ATMs, when leaving banks and when approaching their driveways.
These are common areas that are popular with criminals when they are looking for potential victims.
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