Police swoop on criminals in Heidelberg
SAPS is cleaning up the city, one operation at a time.
The Heidelberg SAPS, CPF, patrollers, task team detectives and other role players in law enforcement conducted a sting operation in the Heidelberg and Ratanda areas.
The role players were out in force because of Operation Shanela, which consists of regular stop-and-searches, roadblocks, checkpoints and visible patrolling.
“With regular drives that include Operation Shanela, we want to clean the Heidelberg and Ratanda areas of criminal elements and activities,” said Heidelberg station commander Colonel Phiwe Ndwandwe.
Many SAPS members combed the streets of Heidelberg on August 17, searching for the sale of illegal goods, contraband, and suspects wanted for various offences, among others.
Law enforcement personnel searched about 250 people and 119 vehicles and visited shebeens, tuck shops, general dealers and filling stations.
In Ratanda, they searched 110 people, 35 vehicles, liquor outlets, businesses and residential premises.
The arrests included illegal immigrants, dagga possession and dealing, and illegal cigarette sales. They also impounded a vehicle.
After the initial operation, the Heidelberg SAPS continued patrolling the streets on August 18 and 19.
During the latest operation, law enforcers made further arrests for being in possession of a stolen vehicle, contraband, counterfeit DVDs, drunken driving, and possession of dangerous weapons.
They issued fines for not complying with the by-laws.
The Heidelberg SAPS will act in any areas where they suspect illegal activities take place.
“People are saying this is not a solution because more criminals will come out and replace the ones arrested,” Ndwandwe concluded.
“We will be ready for them and continue to clean Heidelberg of unwanted criminal activities.”
