The MEC for safety and police commissioner go to Tonga to fight crime

The Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL) recently held an Overall Friday Operation in and around Tonga’s police precinct, and several arrests were made for various violations. This operation was conducted the night of April 28 and early morning on 29.

These various transgressions included the violating of liquor trading licences, public drinking, violations of the Immigration Act and assault with the intention to cause grievous bodily harm.

ALSO READ: Mpumalanga Ehlanzeni District hosts interuniversity competition to fight GBVF

The Overall Friday Operation is an initiative in which officials from various departments or organisations in the justice, crime prevention and security cluster come together to fight crime in identified areas during specific weekends.

The weekend’s high-density operation was led by the MEC for safety, Vusi Shongwe, accompanied by the provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela.

“Two people were taken in for violating the Immigration Act, and four others were arrested for trading in alcohol without licences and were fined R5 000 each. The team went on to arrest two people who were allegedly found in possession of gambling slot machines. The two were each issued fines of R1 500. The team brought to book about five people for public drinking. The police further confiscated expired goods at the Tonga Shopping Complex. Meanwhile, one suspect was arrested for assault with the intention to do grievous bodily harm.”

ALSO READ: Popular Selati 2-in-1 Marathon to hit Nkomazi

Shongwe and Manamela welcomed the efforts of the security cluster in the area. Shongwe said he was content with the level of commitment by the members. “We want the province to reduce crime the same way we have reduced road fatalities and fatal crashes during the recent Easter holidays. When we work together as a security cluster, an impact will be made in fighting crime,” he said.