MBOMBELA- Systems are all in place to ensure a safer festive season for citizens and everyone who visits Mpumalanga province this festive season.
This was according to acting provincial commissioner, Adv Lt Meshack Nogwanya at a media briefing on the state of readiness for the festive season at the Church Unlimited last Monday.
The event was coupled with Nogwanya addressing hundreds of station commanders, cluster commanders and provincial commanders of various units in the province.
Nogwanya added that build-up programmes towards the festive season started on October 6, although the official launch took place on November 29.
“They have already yielded results and 697 suspects have been arrested as a result of a concerted joint effort by the tracking teams, in terms of our operational plans,” said Nogwanya.
The state of readiness includes lots of operations already taking place and the focus points will be from eMalahleni to Komatipoort. As a result, the N4 has been declared a no-go area for those intending to bring illegal substances and weapons into the province.
“If you happen to be in the middle, you will not pass N4. Our systems are in place as we speak and we shall not tolerate any lawlessness on this route,” he added.
Nogwanya adds that they will conduct Operation High Density, aimed at investigating and cleaning up specific towns which were not mentioned at the briefing.
“During this time, all resources will be channelled towards that town and whoever is inside will not get out and no one will be able to gain entry until our operation has been completed,” he said.
Police visibility will be obvious on all major roads of the province, conducting stop-and-search and other operations. “Drunk drivers will be detained immediately, and we hope they will be kept in custody until the festive season is over,” he said.
Police support staff will also monitor malls and CBDs in the province to ensure that the community is safe from criminals. “We are ready to ensure that our people can do their shopping knowing full well that they are protected.”
Operation Basadi, which will be conducted by women police only, was conducted at KwaMhlanga which is notorious for sexual assault, women and child abuse and is rife with illegal substances including Nyaope. “We want to focus there and we aim to double the number of arrests,” he said.
Nogwanya added that the operational plan presented by MEC for safety, security and community’s liaison, Mr Vusi Shongwe, still stands.
“We want to assure the community, business people and visitors that Hazyview will be one of the places to visit without fear of pickpockets or robbers. eMalahleni will be crime free because we are to deal with it mercilessly, and the N4 will be a no-go area for all lawlessness,” Nogwanya said.
He added that abnormal loads would be forced to unpack so that police could physically inspect them.
Nogwanya added they had Plan B to deal with corrupt police members who target N4 motorists with the aim of demanding bribes from them. “People must utilise our call centres, identify the police officers and the police vehicle they are using.”
Report any crime or corrupt activities on 0800-701-701.
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