Cops clamp down on illegal liquor dealers and traders across Rand West City

Police in the West Rand along with various stakeholders made life uneasy for illegal dealers and traders as they pounced on eight liquor outlets and shebeens in specifically the Randfontein CBD and Mohlakeng on Tuesday morning, August 29.

This follows a two-phased operation that was conducted by West Rand cops in collaboration with the Gauteng police, Firearms, Liquor and Second-Hand Goods Services (FLASH) unit as well as crime prevention wardens. The operations held between 08:00 and 14:00 were led by Colonel Mokoena and Lieutenant Colonel Ndlala as operational commanders.

According to West Rand District Police Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana, the first phase under Colonel Mokoena focused on inspecting and enforcing compliance with second-hand goods dealers, whereas the second phase under Lieutenant Colonel Ndlala focused on compliance with licensed liquor outlets and illegal shebeens.

He said several assault incidents, including attempted murders, rapes, and murders currently being reported to the police are liquor-related.

“Illegal shebeens contribute to most of these crimes as they conduct their business without considering or adhering to rules and regulations that govern the selling of liquor. In addition, illegal second-hand goods dealers who do not comply with business laws are equally to blame as they sell property belonging to the state as well as that of law-abiding citizens to be targeted for financial gain among others.”

Kekana added that six second-hand goods dealers were visited in the Randfontein CBD of which three were issued with J534 fines to the value of R4 000. Another eight liquor outlets were also visited at Madala hostel in Mohlakeng where three illegal shebeen owners evaded arrests, however, a total of 244 830ml of liquor was confiscated.

But police did not stop there and proceeded to visit the Zenzele informal settlement where they pounced on two illegal shebeens. Again two J534 fines were issued and the owners were placed under arrest with thousands of millilitres of alcohol being confiscated. Police further confiscated one illegal dealer’s music system during the arrest.

“The station commander of Randfontein Police was impressed with the results generated by the members and encouraged them to do the same at other policing precincts. All arrested suspects will appear at the Randfontein magistrates court soon,” concluded Kekana.