More than 300 arrests during operation in city

Polokwane was hit by a wave of blue during the launch of operation Swara Tsotsi in the city on Friday.
Criminals had no way to escape the onslaught as Police, traffic officers of the department and Polokwane Municipality, Community Policing Forum (CPF) as well as officials from the departments of Home Affairs and Health clamped down on all hotspots in the city. Two major roadblocks conducted on the N1 also formed part of the operation. Transport and Community Safety MEC Dickson Masemola and acting Provincial Police Commissioner Jan Scheepers participated in the operation.

Provincial Police Spokesperson Moatshe Ngoepe confirmed that 309 suspects were arrested within three hours in and around the city. They were arrested on charges such as assault, theft, burglary and rape.
He further indicated that three firearms were recovered, 146 367 vehicles were searched at the roadblocks and in the city, 150 traffic fines were issued, a taxi impounded, nine illegal immigrants arrested and 610 people searched.
Ngoepe added that operation Swara Tsotsi is to ensure that criminals are dealt with effectively and that all crime hotspots are shut down. The operation saw Police from all levels of command sift through criminal activities in the city, townships, villages, shopping centres, industrial areas, taxi ranks and all public areas.
Similar multidisciplinary operations will be sustained across the province on a continuous basis focussing on various problematic issues such as drugs, unlicensed businesses, illegal firearms and ammunition, liquor control and undocumented migrants, according to Ngoepe.
During Polokwane Observer’s visit to the roadblock on the N1 just outside the city a male driver was fined after failing to stop when caught in a speed trap a few kilometres from the roadblock. Traffic officials quickly radioed officers at the roadblock where he was pulled from the road.

A female driver had some explaining to do when she was issued with a fine at the first roadblock but chucked it out of the window unaware that there was a second roadblock ahead. An officer radioed for assistance at the second roadblock where she was pulled over and had to face additional charges.
A mobile brake tester was also utilised on the N1 and several vehicles’ braking performance was tested on the spot.

“I am pleased that we are gathered here this morning to come and take forward the battle of reclaiming our streets, our villages and towns,” Masemola said during his address to participating members.
“I am taking this opportunity to invite all the people of the province that after this morning we are coming to your communities, to your villages, and townships. Those hotspots that have been occupied by criminals who want to make our lives very miserable – we are saying to them their days are numbered. We are going to make life very difficult for them. I have full confidence in men and women in uniform that together we are going to rid the province of all crime.”

Story & photos: RC Myburgh
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