Westenburg residents takes law into own hands

POLOKWANE – Some Westenburg residents last Monday took it upon themselves to inspect foreign-owned spaza shops in the area, without the assistance of the police.

The effort to carry out the operation without the help of law enforcement was brought about by the many administrative duties which must be carried out in order for such raids to be considered legal, many of those who joined, told Polokwane Observer.

“We engaged police to help us search foreign-owned spaza shops after we saw law enforcement officials elsewhere confiscate expired products, while people died in some areas, apparently from having eaten expired goods.

“When they told us that station police could not assist and that they first had to call a certain unit to assist together with Home Affairs officials and by-law enforcement officers, we felt that it would take too long and we feared that by the time the operations start, the word would have spread to the shop owners. So, we went ahead,” one person said.

The area’s station commander, Welheminah Mokwena was not aware of the searches at the time of Polokwane Observer’s enquiry on Friday.

“I am hearing about this for the first time. I would have advised that we plan accordingly and invite the local municipality and others responsible so that the operations can happen within the prescripts of law,” she said.

While nothing untoward was found at the shops, two boxes with 300 units of cough syrup meant to be sold by registered outlets, were found at a rented room in the area, in the possession of a woman known to some in the township.

The woman has not been apprehended.

In the meantime, Mokwena said the police condemn citizens taking the law into their own hands.

“If there are things bothering you, talk to Community Policing Forum members or talk to us.

“Taking the law into your own hands can be dangerous,” she said.