The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Eastern Cape together with external stakeholders in three Provinces that are in the borders with Lesotho together and Lesotho Mounted Police Service has intensified efforts to combat crime through targeted Bilateral Cross Border Operations. These operations are conducted in the borders of Eastern Cape Province (Alfred Nzo, Joe Gqabi and OR Tambo Districts) and Lesotho.
The operation, which involved various SAPS units and operational partners such as SANDF, Immigration officers, Departments of labour and environmental affairs, Traffic officers and Border Management Authority focused on addressing priority crimes, stock theft, vehicle theft, undocumented foreign Nationals, Illicit goods and all cross border related crimes and disrupting criminal activities within communities.
The successes achieved during the operations are as follows:
Alfred Nzo District: During the operation conducted in Alfred Nzo District, police achieved the following successes: A number of suspects were arrested for various offences, including Assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession and dealing in drugs, selling liquor without licence, possession of stolen vehicle, illegal immigrants. The team confiscated counterfeit goods, expired groceries and cosmetics, illicit cigarettes and alcohol to the value of more than a million rand (R1 000 000.00). Drugs suspected to be packed for distribution in the communities and Replica firearm were also seized.
Joe Gqabi District: In Joe Gqabi District, police operations resulted in the following successes:
Several wanted suspects were traced and arrested for crimes ranging from rape to possession of drugs. The illegal immigrants were also arrested, and stock owners were fined for contravention of Animal identification act. The expired food was recovered during the compliance inspection in business areas with the assistance of Department of Environmental Affairs. The expired food items together with illicit cigarettes were confiscated by Police.
OR Tambo District: The operation in OR Tambo District yielded the following successes:
Suspects linked to possession of unlicensed firearm, dealing in drugs, illegal immigrants, possession of stolen vehicle and contravention of immigration act were arrested. Police recovered stolen vehicles and were confiscated together with drugs and unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Law enforcement visibility was enhanced through stop-and-search operations, patrols with the help of members from SAPS Mounted unit and K9 Unit and crime prevention initiatives. As part of strategies in the fight against crimes the team seized dangerous weapons to prevent any criminal activities. Police operations were conducted in identified crime hotspots/premises to disrupt criminal networks and awareness were conducted in problematic schools within the communities.
The team embarked on roadblocks in the three districts and motorists who were found to be in contravention of traffic laws were issued with fines to the value of more R40 00.00. During the roadblocks Police received warrant of arrest from traffics and tracing operations will be executed to ensure that the wanted suspects are arrested and brought to book.
The SAPS management in the Eastern Cape commends all members involved in these operations for their dedication and commitment towards ensuring the safety and security of communities. Police will continue with intelligence-driven operations across the province to prevent, combat and investigate crime. Communities are encouraged to work with the police by reporting criminal activities and providing information that can assist in bringing the perpetrators to justice.