Police in the Joe Gqabi District conducted an interprovincial, cross border, high density operation over three days from 24 to 26 February 2026.
According to police spokesperson, Captain Ursula Roelofse, the operation was a great success with police from the various specialized units and other stakeholders within the district forming part of the operations.
“Intensive patrols with high visibility could be seen in the hotspot areas. The focus areas included the checking for stolen vehicles, vehicles conveying stock, possession of drugs and unlicensed firearms, the unroadworthiness of vehicles and drunken driving,” said Roelofse.
She said that daily roadblocks and vehicle check points were held in Venterstad on the R58, Steynsburg R56, Sterkspruit at R726 and R393 to Thaba Lesoba and Aliwal North at the Hertzog Bridge N6 and that second hand goods and spaza shops as well as liquor outlets were visited for compliance inspections.
The operation also extended to the Elundini municipality area and focused on Nqanqarhu
(Maclear) and Tlokoeng (Mount Fletcher).
“541 persons and their luggage searched and 823 vehicles were searched. 112 traffic fines were issued to the value of R 83 350 -00. EHP issued 15 fines to the value of R 8120- 00 and groceries were confiscated. 10 undocumented persons were arrested by immigration officials. During the operation members of the POP unit followed up on positive information of suspected drug dealers. In three unrelated cases in Hilton, Maletswai town and Maletswai locality three suspects all age 44 years old was arrested and tik to the value of R220 000-00 were confiscated,” said Roelofse.
She said that in Sterkspruit an illegal liquor outlet was busted for selling liquor without a licence and that 55 920 ml of alcohol was confiscated.
“During a roadblock in the Sterkspruit area a suspicious vehicle was stopped and checked and positively identified as stolen at the Ratanda policing area. At the roadblock in our Steynsburg policing area a truck was stopped and searched and 3200 counterfeit tablets with a street value of R5500-00 was confiscated. In an unrelated case a second truck was stopped and upon searching 8600 sticks of counterfeit cigarettes to the value of R 17 200 -00 were confiscated,” concluded Roelofse.
SAPS District Commissioner, Major General Lindelwa Vellem extended her gratitude to all the unit members and external role players for their outstanding dedication and commitment during the operation.
“The professionalism, teamwork, and tireless efforts were instrumental in ensuring the success of the operations,” added Major General Lindelwa Vellem.