Operation Fiela continues to make inroads in the fight against crime in the Eastern Cape Province.
The operations started at 12:00 on 30 October 2015 and continued until 04:30 this morning with a total of forty one (41) arrests made at various Clusters, including Port St Johns, Butterworth, Motherwell, Mount Road, Uitenhage, Mthatha. The following successes were recorded per Cluster:
In Port St Johns: Twenty two (22) arrests were effected: nine (9) for assault, one (1) for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, three (3) suspects for operating illegal shebeens, and the shebeens were closed, three (3) suspects were arrested for dealing in dagga, two (2) for pointing with a firearm, one for residential burglary, two (2) suspects for crimes relating to Second Hand Goods and one (1) for theft and one (1) for shoplifting.
The following recoveries were made: three (3) shot guns and four live rounds of ammunition, 144 counterfeit CDs/DVDs, eleven (11) knives, dagga with an estimated street value of R 3500, liquor with an estimated value of R20 000. 897 persons, 493 premises and 137 vehicles were searched.
In Butterworth: A 20-year-old suspect was arrested for possession of a pistol. A 39 year old suspect was arrested for possession of dagga.
35 knives were confiscated when police conducted stop and searches. Ten (10) shebeens were closed for operating illegally in the Dutywa, Ngqamakhwe and Centane. Liquor with an estimated street value of R20 000 was confiscated and will be destroyed. Each shebeen owner was fined R500.
In Port Elizabeth: Six (6) suspects were arrested for dealing and possession of drugs. One (1) suspect was arrested for housebreaking and theft and being in possession of suspected stolen property, three (3) suspects were arrested for assault GBH and assault common, one (1) suspect for contravention of a protection order and one suspect for shoplifting.
Drugs with an estimated street value of R 25 000 were recovered, including three hundred and four (304) mandrax tablets, tik and dagga were recovered together with cash. Hisense Plasma TV valued at R5000,00 was also recovered. Traffic fines to the value of R 26 000, 00 were issued for various offences ranging from driving without a driver’s license, expired license disk, unaccompanied learner driver to driving while talking on cellphone.
Seven (7) undocumented persons were arrested. Two hundred and seventeen (217) vehicles, one hundred and ninety (190) persons and fifty six (56) premises were searched.
In Uitenhage: Three (3) suspects, aged between 20 and 33 were arrested for possession of dagga.
Eleven (11) liquor outlets were visited inspected for compliance. One hundred and forty five (145) vehicles were stopped and searched, sixty two (62) persons and thirty three (33) premises were searched.
Traffic and other fines to the value of R 7 800, 00 were issued for various offences ranging from driving without a driver’s license, expired license disk, urinating in public.
In Mthatha: Two (2) suspects aged 27 and 38 were arrested for possession of illegal firearms and ammunition. A .3 8 revolver special with three rounds and 9mm pistol with 8 rounds were recovered at Lujecweni location, Ngqeleni, near Mthatha.
Deputy Provincial Commissioner: Operations, Major General Zamuthango Mki said the police will continue clamping down on crime and criminal activities. “Police will continue to be visible through these operations and maintain zero tolerance approach in preventing crime,” he said. He further thanked all members who participated during these operations together with other security forces who joined the operations and affected the arrests over the past weekend.
Media enquiries:
Colonel Sibongile Soci
Cell: 079 525 0464
