Festive season operations by Swartland, Overstrand and Mossel Bay K-9 and Rural Safety Units
Throughout the recent festive season, the Mossel Bay, Overstrand and Swartland K-9 Units, in partnership with the Rural Safety Units (RSUs) in the Overstrand and Swartland areas, conducted various operations to combat crime in their respective areas. Between 15 December 2023 and 14 January 2024, these units with various other municipal law enforcement agencies and the South African Police Service (SAPS), arrested eighty-four (84) individuals for a variety of offenses. Of these, sixty-eight (68) were apprehended in the Overstrand municipal area, nine (9) were arrested in Mossel Bay and seven (7) in the Swartland.
In total, 1 096 abalone along with 5 820 mandrax tablets were confiscated.
The Mossel Bay K-9 unit had various operations in Kwanonqaba, Grootbrak rivier, Kleinbrak rivier, Da Gamaskop, Da’Almeida, Diaz Beach and Luthuli Park, which included searches on 70 vehicles and 171 individuals. The following items were confiscated:
- x47 bankies of tik;
- x12 quarter mandrax tablets;
- x87 half mandrax tablets;
- x42 full mandrax tablets and
- x14 pieces of heroine.
The Swartland units had operations in Malmesbury, Moorreesburg, Darling Yezerfontein and Chatsworth with suspects arrested for amongst others:
- x3 dealing in liquor;
f West Coast Rock Lobster (WCRL). - x3 possession of drugs and
- x1 possession o
The units also confiscated:
- x495 mandrax tablets;
- x15 small zipper bags of tik;
- x29 abalone and
- x26 WCRL’s.
Amongst others the Overstand arrests included:
- x20 possession of drugs;
- x8 dealing in drugs;
- x3 illegal possession of marine life;
- x3 possession of stolen property;
- x4 driving under the influence of liquor;
- x2 possession of a firearm;
- x3 attempted murder and
- x15 wanted suspects.
This unit confiscated:
- 7,46kg’s and x22 parcels of dagga;
- x5 184 mandrax tablets;
- 300g and x200 bankies of tik;
- x6 WCRL;
- x481 shucked abalone and
- x586 Whole abandoned abalone.
Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen said, “As the Western Cape Government, we made it clear that our K9 and RSU’s will be highly visible and present throughout the entire festive season. These results demonstrate the important role they continue to play in removing illicit items from our streets, while ensuring criminals end up behind bars. I applaud their efforts. I want to assure our rural communities that these units will continue to patrol and work in their areas. I encourage community members to support and assist these units, as they work to ensure that all residents live in a safer and more dignified manner.”
Media enquiries:
Marcellino Martin
E-mail: Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za
Tel: 021 483 0103
Cell: 082 721 3362
