Police take no nonsense
2007-10-18
“ZERO TOLERANCE.” That is the attitude which will be taken by law enforcers to ensure that law and order returns to Mbekweni.
“The community of Mbekweni has been crying out for help and we are committed to this,” said Snr/Supt Mzwandile Tiyo when he launched the operation in Mbekweni at the weekend.
Assisting him were police officers throughout the region, including the dog-unit and local traffic authorities.
Supt Tiyo is commander of the cluster which comprises of police stations in Paarl, Paarl East, Wellington, Mbekweni, Malmesbury, Philadelphia and Riebeek West.
“The aim,” he said, “is to combat the scourge of crime which is affecting the people of Mbekweni.
“In the past month, especially, murders have taken their toll here and this has to stop now.”
Tiyo, originally from Mbekweni himself, invited members of the provincial SAPS, such as Director Vusi Tiyo and Provincial Commissioner Mzwandile Petros, who both also have roots in Mbekweni, to participate in this operation.
“The directive of this initiative has been to target shebeens which are a pit of evil. It has been proven that here alchohol is abused and most crimes in this area stem from this abuse.”
Mbekweni has more than 60 illegal shebeens and Snr/Supt Tiyo said that he was planning on bringing them down.
He also slammed members of the local and provincial government, who frequent shebeens.
“The SAPS will continue to have a highly visible presence and we will make sure that once a shebeen has been closed down, the owner can not reopen it. We will hit the owners with the full extent of the law.”
During last weekend’s operation three truck-loads of alcohol were confiscated from only a single shebeen.
A large number of knives were seized during search-and-seize operations and many arrests were made, including 62 for loitering and drunkeness, four for possession of dagga and mandrax and six for outstanding warrants of arrest.
A total of R41 400 traffic fines were written for offences such as unlicensed or unroadworthy vehicles and driving without a licence.
Snr/Supt Tiyo added that the police in Mbekweni are in the process of establishing various projects to target crime, especially during the coming festive season.
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