A multi-disciplinary approach to crime fighting as part of safer festive season operations under the theme “More boots on the ground”, yielded excellent results with more than 835 suspects who found themselves behind bars following a well-executed Inter-Provincial Cross-Border crime combatting operation. The collaborated effort between the Free State, Eastern, Northern and Western Cape commenced on Monday, 19 December 2023 and concluded last Friday, 22 December 2023.
The integrated approach included various units within the South African Police Service (SAPS), Provincial Traffic of the respective provinces, Local Municipal Traffic Officials, South African National Parks (SANPARKS), Department of Home Affairs (Customs and Immigration Officers), Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) as well as other law enforcement agencies within the Safety and Security cluster. These crime combating operations are conducted on a regular basis throughout the year to successfully monitor and police highways as well as entry and exit routes to these provinces, with the aim to enhance visibility and combat the flow of illicit drugs, unlicensed firearms, illegal items and stolen goods.
The SAPS furthermore aims to ensure and enhance the safety of rural and urban communities by means of high density patrols and increased visibility through roadblocks as well as vehicle check points (VCP’s). Police officials attached to the Firearms, Liquor and Second-hand Goods (FLASH) environment were also deployed to conduct compliance inspections at scrapyards, second-hand goods dealers, vehicle dealerships, licenced liquor premises and security companies where large quantities of firearms are kept. All efforts were coordinated from a Joint Operational Centre for the duration of the operation.
The integrated forces were strategically deployed on the ground executed 39 977 searches of which more than 24 025 were on persons, 10337 vehicles and 307 premises identified in crime infested areas. Members also visited 230 second-hand goods dealers, 29 recyclers and 85 scrap metal dealers where vigorous compliance inspections were done. These actions directly attributed to the clamping down on the illegal trading and trafficking of stolen goods, counterfeit goods, non-ferrous metals, livestock, firearms, drugs, marine, fauna and flora resources and endangered species (rhino poaching / abalone etc.).
Successes achieved include 25 arrests for property related crime, 291 for contact crime, 36 other serious crime and 74 for police initiated interventions (possession or dealing in drugs and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition). Other arrests varies from serious criminal offences such as murder and robberies as well as undocumented persons. Another significant achievement was the arrests of 341 wanted suspects during tracing operations. They were arrested for Fraud, Possession of protected fauna and flora, Theft, Housebreaking and theft, Robbery, Stock theft and Murder.
Detectives stationed at our Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units (FCS) arrested 32 suspects for sexual related offences and transgressions of the Domestic Violence Act.
Drugs with an estimated street value of R154 972 were confiscated. It includes more than 10.42 kg dagga, 372.63 of tik (Crystal Meth), 231 Mandrax tablets and 14.41 grams of Mandrax powder. A total of 31 fines, valued at R8 700, were issued for non-compliance with regards to the Second-hand Goods Act and Liquor Act. Road Safety operations led to the arrest of four suspects for drunken driving and 425 fines to the value of R300 600 were issued for road traffic violations.
On 19 December 2023, an intelligence driven operation took the forces, armed with a search warrant, to a farm near Bathurst in the Eastern Cape. A search of the premises led to the discovery of 3 371 Units of dried Abalone (400kg) with a street value of R2,4 million. Four suspects, one of Asian descent and three Zimbabweans Nationals were arrested.
In the Northern Cape the forces confiscated more than R5,8 million worth of unpolished diamonds and a large quantity of cash during a bust at Port Nolloth.
Furthermore, information on illegal mining operations in Thabong in the Free State led to the confiscations of 1 584kg of gold bearing material and 113 Grams of processed gold to the value of about R93 000. Four Lesotho nationals were arrested in connection with the discovery. The total value of the gold bearing material is yet to be determined. Two suspects were arrested at roadblock along the R702 near Dewetsdorp(Free State) for possession of endangered species without a permit after carcasses of monkeys and two reptiles (tortoises) were found in their possession.
Western Cape police also seized 40kg protected flora with an estimated value of R500 000 during an operation in the West Coast.
Besides above successes, a significant decline in most categories of crime were observed for the duration of the cross border operation. The absence of serious crime in the districts bordering the four provinces can be attributed to the high density patrols and enhanced visibility on the provincial borders.
All arrested will make their court appearances in the respective courts once charged.
The Provincial Commissioners of the four provinces lauded the command structure, forces deployed and participating counterparts for their commitment and diligence during the operation which had been executed as a resounding success. They are in agreement that the mission of these integrated operations remains to effectively address and prevent priority crimes to ensure the safety of rural and urban communities. Similar operations under the theme “More boots on the ground” will be maintained throughout the festive period and beyond to ensure that the public are and feel safe.
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