S.Africa: Non-Whites breaking the law with illegal liquor & firearms
[A shebeen in South Africa is an illegal liquor setup. This is in the Western Cape so it is likely that these are coloureds (mixed race) and blacks, breaking the law. Jan]
Western Cape operation closes 21 illegal shebeens, recovers 14 firearms
As part of tightening the grip on crime during the holiday season Western Cape police embarked on several operations, raids, roadblocks and vehicle checkpoints that yielded significant successes over the Christmas weekend.
In total, Western Cape police visited just over 600 licensed liquor outlets over the Christmas weekend to conduct compliance inspections. The Safer Festive Season operations also saw the police closing down 21 illegal shebeens, charging traders and confiscating 2 162 litres of alcohol from the illegal premises in areas such as Kraaifontein, Khayelitsha, De Doorns and Calitzdorp.
The operations which commenced on the evening of Thursday, 24 December 2020 until the evening of Sunday, 27 December 2020, also resulted in the seizure of 14 illegal firearms and rounds of ammunition with several arrests in Bishop Lavis, Phillipi East, Atlantis and Bellville.
Police in Thembalethu, George followed up information about drug dealing and seized dagga with a street value of R570 000, cash amounting to R11 774 and an arrest on Friday, 25 December 2020. Substantial quantities of crystal meth (tik) were seized in Atlantis on Saturday, 26 December 2020.
Meanwhile Crime Prevention Unit members from Laingsburg seized 12 000 cartons of illegal cigarettes valued at R 7 562 000 in a vehicle checkpoint conducted in the Karoo town on Sunday, 27 December 2020 at 22:00. Three suspects aged 33, 34 and 38 were arrested. They are expected to appear in court soon.
From Thursday evening until Sunday evening a total of 620 suspects were arrested for various crimes including murder and attempted murder.
Regular deployments on Western Cape beaches and other public places continued throughout the weekend. The police initiatives are set to continue with similar operations undertaken throughout the holiday season in an effort to create safety in communities for residents and visitors alike.
SAPS Newsroom