A social media video showing a marked SAPS vehicle offloading crates at a bottle store in Paballelo had locals raising eyebrows – and their phones – but the police say it’s all above board.
Image: Supplied / SAPS
A VIDEO showing a police van offloading crates at a bottle store in Paballelo had social media tongues wagging faster than a wine bottle uncorked at sunset — but SAPS says there’s no scandal here, just a case of mistaken context.
The footage, which has been doing the rounds on WhatsApp and other platforms since earlier this week, sparked speculation about officers making unofficial ‘stock deliveries’ to their favourite local. But according to Northern Cape police management, there’s no need to clutch your pearls - it was all above board.
The real story? Officers from the Paballelo police station were busy disposing of liquor that had been confiscated during various operations targeting illegal shebeens. Once the related cases were finalised in court, the booze was forfeited to the State - and by law, needed to be cleared out.
As part of SAPS protocols, the crates and empty bottles were taken to a legitimate liquor outlet to be scrapped for cash. The proceeds, police insist, will be deposited into the State’s coffers, not anyone’s back pocket.
SAPS officials have also issued a gentle reminder: before hitting that ‘share’ button on social media, it’s best to verify the facts first. Unverified posts, they warn, could damage public trust in law enforcement - and cause unnecessary drama over a perfectly legal clean-up operation.
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