Festive season SAPS crackdown hits drugs and illicit mining in Namakwa

A SERIES of co-ordinated festive season crime operations across the Namakwa District has delivered a strong message to criminals, with police arresting an alleged drug dealer, seizing drugs worth more than R125,000, and detaining undocumented foreign nationals linked to illicit mining.

Northern Cape police spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers confirmed that the operations form part of the South African Police Service’s Safer Festive Season strategy, which has seen intensified policing in known hot-spot areas across the province.

The Namakwa crackdown unfolded over two days, beginning on December 16, when multi-disciplinary teams descended on several towns in the district to disrupt illicit mining activities. Under the leadership of Namakwa district commissioner Brigadier Schalk Andrews, early morning clean-up operations were carried out simultaneously in Kleinzee, Nuttabooi and Bontekoe.

The operation brought together various SAPS units from district and provincial level, supported by the Department of Home Affairs’ Immigration services, the Border Management Authority and the National Prosecuting Authority. The focus was on illegal mining operations and the presence of undocumented foreign nationals.

During the raids, 11 undocumented foreign nationals were apprehended and handed over to Immigration officials for further processing. Police also confiscated tools and equipment believed to have been used in illicit mining activities. A second phase of the operation followed later in the day, with Crime Intelligence-driven raids conducted at identified premises in Port Nolloth.

The momentum continued on December 17, when senior SAPS leadership, including Northern Cape provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola and deputy provincial commissioner for Policing Major-General Johnny Besnaar, joined district-level officers in disruptive operations across the region.

A multi-disciplinary roadblock at the N7 weighbridge near Springbok saw 138 vehicles and 320 individuals stopped and searched. Traffic fines amounting to R1,300 were issued for various offences, as police increased their visibility along one of the district’s main transport routes.

The operation then shifted to a targeted intervention in Concordia after Crime Intelligence operationalised information relating to suspected drug dealing at a residential premises. Armed with a search warrant, police executed a raid that led to the seizure of hydro dagga with an estimated street value of R125,785.10, along with a substantial amount of cash believed to be the proceeds of criminal activity.

A 37-year-old man was arrested on charges of dealing in drugs.

Colonel Ehlers reiterated that these actions are not isolated incidents, but part of sustained and intelligence-driven efforts aimed at tackling priority crimes during the festive season and beyond. Disruptive operations will continue across identified hot-spot areas in the Namakwa District and the wider Northern Cape as authorities seek to curb drug trafficking, illicit mining and related criminal networks.