Police cast the net wide in Namakwa coastal crime crackdown

A SWEEPING, multi-agency crime crackdown along the rugged coastline of the Namakwa District has led to arrests, seizures and thousands of rand in fines as Northern Cape authorities moved to protect coastal communities and the marine environment.

Operation Phakisa actions were rolled out from Thursday, December 18, to Monday, December 22, with law-enforcement agencies targeting known hot spots along the west coast, including Port Nolloth, Kleinzee, Groenriviermond, Brazil, Sandkop, Rooiklippies and Hondeklip Bay.

The high-impact operation brought together several South African Police Service (SAPS) specialised units, working alongside officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the Department of Home Affairs, Customs, the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, and SANParks.

Authorities focused on disrupting criminal activities affecting the marine environment, illegal movement of people, and road-related offences. Over the five-day operation, police arrested three undocumented foreign nationals and made two further arrests for contraventions of the Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996.

Police visibility was significantly increased across the district, with officers conducting vessel searches, stop-and-search operations, vehicle checkpoints, and foot, vehicle and maritime patrols. In total, 1 229 people and 429 vehicles were searched during the operation.

Law-enforcement officials also issued fines amounting to R12,850 for offences linked to the Liquor and Gambling Act 6 of 2004, the Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 and the Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998.

Compliance inspections were carried out at harbours, launching sites, fish processing facilities, restaurants and campgrounds to ensure adherence to environmental, fishing and operational regulations.

The operation further resulted in seizures valued at R464,100, including quantities of snoek and two motor vehicles.

The Northern Cape provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, reiterated that sustained collaboration between law-enforcement agencies and communities remains critical to the success of such operations. 

She assured residents that police will continue to focus on priority crimes while safeguarding the fauna and flora of the Namakwa District to enhance safety and security across coastal communities.

Members of the public are encouraged to report criminal activity anonymously via the MySAPS app or the Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111.

Northern Cape police spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers confirmed that similar high-visibility operations will continue as part of ongoing efforts to combat crime and protect the province’s natural resources.