The ZF Mgcawu District police executed targeted raids to curb drug-related crimes and the proliferation of dangerous weapons in Kakamas and surrounding towns.
FOLLOWING the ZF Mgcawu District Provincial Imbizo held on July 11, the South African Police Service (SAPS) launched a high-visibility operation in Kakamas and surrounding towns.
Under the leadership of Brigadier Irene Kopeledi, the provincial head of Pro-Active Policing, law enforcement agencies executed targeted raids on July 12 to curb drug-related crimes and the proliferation of dangerous weapons.
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Brigadier Merle Coghlan, the provincial head for Strategic Management and Organisational Development, actively participated in the operations while Colonel Dries Witbooi, the station commander of Kakamas police station, served as the operational commander.
The operation received support from various units, including Provincial Operational Response Services (ORS), Provincial Corporate Communication and Liaison Services and the Kimberley K9 and Upington Public Order Policing units. Local Community Police Forums and SAPS members from Kakamas, Augrabies, Keimoes and Riemvasmaak also contributed.
Northern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock said the operations focused on hot-spot areas associated with drugs, illegal firearms and dangerous weapons. Raids were conducted at residential properties and taxi ranks in Kakamas, Keimoes and Augrabies.
During a raid on a suspected drug house in Langverwag, Kakamas, the team confiscated mandrax tablets and tik with an estimated street value of R45,000. Two male suspects, aged 31 and 38 and both foreign nationals, were apprehended on drug-related charges and are scheduled to appear in court soon.
Several other disruptive actions resulted in dagga being seized at taxi ranks and other hot-spot locations.
Kock said that the mass blue-light patrols were well-received by residents in all towns. They were followed by stop-and-search operations that yielded a significant number of dangerous weapons, contributing to efforts to combat contact crimes.
The team also carried out compliance inspections at several businesses within the mentioned towns.
The deputy provincial commissioner for Policing, Major-General Luntu Ngubelanga, emphasised the impact of the high-visibility operations in the ZFM District. These operations have effectively cleared the streets of drug-related criminal activity and restricted criminals’ ability to operate freely, he said.
