Hard strike against criminality
Police, groups and security companies worked hard to fight crime on a large scale.
Brakpan SAPS along with nine other local stations and other stakeholders conducted a major crime-fighting operation in the town on February 17.
Before the operation, SAPS members along with immigration officers from the Department of Home Affairs and members of the EMPD, CPF, Brakpan Radio Group, AfriForum, Guardian Angels first aid and several security companies lined up for parade in the parking lot at the Brakpan Sports Stadium across from the station.
The group was divided into teams and assigned various operations and areas to target crime. This included suspected drug hotspots, illegal shebeens, stores operating without licences, general patrols and a roadblock on the N17 highway near the off and on-ramps and the toll gate.
The blockade on the N17 was the largest part of the operation, and all directions of traffic were diverted so motorists couldn’t escape the stop-and-searches.
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The roadblock resulted in several arrests and fines being issued. Arrests were made for drunk driving (7), possession of drugs (2) and illegal immigrants (17).
Fines were issued for selling liquor without a licence (4), driving without a licence (10) and vehicles not being roadworthy (5).
In total, 230 vehicles and 158 people were searched, and four ATMs, three banks, four filling stations, two shopping malls, two taxi ranks, and eight spaza shops were visited.
The R23 (Heidelberg Road), a known hotspot for hijackings, was also saturated with law enforcement. Brakpan SAPS station commander Brigadier Fredl Jonck was grateful for the support of all stakeholders.
“Thank you to all the individuals who took part in the operation. Without you it wouldn’t have been successful,” he said.
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