Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Community Safety, Sizakele Malobane, addressed a parade on March 4 at the Tembisa Police Station.
The MEC made the address shortly before police officers left in groups to conduct searches at different schools.
The MEC told the groups to be more visible, vigilant and to not forget their mandate – especially those conducting stop-and-search operations and roadblocks.
Captain Ralidzhivha said the first group started at Masiqhakaze Secondary School, where dagga was found, along with dagga plants growing in the schoolyard.
“The pupils also confessed to hiring out their tablet devices to those who do not have such devices in exchange for dagga,” said Captain Ralidzhivha.
As the police were searching the ground floor, pupils on the first floor were throwing dagga and nyaope out the windows and over balcony.
Captain Ralidzhivh said the operation consisted of members from the SAPS, the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), Customs and Immigration, Gauteng Community Safety Police, the Tshwane Metro Police and patrollers.
“In the last phase of the operation, police officers focussed on searching the spaza shops and scrapyards in the afternoon,” said Captain Ralidzhivha.
At about 5.30pm in Winnie Mandela Zone 10, the police started to search a spaza shop. As they entered the premises, a Somali national came running out through the back door carrying a black backpack.
“The police cornered him. Inside the bag they found a 9mm firearm and 37 live rounds, two empty magazines and R70 000. Two Somali nationals were subsequently arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and money laundering,” said Captain Ralidzhivha.
