Operation Kurhula launched in Kempton Park to take back the streets
The crime intervention saw 109 officers on operation busy with stop and searches and building inspections among other things.
“We invaded the notorious Kempton Park in full force and mobilised all resources to demonstrate that it’s time that we no longer submit to lawlessness.” These are the words of Frans Mmoko, MMC for community safety in the City of Ekurhuleni.
Mmoko spoke during the launch of a crime prevention intervention called Operation Kurhula, which is a local version of the Gauteng province’s Operation O Kae Molao (Where is the law).
The executive mayor, Mzwandile Masina, launched the local operation on April 16. Mmoko explained that the name Kurhula means peace.
“The name was derived from the current municipal name, Ekurhuleni, which means ‘a place of peace’ and that is what we are doing as law enforcement, ensuring peace and stability,” said Mmoko.
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The immigration unit, Prasa, SAPS and EMPD were among the law enforcement present. Zweli Dlamini, metro’s acting spokesperson, told Express during the operation that the immigration unit was focused on documentation, and any illegal immigrant was arrested.
“Prasa dealt with the issue of stolen cables, checking if there are places where there are cables or railway lines damaged. Police and metro police assisted with the issues of crime and the K9 Unit assisted with drugs and other illegal substances,” said Zweli.
A recorded 78 arrests were made, of which 76 of those arrests were illegal immigrants while the other two were for drugs and driving under the influence of alcohol, respectively. One hundred and seventy motor vehicles were stopped and searched, while 145 people were stopped and searched.
Twenty-two shops and three buildings were searched and three unlicensed vehicles were towed. The intervention saw 109 officers operating.
“This is an important day for the City of Ekurhuleni, as we are reclaiming our City, towns and streets through the operation,” said Masina.
“Through the operation, we are ridding the City of all illegal activities. Among other things, we discovered people who are printing vehicle registration documents, which is under investigation. We also found counterfeit money and drugs; we ask the community of Kempton Park to report criminal activities. “This is a daily operation and not a once-off, so we will make sure that we clean Kempton Park, Germiston, Springs, Boksburg and all other CBDs. “We will also ensure that all those who are here without documentation are deported back to their respective countries. We should never fuel xenophobic as Africa is one, however, we don’t want lawlessness in the country.”
Mmoko added to the mayor’s statement that the operation will be seen in other areas as well.
“We have targeted Kempton Park for now, but we are going to expand the operation to other corners in the City, the executive mayor is also here on the ground and the operation is led by chief of police, Gen Isaac Mapiyeye,” said Mmoko.
“We are signaling a very strong message that we are going to match the criminals toe-by-toe.”
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