This was part of Operation Kukula led by the provincial commissioner, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe. The initiative is part of a national programme that will run for the next few months countrywide. The officers began their night shift with a parade and orientation which was held at Lenyenye Stadium. Hadebe told the Herald that Lenyenye was chosen to launch the operation in the Mopani district due to Maake and Ritavi (Nkowankowa) police stations’ recent crime statistics.

“This area has had an increase in illegal mining, while robberies and murder are also a problem. “Last month there was a shoot-out at a tavern in Pharare village where one person died. “We, therefore, saw it fit to allocate all of our resources here in order to curb criminality and to enhance our visibility,” she said. Hadebe was accompanied by Mopani Cluster commander, Maj Gen Willy Mashava, who said they had already confiscated illegal firearms in the surrounding villages.

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The police together with community patrollers, traffic officers, and security companies held two roadblocks in Bindzulani Cross and Rita. At the roadblocks, they arrested people for driving under the influence of alcohol and substances, among other offences. During the roadblock in Bindzulani, a young woman jumped from a moving car with her boyfriend at the steering wheel. She claimed he wanted to kill her and accused him of physical and emotional abuse.

She injured her leg as she jumped from the vehicle and was taken to hospital for medical attention. The boyfriend sped off from the scene. The victim promised to open a case of abuse and to obtain a protection order against the father of her five-year-old child. The police also patrolled Dan village, Nkowankowa, Lephepane village, Tickyline, Pharare village and other areas. Ledwaba declared the operation a success and applauded the teams for their work.

Operation Kukula in numbers

– 577 suspects arrested in total
– 273 956 litres of alcohol confiscated
– 1040kg dagga confiscated
– 15 dangerous weapons confiscated
– 140 counterfeit goods confiscated
– 81 illegal immigrants arrested
– 21 wanted suspects traced and arrested
These operations were jointly conducted with law enforcement agencies including the South African Defence Force (SANDF), traffic police, private security companies, Farm Watch, Department of Correctional Services, Social Services, Home Affairs, and traditional authorities.