30 arrested in police operation
“We received complaints and targeted the area in search of drugs, weapons and documentation.”
A crime combating operation by law enforcement officials in the east of Pretoria led to many arrests on Thursday.
Police, security firms and local CPF members targeted a problem area near Moreleta Spruit around Menlyn in Lynnwood Road.
Brooklyn police spokesperson Captain Colette Weilbach said the operation, led by Brooklyn police station commander Brigadier Kushie Nair, led to the arrest of 29 undocumented people and one person was arrested for the possession of dagga.
Weilbach said nearly half a kilogram of dagga was found and confiscated.
Officers and volunteers said a prayer outside Brooklyn police station before heading to the identified problem area around 03:00.
“We received complaints and targeted the area in search of drugs, weapons and documentation,” said Weilbach.
An artillery of police vans were accompanied by a fleet of Hi-Risk security vehicles alongside ADT and CPF vehicles.
The targeted area was cordoned off at different points as law enforcement officials moved in to search the many makeshift tents surrounding Moreleta Spruit.
Officers escorted four men from their tents and another man was arrested when he tried to run away.
One of Hi-Risk security’s German shepherd’s, named Ozzy, and reaction officer Carl Williams aided in the arrest of two men who were hiding inside the spruit.
The men confirmed they were foreign nationals and said they hid thinking robbers were after them.
Squatters found sleeping inside a Tshwane metro Atterbury substation were also arrested.
It was the quick thinking of a police officer to close the two doors at the substation with cable ties to keep the squatters inside while calling for back-up.
Drugs and weapons were found inside the illegally occupied substation as police arrested the several squatters sleeping inside.
Meanwhile, another man was arrested after he attempted to assault a police officer in his attempt to run away.
Nair said it was shocking to find the squatters breaking city property and using it for their own benefit.
She said operations such as these would be conducted as a sign and reminder to law offenders that police meant business.
Weilbach thanked all those who assisted in the operation.
“We would like to thank Hi Risk security, CSI security, Interactive security, ADT and the Hatfield CID.”
The operation was followed by another massive operation in Centurion on Friday morning at the Waterkloof Air Force Base.
Lyttelton police spokesperson Captain Dave Miller said around 30 people were arrested and an officer was injured when police apprehended a man who attempted to run from police.
Miller said the area was targeted after lengthy complaints.
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