West cops sweep Atteridgeville streets
The show of force was evident on the night, as the most notorious hostels were raided effortlessly.
Tshwane police led a multi-disciplinary operation in Atteridgeville on Wednesday and Thursday.
The operation saw more than 77 vehicles stopped and searched, while more than 10 people were arrested for failing to confine themselves to a place of residence after the midnight curfew.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Sam Shibambo said the operation is “to curb lawlessness and to remove dangerous weapons from the streets”.
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Shibambo said in one of the arrests, a taxi driver was nabbed for the unlawful possession of a firearm.
“During the operation, the police came across a white Toyota Quantum in Maunde Street around 02:20 on Thursday, and stopped it.
“While searching it, they found the driver in possession of a pistol with the serial number filed off. The 35-year-old taxi driver was subsequently arrested and detained for unlawful possession of a firearm.”
Shibambo said a second firearm was found in the possession of a suspect at Phomolong taxi rank.
Both firearms were taken for ballistic testing.
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Shibambo said the local hostels were also raided.
“The show of force was evident on the night, as the most notorious hostels were raided effortlessly. During the hostel raids, four illegal shebeens were closed down and the owners were given hefty fines for selling liquor without a licence,” he said.
“A charge of dealing in dagga was added to one of the shebeen owners after he was found with a large quantity of dagga.”
One more suspect was arrested for dealing in dagga after he was found with two large refuse bags containing dagga in his car, Shibambo said.
“Four more suspects were arrested for drunken driving.
“The presence of the police and other law enforcement agencies in the area of Atteridgeville ensured that the curfew was observed in that the streets were resembling a ghost town,” said Shibambo.
Tshwane police district commissioner General Hilda Mohajane commended the members for recovering the firearms and removing them from the streets.
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