Police concerned about shebeens operating illegally

Some businesses, mostly shebeens, allowed under-age children and heavily pregnant women on their premises which is against the current Covid-19 regulations, according to police.

“There is no compliance to the disaster management act in some areas of Pretoria,” said Tshwane district’s Major-General Hilda Mohajane.

Mohajane was part of the police business raids and inspections for compliance at the weekend.

This as police closed down five shebeens for operating without a licence and confiscated alcohol.

The owners were also arrested and fined.

“When these owners are caught operating illegal shebeens, their excuse is that they are yet to received permits to sell alcohol,” she said.

Mohajane said more raids would be launched in the coming days, going into the festive season.

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“As police, we want to inform them that operating a business without a permit is illegal. They need to get a licence permit to operate – or they will face arrest,” she said.

“We are going to continuing raiding those shebeens because they are not supposed to be operating.”

On Saturday, two operations led by Brigadier Matshidiso Kgoadi saw 176 people arrested in Pretoria streets.

About 587 vehicles and 1 305 persons were searched during the high density operation, said Villieria police spokesperson Captain Coba Brits

“The suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from attempted under, assault, driving under the influence, theft, malicious damage to property, housebreaking and theft, possession of suspected stolen properties and robbery,” she said.

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