BARRAGE – A multidisciplinary law enforcement team comprising traffic officials, Home Affairs Immigration Services, and the Sedibeng Cluster Police recently conducted a Safer Festive Season Operation Shanela on the N1 in Barrage.

Police top brass, including Sedibeng Commissioner Major General Nkhensani Mukwevho, her deputy, Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu, Emfuleni Local Municipality Mayor Sipho Radebe, his MMC of Community Safety Ndade Mokoena, and Sedibeng District’s Busang Tsotetsi, formed part of the blitz.

During the operation, hundreds of holidaymakers were randomly stopped and searched, while their vehicles were inspected for roadworthiness.

Speaking during the initiative, Radebe called for unity among law enforcement agencies operating in the Vaal.

“I arrived here at around 08:00, and I didn’t see the integration that this operation is supposed to represent. Different units were working separately, which is why I am calling for greater unity,” he said.

Taking to the podium to address the scores gathered at the operation, Tsotetsi said, “Your efforts as the district [police] don’t go unnoticed. We acknowledge the successes we see during operations.”

Delivering the keynote address, Mukwevho said, “We are encouraged to see that the collaborations we recently signed are not merely on paper, but are being put into practice.”
Mukwevho called on all stakeholders, including municipal law enforcement officials, to join the fight against crime.

“I urge all relevant departments that need to form part of this collaboration to readily do so, so that we can place our district in safer hands,” she added.