Operation Shanela 2 clamps down on illicit liquor trade
Police in the Sedibeng District destroyed confiscated illicit liquor during a multi-agency operation at the Sebokeng Wastewater Treatment Plant, while Operation Shanela 2 led to several arrests, traffic fines, and the closure of illegal shebeens.
The Gauteng Provincial Head for Police Emergency Services (PES) Brigadier Kubendran Govender, flanked by senior officers from the Gauteng Provincial Head Office, Sedibeng District Management, Emfuleni Traffic Department, Department of Home Affairs, and Sedibeng Liquor Board, led the illicit liquor disposal at the Sebokeng Wastewater Treatment Plant. The operation took place on March 5.
Speaking to Ster North during the operation, Brigadier Govender said operations focused on destroying illicit alcohol are important as they clamp down on crime.
“I’m happy that seven stations out of 14 in Sedibeng participated in bringing liquor confiscated from illegal operations. That means that liquor identified with crime is being destroyed today.”
Govender said that the liquor is a big contributor to crime, domestic violence, and gender-based violence.
The SAPS continues to combat the illicit liquor trade through Operation Shanela 2 and raids.
According to the SAPS, illicit alcohol harms the economy, costing the fiscus billions in lost taxes annually. Furthermore, it threatens public health while undermining compliant, tax-paying businesses.
Speaking about the earlier operation, Shanela 2 in De Deur policing precinct, Govender said they held a successful roadblock along the R82 where they conducted stop and searches, and issued fines to non-compliant motorists.
During the operation, traffic fines to the value of R27 000 were issued while 33 undocumented persons were arrested. One person was arrested for employing an undocumented person, while two shebeens were closed down, and eight people were arrested for possession of drugs.
Other successes of the operation include the arrest of a suspect found in possession of copper cable, the confiscation of mandrax tablets, and crystal meth.
In addition, police spokesperson Thembeka Maxambela says that while on the ground, police recovered four bicycles.
“Our detectives also attended to several serious crime investigations, arresting two people for assault GBH, one for common assault, two for hijacking, one for contempt of court, one for murder , one for receiving stolen property, and one for possession of stolen property.”
Maxambela reiterates that police in the Sedibeng district remain committed to intensifying operations aimed at combating crime, enforcing the law, and ensuring safer communities.
