Cape Town - As holiday makers flock into Cape Town, police Minister Senzo Mchunu joined officers as they conducted several operations in identified hot spots.
There were roadblocks, and walkabouts in Delft, Browns Farm and Mitchells Plain, Hanover Park, Manenberg, Mfuleni and Kleinvlei.
In the first stop and search 10 undocumented foreigners were arrested in Browns Farm, and Philippi and five Zimbabweans were also arrested.
In Delft the police arrested a drug lord and gangster. More than 31 mandrax tables were confiscated.
The minister was shown the technology used during road blocks.
National Commissioner Fanie Masemola said part of the reason they were in the province was to assess the effectiveness of the Western Cape’s safer festive operations.
“I am happy to announce that we have just given Western Cape the largest share of the 2 699 police officers that were deployed to various stations and units last week.
“This province received 940 newly trained police constables that are already deployed to prevent and combat serious and violent crime on the ground.
“Through roadblocks, tracking and tracing operations as well as stop and searches – our police officers are leaving nothing to chance.”
Provincial Commissioner Thembisile Patekile addressed Mchunu and said what he saw on Friday was testament to the commitment they made when the safety festive season operational plan was developed.
“Of significance this year is the witnessing of the cooperation agreement at work. Indeed the binding document we signed in the presence of the President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa was not just a public relations exercise but a strong, binding commitment to the people of this province and visitors alike. It is now in motion for the greater good of the citizens of the Western Cape.”
Mchunu instructed the officers that they have to drive criminals out of the communities to the sea.
“We have to make sure that they don’t belong in our communities. Everybody out there must abide by the law. And we want order, and through your patriotism you will deliver that to our communities.”
The minister approached community members in Delft who informed him that the officers in their precinct were extorting spaza shops.
A resident said: “We have reported so many times that the police are busy with extortion but no one listened. We have many burglaries but the police never come out, we have to deal with that by ourselves.
“We are scared to report crime and to be witnesses because we are targeted.”
In Mitchells Plain the police searched a known drug den but nothing was found and no one was arrested.
Community police forum deputy chairperson Veranique Williams said: “They are hoping to have a safe festive season.
“Beacon Valley is a red zone, just on Thursday night someone was shot through the head, he is in hospital.
“We have a problem with drugs, and missing children. The safety structures are proactive and are always first responders. We hope that the extra boots on the ground will help us have a safe area.”
After operations Mchunu joined the children who wrote postcards to the Masemola asking for a peaceful and safe Christmas holiday.
“We have heard about your plea and also on TV that you wanted to be safe. Little did you know that we had already made up our minds about coming to the province for the operations.
“We are here and would like to know who is shooting. Take the numbers and give them to your parents so they can call us and give us names of the people making trouble in the area.