Mapaballo Borotho
- More than 26 000 people have been arrested in Gauteng since the start of the festive season as police clamp down on crime.
- Authorities have seized 105 million millilitres of illegal alcohol, shut down thousands of illegal taverns and confiscated firearms and stolen vehicles.
- Police say arrests in several high-profile murder cases are imminent and have called on communities to work with law enforcement to keep the province safe.
At least 26 000 people have been arrested since the start of the festive season for various crimes, including murder, hijackings and kidnappings, as Gauteng intensifies efforts to keep residents safe during the holidays.
The arrests form part of the province’s safer festive season operations. Deputy Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola says this busy period has also seen the confiscation of 185 illegal and unlicensed firearms across Gauteng.
Masemola confirmed that 141 stolen or hijacked vehicles have been recovered, while 105 million millilitres of illegally sold alcohol have been seized and destroyed.
A total of 3 665 illegal taverns and shebeens have been shut down, with 6 641 suspects arrested for the illegal sale of liquor since the start of the operations.
Gauteng officials have previously warned that illegal taverns have become safe havens for criminals across the province.
This follows the fatal shooting of more than 10 people at a tavern in Saulsville, west of Pretoria, earlier this month ,an incident that shocked the country and left the community reeling.
“We have had a number of shootings and brutal killings in this province. I have received updates on each case, and I am confident that police are on the right track to find those behind the Saulsville shooting, the murder of Marius van der Merwe, the killing of DJ Warras and other residents in Gauteng. It is only a matter of time before police take down those responsible,” Masemola said.
He urged residents to work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure a safe and peaceful festive season.
READ NEXT: Traffic arrests rise by 16.2% this December, following 639 nationwide roadblocks
The post 105 million millilitres of alcohol destroyed as Gauteng cracks down on illegal shebeens appeared first on KAYA 959.
