Operation Vulindlela, an exercise involving various police units aimed at fighting taxi violence in the OR Tambo region, netted 37 people for various offences including the illegal possession of firearms, stolen vehicles and traffic violations.
The operation follows the death of 14 people since April believed to have been killed in taxi violence.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela yesterday said that the people arrested on Monday would appear in various courts this week.
“A total of 52 vehicles were impounded and five others were suspended on the road because they have some serious defects,” said Fatyela.
He said that among the 37 people arrested, two were found in possession of two illegal firearms and there were three other people arrested for having fake drivers’ licences.
“The firearms are to be sent for ballistic tests to see if they can be linked to any crime,” said Fatyela.
The spokesman said two stolen vehicles were recovered and the occupants arrested.
“We are here to sweep clean Mthatha and restore the dignity of the town,” said Fatyela, adding that the operation would continue, without giving exact details.
He said police had raided taxi ranks, manned roadblocks and stopped and searched vehicles in the streets of Mthatha and on various regional and national roads.
Fatyela said that 160 police officers had been deployed to hot spots as part of Operation Vulindlela.
Started on Monday, the operation is aimed at putting an end to the ongoing taxi violence in the OR Tambo district.
Units taking part include the national intervention unit, tactical response team, public order policing, crime intelligence, provincial traffic, King Sabata Dalindyebo law enforcement and Nyandeni traffic officers.
The operation was welcomed by residents.
“Each time you go to work and take a taxi you pray that you come back still alive,” said Xoliswa Ndodi, who commutes daily between Mthatha and Libode.
“The high police visibility needs to be a daily thing, not just occasional and this needs to be done throughout the night too.”
Both the Mthatha Cluster Commander Major-General Zisakhele Dyantyi and his Port St Johns counterpart Brigadier Nompumelelo Majikijela vowed that their officers would restore the safety of people in Mthatha and Port St Johns clusters.
They appealed to the community to work with the SAPS in reducing crime. Members of the public are urged to share information and support the SAPS in the fight against crime by using the SAPS toll free number 10111 or call Fatyela at 082-779-7275. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Police clamp down on taxi violence in intense operation
The operation follows the death of 14 people since April believed to have been killed in taxi violence.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela yesterday said that the people arrested on Monday would appear in various courts this week.
“A total of 52 vehicles were impounded and five others were suspended on the road because they have some serious defects,” said Fatyela.
He said that among the 37 people arrested, two were found in possession of two illegal firearms and there were three other people arrested for having fake drivers’ licences.
“The firearms are to be sent for ballistic tests to see if they can be linked to any crime,” said Fatyela.
The spokesman said two stolen vehicles were recovered and the occupants arrested.
“We are here to sweep clean Mthatha and restore the dignity of the town,” said Fatyela, adding that the operation would continue, without giving exact details.
He said police had raided taxi ranks, manned roadblocks and stopped and searched vehicles in the streets of Mthatha and on various regional and national roads.
Fatyela said that 160 police officers had been deployed to hot spots as part of Operation Vulindlela.
Started on Monday, the operation is aimed at putting an end to the ongoing taxi violence in the OR Tambo district.
Units taking part include the national intervention unit, tactical response team, public order policing, crime intelligence, provincial traffic, King Sabata Dalindyebo law enforcement and Nyandeni traffic officers.
The operation was welcomed by residents.
“Each time you go to work and take a taxi you pray that you come back still alive,” said Xoliswa Ndodi, who commutes daily between Mthatha and Libode.
“The high police visibility needs to be a daily thing, not just occasional and this needs to be done throughout the night too.”
Both the Mthatha Cluster Commander Major-General Zisakhele Dyantyi and his Port St Johns counterpart Brigadier Nompumelelo Majikijela vowed that their officers would restore the safety of people in Mthatha and Port St Johns clusters.
They appealed to the community to work with the SAPS in reducing crime. Members of the public are urged to share information and support the SAPS in the fight against crime by using the SAPS toll free number 10111 or call Fatyela at 082-779-7275. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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