An old Roma church building in Needs Camp converted into an illegal shebeen was yesterday closed by police during a raid on the village.
Members of the East London crime prevention unit raided the church structure and confiscated 50 litres of liquor.
The shebeen owner Gibson Phaliso, 59, was arrested and given a R500 fine before being released.
He told the Daily Dispatch the church closed in 2009 when congregation numbers dwindled. He was the caretaker of the church at the time.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Nkosikho Mzuku said police came across the “structure of God” selling “unholy waters” during the police operation.
Mzuku said that while Phaliso had a liquor licence, “the address on his licence does not match where his shebeen is being operated”.
He said the liquor, which has been forfeited to the state, was confiscated because it was found at an unregistered and unlicensed premises.
Speaking about the operation Mzuku said: “We had about 35 police officers conducting road blocks, searches and distributing safety tips.”
He said the operation was aimed at warning would-be criminals that police would be out in full force over the festive season.
Residents had mixed views about the police presence in their location. Khayakazi Gqagala said she would have been happier if the operation was conducted by police from the Needs Camp police station.
“We don’t know these officers, we have never seen these cars that they are driving here,” she said.
Ntombentsha Mbovane said the area was hardest hit by burglaries.
“The police presence is appreciated but the truth of the matter is we don’t have an active police service in this area. The local police station always does not have a police van,” she said.
lMzuku said following the operation police spotted two suspicious men in Jan Smuts Avenue, Greenfields who they searched.
“We found them in possession of two suspected stolen laptops and on investigation we found that the laptops were indeed stolen,” he said.
“The two men are both aged 27 and have since been charged with possession of stolen property. They are due to appear in the East London Magistrate Court soon,” said Mzuku. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
Man fined for illegal shebeen in church
Members of the East London crime prevention unit raided the church structure and confiscated 50 litres of liquor.
The shebeen owner Gibson Phaliso, 59, was arrested and given a R500 fine before being released.
He told the Daily Dispatch the church closed in 2009 when congregation numbers dwindled. He was the caretaker of the church at the time.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Nkosikho Mzuku said police came across the “structure of God” selling “unholy waters” during the police operation.
Mzuku said that while Phaliso had a liquor licence, “the address on his licence does not match where his shebeen is being operated”.
He said the liquor, which has been forfeited to the state, was confiscated because it was found at an unregistered and unlicensed premises.
Speaking about the operation Mzuku said: “We had about 35 police officers conducting road blocks, searches and distributing safety tips.”
He said the operation was aimed at warning would-be criminals that police would be out in full force over the festive season.
Residents had mixed views about the police presence in their location. Khayakazi Gqagala said she would have been happier if the operation was conducted by police from the Needs Camp police station.
“We don’t know these officers, we have never seen these cars that they are driving here,” she said.
Ntombentsha Mbovane said the area was hardest hit by burglaries.
“The police presence is appreciated but the truth of the matter is we don’t have an active police service in this area. The local police station always does not have a police van,” she said.
lMzuku said following the operation police spotted two suspicious men in Jan Smuts Avenue, Greenfields who they searched.
“We found them in possession of two suspected stolen laptops and on investigation we found that the laptops were indeed stolen,” he said.
“The two men are both aged 27 and have since been charged with possession of stolen property. They are due to appear in the East London Magistrate Court soon,” said Mzuku. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
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