Photo: SAPS
R2m drug bust: SAPS swarm in Western Cape
The war of words between the Western Cape government and the Police Department is clearly putting SAPS to work. A big drug bust
Photo: SAPS
It seems the SAPS are rather keen to boast about successes in the Western Cape this week. That’s after a week with a very public back and forth between the provincial government, and Police Minister Bheki Cele. As part of a police push in the province this week, a R2 milllion drug bust took place. Police have also detailed several of the sting operations carried out during the course of this weekend.
The state of Western Cape policing: Drug busts and sting operations
In a statement, SAPS revealed that the R2million drug consignment came from two busts during the week. The drugs were recovered by the Eden and Central Karoo rural flying squad members.
In terms of the other operations SAPS are sounding off about, 19 firearms and just under 800 rounds of ammunition were seized across the province.
“The operations were executed throughout the province from Monday until Sunday, with a specific focus on identified hotspots and crime generators. On the main, illegal firearms and to some extent other dangerous weapons continue to contribute to serious violent crimes such as murders, attempted murders, hijackings and armed robberies. The seizures comprised rifles, pistols, gas guns and imitation firearms.”
Brigadier Novela Potelwa
Cele vs Winde: Who’s in the driving seat
Things were taken to a new level of tense between Cele and Western Cape Premier Alan Winde this week. In response to Cele’s comments about how well resourced Western Cape policing is, Winde unleashed on the minister.
“This statement is so misleading that our government has no other option than to respond and set out the facts,” Winde said.
The premier also highlighted that his Department of Community Safety conducts regular oversight visits to SAPS stations. Last year, they visited 38 stations and found that many don’t even have holding or detention cells and “have to use private offices to remand detainees.”
Winde and co describe the state of policing in the province as dire, while Cele thinks it’s the best resourced. Either way, R2 million drug busts and weapon confiscations won’t do much to settle the argument.
