Police Minister Bheki Cele has temporarily put aside his parliamentary work, to go and check and greet the members of Operation Thunder and the members who are involved in Operation Lockdown in the Western Cape. The impromptu visit by the Minister happened on Tuesday 08 October 2019 where he praised the members for the role they have played in making a difference in Cape Flats and townships which were identified as hotspots of criminality. He visited two base Camps in 35 Squadron in Belhar where he addressed a number of combined forces who are behind the Operation Thunder. His next stop was in Faure where the Anti-Gang members who are behind the Operation Lockdown are based.