A multi-disciplinary approach operation with high police visibility, was conducted between the borders of South Africa, Botswana and Namibia from Thursday, 15 June until Sunday, 18 June 2023.
The multi-disciplinary teams comprised of members of the South African Police Service's Crime Intelligence, Detectives, Stock Theft and Endangered Species unit, K9 and Vehicle Crime Investigation Units as well as other SAPS components and also included employees from the Department of Labour, the South African Revenue Services, Border Management Agency and the Department of Environmental Affairs, Land Reform and Nature Conservation, the South African National Defence Force, Local Economic Development (LED) and Botswana and Namibian Police. All operations and actions were executed simultaneously across the three borders.
The police actions were executed in the policing areas of the Namakwa and ZF Mgcawu Districts on the South African side of the borders. The operation sought to curb organised crime, transportation of illicit commodities, stolen goods, marine-fauna and flora resources, stolen vehicles, drug trafficking, human trafficking, smuggling, illegal firearm's and ammunition, smuggling of minerals, theft of copper cable, wildlife related crimes, forestry crime (particularly stock theft), counterfeit products, cybercrime, illegal transportation of stolen goods and non-ferrous metals.
Compliance inspections were conducted at farms, including second hand goods dealers, scrap yards, tuck-shops and liquor outlets. All inter-linking and secondary roads leading in and out of these districts and borders, were also seen with high police presence. Heavy and light motor vehicles including buses and taxis were inspected to ensure that they are roadworthy. The police also conducted stop and search operations, during numerous people were searched.
The following operational results were attained;
* Eight undocumented persons were arrested
*Two were arrested for dealing in dagga/drugs
*One arrested for Assault GBH and one warning was issued to a person who overstayed in the country.
Seven fines were issued for crimes that included overloading of the vehicle, driving a vehicle with an expired licence disc and worn out tyres, possession of and dealing in counterfeit goods and contravention of the food stuff, cosmetics and disinfection act. During the operations, a total of 5 865 persons, 1 477 vehicles and five houses were searched. The suspects are expected to appear in the different magistrate courts soon within the districts that were involved.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Major General Mmantsheke Lekhele, commended the members from both the Namakwa and ZF Mgcawu Districts and all the role players that were involved for their planning and executing their police duties in a disciplined manner, that was accompanied with a high level of professionalism they displayed during the operation.
She also stated that the police in the Northern Cape will not tolerate any criminal activities especially those committed within our borders.