Police have launched a 30-day lockdown of the crime-ridden suburb in Mitchell's Plain which they have dubbed "Operation Choke", as payback for the murders of two street committee members, Mervyn Jacobs and Vincent Naidoo. (from IOL)
"It's payback time," said the city's mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith. "We want people to know that if they touch a police officer, street committee or neighbourhood watch member there will be consequences." (Ahem... the two arrested for the murder were busy applying for bail on Wednesday!)
He said the joint Metro Police and police operation would retain an extensive presence in the area for the next 30 days. For three to four days all routes in and out of the suburb would be manned by police.
"We want to make it difficult for drug dealers to bring their merchandise in and out so they will change their modus operandi and take risks." (Risks like what? Sounds dangerous? Do you really want people to do things which are dangerous? Isn't it about time you regulate all this dangerous activity?)
The operation will include rotating vehicle check points, foot patrols, stop and search operations and house raids.
All the city's law enforcement specialised units, including the liquor control squad are involved.
Athlone and Atlantis are next in line.
Le Roux said 56 houses had been identified as problematic, eight of which were searched last night. Six high-flyers involved in drugs and organised crime would also be targeted.
Earlier in the day members of the operation set up a series of roadblocks, and a man was arrested for having a fake driver's licence. They also raided an illegal shebeen in which they found a traumatised three-year-old girl.
Western Cape Premier Helen Zille, who accompanied them, said that gangsters had been taking revenge for the efficacy of the street committees by taking on soft targets like wheelchair-bound Naidoo. "We've got to show we won't fall over and die."
"It's payback time," said the city's mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith. "We want people to know that if they touch a police officer, street committee or neighbourhood watch member there will be consequences." (Ahem... the two arrested for the murder were busy applying for bail on Wednesday!)
He said the joint Metro Police and police operation would retain an extensive presence in the area for the next 30 days. For three to four days all routes in and out of the suburb would be manned by police.
"We want to make it difficult for drug dealers to bring their merchandise in and out so they will change their modus operandi and take risks." (Risks like what? Sounds dangerous? Do you really want people to do things which are dangerous? Isn't it about time you regulate all this dangerous activity?)
The operation will include rotating vehicle check points, foot patrols, stop and search operations and house raids.
All the city's law enforcement specialised units, including the liquor control squad are involved.
Athlone and Atlantis are next in line.
Le Roux said 56 houses had been identified as problematic, eight of which were searched last night. Six high-flyers involved in drugs and organised crime would also be targeted.
Earlier in the day members of the operation set up a series of roadblocks, and a man was arrested for having a fake driver's licence. They also raided an illegal shebeen in which they found a traumatised three-year-old girl.
Western Cape Premier Helen Zille, who accompanied them, said that gangsters had been taking revenge for the efficacy of the street committees by taking on soft targets like wheelchair-bound Naidoo. "We've got to show we won't fall over and die."
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