During the past week the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Province paid special attention to the combatting of alcohol and drug abuse, which saw 452 suspects arrested for drug related crimes. One thousand, two hundred and forty seven (1 247) mandrax tablets, 62.56 kg of dagga and 195 dagga plants were confiscated. This was also supported by the Community Outreach Project Against Substance Abuse held at Nangoza Jebe Community Hall in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth on Friday, 3 February 2017. School learners from various schools around New Brighton were targeted and more than 930 learners attended the event. The speakers addressing the youth continued to warn them about the consequences of drug abuse, condemning abuse and encouraging the learners to stay away from drugs and alcohol and not to conform to peer pressure.
Underage drinking also came under the spotlight and police also focused their actions in this direction. 540 litres of alcohol was confiscated and 13 suspects were arrested for illegal dealing in liquor, while 51 suspects were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
A total of 516 people were arrested for other crimes including murder, attempted murder, rape, sexual assault, assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, robbery, business robbery, malicious damage to property armed robbery, burglaries, theft of vehicles etc. Police also recovered 16 stolen vehicles and seized 24 firearms including pistols, rifles and shotguns and 405 rounds of ammunition at Qweqwe locality in Mthatha. 104 dangerous weapons were also confiscated in the province.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in the Eastern Cape has vowed: “For as long as young children are dependent on drugs and alcohol, our efforts to ensure a safer society will not become a reality. We must ensure that our leaders of tomorrow have a bright future and that is why we will continue engaging our learners on the dangers of substance abuse and the negative impact it has on their lives. We have also intensified our intelligence-driven operations to ensure that we confiscate these drugs and arrest the forces behind its distribution to the youth. It is also very encouraging to note the increase in the confiscations of illegal firearms circulating in our communities”.
Another feather in our cap is our achievements at the first SAPS National K9 Competition, hosted in Port Elizabeth last week. Our four-legged partners made us all proud and proofed to the best in the country. The Eastern Cape was crowned the Overall Winner and kicked dust in the eyes of the more than 120 competitors from eight other provinces.
Sergeant Spannenberg with Gavin was crowned the Best on Protective Species category. Colonel Vimla Moodley walked away with the Best Provincial Police Emergency Service (PES) Commander.
Alan Straton
Latest posts by Alan Straton (see all)
- The Countdown On – Mind Matters Is Taking Over Cape Town Before Taking the Conversation Global - 28 September 2026
- Why Digital Equity Is South Africa’s New Frontier for Women’s Empowerment – By Matebe Chisiza-Asukile and Natasha Mboyisa - 25 September 2026
- New Champions Rise at the 2026 Street Lines Skate Tournament - 23 September 2026
- When Manufacturers Have a ‘Beef’ Then Both Suffer - 23 September 2026
- How Much Are You Worth per Year to Your Bank? - 23 September 2026
