MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Northern areas Operation Lockdown success

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Since the inception of Operation Lockdown in March 2016, the multi-disciplinary intervention teams have continued to increase their successes in stabilising the area as well as combatting gang related violence and criminal activity in the areas of Gelvandale and Bethelsdorp.

The three main focus areas of Operation Lockdown are (1) to build community confidence in the SAPS, (2) arrest and successfully prosecute offenders in close collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority and (3) the recovery of unlicensed firearms used to commit gang related crimes, the confiscation of illegal drugs and the incarceration of drug traffickers.

Many suspects are behind bars due to the community’s involvement in furnishing information, anonymously in some instances, to the police. The community has constantly expressed their appreciation to the SAPS for working tirelessly towards making sure that the northern areas are once again safe.

During the month of July, the SAPS achieved exceptional arrests, confiscations and successful prosecutions of accused appearing in gang related shootings.

The successes are as follows:

  • Firearms seized: 23
  • Arrests: 93 (murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, dealing/possession of drugs, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition)
  • Drugs seized: 253 dagga rolls, 1667.6g of loose dagga, 688 mandrax, 152 tik packets, 162 tik pipes, 6824 Schedule 5 tablets
  • Cash confiscated during arrests: R36 998

Excellent investigations and exceptional teamwork with the prosecuting authority resulted in several convictions and sentencing during the month of July.

The successes achieved by the Gang Task Team for July are as follows:

Date of sentence: Name of Accused: Crime Sentenced: Sentencing

  • 11/07: Candice Nel (22): Unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition: 6 years and 6 months
  • 14/07: Pieter Pretorius (25): Attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition: 18 years
  • 25/07: Kieran Ivano Louis @ Papers (27): Attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition: 14 years
  • 27/07: Lorenzo Williams: Attempted murder: 7 years
  • 29/07: Urick Jenniker (23): Murder, illegal possession of firearm, illegal possession of ammunition: 18 years

Despite various attacks on police, eg stone throwing and damage to vehicles by some members of the community, the police remain resolute in their quest to ensure that peace and stability remain in these areas.

The Acting Cluster Commander for Mount Road cluster, Brigadier Ernie Neveling, commends the contribution made by the police and other departments.  These sentences augur well for the police because it shows that thorough dedication and relentless pursuit of the cases, resulted in these lengthy sentences.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.