Eastern Cape SAPS are committed to make communities safer through multidisciplinary operations, conducted by various state entities, to ensure strict compliance with the various laws and regulations governing our society. The operations are intelligence-driven to address crime and criminal activities in a structured and co-ordinated manner. These operations are aimed at making our province safer.
The operations intensified in the past week and are expected to continue indefinitely.
The following successes have been recorded thus far;
- More than twelve thousand (12 318) persons and more than three thousand five hundred (3 580) vehicles were stopped and searched together with more than ninety seven (97) premises related to illicit drugs and two hundred and forty three (243) liquor premises were visited.
- More than one thousand (1 053) suspects have been arrested and appeared in various courts on different charges including murder, rape, assault with intent to commit grievous bodily crime, robberies etc.
- Two hundred and thirty three (233) suspects were arrested for crimes detected as a result of police action; 186 for drug related crimes, 33 for driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs and 14 for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
- Twenty five (25) firearms including pistols, rifles and shotguns together with 90 rounds of ammunition.
Concerning was the recovery of dangerous weapons which were hidden not far from the local school by Willowvale SAPS when they responded to a complaint of educators. Allegations are that the weapons were hidden by the school boys who were fighting.
Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga noted with concern the dangerous weapons alleged to belong to the school-age boys. “In terms of the Dangerous Weapons Act of 2013 (Act No.15 of 2013), it is a criminal offence to possess a dangerous weapon with the intention of committing an unlawful act. If the possession of a dangerous weapon raises a reasonable suspicion that the person intends to use the dangerous weapon to commit an unlawful act, the person may be found guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine or to be imprisoned for a period not exceeding three years”, she said.
A 26-year-old man was arrested and appeared in court following his arrest on charges of illegal possession of abalone and possession of suspected stolen vehicle. It is alleged that on 8 February 2017 at about 22:30, police members spotted a red Citi Golf followed by a red Isuzu bakkie driving in Cotswold in Port Elizabeth. Members were suspicious and followed the two vehicles which were driving towards the N2 highway. The vehicles were pulled over between Kinklebos and Paterson. On inspecting the vehicle, police found 6 013 units of abalone in the Isuzu bakkie. The bakkie was also reported as a hijacked vehicle in Mount Road in January 2017. The value of the abalone is estimated at R650 000.
Yesterday morning, 12 February 2017, we woke up to the news of another senseless murder of a 14-year-old boy, Mzuvukile Sine who was kidnapped on the 03 February 2017. It is alleged that the boy was murdered the same day and his body was dumped at the pit toilet of the very same school he attended. Through intensive police work, on Saturday night, 11 February 2017, his body was recovered. Three suspects, 2 males and 1 female, including a family member were arrested and linked to the murder. Four (4) cellular telephones were recovered that linked the suspects to the kidnapping. Some of the money the suspects demanded during the period, pretending that the boy was still alive, was also recovered. The suspects will appear in court soon on charges of kidnapping and murder, and other charges could be added if required.
“Through these operations, we are determined to make the Eastern Cape communities safer by targeting areas which are known to be frequented by criminals. We urge the community members to work with SAPS and report crime and criminal activities to ensure that the people ARE and FEEL safe”, said.
“The sterling work done by our women and men in blue to build safer communities is highly appreciated. We are very proud of the committed and dedicated police officers who have recorded a myriad of milestones and achievements in terms of having clamped down on rampant criminal activities in the province. Indeed, our province is slowly, but surely becoming a place to live, work and invest in. We want members of the community to serve as integral cogs of government in the fight against crime, as government alone cannot succeed in fighting crime without the support of the communities,” said MEC Weziwe Tikana of the Department of Safety and Liaison.
Alan Straton
Latest posts by Alan Straton (see all)
- 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
- Better Business Processes. Stronger Workplace Skills. Smarter AI. Greater Business Productivity. - 23 September 2026
