Police operation in metro reaps significant rewards

OPERATION Fiela 2 saw police running a number of successful operations around Buffalo City Metro over the past two weekends.

The second phase of the crime-fighting programme, launched by former police minister Fikile Mbalula earlier this year, was set in action by the Mdantsane police cluster, which worked in partnership with other law enforcement units – including environmental, health department and liquor board ones – to carry out raids and other operations.

The police air wing had eyes in the sky on Friday as a B3 chopper hovered above Mdantsane and Beacon Bay.

Among their actions, law enforcers raided the Highway shopping centre in Mdantsane after receiving reports of theft out of delivery trucks and robberies at the shopping centre.

Mdantsane police spokesperson Captain Nkosikho Mzuku said five taverns were visited to check for liquor licence compliance.

On another front 55 motorists were issued with traffic fines totalling R51 300, mostly for driving unlicensed motor vehicles, driving without drivers’ licences, failing to display licence discs, driving without number plates, and driving without unfastened seatbelts.

“Several secondhand goods outlets and takeaway shops were visited to check secondhand goods licences and environmental health standards,” said Mzuku.

In the raid 162 pirated CDs were found and some dagga was seized.

Deputy cluster commander Brigadier Marinda Mills said citizens needed to abide by national laws and by-laws regulating liquor, firearms and the running of both formal and informal businesses.

● On Friday, the efforts of Mdantsane detective Sergeant Khayalethu Koti resulted in a cold case of murder back in 2011 revitalised and the killer jailed for 15 years.

Captain Mzuku said the killer shot dead a man who intervened while the thug was mugging a pedestrian at gunpoint.

● In the early hours on Friday, police confiscated 47 mandrax tablets, three packets of tik and 54 dagga bompies after a tip-off about drug activities in and around Vulindlela in Mdantsane.

Captain Mzuku said three people were arrested on the scene by the Vulindlela police and were due to appear in the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court this week for drug dealing and possession.