Operation Wafa Wafa yields successes
The festive season, Operation Wafa Wafa, has yielded many successes in Polokwane over the past month with the most arrests being made in terms of public drinking.
The operation was headed by the Polokwane Police Station, in collaboration with the Highway Patrol Unit, K9 unit, traffic officials from national, provincial and the local municipality, the immigration office at the Department of Home Affairs and the Youth Crime Prevention section of the Department of Transport.
The Station Commander, Brig Gift Makhubele says although the station’s human resources component was reduced by 10% due to Covid-19 related cases, Polokwane police officials were still able to do a good job.
Makhubele has noted that there was only a slight increase in housebreakings and theft out of motor vehicles, and a decrease was seen in other crimes in comparison to the previous year.
“We are still sending the same message out. Do not leave valuables in full view in your vehicles and ensure that you have safety measures in place at home.”
During this period 38 people werer arrested for being outside their homes after curfew, 121 undocumented foreigners, seven for being in possession of suspected stolen items, 123 drug-related charges, 64 for driving under the influence of alcohol, 29 for prostitution, and 293 fines for drinking in public.
Makhubele mentions that the station also managed to close down an unlicensed liquor store that was functioning during lockdown when liquor sales were not permitted.
“The premises, situation on the farming section of town, was closed down and 233 litres of liquor were confiscated. The place was operating illegally after the sale of alcohol was banned by the president.”
The drugs confiscated in this period are estimated to have a street value of just over R900 000. This includes illicit cigarettes, nyaope, crystal meth, dagga, cocaine and heroine. Mahkubele has emphasised that the station intends on keeping Polokwane a drug-free city, and has thanked members of the Community Policing Forums
(CPF) for their assistance in keeping the neighbourhoods clean.
Makhubele says any resident who is not satisfied with the work of the police should feel free to contact him on 082 778 7267.