Police in Gqeberha arrest numerous suspects in special operations

Police in Nelson Mandela Bay metro exerted their authority on criminals during a three day operation conducted across the metro in our efforts to ensure the safety of all citizens.

The operation which started on Thursday, 30 September and concluded during the early hours of this morning, 3 October 2021 reaped positives results as wanted suspects, drug peddlers and Disaster Management Act offenders found themselves on the wrong side of the law this weekend.

A total of 74 arrests were effected over this period. On Friday, 1 October 2021 detective conducted operations from 18:00 until 06:00 the following morning, 2 October 2021 hunting down wanted suspects. In the 12 hour operation, 48 suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from among others murder, house/business robbery, carjacking, housebreaking, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm etc. The operations continued last night, 2 October 2021 until 06:00, this morning, where visible policing members conducted blue light patrols and concentrated on vehicle hijackings, compliance of DMA regulations, illegal firearms and drugs in hotspot areas. During the operations, 26 suspects were arrested and a total of 3 hijacked vehicles, a large quantity of drugs (mandrax), a replica firearm, a stolen iPhone and a shotgun with rounds were recovered. Fines were also issued to illegal liquor outlets in Motherwell for trading without a licence. Fines totally R60 000 were issued for various violations by the metro police.

On 1 October 2021 at about 20:15, while SAPS Bethelsdorp Crime Prevention members were conducting blue light patrols with the Anti-Gang Unit members in Gelvandale, they noticed a male running and members chased after him. As he ran, he threw a firearm in a yard in Borchard Street. A shotgun with two rounds of ammunition was recovered. The suspect managed to evade arrest.

In another incident, on Saturday, 2 October 2021 at about 19:00, once again while SAPS Bethelsdorp CPU members were patrolling Adriaans Street in Bloemendal they noticed a white Mazda 323 Sting driving with its lights off. Members followed the vehicle and when the driver noticed them, he sped off. The vehicle was pulled over in Barberry Drive, Ext 31. The vehicle was searched and a bag containing 990 mandrax tablets with a few halved tablets was found in his possession. The 37-year-old suspect was arrested for possession of drugs. His car was also confiscated. The estimated street value of the drugs is R44 745.

Also last night, 2 October 2021 at about 21:15, SAPS Kwazakele Vispol Task Team members recovered a Datsun Go vehicle which was allegedly hijacking earlier. The vehicle was found abandoned in Tambo Street with its battery, key and wheel jack missing.

All the arrested suspects will appear in their respective court jurisdictions on Monday, 4 October 2021.

Acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Brigadier Luntu Ngubelanga hailed the three day operation as a success and applauded the commitment and dedication of all the police units which included SAPS Vispol and detectives from all stations in the metro, specialised units (K9 and Flying Squad), Public Order Policing, Anti-Gang Unit and metro police officials. ‘As the Country in Blue operational concept was launched countrywide last week aimed at intensifying police visibility across our policing precincts, these operations in the metro will be ongoing. We will be squeezing the space of criminals everywhere until they have no space to hide. Police visibility will be heightened with all operational SAPS vehicles on the road switching on their emergency warning blue lights from sunset to sunrise (18:00 to 06:00). We call on the communities to play an active role in preventing and combatting crime by exposing criminals within their communities,’ added Brigadier Ngubelanga

Source: South African Police Service

RECENT POST