Criminals to feel the 'pinch'

2003-06-20 18:47

CAPE TOWN June 20 Sapa

A large-scale crime prevention operation launched on the Cape Peninsula on Thursday night will continue throughout the weekend, Western Cape police said on Friday.

Police spokesman Captain Rod Beer said the operation codenamed Tswikila (pinch), was targeting crime hotspots such as Khayelitsha, Nyanga and Manenberg, on the Cape Flats.

Large numbers of uniformed officers and detectives, supported by Metro police and SA National Defence Force members, are involved in the operation.

They are being assisted by 302 of the country's most experienced police officers, consisting of the national intervention unit and public order police from Gauteng, Free State, Limpopo, North West, Eastern and Western Cape provinces.

They were welcomed by deputy national police commissioner Andre Pruis in Cape Town on Thursday.

Operation Tswikila, has the use of 13 new Nyala armoured vehicles, four new BMWs and various other vehicles.

Beer said serious and violent crimes, the use of drugs, organised crime and the use of illegal firearms will all be addressed during operations in the months ahead.

He said detectives would also track down wanted fugitives and follow up on outstanding arrest warrants.

Statistics would be released to the media during the weekend while a consolidated results list will be released at the end of the operation, Beer said.

- SAPA