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Police target Cape Flats area
03/07/2007 09:39 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Criminals in Mitchell's Plain are starting to feel the heat as police action against the area's gangs and drug dealers starts to take effect, the Cape Times reported on Tuesday.
The clampdown came as two men appeared in court on Monday in connection with the murder of Lentegeur neighbourhood watch member Abduraghman Sydow, whose death sparked a week of violent protests in Mitchell's Plain.
In response to a public outcry that drug abuse was out of control, criminals were causing havoc and authorities did not respond effectively, Mitchell's Plain police, under the leadership of Jeremy Vearey, unveiled a strategy last week to tackle crime.
Within six days, information collected during anti-crime operations in the area showed results.
From last Wednesday to Monday:
- 57 arrests were made in drug-related crimes;
- 13 people were arrested in firearm cases;
- 81 people were arrested for other crimes;
- 2 976 people were searched in parks, alleys and on street corners;
- 35 roadblocks were held and 580 vehicles searched;
- 152 search warrants were executed at identified addresses; and
- Detectives visited 32 homes in search of suspects connected to court cases.
Police spokesperson Billy Jones said the anti-crime operations covered all of Mitchell's Plain's 12 policing sectors, but special attention was given to Lentegeur, Tafelsig, Woodlands and Beacon Valley. These suburbs are known for their high incidence of drug-related crimes.
"We have confiscated drugs, firearms and stolen goods. Policing activities are conducted with the community's involvement.
"These are also intelligence-driven operations and will continue as we intensify the policing strategy," Jones said.
Meanwhile, two men accused of murdering Sydow return to court on Tuesday.
Andre Williams, 20, and Ivan Allie, 19, both from Mitchell's Plain, appeared briefly on Monday when prosecutor Ralph Zeeman said the State needed time to interview a witness.
Williams and Allie, believed to be members of the Sexy Boys gang, were arrested days after Sydow was fatally shot outside an alleged drug dealer's home.
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