324 nabbed in CT crime blitz
2003-06-29 19:25
Cape Town - Cape Town police had so far arrested 324 people for various crimes in an operation that began on Friday and would only end on Monday at 06:00, Superintendent Riaan Pool said on Sunday.
Pool said the anti-crime operation code named "Tswikila", meaning "pinch", was aimed at reducing crime in the Eastern Metropole hot-spot areas of Khayelitsha, Kuils River and Bishop Lavis.
Pool said 116 of the arrests were made for serious crimes such as murder, armed robbery and rape and 208 people were arrested for less serious offences such as petty theft and public drunkeness.
Pool said roadblocks were in place in all 22 of Cape Town's police districts and so far 800 vehicles had been examined and two stolen vehicles recovered while 860 dwellings had been inspected and 4 500 people were stopped and searched.
A quantity of drugs was confiscated including 2 324 cocaine 'rocks', 185 mandrax and 97 Ecstasy tablets as well as 78kg of dagga.
Those arrested for serious crimes would appear soon in various magistrate's courts and those for less serious offences were being fined and released, Pool said.
("Tswikila" is a Xhosa word meaning to nip or pinch someone.)
- SAPA