Female officers from the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) have vowed to take the lead in enforcing by-laws in the municipality during this Women’s month under the crime-busting operation, Basadi (women).
TMPD spokesperson, Isaac Mahamba, said the Basadi operation was launched last week to kick-start the month of August known as Women’s month.
He said a series of women-dominated operations would be carried out as part of law enforcement throughout this month to highlight the role of women in the country.
On Tuesday, female officers were at the forefront of enforcing by-laws in the eastern part of the city, where they cleared up building waste, plastics and boxes from the roadsides.
Led by chief of police, Commissioner Yolanda Faro, the operation also saw officers conducting stop-and-search drills and stopping people from illegally dumping in open spaces.
Mahamba said the female officers also conducted drunk driving roadblock in Atteridgeville: “These operations will focus on clamping down on drunk driving and any illegal activities that pose a threat or danger to Tshwane residents.”
At least 24 arrests were made with 19 of them being for drunk driving and three for drinking in public.
One illegal immigrant was arrested and one person was arrested for possession of chrome stones.
Mahamba said: “About 300 vehicles were stopped and searched, 375 people were searched and 84 AARTO infringement fines amounting to R60 000 were issued to motorists who violated road traffic laws.”
The operations, he said, are a significant step towards promoting road safety and raising awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol.
He said the intention was to hold offenders accountable for their reckless actions.
Meanwhile, MMC for Community Safety, Grandi Theunissen, expressed gratitude to TMPD for being hard at work for the past two weeks by enhancing public safety and improving community well-being across the metro.
In one of the joint by-law operations in Pretoria West and Pretoria North bogus documents were confiscated, resulting in the arrest of an illegal immigrant.
At least 20 non-compliant businesses were served with Section 56 infringement notices to the value of R17 300.
Furthermore, Theunissen, said TMPD drug unit combated the illegal drug trade in Pretoria east, resulting in the arrest of four suspects for possession of and dealing in drugs.
“A substantial quantity of illegal substances, including heroin, crystal meth and cathinone drugs, were seized with an estimated street value of R789 700,”he said.
Pretoria News
rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za