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At least three people have been arrested in Gqeberha's Northern Areas following a joint operation by the City's law enforcement officials' to combat crime.
In a statement, the Metro said in addition to the arrests, drugs and counterfeit goods were confiscated, while illegal spaza shops were closed.
"The City’s safety and security cluster continue to show a united front. A total of seven spaza shops were inspected and four of those were closed for various reasons including operating without the certificate of acceptability, tampering with electricity illegally.
"During the operation we also arrested two illegal immigrants and six packets of fake Kellog’s Cornflakes were confiscated by environmental health practitioners," said Metro Police Acting Commissioner Adv. Andrew Moses.
He said fines to the value of R10 000 were also issued about the employment of illegal immigrants.
Electricity tampering fines were issued while traffic fines totalling to R8000 were issued to motorists who did not adhere to traffic regulations.
Furthermore, Metro and the South African Police Services executed search warrants in the area which led to the arrest of one suspect who had mandrax, tik, dagga, tik bulbs, and three gas guns.
The Metro's Safety and Security head Luyanda Lawu condemned the brazen attack and vandalism of electricity infrastructure. This comes after thieves vandalised the Styhotyholweni substation on Friday the 24th.
"Last week the Mqolomba substation in Khayelitsha was vandalised and collapsed, today we woke up to the news that Styhotyholweni substation has been vandalised. We condemn these
criminal acts and call on our stakeholders to work with us to stop this service delivery sabotage. It is only if we partner together and all say enough is enough, then we will see an end to this disruptive criminality."
Members of the public are encouraged to continue to report any crime they witness to the relevant agencies and to remain vigilant at all times.
The Metro has committed to continue to partner with other stakeholders to hold similar operations across NMBM to curb crime and ensure the safety of residents.
