Suspects netted in Mthatha and Manenberg operations

Mthatha in the Eastern Cape and Manenberg in the Western Cape were targeted under Operation Fiela today.

The joint operation - Fiela meaning ‘Reclaim’ - by the defence force‚ the police‚ and customs and immigration officers‚ was launched in the wake of last month's attacks on foreigners which left seven dead.

The Mthatha raid‚ from 1am to 10am Thursday‚ resulted in the arrest of 39 suspects - seven for housebreaking and theft‚ five for murder‚ four for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm‚ one for rape‚ one for hijacking and the remainder for various crimes including possession of and dealing in dagga‚ pointing a firearm‚ attempted rape and common robbery‚ according to a SAPS statement.

Two firearms‚ a .38 revolver special with six rounds of ammunition and a 7.65 pistol with two rounds of ammunition‚ were also recovered.

Provincial and Local Traffic departments impounded one 4-ton unroadworthy and unlicensed truck and 23 traffic fines to the value of R19‚600 were issued.

Thirty-five people were arrested for being in the country without documentation.

The crime prevention operation in Manenberg focused on drugs and illegal firearms‚ the SAPS said in a statement.

Eight suspects were arrested for drug related cases; two were arrested for possession of dagga and madrax tablets‚ five were arrested for possession of illegal firearms. Three firearms‚ 50 madrax tablets‚ 35 Tik packets‚ 18 “stoppe” dagga were confiscated during the operation. The search and seizure operation was followed by patrols on the streets on Manenberg and along local schools in the area.

-RDM News Wire