171 arrested in Uitenhage over the weekend

MORE THAN 170 suspects were arrested in Uitenhage over the weekend in a sting dubbed Operation Duty Calls Festive Season.

The operation, ahead of the festive season aims to clean up the Metro of criminal elements.

Police spokesman Sergeant Majola Nkohli said that the high visibility operations, which included roadblocks and the tracking down of wanted suspects by detectives, saw 171 people nabbed.

“Eight motorists were arrested for drunk driving and 45 traffic fines valued over R25000 were issued. Twenty two suspects were arrested in various locations for drug related offences ranging from possession of dagga to possession of tik.”

Nkohli said that more than 2kg of dagga, five mandrax tablets, and crystal methamphetamine powder were confiscated in the seven police precincts.

He said 35 suspects were nabbed “for crimes ranging from robbery with aggravating circumstances to assault common”.

“The rest of the offences were menial by-law offences such as urinating in public.”

Nkohli said the impact of Operation Duty Calls Festive Season that was recently launched in Port Elizabeth would now be felt throughout the Uitenhage cluster.

“The success over the weekend could be attributed to partnership policing with other specialised units and involvement of communities through sector policing. ”

Nkohli warned that from Friday police visibility, in the form of roadblocks and check-points would intensify.

“Our communities are urged to assist the police in reporting taverns that are not complying with liquor trading hours. The aim is to drastically reduce crime during this time of the year. ”