MEC Fritz lauds LEAP officers’ work in enhancing visible policing.

Today, the Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, welcomes reports on the successes of LEAP officers in enhancing visible policing in the ten areas with the highest crime and violence in the Metro. 

Over the last seven days, 7437 people were searched, which included 1154 in Nyanga, 938 in Phillipi, 804 in Delft, 841 in Mitchells Plain and 856 in Kraaifontein. A total of 250 houses were searched, while 707 vehicles were searched in 51 roadblocks.

The above operations led to 59 persons being arrested for being in possession of drugs; 7 for being possession of an unlicensed firearm; 4 for being possession of an imitation firearm; 11 for dangerous weapons and 19 for other offences. The total number of arrests executed in all ten hotspot areas totalled 120.

7 firearms were confiscated, along with 60 live rounds of ammunition; 11 knives, a machete, 2 pangas and a fish knife. Mandrax in full, half, quarter and crushed tablets-form, as well s 407 dagga packets, 124 packets of tik and 2 straws of heroine were confiscated. Presumably stolen goods including a flat-screen TV, a cellphone, a laptop and a 1.97m PRASA overhead pole, in addition to various tools were also confiscated.

Minister Fritz said, “I would like to once again congratulate LEAP officers for their sterling work in enhancing visible policing. Amongst the tools stolen was a sheet cutter and bolt cutter, and I always think that someone who is walking around with a bolt cutter can not be up to any good. And that applies to many of the other goods confiscated: imitation and illegal firearms are other such goods. When these items are confiscated, untold events of misery are averted. And in that sense, the true successes of these operations are not quantifiable.”

Minister Fritz concluded, “our LEAP officers are working to make our communities safer. And our communities are safer because of the work that they are doing. I want to thank them and encourage them to keep up the good work.”