Operations by Swartland, Overstrand and Mossel Bay K-9 and Rural Safety Units

The Mossel Bay, Overstrand and Swartland K-9 Units, in partnership with the Rural Safety Units (RSUs) in the Overstrand and Swartland areas, continues to make inroads in the fight against crime in their respective areas, particularly in reducing drugs in our communities. Between 4 and 17 December 2023, these units with various other municipal law enforcement agencies and the South African Police Service (SAPS), arrested fifty-seven (57) individuals for various crimes. Of these, thirty-two (32) were apprehended in the Overstrand municipal area, three (3) were arrested in Mossel Bay and twenty-two (22) in the Swartland. 

In total, 18kg of dagga was confiscated in the last two weeks along with more than 726 mandrax tablets. Other contraband such West Coast Rock Lobster (WCRL), their tails and abalone were also confiscated.

The Mossel Bay K-9 unit had various operations, which included searches at two different addresses in Herbetsdale. Here a combined total of 1kg of dagga, more than 155  mandrax tablets and 21 plastic bankies, suspecting to being tik, were discovered and confiscated. At the taxi rank in the Mossel Bay CBD, one individual was found with half a mandrax tablet. 

The Swartland units had operations in Malmesbury, Moorreesburg, Riebeek-Valley, Vredendal, Vredeburg, Saldanha Bay, Yezerfontein and Piketberg with suspects arrested for amongst others:   

- x4 dealing in liquor,

- x12 possession of drugs,

- x3 dealing in drugs and

- x1 possession of stolen property.

The units also confiscated:

- x505 mandrax tablets, including an individual with 495 mandrax tablets,

- 4kg parcels of dagga and 

- x3 small zipper bags of tik. 

Amongst others the Overstand arrests included:

- x9 possession of drugs;

- x2 dealing in drugs,

- x5 illegal possession of marine life and

- x9 wanted suspects. 

This unit confiscated:

- 13kg’s of dagga,

- x66 mandrax tablets,  

- x32 WCRL,

- x35 WCRL tails and 

- x35 Whole abandoned abalone. 

Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen said, “As the Western Cape Government, we have made a commitment that our K9 and Rural Safety Units, will be more visible throughout the festive season. These results are testament to their activity and effective execution. We extend our gratitude to them for their continued effort. These units are demonstrating what the Western Cape Safety Plan seeks to achieve, particularly since we want our residents to live in improved and safer environments. I want to encourage our residents to continue working and supporting our units, as it is through collaboration that we will be able to achieve greater successes.”