Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene expressed her gratitude to all the police officers including the District Commissioners for their diligent efforts and tireless hours while working alongside other law enforcement officers to ensure that all citizens and tourists to the province were safe and secure during the busy Easter weekend.
Through rigorous enforcement at roadblocks conducted throughout the province, police effectively clamped down on drunken drivers, securing a total of 495 drivers being fined or arrested for contravening the Road Traffic Act, with 221 of them detained for drunken driving. Also, 169 people were arrested/fined for selling liquor without a licence. Additionally, our proactive approach has led to the confiscation of 15 illegal firearms and drugs, resulting in significant arrests with OR Tambo district contributing to the confiscation of 9 illegal firearms.
The presence of maximum police on the beachfronts, resulted in minimal incidents reported. However, it is concerning to note the alarming trend of young children being found heavily intoxicated on the beachfront on the weekend in East London celebrating the ‘pens down’ party. This highlights the urgent need for parents to play a more responsible role in guiding and supervising their children.
Lt Gen Mene added that, “While we celebrate our successes, there were serious incidents such as murders and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm which are deeply concerning. This calls for a strategic alignment of resources and community engagement to effectively combat this issue. I thank both the police officers and the community for their patience and cooperation at roadblocks and throughout our operations. Together, we will continue to uphold law and order, ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens.”