From the news desk

Raid targets criminals in Town Centre

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The busy Mitchell’s Plain Town Centre was under lock down on Thursday morning as authorities began a sting operation targeting foreign traders. A large combined contingent of SAPS, armed forces, Metro police, Home Affairs, SARS officials and other spheres of government conducted raiding the business hub, amid an increase in drug and other criminal activities.

The operation, called Operation Fiyela, is being rolled out around the country, as police try to identify illegal foreign nationals in the area. While some shop owners and residents welcomed the police intervention, others say the shopping complex has already become the hub for criminal activity.

army
Sandf members closely monitor things in Town Centre

Speaking to VOC News, a shop owner for over 20 years, says she believes the drug, prostitution and gang problem in the community has manifested itself at Town Centre, making it a hub for notorious criminals.

“It has now become a ghost centre because everyone who comes here is a target for criminals. We have pleaded for police to come and patrol here for years but nothing was ever done until now. It’s too late. The reputation of this shopping centre is down. Now, our business is paying the price. The drug lords already knew that they were coming,” said shop owner, Kulsum Baker.

Sandf members stand guard in town centre
Sandf members stand guard in town centre

Businesses came to a halt in the busy shopping centre as heavily armed military personnel stood shoulder to shoulder, creating a controlled perimeter around the area while conducting random body searches as people were passing through.

Mitchell’s Plain police spokesperson, Sergent Jerome Voegt said the operation is not only aimed at identifying foreign nationals operating in the community but also focused on clamping down on the gang related activities plaguing shop owners and residents.

“Town Centre has become a hub of criminal activity. We have over 10 000 commuters using the town centre daily and they are being targeted by gangs. The operation also seeks to identify foreign nationals by ensuring they are not operating illegally and to get to the root of the crime problem in the community,” Voegt explained.

Jasmine Harris, owner of Jasmine’s Takeaways, said even though she will not be making her wages for the day, she believes the operation is long overdue.

“Yesterday we had robberies here and last week I was almost stabbed. We need police here. We do not have enough law enforcement in this area. If we could just have two of these military officials patrolling the town centre everyday then it can really help with getting rid of criminals,” Harris added.

However, during a follow up call with Voegt, he revealed that most of the arrests made during the operation were foreign nationals who did not have the necessary documentation. Immigration officials are now working to verify their status in the country. VOC (Ra’eesah Isaacs)


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