Operations by Swartland, Overstrand and Mossel Bay K-9 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, are continuing to work hard to help create safer communities. Between 22 January and 4 February 2024, these units with various other municipal law enforcement agencies and the South African Police Service (SAPS), arrested thirty-six (36) individuals for various crimes. Of these, thirty-one (31) were apprehended in the Overstrand municipal and five (5) in the Swartland area.

The Mossel Bay K-9 unit conducted various patrols and vehicle and person searches in the Kleinbrak rivier, Kwanonqaba and in Da Gamaskop areas. In total, 48 persons and 42 vehicles were searched, and 30 hotspot patrols took place. The unit also performed a safety awareness campaign at the ACVV Kenani Service Centre, highlighting the work that they are doing. 

The Swartland units held an information session addressing Scholar Transport in the Abbotsdale area, while also conducting operations in Malmesbury, Moorreesburg and Darling. In these areas, suspects were arrested for:   

- x1 possession of drugs;

- x1 possession of a dangerous weapon; and

- x3 public violence.

The units also confiscated:

- x1 crushed and x1 half mandrax tablets;

- x6 tik straws; 

- x1 zip gun; and 

- x1 axe. 

Amongst others the Overstand units’ arrests included:

- x4 possession of drugs;

- x4 possession of abalone; 

- x2 driving under the influence of alcohol; and

- x19 wanted suspects. 

This unit confiscated:

- x6 bankies tik; 

- x3118 whole abalone; and  

- x784 shucked abalone. 

Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen said, “The continued interventions by our K9 and Rural Safety Units, are showing how the lives of criminals are continuously becoming more uncomfortable. As the Western Cape Government, we are aiming to halve the murder rate by 2029, and the operations of these units, particularly how they are interrupting the illicit trade of drug and marine life, is significantly contributing to us achieving this goal. I once again thank and urge our residents to work with these units, as we aim to create safer communities across the entire province.”