Twenty arrests by Swartland, Overstrand and Mossel Bay K-9 and Rural Safety Unit

Twenty arrests by Swartland, Overstrand and Mossel Bay K-9 and Rural Safety Units in one week. The Mossel Bay, Overstrand and Swartland K-9 Units, in partnership with the Rural Safety Units (RSUs) in the Overstrand and Swartland areas, have once again been actively combatting crime in their respective areas. Between 15 and 20 April 2024, these units with various other municipal law enforcement agencies and the South African Police Service (SAPS), arrested twenty (20) individuals for various crimes. Of these, thirteen (13) were apprehended in the Overstrand municipal area, five (5) were arrested in Mossel Bay and two (2) in Swartland. 

The Mossel Bay K-9 unit had operations in JCC Camp, Sonskyn Valley, Danna Bay, Groot Brakrivier, and Kwanonqaba. The units also engaged learners and had safety demonstrations along with drug abuse awareness campaigns at Hillcrest Secondary School, and Erika and E.K Primary schools, respectively. 

Among others, the arrests were made for:

- x2 possession of stolen goods;

- x1 riotous behaviour; and

- x1 failure to adhere to parole conditions.

The unit also confiscated:

- x1 dagga pipe (at school); 

- x1 imitation firearm; and 

- various stolen items. 

The Swartland units conducted operations in the broader Malmesbury and Darling areas. The individuals were arrested for: 

- x1 possession of stolen property; and

- x1 possession of drugs.

The units confiscated:

- Various electronics; and

- x1 packet of tik, weighing 0, 64g.

Amongst others the Overstand arrests included:

- x4 for possession of drugs; 

- x5 possession of abalone and West Coast Rock Lobster (WCRL); and

- x2 wanted persons. 

This unit confiscated:

- x8 whole and x1 halve mandrax tablets;

- x5 bankies tik;

- x93 whole abalone; and

- x6 WCRLs.

Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen said, “Our K9 and RSU’s are continuing to demonstrate the important role they are playing in creating safer communities. I am particularly pleased that a parolee who did not adhere to the parole conditions is back behind bars. However, it is worrying that drug paraphernalia was confiscated at a school. It shows that we need to persist with our crime fighting efforts and awareness campaigns, as it will undoubtedly assist in ensuring residents can live without fear. I urge residents to continue engaging with the Western Cape Government and support these units, so that even more successes are achieved.”