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Police Minister Bheki Cele praised the swift arrest of 21 suspects allegedly behind 16 incidents of liquor store looting in the Western Cape since the start of the national blockade.
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Cele was visiting the Western Cape on Saturday with senior police officers amid various liquor-related crimes in the country.
In a statement Sunday, the police ministry said 21 suspects had been arrested for these incidents, and four of them were related to the first incident at a Shoprite liquor store in Langa, Cape Town, during the first weekend. of confinement.
“The minister has also noted with concern the alleged involvement of members of the police in some of the liquor-related crimes during the shutdown,” police spokesman Brigadier Mathapelo Peters said in a statement Sunday.
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Since then, two NCOs from the Delft unit in the Western Cape have been arrested along with a liquor store manager and a cashier in Strand following a warning.
“The police attacked the suspects inside the store [on Thursday], buying liquor that was supposed to be illegally resold elsewhere, “Peters added.
SAPS urgent meeting on liquor
Two members stationed at Pienaar South African Police Services (SAPS) were arrested Friday night in Mpumalanga on Friday night for defeating the ends of justice.
“They were arrested and found to have illegally escorted three bakkies, each loaded with liquor to their full capacity.
“The three vehicles allegedly belong to a tavern owner who was also arrested with two other drivers for violating blocking regulations regarding the restriction of liquor movement,” Peters explained.
As a result, the Police Minister has convened an urgent meeting with SAPS management to address liquor retailers on this issue and to continue working on a strategy to mitigate risk.
Cele also took the opportunity to issue a stern warning to those who continue to undermine the government’s efforts to minimize the spread of Covid-19 in the country.
“The overall picture of crime since the closure of Covid-19 continues to reflect a decline, and therefore such incidents must be intercepted and the perpetrators arrested.
“Our law-abiding citizens must continue to work with law enforcement against criminals as together we guarantee the survival of the human race against Covid-19,” Cele said.
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