[ad_1]
Gauteng police search vehicles and people during O Kae law operations.
- The restaurant managers were arrested after they were found serving alcohol to customers.
- A restaurant in Silverton was in operation after the 9:00 p.m. curfew.
- More than 540 suspects were also captured in Tshwane and Ekurhuleni by integrated law enforcement agencies during their operations.
Managers of two popular restaurants in Sandton and Silverton were arrested over the weekend for selling liquor to customers.
The sale of liquor is prohibited at all outlets during the tight level 3 closure in South Africa. This while the country fights against the second wave of Covid-19.
According to Gauteng Police spokeswoman Captain Mavela Masondo, information about the act was received through criminal intelligence about the restaurant on West Street in Sandton.
Police pounced on Saturday during O Kae Molao operations and discovered that alcohol was being openly served on tables, and that Covid-19 health protocols were not being followed.
Masondo said two of the managers were arrested and charged with violating the Disaster Management Act. Liquor worth 600,000 rand was seized.
He said that on Friday after the 9 p.m. curfew, police noticed cars parked at a popular Silverton franchise restaurant and when asked, they found him operating with about 11 people consuming alcohol at the location.
“In the warehouse there was alcohol in ice cubes ready to be served. The manager was arrested and charged with violating the Disaster Management Act.”
Masondo said that more than 162 people were arrested in the province for failing to comply with the curfew. Thirty-four were arrested for not wearing masks when ordered.
During Operation O Kae Molao in Alexander, led by Gauteng’s Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Tommy Mthombeni, more than 150 suspects were arrested for various crimes. The suspects were arrested during roadblocks, tracking of wanted suspects, and arrest and search activations.
“More than 540 suspects were caught in Tshwane and Ekurhuleni by integrated police agencies consisting of SAPS, Metro Police Departments and Gauteng Traffic Police.
Joint intelligence-led operations were also effective and yielded positive results in Sedibeng and West Rand, where more than 290 suspects were arrested for crimes and offenses such as violation of the National Disaster Management Act, theft, possession of allegedly stolen property, rape, assault with intent to cause serious bodily harm, attempted murder, possession of firearms without a license and possession of drugs, “Masondo said.
The province’s police management said it was concerned about people undermining lockdown regulations.
Mthombeni said: “Operations to enforce regulations will intensify in the province as long as people do not comply.”
Several suspects are expected to appear in various trial courts starting Monday, while others were released under warnings and fined.