![K-9 and Rural Safety Unit operation in Overstrand K-9 and Rural Safety Unit operation in Overstrand](https://www.westerncape.gov.za/sites/www.westerncape.gov.za/files/overstrand_july_1.jpg)
The Swartland and Overstrand Rural Safety Units (RSUs), along with their and the Mossel Bay K-9 units had a successful weekend in making the communities of the Western Cape safer. Between 28 to 31 July 2023, these units with the assistance of various other municipal law enforcement agencies and the South African Police Service (SAPS), arrested thirty-seven (37) individuals for a variety of crimes. Of these, twenty-seven (27) were apprehended in the Overstrand municipal area and ten (10) in the Swartland.
As part of their preparation until their official launch, the Mossel Bay K-9 unit is continuing to hone their teeth and claws. During operations in Kwanonqaba and Highway Park, the unit assisted with the confiscation of dagga.
The Swartland arrests, which occurred in Malmesbury, Redelinghuys and Piketberg, included:
- x3 drug related,
- x4 possession of drugs,
- x2 dealing in drugs and
- x1 possession of a dangerous weapon
The units also confiscated:
- x17 mandrax tablets,
- x3 half mandrax tablets,
- x110 small zipper bags containing tik,
- x10 bankies dagga,
- x1 parcel of dagga, weighing 86 grams and
- x1 knife.
The Overstand arrests included:
- x2 for the possession of drugs,
- x1 for dealing in liquor,
- x1 for the possession of West Coast Rock Lobster Tails (WCRL),
- x3 arrest warrants and
- x7 possession of dangerous weapons.
This unit confiscated:
- x10 whole mandrax tablets,
- x33 half mandrax tablets,
- x10 quarter mandrax tablets,
- 40g of tik
- x1 imitation firearm and
- x2 WCRL tails.
Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen said: “It is results such as these that we are aiming for. I commend our K-9 and rural safety units for their continued effort in removing criminals and criminal activities from our communities. Seeing these achievements in our rural communities, confirms the Western Cape Government’s commitment to creating greater safety throughout the entire province.”
“I urge all communities to continue working with these, and all other law enforcement units, including the South African Police Service (SAPS), neighbourhood watches (NHW’s) and community policing forums (CPF’s), so that we can ultimately eradicate crime from our areas. We want everyone in the Western Cape to live in safer, improved and dignified communities,” concluded provincial Minister Reagen Allen.
Marcellino Martin
Spokesperson for Minister Reagen Allen
Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za
021 483 0103 (o)
082 721 3362 (m)