Cape Town - Several people have been arrested in Cape Town this week for armed robbery, being in possession of suspected stolen property, and for contravening the Disaster Management Act's alcohol-related regulations meant to help curb the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) disease, the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Western Cape said on Saturday.
SAPS members and other law enforcement agencies participated in various vehicle check points (VCP) and roadblocks this week, Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana said in a statement.
Their efforts payed off and several suspects were arrested. Gugulethu SAPS crime prevention officers arrested two suspects in a VCP conducted on NY 78 on Friday. While police were searching the bakkie the suspects were driving, they found three cases of brandy. Two suspects, a man and a women aged 25 and 41 respectively, were arrested for contravening the regulations of the Disaster Management Act and they were issued with a fine, Rwexana said.
Several people have been arrested in Cape Town this week contravening the Disaster Management Act's alcohol-related regulations. Photo: SAPS
Two other suspects were arrested for armed robbery and possession of stolen property after a man was robbed by four suspects, also on NY 78 in Gugulethu, on Thursday while he was waiting for a minibus taxi.
"Police chased the suspects. One suspect was found in his home in possession of the complaint's property and another one was also found in possession of the complainant's cellphone. Police also seized an imitation firearm," Rwexana said.
In Lingelethu West, police arrested a woman at a roadblock on the N2 after finding alcohol in the boot of her car. She was also charged with contravening the regulations of the Disaster Management Act. The woman was fined.
In an unrelated matter, Kraaifontein SAPS officers arrested a 36-year-old man for being in possession of liquor in 4th Avenue, Belmont Park on Thursday.The officers followed up on information about liquor being stored at that address. Upon their arrival, police discovered that liquor was being stored in a truck and also inside the house.
Hundreds of bags of wine were confiscated from a house in Belmont Park, Kraaifontein, this week. Photo: SAPS
The man was arrested and 65 boxes each containing 10 three litre "bags of wine, as well as 18 separate three litre bags of alcohol, and over 600 litres of alcohol worth R60 000" were seized.
The suspect faced charges of possession of presumed stolen property, selling liquor without a licence, and contravening the Disaster management Act regulations. He was released on a warning to appear in the Kuils River Magistrates’ Court on Monday, Rwexana said.