K9 officer Zeke barks up the right tree
20 July 2020
It was all in a few days' work as the City of Cape Town's K9 Unit recovered drugs, enforcement officers recovered a hijacked vehicle, arrested 13 people for various offences, issued nearly 40 000 fines, assisted during protest actions, and lent a helping hand when they honoured Mandela Day.
‘The City of Cape Town's Safety and Security Directorate was stretched to capacity last week as they bravely dealt with protest actions and illegal land grabs in addition to the contraventions and crimes which are reported daily,' said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
On Sunday, 19 July 2020, officers attached to the K9 Unit conducted open area searches in well known drug areas in Milnerton. K9 Zeke searched between the cars in Sheridan Street and gave a positive indication of illegal substances.
Officers found 21 bankies of dagga and with a further search of the surrounding area they found 16 more bankies of dagga and two packets with cocaine.
Two days earlier, on Friday 17 July 2020, Zeke also sniffed out drugs when the K9 Unit executed search warrants at drug outlets in Macassar.
Officers found three carrier bags of dagga, 20 whole Mandrax tablets and 17 half tablets. The 57-year-old owner of the property was arrested for possession of drugs.
On Thursday, 16 July 2020, Metro Police officers were patrolling the N2 near Khayelitsha when they were informed that the signal of a hijacked delivery vehicle came from Khayelitsha.
Officers went in with the vehicle tracking company where they found the vehicle on Eliam Drive and upon further investigation of the previous locations where the vehicle had stopped, were led to an empty house in Church Square.
The owner of the property gave the officers permission to search the property and claimed he did not occupy the house. His son who was arrested three months ago, however, had.
The officers found goods which had been stolen during a reported robbery in Diep River and a hijacking in Parow.
On Saturday, 18 July 2020, officers saw a vehicle flee an accident scene on Symphony Road, Belhar, after the driver collided with another vehicle.
They caught up with the 26-year-old driver who was arrested for reckless and negligent driving. His passenger was also arrested after officers found him in possession of two suspected stolen cell phones and R5 000 in cash.
Traffic Services arrested four people, impounded 42 vehicles and issued 36 742 fines for various offences.
Law enforcement officers did their bit for Mandela Day when they visited residents in Garden Village, Maitland, to hand over treats and meals.
'The past week has been a busy one as our officers across the directorate have had their hands full and yet they made the time to reach out to a number of communities in need. On Friday I went out with Disaster Risk Management officials and volunteers to help pack food parcels for the elderly in vulnerable areas of the City and contributed towards making hygiene packs for early childhood development centres. I am encouraged by our staff’s dedication and commitment not only to their work, but continuing the legacy of Nelson Mandela,' said Alderman Smith.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
