Metro Police officers conducted a routine traffic stop in Strand just after 12:30 on Sunday, 23 November 2025.

 

The driver could not produce the relevant identity documents and asked if the officers were willing to accompany him to his home nearby to retrieve them.

Once there, the man appeared nervous but denied that he had any illegal substances in the house, and gave the officers permission to search the premises.

Hidden behind the fridge, they discovered a  plastic bag containing 54,46 grams of tik and 603 whole Mandrax tablets.

The 44-year-old suspect was arrested for the possession of drugs and detained at Lwandle SAPS.

 

In Bellville, Metro Police officers conducting foot patrols at the taxi rank saw three men engaging in what-appeared-to-be a drug transaction. 

They tried to evade the officers, but one was arrested and found with 591 Mandrax tablets in his backpack. The 33-year-old suspect was placed under arrest and taken to Bellville SAPS for further investigation.

’Drugs continue to flood our streets, and many of our recent successes involve confiscating large quantities from individuals. But the time has come for the City to do more. With expanded policing powers, we can begin clamping down on the syndicates that supply these dealers.

‘We are continually reducing the availability of illicit substances through our enforcement efforts, but we can go further to disrupt the criminal networks that prey on the vulnerable. 

‘Because the same gangs that are selling drugs are fuelling the gang violence in our communities, and by shutting down these networks, we can make our streets and communities safer if given the opportunity’, said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

 Metro Police officers made 121 arrests for the week and issued 2 920 fines. 

 

Their Law Enforcement counterparts made 176 arrests and issued 6 378 notices. LEAP officers arrested four suspects and confiscated four firearms over the weekend. 

 

On the roads, Traffic Officers recorded 64 446 offences, impounded 260 public transport vehicles and executed 2 226 warrants of arrest. 

 

Of the 58 suspects arrested, 51 were for driving under the influence of alcohol, one for reckless and negligent driving and four on other charges.  

 

The Public Emergency Communication Centre logged 1 511 incidents and dispatched assistance for 87 cases of assault, 51 incidents of domestic violence, and 48 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents.

 

The top categories of assistance required were for medical incidents (514), by-laws (334), traffic (158)and 96 incidents of fire. 

 

Caption 1: The Mandrax discovered behind a fridge.

 

Caption 2: The stash confiscated on Saturday.