The multi-disciplinary operation dubbed – Operation Phakisa commenced over the Easter weekend from Thursday, 28 March 2024 and ended on Tuesday, 02 April 2024 in Port Nolloth, Kleinsee, Brazil, Groenrivier, Alexander Bay and Hondeklipbaai.
The focus this quarter included illegal activities in relation to marine related crimes by monitoring and ensuring strict compliance of the prescribed ranching, fishing and harvesting regulations as well as addressing the proliferation of drugs and preventing the flow of undocumented immigrants.
The operations were executed under the overall Command of Lt Colonel Wessie v/d Westhuizen, the Vioolsdrift Border Policing Commander, supported by Lt Colonel Adrian Riddles, the Provincial Border Policing Commander and Mr Thulani Mthombeni from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, assisted by the operation’s Tactical Commander Captain James Pieters who actively participated in the planned actions.
Teams from different departments and entities, including SARS Customs Unit, SAN Parks, the Department of Mineral and Resources and the Department of Agriculture Environmental Affairs Rural Development and Land Reform executed the disruptive actions.
Actions and activities executed during the commencement of the operations included, compliance inspections, vehicle check points (VCP’s), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, raids at identified houses for illegal drugs and other commodities smuggling.
Four (04) vehicle checkpoints (VCP’s) were conducted on the Port Nolloth/Alexanderbay and the Port Nolloth/Kleinsee roads, during which 93 vehicles and 217 persons were stopped and searched.
Numerous operational successes were achieved, including;
227 fishing permits were inspected at harbours, camping sites and launching pads visited by the multi-disciplinary law enforcement officials for which fines to the value of R3 500,00 were issued for the contravention of the Marine Living Resources Act.
The multi-disciplinary team also searched and seized, liquor, mandrax and a VW Polo vehicle that was used in the commission of crime, all valued at R315 470, 85.
Numerous fines were issued for contravention of the Liquor Act.
Six (6) suspects were arrested for contravention of the Marine Living Resources Act, Immigration Act, dealing and possession of drugs as well as riotous behaviour and they were warned to appear in Court with an option of a fine.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga indicated that the SAPS in cooperation with the DFFE and other stakeholders are committed and determined to protect the sea environment and our marine resources as our actions benefits the public.
The police will continue fiercely to combat illegal and unregulated activities along our coastal areas.
Operation Phakisa executed in the coastal areas of the Namakwa District https://t.co/WE2uQ3LrHm#ArriveAlive #CoastalSafety #Operations @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/PHAcHwiJxh
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) April 3, 2024