GAUTENG police believe they will win the war against shebeens. In weekend operations, national police commissioner General Bheki Cele led more than 1000 police officers and closed 31 illegal shebeens believed to be contributing to crime in Ekurhuleni and Tshwane.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said during "Operation Squeeze", police also seized 120kg of dagga with a street value of over R500000. "We arrested 448 suspects, including two police reservists found in possession of a stolen vehicle."
The operations, which started at midnight on Friday, were conducted in Evaton, Germiston, Ivory Park, Mamelodi, Thembisa and Rabie Ridge.
"During the raids at the shebeens, police seized 36 fridges and 176 cases of liquor worth thousands of rands. These raids will be continuing to make sure that liquor traders comply with the legislation.
"It is believed that unlicensed liquor outlets are major contributors to crimes such as murder, domestic violence and drug trafficking," Dlamini said.
He said other operations, including "Operation Paseka", were continuing to ensure that communities were safe during the Easter holidays.
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