Gauteng Deputy Police Commissioner, Major-General Fred Kekana leading Operation Heatwave in Tshwane on Wednesday, 11 December. Photo by Raymond Morare
OPERATION Heatwave hits Marabastad in Tshwane.
Integrated law enforcement officers, led by Gauteng Deputy Police Commissioner, Major-General Fred Kekana, raided, closed down and made arrests at a spares shop in Marabastad, at a plastic factory in Pretoria West and in other areas of Tshwane on Wednesday, 11 December.
According to Kekana, 11 suspected stolen cars were recovered, and an owner and a manager were arrested. Some of the vehicle engines were confirmed stolen.
Two liquor outlets were closed and the factory in Pretoria West will be closed for non-compliance. A company that deals with illicit goods was closed and Kekana said they tasked crime intelligence to look at certain places such as factories, warehouses, distributors, secondhand dealers and food shops.
Cops making several arrests during Operation Heatwave in Tshwane on Wednesday, 11 December. Photo by Raymond Morare
“We arrested 10 undocumented people. We’ll check how they came to South Africa, whether they were trafficked. We also arrested 80 undocumented people since the morning and one employer who employed undocumented people.
“We closed a factory that deals with illicit cigarettes and two shops were closed for non-compliance. We’re camping in Pretoria and cleaning it. We’re eliminating criminals,” he said.
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Kekana said the factory in Pretoria West is dirty and non-compliant, while a butchery was also non-compliant with meat stored on the floor.
“Tomorrow at 2pm, the owner of the factory in Pretoria West industrial will be in the cells. We know who he is and where he stays. We’re confiscating his car. He’ll come running. We’ll deal with him. This place is closed for non-compliance. It’s a health risk and some of the walls are about to fall,” he said.
Cops raiding several places during Operation Heatwave in Tshwane on Wednesday, 11 December. Photo by Raymond Morare
He said the municipality will take appropriate steps to ensure it’s refurbished or demolished. He said the factory doesn’t even have a fire extinguisher.
“The spares shop has been running for some time. We’re expected to inspect places. The factory has been operating for some time,” Kekana said.
Chief of Tshwane Metro Police Department, Commissioner Yolanda Faro said: “We came across a lot of building regulations where buildings are zoned as residential buildings and not businesses. There is illegal water and electricity, including environmental issues.”
Cops raiding several places during Operation Heatwave in Tshwane on Wednesday, 11 December. Photo by Raymond Morare
Some residents said they appreciate the operation.
A 39-year-old man said: “The operation is bringing order, especially in places like Marabastad. We want fake goods to be stopped in Tshwane and illegal businesses closed.”
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