The recently launched Overstrand Rural Safety Unit (ORSU) and established K-9 Unit have been instrumental in the apprehension of a suspect that had been on the run from Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape. The suspect, a Mr Wandile Makwrana, who was out on bail after being arrested for the possession of abalone, failed to appear in the Humansdorp Magistrate Court on 30 September 2022. A warrant of arrest was subsequently issued, and the suspect was arrested by our units on 11 April 2023 on the R43 between Hermanus and Gansbaai.
Further to this, and with the assistance of other Overstrand law enforcement agencies, three more suspects were arrested for the possession of drugs. All suspects were arrested in Gansbaai, with two being found with tik and one with 51 packets of dagga and R 440.00 in cash.
Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen said: “The immediate impact of the ORSU brings me much joy. It is also pleasing to note how the various law enforcement units are collaborating to ensure that they are effective in combatting crime across the Overberg district. These types of results are part of the reason why we have initiated and activated these units in our non-Metro municipal areas. Our aim is to ensure greater safety across the entire Western Cape, as we want to ensure our people live in safer communities.”
Minister Reagen Allen added: “We should not allow criminals to anchor themselves in any of our areas. Our responsibility is to strategically work together with all law enforcement agencies, the South African Police Service (SAPS), neighbourhood and farm watches, Community Policing Forums (CPFs) and all other sectors of society so that these unscrupulous characters are not in a position to terrorise anyone.”
The K9 and ORSU’s Units’ main objective is to serve as crime fighting force multipliers to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other role-players. The units do this through the detection and searching for contraband, particularly illegal drugs, firearms and ammunition. The unit also provides assistance to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs to curb the illegal trade of abalone, crayfish and other marine products.
“Safety across the entire Western Cape remains our priority, and we will continue making the lives of criminals deeply uncomfortable,” concluded Minister Reagen Allen.
