‘Give criminals a run for their money. Make sure that criminals are squeezed.’ This is what Police Minister Bheki Cele told members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) during the launch of the National Safer Festive Season operations on Friday.
Also read: Counterfeit goods worth R75 million confiscated in Belville
The initiative proved successful after R75 million worth of counterfeit goods and R200 000 in cash were seized at a shopping centre in Cape Town, as per the South African Government News Agency.
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Cele gave a stern warning that SAPS would ‘hit hard’ on criminals and called on the police to do their jobs within the bounds of the law.
‘South Africans and all our visitors have a right to enjoy life, have a right to enjoy the festive season. Make sure that these South Africans, wherever they are, whether they are in the malls, whether they are in their houses, whether they are on the beaches, whether they are out dancing…wherever they are, make sure that they are safe.’
‘There are criminals who want to co-govern with the people that are elected. You are not going to move around breaking into people’s houses, robbing people, raping people, going for cash heists, bank robberies and you believe…that we won’t do anything.
‘I’m calling on those police officers who are given the responsibility to deal with those heartless criminals – that think they run the world and the country – don’t be kind to them. Hit and hit hard. Criminals have declared war against communities and society. I’m making a call to those police…to protect the communities.’
The minister added that communities should work with the police to curb criminality. ‘Don’t hide those criminals among yourselves because they will hurt you. As you protect that criminal, tomorrow he’s coming back for you.’
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Also read:
Counterfeit goods worth over R100 million seized in Cape Town operation