Picture: A liquor confiscated during Operation Shanela/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
In a continuous battle against illegal gambling and trading in liquor, the police in the ZF Mgcawu District in collaboration with the Northern Cape Liquor Board, Gambling Board, Department of Home Affairs Immigration Office and the CPF visited various outlets in the Greater Upington during Operation Shanela last week.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson in ZF Mgcawu cluster, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said the police has noted with great concern the escalating number of tuck shops that are reported to be illegally trading in alcohol and also operating with gambling machines without any license.
“A multi-disciplinary operation was conducted to particularly focus on this concerning issue, during which liquor and gambling machines were confiscated from tuckshops and the owners were arrested for being in contravention of the Liquor Act.
“This operation also served as an awareness to the licensed traders to refrain from distributing liquor to unlicensed traders and also the community members to stop supporting illegal traders, but rather report such conduct to the police,” Masegela said.
Meanwhile, the acting District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Peet Coetzee said: “Illegal trading in liquor, especially from tuckshop poses great challenges and it is a danger to minors as they will have easy access to alcohol.
“This conduct must be addressed and those who find themselves in contravention with the law must be brought to book.”
The Guardian 