By REGINALD KANYANE
24 March 2026 – The police in the Northern Cape in partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Customs (Delivered Duty Unpaid), the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, as well as the Northern Cape Provincial Traffic, conducted the renowned coastal Operation Phakisa from 19 until 23 March 2026.
The police said the primary objective of these operations was to address various forms of crime in Kleinzee, Port Nolloth, Alexander Bay and Groenrivier, particularly those associated with ports of entry and coastal activities.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe said the police deployed specialised units such as Border Policing, Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (Springbok), Springbok K9 Unit, Highway Patrol, Springbok Crime Intelligence and Inland Water Policing. Litabe said the police conducted search operations at various residential and business premises.
“A total of 142 vehicles, 242 individuals and 61 vessels were searched. The operations also included the establishment of Vehicle Control Points, as well as compliance inspections at harbours, mining areas, camping sites, launching pads and restaurants.
“The operation resulted in the arrest of four suspects in Port Nolloth, including one suspect for driving under the influence of alcohol, two suspects for dealing in drugs during cordon and search operations, one suspect for possession of drugs,” he said.
Litabe further said a total of 24 fines, amounting to R11 600 were issued for contraventions of the National Road Traffic Act. He added that six individuals were fined for contraventions of the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 (Act No. 18 of 1998).
“During the operation, members confiscated mandrax tablets to the estimated value of R2 195.20, cash, snoek fish, eight packets of cut snoek pieces and three packets of yellowtail snoek that had been cut into portions.
“All arrested suspects are expected to appear in court soon,” said Litabe.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the police and all partner departments for the successful execution of the operation.
The Guardian 