Tag Archives: Department of Social Development

37 unlicensed liquor outlets closed for non-compliance violations

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Picture: Police destroying home-made beer/Supplied  

By AGISANANG SCUFF

14 September 2026 – The police in the Northern Cape arrested 201 suspects for various serious offences during intensified Operation Shanela II operations conducted across the province from 7 until 13 September 2026. The high-density, multi-disciplinary operations were conducted across all five districts in collaboration with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Department of Home Affairs, Department of Health, Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, Department of Social Development, Department of Small Business Development, as well as other government departments and law enforcement agencies.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe said as part of the intensified crime prevention and enforcement operations, 7 223 persons and 3 126 vehicles were stopped and searched. Litabe said compliance inspections were also conducted at licensed liquor outlets, second-hand goods dealers, scrapyards, formal and informal businesses, mines, government institutions and other identified establishments.

“A total of 37 unlicensed liquor outlets were closed for various non-compliance violations. The operations resulted in arrests for a range of serious offences, including possession of drugs and illegal firearms, illegal dealing in liquor, dealing in drugs, murder, business and residential robbery and assault with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH).

“This includes common assault, attempted murder, malicious damage to property, burglary at business and residential premises, contraventions of the Immigration Act, as well as other serious crimes,” he said.

Litabe further said the police and participating law enforcement partners also confiscated thousands of litres of liquor, cellular phones, copper cables, dangerous weapons, drugs and dagga, as well as one vehicle during the operations.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended SAPS members and all participating departments and law enforcement agencies for their commitment and continued support in strengthening the fight against crime. Otola added that sustained, high-density and multidisciplinary operations remain a critical component of the SAPS Reset Agenda, particularly in strengthening police visibility, disrupting criminal networks and reclaiming communities from criminal elements.

“We further acknowledge the invaluable contribution of communities, whose cooperation and information remain critical to the success of policing operations and the prevention and detection of crime. The successful outcomes of these operations demonstrate our unwavering commitment to intensifying the fight against crime and ensuring that our communities are safe and feel safe.

“We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement and government partners, as well as our communities, to disrupt criminality and ensure that justice prevails,” she said.

Otola said the Northern Cape SAPS will continue to conduct intelligence-driven and high-density operations throughout the province, targeting identified crime hotspots, wanted suspects and establishments that facilitate criminal activities.

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413 suspects nabbed during Operation Paseka

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Picture: Dagga confiscated during raids/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

1 April 2026 – Over 413 suspects were arrested for a multitude of offences across the Northern Cape during Operation Paseka under the auspices of Shanela II conducted by the police in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies from 23 March until 29 March 2026. The multi-disciplinary teams from all five districts in the province worked in close cooperation with traffic police, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Transport, Department of Social Development, Department of Labour and Community Policing Structures.  

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe said these integrated, intelligence-driven operations were led by senior officers at provincial and district level and station commanders with the aim of asserting the authority of the state. Litabe said the arrests were effected for offences such as dealing in drugs, illegal dealing in liquor, possession of drugs, illegal possession of firearms, attempted murder, business robbery and robbery at residential premises.

He further said these include murder, assault with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), common assault, housebreaking at residential premises, business burglary

, malicious damage to property, driving under the influence of alcohol, contravention of immigration law and for theft out of motor vehicles. Litabe added that operational activities also included high-visibility patrols, vehicle control points (VCPs), roadblocks, and the search of hundreds of premises, as well as thousands of individuals and vehicles.

“These efforts led to the closure of 28 unlicensed liquor premises and the tracing of wanted suspects by detectives. Furthermore, the operations resulted in the confiscation of large quantities of alcoholic beverages, ammunition, cash, dangerous weapons, dagga, crystal meth, and mandrax tablets.

“The arrested suspects are expected to appear in various courts across the province during this week,” he said.

Meanwhile, the acting Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Thabo Mphuthi, expressed her satisfaction with the outcome of the operations and commended all members and stakeholders involved and encouraged them to maintain the momentum in the fight against crime.

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A fight against substance abuse intensified  

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Picture: The community members attending child substance abuse program/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

3 May 2025- The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Sutherland in conjunction with the local Community Police Forum (CPF), Department of Social Development, Department of Education, SASSA, Karoo Hoogland Municipality and the Roggevels Windfarm, held a child protection and substance abuse program for children at the Roggeveld Primary School in Sutherland.

The executive mayor of Hantam District Municipality, Koos Alexander said this is one of many programs to follow in the interest of school safety by the SAPS. Alexander said crimes against the youth, as well as youth involvement, remain a priority for the police. 

“Community engagements and outreach programmes will continue to address trending issues,” he said.

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Police urge community members to report any abuse against elderly persons

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Picture: Elderly persons educated about safety measures/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Roodepan police in conjunction with the Northern Cape Department of Social Development, Department of Health and Simanye Community Nutritional and Development Centre, hosted an Elderly event in Roodepan, near Kimberley on 19 October 2023. In attendance, were personnel from the SAPS, Department of Social Development, and Department of Health, Community Police Forum District Board, Women Against Crime and elderly community members.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said: “The event commenced with an opening prayer by Pastor Lizzy Soul, followed by the welcoming address and the introduction of speakers by Blom.

“The purpose of the day was outlined by Constable Mapule de Kock and Sergeant Iris Modise, who indicated that this event was set out to make sure that the elderly persons are safe. It also makes them aware of services such as Health and Social Development that are available for them,” said Kock.

He further said, Sergeant Modise indicated the abuse of elderly people happens in their own homes. Kock added that, Modise urged the neighbours to speak up when they suspect that, an elderly person is financially abused, neglected, or harmed.

“She also pleaded with the elderly to make use of the South African Police Service when they are faced with challenges of abuse and other challenges,” he said.

Kock said the representatives from the Northern Cape Department of Health, Sara Matroos also delivered a message of support including others from the Department of Social Development, Roodepan CPF, and Women Against Crime, Olive Miller.

“The different stakeholders addressed the attendees on how abuse affects the elderly. Abuse of older people is an important public health problem. For older people, the consequences of abuse can be serious, and recovery may take longer.

“Abuse of older people can have serious consequences such as physical and mental health, financial, and social consequences, including, physical injuries, premature mortality, depression, financial devastation and placement in nursing homes,” he said.

Meanwhile, the chairperson of Simanye Community Nutritional and Development Centre (soup kitchen), Ruth Goolamhossen said: “We would like to thank all role players and attendees. The soup kitchen also provided all attendees with a warm plate of food and juice, while the SAPS band performed beautiful musical entertainment for the old folk.

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