January 17, 2003
By Thomas Thale
MEMBERS of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department on Thursday night swooped on Westbury, a township west of the city centre as part of an operation codenamed, Nude Ants - a major crime prevention campaign unveiled last year.
The officers threw a cordon round the township, manning roadblocks at the five main entrances to the township, searching vehicles and individuals and raiding targeted homes.
Nine suspects were arrested on charges including drunken driving, possession of dagga and illegal immigration. The suspects were taken to the Sophiatown Police Station and are expected to appear in court.
Some 250 traffic violation summonses were issued during the operation.
Metro police officers stop and search vehicles at a roadblock in Westbury last night
Westbury is home to two of the suspects arrested this week in connection with the murder of Johannes Pretorius, a metro police officer.
Inspector Mandla Dube, spokesman for the JMPD special patrol, said the operation signalled JMPD's intention to crack down on crime.
The operation was welcomed by members of the community, who decried the high levels of crime in the township. "This area is very dangerous. Gangsters rule here. They push drugs and shoot people at random," said Christine Swartz, an elderly lady from the area.
Molly Swartz, her daughter, agreed. "The shops have to close early because owners are scared of these gangsters. We can't even walk around freely."
Acting on tip-off from members of the public, officers with sniffer dogs accompanied by members from the local police station swooped on some houses in the area. The dogs uncovered dagga at some of the houses.
Last year, similar operations were conducted in Soweto, Alexandra and Hillbrow.
Dube said Nude Ants is an ongoing operation and crime hotspots will continue to be monitored and raided.
