TONGA – A special police operation in Mpumalanga resulted in no reported killings at a police station notorious for a high number of murder cases in December and early January each year. Police at Tonga station conducted a special month-long operation to decrease crime in their policing areas.

“We managed to set a new record of having no murder cases over the festive season. It is the first time this happened at our station,” said spokesperson Sergeant Mzwandile Nyambi.

Nyambi credited Operation Siyadvudvula (we clean up), which focused on police patrolling alcohol dealers such as taverns and shebeens, especially those operating illegally.

“This operation will be an ongoing operation because it has proved to be successful,” Nyambi said. “We have destroyed more that 100 different brands of liquor at our station so that we can empty the exhibits room,” he added.

During the operation more that 100 people were arrested for either drinking in public or creating too much noise while drinking. They received fines ranging between R50 and R250. Illegal shebeen owners were fined R1 500 each. In addition, the cases that were reported at Tonga police station this festive season included 4 incidents of rape, 35 of assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm and 9 of common assault, Nyambi reported.