Cape Town – Police Minister Bheki Cele has highlighted the connection between alcohol abuse and crime in the country, saying that alcohol abuse is one of the main contributors to crime around South Africa.
He joined police in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, to conduct raids on outlets selling alcohol without a licence.
During the operations, a shebeen owner was arrested, and alcohol was confiscated.
Cele expressed concern about resistance from residents during these raids and said that alcohol plays a significant role in violence in South Africa.
“It’s a fact! Alcohol is a major driver of crime in communities and police are under instruction to enforce the law and shut down illegal liquor hangouts and bring the owners to book.
ALSO READ | Bheki Cele unfazed by Parliament’s demand for apology to Ian Cameron
“While this might be seen as a low-hanging fruit or ‘easy target’ for the police, for us; prevention will always be better than cure, police must continue to target and shut down these unlicensed liquor outlets who sell to underage customers, operate for hours on end without impunity and dismally fail to ensure the safety of their customers when alcohol fuelled fights break-out or vulnerable customers are targeted by criminals,” Cele said.
He noted that there were over 4 000 liquor-related crimes reported between April and June 2023, with more than 200 murders and over 1 100 rapes occurring in places like bars, clubs, taverns, and shebeens.
Operation Shanela, aimed at preventing crime, will continue, and it has already resulted in the arrest of over 155 000 suspected criminals across the country since its inception in May.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Twitter/@TheLegalSA
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
