Seized booze goes down the drain
The Reiger Park Police destroyed hundreds of litres of alcohol, confiscated from a number of illegally operated shebeens across their policing precinct, on Wednesday, September 21.
The alcohol, including bottles of beer, wine and sweet ciders, was confiscated during crime operations conducted between April and September, this year.
Alcohol abuse is believed to be the largest single contributing factor to anti-social behaviour and other crimes in the Reiger Park policing precinct.
Reiger Park SAPS spokesperson, Sgt Phathela Mashusdu, said that, over the years, police had linked sexual offences, assaults, domestic violence, attempted murders, and even murders, to the abuse of liquor and drugs in the area.
Therefore, the SAPS, along with the CPF and other law enforcement agencies, regularly raids illegal shebeens in a bid to eradicate crime in the Reiger Park communities.
Phathela, however, admitted that, despite the raids, there has been an increase in the number of illegal liquor outlets in the area, especially in the informal settlements.
Police raid those areas from time to time, but people continue trading in liquor without licences anyway. -@FanieFLK
