Gauteng restaurant managers arrested for selling alcohol
Managers of two popular restaurants - in Sandton and Silverton - were arrested in different incidents for selling liquor to patrons over the weekend.
The sale and transportation of alcohol are prohibited under the Adjusted Level 3 lockdown regulations.
Gauteng police spokesperson Mavela Masondo says crime intelligence received a tip-off about the popular restaurant in West Street, Sandton, selling alcohol.
“During O Kae Molao Operations on Saturday 16 January 2021, police pounced on the restaurant and found the place full to capacity and alcohol served openly on the tables and health protocols not adhered to. Two of the managers were arrested and charged with the contravention of the Disaster Management Act,” says Masondo.
Police also confiscated liquor to the value of approximately R600 000.00.
He says police were conducting routine patrols after the 9pm curfew on Friday night when they noticed cars parked outside a popular franchise restaurant in Silverton, in Tshwane.
On enquiring, police found the restaurant operating and about eleven people drinking alcohol on site.
“In the storeroom was alcohol in ice buckets ready to be served. The manager was arrested and charged with contravention of the Disaster Management Act,” says Masondo.
Listen to Mavela Masondo below:
Furthermore, Masondo says over 162 other people were arrested over the weekend for failing to adhere to the curfew.
A total of 34 were arrested for failure to wear masks when ordered to do so.
Meanwhile, Acting Provincial Commissioner of the police in Gauteng Tommy Mthombeni led the O Kae Molao Operations in Alexandra, Johannesburg, where more than 150 suspects were arrested for various crimes.
“These suspects were arrested during the roadblocks, tracing of wanted suspects as well as stop-and-search activations," says Masondo.
More than 540 suspects were arrested in Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.
“Joint intelligence-driven operations were also effective and yielded positive results in Sedibeng and the West Rand where more than 290 suspects were arrested for crime and offences such as contravention of National Disaster Management Act, robbery, possession of suspected stolen property, rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearm and possession of drugs,” adds Masondo.
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