Bheki Cele’s Visit to a Local Tavern Ends in Tears
Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele left a tavern owner heartbroken and in deep trouble after his surprise visit in Thokoza. According to the South African Police Service(SAPS) website www.saps.gov.za/newsroom, the minister and his police entourage arrived at Jessey’s Tavern after 10pm only to find patrons drinking and ignoring the strict cut off time imposed on all licensed liquor vendors during lockdown.
The patrons and the owner upon realising the presence of the police, they locked themselves inside and ignored the knocks of the police. As a last resort, the padlock was broken by the police to gain entry.
The Gauteng Community Safety team stated that General Cele assisted the SAPS to bust the curfew flouting tavern and its patrons.
“While doing a walkabout in Thokoza led by Minister Cele, we found patrons at Jessey’s Tavern still sitting and drinking alcohol disregarding the 22:00 curfew. The manager has been taken to the local police station for further processing as part of Operation Okae Molao,” the Gauteng Community Safety said.
The weekend operation in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng was carried out by Cele and his team to check on roadblocks and liquor outlets to assess adherence to the regulations on the last weekend of level 2.
The police minister was accompanied by Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, Acting Deputy Provincial Commissioner Policing Major General Tommy Mthombeni, Ekurhuleni District Commissioner Major General Vincent Leshabane, Chief of Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department Isaac Mapiyeye and Gauteng Provincial Community Police Forum Board Secretary Pearl Manqele.
