Mpumalanga Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe has appealed to political parties not to prevent police from doing their job in the townships.
Shongwe on Saturday night visited Carolina near Ermelo where he accompanied the police who raided at least eight troublesome taverns.
Shongwe was briefed by the police that some leaders of certain political parties had threatened that they did not want police in the township to raid the taverns.
The MEC was told that the tension was sparked by the previous SAPS operation where it was later alleged that the police stole wallets and cellular phones belonging to some of the patrons who at the taverns.
A certain group of people had threatened to switch off the electricity supply in the area and attack the police when conducting operations in the area. They also threatened to burn the houses of the police officers if they continue conducting operations in the area.
A concerned MEC visited the area on Saturday night to observe the situation as over 100 police officers accompanied by the Provincial Commissioner conducted their operations. To his surprise, the community had been tipped off about the extensive raids and stayed inside their homes with taverns closing early.
Shongwe said political parties prevented the police from doing their job in an effort to campaign for the up-coming municipal elections.
The police are there to protect the Constitution of the Republic. This includes the Bill of Rights and they cannot be stopped by anyone from doing their work.
Crime affects everyone, whether you are a member of a political party or not. The police should confiscate all dangerous weapons in the townships in order for our communities to live peacefully without fearing criminals.
"People appreciate what we are doing when we increase police visibility in their areas especially at night, they say they feel safe and we should continue conducting these raids," said MEC Shongwe.
The MEC said he was aware that the same was happening at Leandra where a political party was denied access to the township to do its door-to-door campaign by few individuals.
He said the government would not fail the people of South Africa as it will ensure that the police protect everyone.
He further urged religious leaders, traditional leaders, and organized labour to support the police in conducting the raids.