The streets of Hillbrow were eerily quiet on New Year’s Eve save for the occasional homeless person and the flashing lights of police vehicles on patrol.
Revellers seeing out 2020 stayed safely off the streets choosing instead to shout festive wishes from their balconies as the clock struck midnight.
People stand on a balcony (bottom right of image) as they celebrate NYE in Hillbrow. The streets of Hillbrow were desolate as residents adhered to the curfew. Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed.
Fireworks went off and police armed with shotguns were on alert as they kept a watchful eye on the residents. Several gunshots were heard going off amidst the sounds of the fireworks. A few streets gave evidence that people had thrown things off their balconies but all in all, it was a quiet evening in Hillbrow.
iStock/ TheCrimsonRibbon
The Department of Home Affairs and Gauteng Liquor Board formed part of the operations which resulted in arrests and shutting down of illegal liquor stores.
Raided liquor stores were found packed with no adherence to Covid-19 regulations.
People were also arrested for drinking and driving.
More than 1 000 people were arrested in Gauteng over the weekend during an operation aimed at a safer festive season, police said.
Among the arrested were those allegedly operating illegal liquor outlets, drinking and driving, and accused of serious and violent crimes.
Gauteng MEC for Community Safety Faith Mazibuko and Gauteng Police Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant- General Ellias Mawela led a team who arrested more than 222 suspects in Soshanguve and Rietgat, and closed down nine illegal liquor stores.
News24 Wire Among the arrested were those allegedly operating illegal liquor outlets, drinking and driving, and accused of serious and violent crimes. Picture: iStock
Among the arrested were those allegedly operating illegal liquor outlets, drinking and driving, and accused of serious and violent crimes.
Gauteng MEC for Community Safety Faith Mazibuko and Gauteng Police Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant- General Ellias Mawela led a team who arrested more than 222 suspects in Soshanguve and Rietgat, and closed down nine illegal liquor stores.
Members of the police were accompanied by the Department of Home Affairs and the Gauteng Liquor Board.
Police spokesperson Kay Makhubele said police also closed down a “popular liquor outlet” in Rietgat, and arrested the owner after it was found operating after the prescribed time and no compliance to