Gambling targeted

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Nine foreign nationals were arrested during a joint operation between the KwaNonqaba Police and the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board last weekend.

According to the spokesperson of the KwaNonqaba Police, Warrant Officer Kappie Kapp, gambling machines were confiscated at several spaza shops in the Asla Park area.

"The suspects, ranging from the age of 19 to 38, did not have the legal permits to own and operate these machines."

Kapp said the suspects were each given a fine and failing to pay it, they will have to appear in the local magistrate's court.

"Warrants to take action were obtained after having received information from the community regarding gambling activities at spaza shops," said Kapp.

He said that the latest trend seemed to be that children were falling prey to gambling.

"Whenever you arrive at these spaza shops where gambling machines are kept, there are always an abundance of young children around. They are the ones sent to the shop to buy bread and then become tempted to gamble. More than often losing their money, they return home, fabricating lies, like having been robbed."

Kapp pointed out that gambling was highly addictive and could, when the youth were exposed to it so early in life, lead to a number of negative outcomes for them.

One of the confiscated gambling machines.