The Potjiekos Police from PE spring into action

There used to be a series of jokes that began with the phrase “Waiter, there’s a fly in my soup…”

In South Africa, of course, we like to put our own flavour into our jokes. After an incident in Port Elizabeth on Thursday, the latest version of the joke is “Officer, there’s a pistol in my potjiekos…”

Anti-Gang Unit police in late-night raid

The scene that required the immediate attention of the Potjiekos Police unfolded in the PE suburb of Helenvale when police members from the Anti-Gang Unit executed a late-night search warrant at a property in Reynecke Street.

After locating a quantity of drugs, the officers continued to search the premises for further evidence. In a stew bubbling on a three-legged potjiekos pot, the stew-sleuths found a 9mm pistol hidden in the food.

Police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, said the serial number had been filed off the firearm and it would be sent for ballistics testing to determine if it has been used in the commission of a crime. She added that no arrests have been made.

Facebook food critics add their own flavour

Following the publishing of the culinary crime story on the SAPS Facebook page, members of the public immediately added their own take to the tale of the Potjiekos Police from PE.

“Potjie with ammunition; spiced with gunpowder – what a recipe,” wrote Xolela Simo November. “That’s the wrong type of spice,” observed Jacques Redelinghuys.

“No one can resist the six-gun flavour,” said Siviwe Dunjana. “This is how you get the food to be extra spicy,” remarked Steve Potgieter.

Apart from being potjiekos lovers, we are all clearly also comedians and food critics.