‘Anti-crime blitz on point’
‘O Kae Molao’ to stay – Makhura
Gauteng premier David Makhura says the situation in the province has been stabilised after days of violence and looting.
Makhura said “Operation O Kae Molao”, which tackles a variety of crimes in Gauteng, will continue despite the violence targeting foreign-owned businesses.
The operation, which involves roadblocks and raids by various state agencies on businesses suspected of criminal activities, has been criticised for targeting foreign nationals in a country struggling with xenophobic sentiments.
The EFF has openly rejected the operation, describing it as xenophobic.
But yesterday, Makhura and provincial commissioner LtGen Elias Mawela maintained that the operation would continue as it was yielding results in the fight against crime.
“O Kae Molao is an important anti-crime police operation. This is now taking place every day in every area of our province dealing with priority crimes… There are a lot of people who have been arrested during the month of August on gender-based violence [charges]. Another priority crime is drugs,” Makhura said.
He said the operation should not be construed as government targeting foreign nationals. “What the police are doing is just dealing with crime… Police are not targeting a particular nation, they are targeting crime.
“We are not going to stop O Kae Molao... communities tell us they want more [of it].”
Makhura made the statement in the wake of violent attacks and looting of foreignowned businesses.
Local business also fell victims to the looting, which by yesterday was still being reported in Ekurhuleni.
Mawela told reporters in Germiston that two burnt bodies were found by police in Katlehong yesterday morning.
It is unclear whether the deaths are linked to the violence and looting that has troubled the township.
Mawela said seven people have died during the violent looting and 423 people have been arrested.
Meanwhile, a Ekurhuleni metro police officer who shared a misleading message calling for parents to urgently fetch their children from schools has been suspended.
In the video, she alleges that Pakistan nationals are abducting children from schools. She also told parents that she was at her child’s school to fetch her.
The video of the officer was shared on social media platforms. Coupled with rumours that schools had been set alight, hundreds of parents rushed to school to fetch their children. A total of 13 schools shut down as a result.
Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina said he had met with the chief of police in the city, Isaac Mapiyeye, to discuss the conduct of the officer.
“The decision has been made by the chief of police investigation to suspend the officer with immediate effect because she actually has plunged the city into crisis,” said Masina.