Operation yields over 1 400 arrests in Gauteng
A TOTAL of 265 suspects were arrested in the Joburg district alone during the latest SAPS crime prevention operation, with most appearing in various magistrate’s courts yesterday.
In total, the commonly known O Kae Molao operation managed to arrest over 1 460 suspects in Gauteng over the weekend.
“The suspects were found to have committed offences that included car hijacking, murder, attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of unlicensed firearms, dealing in drugs, driving under the influence of alcohol, robbery and possession of suspected stolen property,” said a SAPS statement.
According to the statement, among the major busts included the arrest of four alleged gang members responsible for car hijackings and armed robberies in the south of Joburg.
“Police have been searching for the gang after several cases of hijacking and robbery of bank cards were reported in Lenasia, Ennerdale, De Deur and Orange Farm.”
A team consisting of members from Crime Intelligence, units of SAPS and metro police departments, went out searching for the suspects until the four were rounded up and arrested in Lenasia at the weekend. They were expected to appear at Lenasia Magistrate’s Court yesterday, facing charges of car hijacking and armed robbery.
Another major arrest was that of illegal miners and illegal immigrants in Florida.
In Tshwane, 565 suspects were nabbed over the weekend from Friday at roadblocks, in raids on illegal liquor outlets, tracing of wanted suspects as well as stop-and-search operations.
In Ekurhuleni, more than 340 suspects were nabbed, and crime-prevention operations conducted on the West Rand led to the arrest of 217 suspects.
“These integrated and intelligence-driven operations included roadblocks conducted on major national and provincial roads. A suspect was arrested after he was found in possession of a white Toyota Corolla reported to have been stolen in Kagiso. Other suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from murder, car hijacking, business robbery, house robbery, theft, rape and driving under the influence of alcohol,” said the SAPS statement.
The Sedibeng District recorded the lowest arrests of suspects, at 77, for possession of stolen property, housebreaking and theft, dealing in drugs, rape and attempted murder.
“Police management in the province have noted with appreciation the involvement of the community in the fight against crime and efforts made by the members on the ground to bring crime to minimal in the province. The arrested suspects will appear in various magistrate’s courts around Gauteng.”