GAUTENG – The multidisciplinary crime combatting operations in Gauteng resulted in the arrest of more than 1430 people over the weekend. These operations form part of Operation O Kae Molao that is aimed at the tracing and arresting of wanted suspects and combatting of crime in the province.
Out of those arrested this past weekend, five hundred and twenty-two (522) suspects were arrested in Johannesburg for crimes ranging from possession of drugs, armed robbery, fraud, possession of hijacked vehicle, rape, truck hijacking, possession of suspected stolen vehicle, dealing in dagga, driving while under the influence of alcohol, assault, housebreaking and theft.
More than three hundred and fifty (350) suspects were nabbed by the police in Ekurhuleni for committing crimes such as murder, rape, fraud, and business burglary, possession of suspected stolen property, robbery and driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Joint intelligence-driven operations were effective and yielded positive results in Tshwane where more than three hundred and ten (310) suspects were arrested for crime ranging from assault, robbery, possession of suspected stolen property, rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearm and possession of drugs.
Operations were also conducted in Sedibeng and West Rand whereby more than two hundred and forty-five (245) suspects were arrested for armed robbery, murder, assault, business robbery, house robbery, driving while under the influence of alcohol and possession of drugs, amongst other crimes.
Gauteng police are sending a strong warning to those criminals who think police are not focusing on combatting serious and violent crime during this period of lockdown. Police visibility will still be intensified at crime hotspots and reported crimes will still be prioritised and suspects hunted down and brought to book for their criminal activities.
The arrested suspects will appear at various Magistrate Courts within the province in due course.
Source: South African Police Service