The concerted efforts of the integrated team made up of the SAPS Provincial Vehicle Crime Investigating Unit (VCIU), the Blue Light Hijacking Task Team, Tracker Connect, Data DOT and Recoveri Dot, has once again led to the uncovering of a panel-beater in Dobsonville on Thursday 27 August 2020, where vehicle parts of at least eight stolen vehicles were found. These vehicles are different makes of Toyota and were reported stolen at different police stations in Gauteng between July and August this year.
A 49-year old male suspect was arrested and charged with possession of stolen vehicles and vehicle parts. He is expected to appear in court on Monday, 31 August 2020.
This operation itself was the culmination of this week’s Operation O Kae Molao where the SAPS in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, took to the streets of Meadowlands in the continued strife to deal decisively with crime in the Province.
A total of 1016 wanted suspects were successfully traced and arrested by the Detectives across all the Districts. The wanted-suspect-tracing-operation in Ekurhuleni netted 320 suspects, while Johannesburg Detectives apprehended 288, 260 in Tshwane, 80 in Sedibeng, and 68 were arrested in the West Rand.
These are suspects who have been on the run from the law and were wanted for different categories of crime. Of these suspects, 152 were wanted for crimes committed against women and children, including 37 cases of rape.
In a parallel operation led by Railway Police in collaboration with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), cables with an estimated value of R1 million were recovered and six suspects arrested.
Meanwhile, R24.3 million worth of branded counterfeit goods were seized in Johannesburg with the collaboration of SARS Customs, Gauteng Traffic Police, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, Department of Home Affairs, and Brand-holders.
The recovered counterfeit goods include running shoes, tracksuits, shirts, hats, shoes, sunglasses, watches and wallets with brand names such as Nike, Adidas, Puma, DH, Uzzi and Converse All Star. Two vehicles suspected of being used to transport the counterfeit goods, were also seized as police arrested four suspects for possession and dealing in counterfeit goods.
All arrested suspects will appear in different courts in Gauteng by Monday 31 August 2020.
Gauteng Commissioned of police, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has welcomed the successes and extended his appreciation to all the stakeholders, especially the private sector who are now partnering with the SAPS as force multipliers in the fight against all forms of crime.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
