Police arrested yet another suspect that is featuring on the list of the fifty most wanted criminals and repeat offenders in Gauteng, during Operation O Kae Molao.
Madoda Mqwathi (34), who once escaped from lawful custody, has been on the run after terrorising the community of Ekurhuleni for more than 10 years. He is linked to more than 10 cases that include house breakings, house robbery, theft and escaping from lawful custody. Mqwathi escaped from a police van in February 2010 as he was being transported from Nigel Magistrate’s Court to Modderbee prison after he appeared for a case of house breaking and theft.
In another major breakthrough, police arrested a suspect after he was found with the firearm belonging to the police officer that was robbed and killed in Katlehong in March, this year. Investigation is underway to establish if this suspect can be linked to the murder and robbery of Warrant Officer Makati.
The Multidisciplinary Operation O Kae Molao saw the Premier of Gauteng Mr David Makhura and the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela walking the streets of Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, searching for drugs, illicit goods and wanted suspects.
As a result, police arrested more than 100 suspects for crime ranging from dealing in drugs, murder, attempted murder, business robbery, possession of unlicensed firearm, fraud, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of suspected stolen property, theft and illegal immigrants. Police were also able to close down unlicensed liquor outlets and second hand dealerships. During the roadblocks two cars were discontinued for being unroadworthy and traffic fines to the value of R26 000 were issued.
A parallel operation was conducted in Tshwane where three most wanted suspects were apprehended. The trio were linked to more than 12 cases that include hijacking, house breaking and theft. It is believed that these suspects are the ones that have been terrorising the community of Tshwane by breaking into their houses and hijacking cars.
More than 105 other suspects were arrested in Tshwane for crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, rape, armed robbery, house robbery, intimidation, assault, fraud, theft, possession of hijacked vehicle, possession of ammunition, possession of explosives, contempt of court, kidnapping, house breaking, possession of drugs, malicious damage to property. The roadblocks were also conducted in the areas of Tshwane where police issued traffic fines to the value of R141 800 and closed four unlicensed liquor outlets.
The Gauteng Premier urged the police to continue with such operations in order to minimise crime and called for the community to work together with the police. “Crime in Gauteng is a very important area of focus. We want to reduce crime in this province by fifty percent because that is where we will reduce crime across the country. The reduction of crime can also be achieved when we all do our work everywhere we are. Communities must come forward and give the police information. I am very happy with the work that the police are doing in our province,” said Gauteng Premier.
The suspects will appear at various magistrate courts in due course.
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