Over 600 suspects were arrested around Gauteng as Operation “O Kae Molao” continues to close the net on criminals in the Province.
The Gauteng MEC for Community Safety Ms Faith Mazibuko and Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela led the operation in the West Rand to a chop-shop in Krugersdorp where police recovered six motor vehicle engines that were tampered with, and the engine of a Mercedes Benz that was reported stolen in Pretoria.
While at the operation, a Colt van carrying more engines was intercepted and impounded after it was discovered that the engine was also tampered with. The 45 year old owner of the chop-shop was subsequently arrested for possession and receiving stolen property.
Police then pounced on a hostel in Kagiso during the raid and recovered six unlicensed firearms and a stolen vehicle. Another stolen vehicle was recovered and suspects arrested as the MEC and Provincial Commissioner were at a roadblock in Kagiso.
The operation started with the raiding of wanted suspects in various places across the Province where police arrested over 530 wanted suspects for crime that includes murder, rape, robbery, theft, house breaking and malicious damage to property, possession of drugs, pointing of firearm and house robbery.
More suspects were arrested during the raids and roadblocks for possession of suspected stolen vehicles and undocumented persons were taken in for processing and verification.
Fines amounting to R6500 were issued and in relation to Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) while counterfeit goods to the value of R550 000 were confiscated during the operation.
The multi-disciplinary Operation “O Kae Molao” will continue in Gauteng until crime is brought to its lowest level. The arrested suspects will appear in different Magistrates’ Courts within the province.
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