Gauteng police arrested more than one thousand nine hundred (1900) suspects over the weekend and recovered twenty-four (24) unlicensed firearms.
Suspects were arrested during operations that including weekend Operation O Kae Molao, tracing of wanted suspects, and routine police stops and searches in various parts of the province.
The perpetrators were found to have committed serious and violent crimes such as murder, attempted murder, robbery, car hijacking, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, rape, fraud, and theft.
Tip-offs as well as diligent and intelligent police observation during routine patrols led to the discovery of most firearms. Police believe these are the firearms that are used for the commission of serious and violent crimes in the province.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, led Operation O Kae Molao in Rietgat, Tshwane where more than 25 suspects were arrested for drinking and driving at a roadblock and two reported stolen cars were recovered. Still, in Tshwane, police arrested three suspects for illegally dealing with diamonds and emeralds in Wonderboompoort. The suspects were found in possession of diamonds and emeralds to the estimated value of R3.6 million.
A total number of six hundred and twenty-three (623) suspects were arrested in Tshwane District.
In Johannesburg District, police arrested over four hundred and ninety (490) suspects for crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, possession of the stolen vehicle, business robbery, and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Over five hundred and forty (540) suspects were nabbed in Ekurhuleni District by the integrated law enforcement agencies made up of SAPS, Metro Police Departments, and Gauteng Traffic Police. These suspects were arrested during the roadblocks, raiding of illegal liquor outlets, tracing of wanted suspects as well as stop and search.
Joint intelligence-driven operations were effective and yielded positive results in West Rand District where more than two hundred and forty (240) suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from possession of an unlicensed firearm, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, driving while under the influence of alcohol, car hijacking, rape, and attempted murder.
Seventy (70) suspects were arrested in Sedibeng District for crimes that includes possession of unlicensed firearms, driving while under the influence of alcohol, possession of drugs, and undocumented foreign nationals.
Police management in the Province thanks all the law enforcement agencies and appreciates the involvement of the community in the fight against crime as most of the suspects were arrested through tip-offs, information received from the members of the public, and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies.
The arrested suspects will appear in various Magistrate Courts within the province in due course.
