As a precursor to the official announcement this morning of Gauteng’s new Provincial Commissioner by the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele and the National Commissioner, General KJ Sitole, the newly appointed Provincial Commissioner of police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, sanctioned parallel crime prevention and combating joint operations that commenced in the early hours of 6 February 2019, in Johannesburg Central policing precinct and in Tshwane East.
Police closed down two second hand goods dealerships in Mamelodi, while counterfeit goods worth over R8 million were confiscated in the Johannesburg Central Business District.
Twenty six most wanted suspects were successfully traced and arrested in Mamelodi this morning, three of them wanted for rape and two for armed robbery. Police also shut down four liquor outlets for contravention of the Liquor Act Regulations, while three taxis and 47 unroadworthy vehicles were impounded. A number of penalties were also handed to traffic rules violators on several roadblocks conducted on major routes across Tshwane East.
With the announcement of the new Provincial Commissioner for Gauteng, was the introduction of a few changes to the management structure of the SAPS in Gauteng. With these changes, coupled with the close working relationship between the SAPS and the Metro Police Departments, the Gauteng Provincial Traffic, and National Traffic, Lieutenant General Mawela expressed his optimism and confidence in a collaborative, enhanced approach towards stamping the authority of the State in Gauteng.
The Provincial Commissioner will, in the not so distant future, spell out his priorities and strategy for crime fighting in Gauteng. In the meantime, General Mawela is urging communities to play an active role in the Community Policing structures, to strengthen ties and collaborate with the police towards reducing crime to its lowest levels in the Province.
All suspects arrested during the operations are expected to appear in Court by Friday 8 February 2019.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
