On the evening of Saturday, 13 February 2021, Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela led an integrated multidisciplinary operation that started with a roadblock in Randfontein, West Rand, where 40 people were arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol.
A further 150 suspects were arrested for crimes that include possession of unlicensed firearm, possession of suspected stolen motor vehicle, possession of dagga, possession of mining equipments, murder, rape, business robbery and fraud.
Two hundred and thirty suspects were arrested in Johannesburg District for crime ranging from house breaking and theft, possession of unlicensed firearms, rape, attempted murder, possession of drugs, murder and contravention of Disaster Management Act.
The police in Ekurhuleni District arrested 463 suspects during the High Density Operation O Kae Molao. These suspects were arrested for different offences, including possession of drugs, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition, possession of dangerous weapons and offences under the Disaster Management Act.
In Sedibeng District, police arrested 199 suspects for murder, possession of drugs, malicious damage to property, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of stolen motor vehicle, contravention of Disaster Management, fraud, theft and selling liquor without licence.
A man who is accused of threatening a woman with a handgun before robbing her of cash and a cellphone was among the 350 suspects that were caught in Tshwane during the multidisciplinary high density operations over the weekend.
It is reported that shortly after the robbery, the victim fled the scene and alerted the police. A swift reaction led to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of the weapon a few minutes after the incident. The other suspects were caught for among others, failure to wear masks in public, illegal sale of alcohol, possession of illegal drugs, driving while under the influence of alcohol, assault and possession of suspected stolen properties.
The suspects are expected to appear at various magistrate courts in Gauteng in due cours.
