Over 400 arrests in Johannesburg as crime and shooting escalate

South African Police Service

Over 400 arrests in Johannesburg as crime and shooting escalate
Over 400 arrests in Johannesburg as crime and shooting escalate

Despite the arrest of over 400 suspects over the weekend of 10 and 11 November 2018, for various crimes, police have launched a manhunt for five suspects who fatally shot and wounded people at the Johannesburg North suburbs in the early hours of Saturday morning, 10 November 2018.

Three were fatally shot and four wounded in an informal settlement in Lombardy while another man was shot and wounded during an armed robbery at a restaurant in Illovo.

Five suspects are still at large and police are appealing to anyone with information to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 at all hours.

The arrests were affected during routine patrols and Buya Mthetho operations. A total of fifty eight of these suspects will be appearing in court for possession of unlicensed firearms and drugs, three for murder, others for driving under the influence of liquor, theft, and possession of suspected stolen property.

Goods including medicine stolen at the Durban harbour estimated to be worth approximately R5 Million, ten firearms, three stolen vehicles and drugs were also seized.

In Greenville informal settlement, Lombardy, seven people (all men) who were sitting in a shack were confronted by two men armed with a firearm. One of the suspects started shooting randomly and in the process, fatally shot three men who died at the scene. Four others were taken to the hospital with serious gunshot wounds. It is suspected that the motive for the attack followed an argument with one of the suspects and another man at the shack. Police are following information to arrest the suspect.

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The fifth person was shot at a restaurant during an armed robbery in Illovo. It is alleged that three suspects entered the restaurant and ordered all the customers to hand over their valuables and put them in a bag. During a commotion, one of the customers was shot and wounded in the lower body before the suspects fled the scene. The victim (man) is being treated at the hospital.

Buya Mthetho integrated operations involving all the law enforcement agencies are continuing. Police also launched the Safer Festive Season Operation at the West Gate Shopping Centre on Thursday last week to deal with criminal activities committed during the festive period.

Police will be deployed to various malls daily and members of the public are urged to report any suspicious vehicles and people near or at the malls to the police as well as to the mall security.

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