The Gauteng Police’s Operation O Kae Molao and Safer Festive Season Operations continued to yield positive results as more than 750 suspects were arrested in the province for various serious and violent crimes.
Detectives from Ekurhuleni started with the operations on Thursday night 26 December 2019, where they arrested 193 suspects that have been on the run after committing crimes inclusive of murder, robbery, rape and assault.
Multidisciplinary operations comprising of SAPS, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department, Gauteng Traffic, Community Patrols and other law enforcement agencies continued on Friday in Ekurhuleni. The Gauteng MEC for Community Safety Ms Faith Mazibuko, The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Gauteng Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, Ekurhuleni District Commissioner Major General Vincent Leshabane and EMPD Chief of Police Isaac Mapiyeye led the law enforcement officers into a roadblock and raiding of liquor outlets and second hand dealerships in Reiger Park.
During this operation, two suspects were arrested after they were found with explosives believed to be used in ATM bombings and illegal mining. More suspects were arrested for dealing in drugs, possession of suspected stolen goods, possession on copper cables and undocumented people.
Still in Reiger Park, five illegal liquor outlets were closed down and police discovered an illegal gambling premise. The place was closed down and gambling equipment that include computer boxes and LCD screens were confiscated.
A total of eight illegal liquor outlets were closed in Ivory Park and Tembisa where police also arrested five suspects four possession and dealing in drugs.
The West Rand District Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana led a similar operation in the district. The detectives were able to arrest 148 suspects who were in the wanted list. These suspects were wanted for crimes that include murder, rape, business robbery, house robbery, fraud, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Nineteen illegal immigrants were apprehend and one person found in possession of dangerous weapon. In conjunction with other law enforcement agencies, police closed down 2 liquor outlets and issued Traffic Fines that amount to R61 000 in the West Rand.
The Tshwane District Commissioner Major General Daniel Mthombeni was also on the streets of Tshwane to lead an integrated operation. The detectives in Tshwane arrested 188 wanted suspects during the operation that started on Thursday night.
Early on Friday morning, areas like Brooklyn, Pretoria Central, Pretoria West and Sunnyside, saw high density police presence through stop-and-searches, roadblocks, raids, foot and vehicle patrol.
Eight suspects were caught for public drinking, six suspects for possession of drugs and two suspects for non-compliance to Liquor Act. Furthermore, traffic fines worth over five thousand rand were issued to several motorists for various traffic violations, while almost ten businessmen were fined R11 000 for illegal trade in cigarettes. An illegal liquor outlet was also closed down.
The raiding of wanted suspects resulted to the arrest of 47 suspects in Sedibeng District 129 suspects in Johannesburg District.
The Provincial Commissioner is impressed with the closing down of 19 illegal liquor outlets and confiscation of over 500 million liters of liquor during the operations. This will have a positive impact on the province endeavor to minimize alcohol and substance abuse.
Operations will be intensified in Gauteng as we are getting closer to year end and New Year celebrations.
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