Provincial Commissioner of the police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela on Thursday 6 June 2019, led yet another integrated operation in Johannesburg West which culminated in the arrest of more than one hundred and twenty suspects. Detectives went out in full force searching for suspects on the run from the law, and were able to trace and apprehend 127 suspects wanted for serious and violent crimes such as armed robberies, murder, rape and fraud.
Meanwhile, roadblocks remain a constant yet effective tool to enforce road safety and ensure that no illegal or stolen goods and substances are transported by road users. Six vehicles were seized on suspicion of being stolen; and traffic fines to the value of R31 000 were issued to the drivers on the wrong side of the law.
Police also raided shops suspected of selling counterfeit goods and liquor outlets operating illegally whereby goods including branded belts, takkies, handbags and watches with an estimated value of R7 million were seized and one liquor outlet was closed down.
Over and above the O Kae Molao Operation, police recovered 22 firearms, explosives and drugs within a period of 24 hours in different parts of the province.
On 5 June 2019, police in Kempton Park arrested three suspects aged 30 to 33 and recovered two loaded firearms and additional ammunition after the members searched a suspicious parked vehicle and its occupants.
On 6 June 2019, police from Ivory Park responded to information and arrested two suspects aged 21 and 39 at a house in Phomolong Rabie Ridge. Police found in the house a firearm and ammunition, explosives, and drugs including mandrax tablets and CAT. The value is yet to be determined. Through close collaboration with private security, police were able to link the two suspects to incidents where unsuspecting bankers were followed from the bank and robbed of cash.
Two more firearms were recovered in Olievenhoutbosch, Tshwane when members policing crime hotspots in the area, operationalised information of two men in possession of illegal firearms. Two suspects aged 29 and 33 were arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms.
Police also confiscated nine firearms, seized two cars and arrested four suspects aged between 30 and 38 following a shootout in Wynberg, Johannesburg on 06 June 2019. It is alleged that the security officers were guarding the offices of a Taxi Association when they were attacked and shot at by about 10 men who were driving four different cars.
Four of the men were cornered. Police arrived at the scene and confiscated nine firearms, which is four rifles and five pistols. An Investigation is underway to establish if firearms are legal and whether they were used in the commission of other crimes. A case of attempted murder has been opened.
Three unlicensed firearms were recovered at different scenes in Midrand on 06 June 2019. In the first incident, police received information about two suspects who are involved in robberies around Midrand. The suspects were spotted walking in Blue Hills. As the police were stopping the suspects, one of them pulled out a firearm and pointed at the police. Police fired shots at the suspects and they were both wounded. An illegal firearm and ammunition was recovered. In the second incident in Midrand, police and local Community Police Forum members were conducting a roadblock at R55 and Summit Roads when they recovered an AK47 rifle from one of the stopped vehicles.
Four pistols and 61 ammunition were recovered in KwaThema. Five suspects believed to be responsible for killing eight people in Springs were arrested on 06 June 2019. Detectives from South African Police Service and Ekurhuleni metro police officers got a tip-off that led to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of firearms.
A rifle was recovered in Booysens on 06 June 2019 and two suspects were arrested following an armed robbery. It is alleged that the victim stopped at the robot at Booysens when a Toyota Corolla stopped behind him and three suspects got out. They approached the victim and robbed him at gunpoint. A neighbourhood watch member who was also at the robot noticed the commotion and went to help. A shootout ensued and two suspects climbed back into the Corolla and drove off leaving one suspect behind, who was then arrested. Police intercepted the getaway car and arrested the second suspect while the third one fled on foot. A rifle was recovered inside the suspects’ car.
Gauteng Commissioner of police, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has commended the continuous good work of members across all Districts, and urged them to sustain the momentum in the strife to reduce serious and violent crime in the Province.
Arrested suspects will appear at different Magistrates’ Court in due course.
“We remain resolute in our endeavor to curb the proliferation of firearms and remove them from the hands of criminals, so that ultimately, law abiding citizens can live in their homes and communities without fear,” said the Provincial Commissioner.
Management of police also applauded the team that was stationed at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday 05 June 2019, for the swift response when the members diffused a potentially violent scuffle within seconds, restoring order and ensuring that court proceedings continue uninterrupted. “Our members did well and must be commended for stamping the authority of the State,” cited Lieutenant General Mawela.
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