Over 900 suspects were this past weekend nabbed by the integrated law enforcement deployment made up of SAPS, Metro Police Departments, Gauteng Traffic Police, SARS, Home Affairs, private security and various other agencies. Joint intelligence-driven under the umbrella of “O Kae Molao” were conducted in the West Rand, Sedibeng, Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane. The operations resulted in the recovery of 16 unlicensed firearms and of stolen motor vehicles, counterfeit goods and drugs.
Police in Sophiatown arrested a 16-year-old man for the alleged murder of a 14-year-old boy. It is alleged that the teenagers were in the same apartment when the suspect who was carrying a firearm pulled the trigger and the bullet hit the deceased. Preliminary investigation revealed that the firearm used was stolen in Moffatview last month and police managed to trace and arrest a 19-year-old that is alleged to be responsible for the theft of firearm. As police are on the mission to remove illegal firearms that are in circulation, two suspects were arrested in Diepsloot after they were found in possession of unlicensed firearms. These firearms were recovered through the tip-off from the community and when police were conducting a stop and search. Four hundred and ninety (490) suspects were arrested in other parts of Johannesburg and Sedibeng over the weekend for various serious and violent crimes, while counterfeit goods worth thousands of rands were confiscated.
Operations in Tshwane and Ekurhuleni saw more than 350 suspects arrested with 50 undocumented persons taken into custody. Fines issued in relation to Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) amounted to R120 000 and 30 suspects were arrested for drug-related cases while 43 were arrested by Detectives during a search for wanted suspects. Counterfeit goods including illicit cigarettes were also confiscated during the operations.
Operations conducted over the weekend in the West Rand covering Kagiso, Magalies and Westonaria resulted to the arrest of more than 120 suspects for crimes ranging from murder, arson, possession of unlicensed firearms, theft, malicious damage to property, driving while under the influence of alcohol, possession of stolen property and malicious damage to property.
Police management in the Province have noted with appreciation the involvement of the community in the fight against crime as most of the suspects were arrested through the tip-offs and information received from the members of the public. Operation O Kae Molao will continue in Gauteng to ensure that the community are and feel safe all the time.
The arrested suspects will appear in various Magistrate Courts in due course.
