Stolen and hijacked double-cab bakkies are amongst the items recovered during operation O Kae Molao on Thursday, 05 March 2020. The two bakkies – a Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger were stolen and hijacked in Bedfordview and KZN respectively.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela together with Chief of Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department Isaac Mapiyeye and four Major Generals from SAPS led the multi-disciplinary forces of Operation O Kae Molao on Thursday in Katlehong. The operation resulted to the recovery of the stolen cars. The Toyota Hilux was reported to be stolen in Bedfordview the same morning while the Ford Ranger was reported to be hijacked in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. Furthermore, over seven hundred and sixty (760) suspects were arrested during Operation O Kae Molao that were carried out in all the five districts in the Gauteng Province. These suspects were arrested for serious and violent crimes that include house robbery, business robbery, armed robbery, car hijacking, murder, attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and fraud.
The operations started with the tracing of suspects who have been on the run after committing various crimes. The detectives started with the tracing on Wednesday night which resulted to the arrest of two hundred (200) wanted suspects in Tshwane, two hundred and nineteen (219) in Ekurhuleni, one hundred and fifty-seven (157) in West Rand, one hundred and fifty-one (151) in Johannesburg and thirty-six (36) in Sedibeng.
The detectives in Gauteng are on a campaign to hunt all the criminals who think they have evaded the law and the arrests of such a high number of these suspects is a big success. All these suspects are now expected to have their days in court.
Subsequent to the detectives tracing of wanted suspects, Operation O Kae Molao multidisciplinary forces consisting of SAPS, Gauteng Traffic, Metro Police Departments, Home Affairs, Environmental Affairs, Gauteng Liquor Board and other law enforcement agencies took to the streets of Gauteng to stamp the authority of the law. The Gauteng Provincial Commissioner and his deputies joined the Ekurhuleni District Commissioner Major General Vincent Leshabane where they conducted roadblocks, raiding of illegal liquor outlets and visiting second hand dealerships to ensure that there are no criminal activities taking place.
It is during this operation that hijacked and stolen vans were recovered. The team also arrested over fifty (50) suspects in Katlehong, Tembisa and Ivory Park for crimes ranging from possession of drugs, pointing of firearm, selling liquor without licence, bribery and illegal immigrants. Still in Ekurhuleni, eighteen (18) illegal liquor outlets were closed down and liquor confiscated, eight (8) unroadworthy vehicles were impounded at the roadblocks and traffic fines to the value of R75 800-00 issued.
In addressing the main generators and contributing factors of serious and violent crime, West Rand District under the leadership of Major General Fred Kekana, closed down seven (7) unlicensed liquor outlets, discovered and closed down dagga cultivation plant. Suspects were also arrested for possession and dealing in dagga, possession of dangerous weapon, illegal immigrants and public violence. Counterfeit goods to the value of R6000-00 were confiscated and traffic fines amounting to R33 300-00 issued.
The District Commissioner of Tshwane, Major General Daniel Mthombeni, took the Operation O Kae Molao to Bronkhorstspruit, Enkangala and Welbekend where police arrested suspects for possession of drugs, possession of unlicensed firearm, drinking in public and illegal immigrants. Twelve (12) liquor outlets were raided and those found to be unlicensed were closed down and liquor confiscated. The team also issued road traffic fines to the value of R58 800-00.
Johannesburg District, led by Major General Max Masha, continued with their mission of cleaning the streets of the CBD from crime. The Police Tekkie Squad made significant achievement when they arrested seven suspects for possession of drugs. Other suspects were arrested for murder, possession of dangerous weapon, selling liquor without licence and dealing in dagga, Police also recovered a stolen vehicle and other properties suspected to be stolen. In Florida, police raided a place suspected to be harbouring illegal miners and arrested three suspects that were found in possession of gold bearing material. Equipment used for illegal mining was also seized. Counterfeit goods to the value of R41 600-00 were confiscated in Johannesburg Central. An illegal gambling outlets was also closed down in Johannesburg.
Operation O Kae Molao, a crime combatting initiative that has the support of most of the people of Gauteng, will continue to squeeze the space for the criminals in the province. The arrested suspects will appear in various magistrate’s courts in due course.