Gauteng police arrested more than 1700 suspects over the long weekend and recovered 65 unlicensed firearms. Suspects were arrested during operations and routine police stop and search in various parts of the province. The perpetrators were found to have committed serious and violent crimes such as murder, attempted murder, robbery, car hijacking, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, rape, fraud, and theft. Diligent and intelligent police observation during routine patrols led to the discovery of most firearms. Police believe these are the firearms that are used during the commission of serious and violent crimes in the province.
Four hundred and fifty-three (453) arrests were effected in Johannesburg District for offenses ranging from malicious damage to property, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of drugs, housebreaking, theft, drunk and driving, possession of stolen and hijacked vehicle, selling liquor without a license and dealing in drugs
The South African Police Service in the Tshwane District arrested four hundred and fifty suspects. In their quest to fight lawlessness in Tshwane, the police executed multiple crime prevention operations within Pretoria and its boundaries. On Friday evening the integrated forces of Operation O Kae Molao flooded the streets of both Atteridgeville and Pretoria West. Their presence was quickly felt as they closed down nine illegal liquor outlets for operating without licenses or permits. Thirty-three undocumented immigrants were arrested for being in the country illegally. Eight suspects were arrested for possession of drugs, one suspect was arrested for car hijacking. Two more suspects were arrested for tampering with essential infrastructure in Atterdgeville after they were caught red-handed doing illegal electricity connections with suspected stolen cables.
Four hundred and three (403) suspects were nabbed for various crimes in Ekurhuleni District. Amongst the suspects arrested are two males aged 49 and 33 believed to be masterminds behind car hijackings in Ekurhuleni North and Daveyton areas. The suspects were nabbed in Tembisa and Clayville in the early hours of the morning on Sunday, 30 April 2023, by members of Ekurhuleni District Crime Intelligence, Trio Task Team, and Tactical Response Team. The suspects were linked to one of the car hijacking and murder cases that occurred in Norkempark on Wednesday 26 April 2023 whereby the victim (CPF patroller) was hijacked of his motor vehicle and killed. The suspects were found in possession of a blue light, flash machine, Mercedes Benz key, Ford key, Unknown make car key, and EMPD warden rank structure. The vehicle used by the suspects during the commission of the crime was also found in the suspect’s yard and seized.
Continuous efforts by the South African Police Service and other law enforcement agencies in the West Rand District had left more than one hundred and fifty-nine (159) suspects behind bars during the past long weekend.
Tracing of wanted suspects, roadblocks, stop and searches, patrolling, and checking compliance were part of the operations that were conducted throughout the District from Friday until Monday. Suspects were arrested for the following crimes: murder, attempted murder, car hijacking, rape, possession of an unlicensed firearm, dealing in drugs, and assault.
Police in Sedibeng arrested two hundred and sixteen (216) suspects over the long weekend. Suspects were arrested for various crimes that include murder, attempted murder, assault, rape, business robbery, hijackings of motor vehicles, common robbery, house breakings and robberies, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of drugs, driving under the influence of alcohol, and possession of suspected stolen vehicle and stolen goods.
Police management in the Province has noted with appreciation the involvement of the community in the fight against crime as most of the suspects were arrested through tip-offs and information received from the members of the public.
The arrested suspects will appear in various Magistrate Courts in due course.