PARKTOWN – Three hundred and fifteen suspects that have been on the run after committing serious and violent crimes are among 1520 people that were arrested by the police in Gauteng over the weekend. As part of weekend Operation O Kae Molao, detectives embarked on a Tracing Operation looking for those who think they have evaded arrests. Part of these suspects are those that have committed crimes against women and children, such as rape, sexual assault, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and malicious damage to property.
Gauteng Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Girly Mbele led an intergrated and multi-disciplinary Operation O Kae Molao in Mamelodi, Tshwane, on Saturday 12 March 2021 until Sunday morning. During this operation, 23 suspects were arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol and 31 undocumented foreign nationals were taken in for processing by Department of Home Affairs. A total of 250 suspects were arrested in Tshwane District for crime that includes handling firearm while under the influence of alcohol, possession of drugs, common robbery, possession of suspected stolen goods, murder and dealing in liquor without a license.
Six hundred and thirty-one suspects were put behind bars in Ekurhuleni District during operations conducted by SAPS and other law enforcement agencies. In Tsakane, dagga estimated to the value of R10 000 was confiscated after suspects were found traveling in separate taxis and vehicles along Tsakane Road. In Tembisa, A Nissan Qashqai reported hijacked in Kempton Park last month was recovered and five suspects were arrested, two unlicensed firearms and suspected stolen properties were also recovered from that scene.
Police in West Rand continued with their efforts to make the community feel safe as joint crime prevention operations were conducted by members of SAPS and other law enforcement agencies during the weekend, as part of Operation O Kae Molao. Law enforcement officers dealt with liquor related crimes that are a contributing factor to murders, assaults and vehicle accidents. The suspects were arrested for serious crime that includes, murder, business robbery, possession of gold bearing material, possession of unlicensed firearm and dealing in liquor without a license.
More than 330 suspects were arrested in Johannesburg District where various units of SAPS and other law enforcement agencies were out in full force conducting Operation O Kae Molao and stamping the authority of the State. Suspects were arrested for crime ranging from car hijacking, fraud, house robbery, possession of unlicensed firearm, murder and armed robbery.
Police from Sedibeng District arrested more than 115 suspects over the weekend. The suspects were arrested for various crimes that include driving while under the influence of alcohol, possession of suspected stolen property, possession of drugs, undocumented persons, contravention of a protective order, possession of unlicensed firearm and house breaking and theft.
Major General Mbele commended the law enforcement officers in Gauteng for their continuing commitment to ensure that people in Gauteng are safe and that wanted criminals are hunted down and brought to book.
“We will continue to trace all the wanted criminals and deal decisively with any form of criminality in our province. These arrests are a clear indication that Operation O Kae is having an impact in reducing the levels of crime and ensuring that people in Gauteng are safe,” said Major General Mbele.
The suspects will appear in different Magistrates’ Courts across Gauteng.
Source: South African Police Service