PARKTOWN – The ongoing multi-disciplinary Operation O Kae Molao and other crime combating operations resulted in the arrest of more than 1200 people and the recovery of 20 illegal firearms in Gauteng over the weekend. Out of those arrested, more than 140 were arrested for gender-based violence, seventy for driving while under the influence of alcohol and 130 undocumented persons. Other suspects were arrested for serious and violent crimes that include murder, armed robbery, car hijacking and house robbery.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela was joined by his deputies, the Executive Mayor of Emfuleni Councillor Sipho Radebe who was accompanied by Members of the Mayoral Committee, Department of Correctional Services, Department of Home Affairs, Gauteng Department of Community Safety and Community Police Forum as he lead Operation Kae Molao in Sedibeng District. During this operation, which included a roadblock, more than 167 suspects were arrested for crime that includes possession of unlicensed firearm, driving while under the influence of alcohol, possession of drugs and undocumented persons.
In Ekurhuleni District, joint weekend operations comprising of South African Police Service and other law enforcement officers led to the arrest of 582 suspects. They were arrested for offences such as possession of dagga, dealing in drugs, theft, possession of unlicensed firearm, rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, murder, driving while under the influence of alcohol and possession of suspected hijacked vehicle.
Law enforcement agencies in Tshwane District, including various units of SAPS, arrested over 400 people during multi-disciplinary operations that included Operation O Kae Molao. Two hundred and thirty-seven of these suspects were arrested by the detectives following the tracing of wanted suspects on Saturday night. Furthermore, police in Tshwane recovered seven vehicles that were reportedly stolen and hijacked around Gauteng.
Police in West Rand District arrested more than 121 suspects during weekend operations. The District Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana led Operation O Kae Molao that focused on roadblocks, crime prevention, raiding and closing of illegal liquor outlets and tracing of wanted suspects. The arrests were for crimes ranging from murder, common robbery, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, house breaking and theft.
More than 76 suspects were nabbed by the police in Johannesburg District for committing crimes that include possession of stolen vehicle, assault with the internet to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of drugs, dealing in liquor without a license, driving while under the influence of alcohol and robbery.
Some of the suspects were released after paying admission of guilty fine while others will appear before different Magistrates’ courts in Gauteng on Monday, 28 February 2022.
Source: South African Police Service