The operation which was conducted on 13 Jaunary 2022 at West Rand District in Westonaria and Bekkersdal areas was led by the Provincial Commossioner of the police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela. The activities for the operation included roadblocks, stop and searches, tracing of wanted suspects and compliance inspection at second hand dealers and liquor outlets.

During the operation 211 suspects were arrested for various crimes such as possession of unlicensed firearms, dealing in drugs possession of suspected stolen property, impersonating a police official, murder including 54 undocumented persons.

The highlight of the operation was when police shut down an illegal gold refinery in a Plot near Randfontein and arrested one suspect. Officers also pounced on three suspects at a chop-shop in Westonaria and recovered parts of a stolen motor vehicle which were used to build cars that are written off. Three more suspects were arrested at a separate venue for dealing in drugs after they were found with approximately 3000 mandrax tablets which were subsequently seized.

All arrested suspects are expected to appear before different Magistrates’ Court soon.

The efforts and hard work of all the law enforcement agencies involved together with the Community Police Forum are greatly appreciated by the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner.

Source: South African Police Service