PARKTOWN – Gauteng police were joined by Immigration Officers from Department of Home Affairs, members of Community Police Forum and other law enforcement agencies as they arrested more than 1800 people, including 145 undocumented persons, during weekend crime combating operations.

Gauteng Deputy Provincial Commissioner responsible for Policing, Major General Tommy Mthombeni, led a multi-disciplinary Operation O Kae Molao in Atteridgeville and Laudium in the Tshwane District, where more than 340 suspects were arrested. A further 113 suspects were arrested in other parts of Tshwane bringing the total of arrests to 453. These suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from possession of drugs, robbery, undocumented persons, illegal possession of a firearm, driving while under the influence of alcohol and murder.

Over 450 suspects were nabbed in Ekurhuleni District and hijacked vehicles were recovered. Suspects were arrested for crimes such as kidnapping, possession of hijacked vehicles, dealing in drugs, intimidation, possession of unlicensed firearm, murder, rape and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. In Tsakane, a suspect was arrested after a BMW 3 series was abandoned by the criminals and the owner was found inside the boot of the vehicle. Another victim, who was hijacked from Heidelberg was rescued from the boot after a Hyundai i20 was stopped and searched on Mandela Road on Saturday morning, 25 March 2022, by members of Crime Prevention Unit. Still in Tsakane area, another suspect was nabbed during a joint operation while driving a Toyota Corolla which was hijacked in Kagiso, West Rand.

A total of three hundred and eighty suspects were arrested in Johannesburg District while 555 were arrested in West Rand and Sedibeng Districts.

Gauteng police will continue to work with the community and other law enforcement agencies to deal with all forms of criminality.

The arrested suspects will be appearing at different Magistrate’s Courts within the province while others paid admission of guilt fines.

Source: South African Police Service