By Augustine Ehikioya
South Africa Police Service (SAPS) officials in the two Provinces of Gauteng and Western Cape have arrested over 760 persons for various crimes in a week operations.
The crimes included theft of motor vehicle, possession of illegal firearms, possession of car breaking implements, drunk driving, murder, rape, including undocumented persons, murder, attempted murder and possession of drugs.
While about 700 suspects were arrested in Gauteng, about 60 suspects were arrested in Western Cape.
A statement by Colonel Dimakatso Sello of South African Police Service, Office of the Provincial Commissioner Gauteng, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA) on Monday, said “The weekly conducted Operation O Kae Molao is integrated with different law enforcement agencies such as SAPS, Traffic Department, Metro Police Department, Immigration from Home Affairs Department, Tracker, Fidelity, and Community Police Forum and other stakeholders”
Their efforts, the statement said, have continued to yield positive results “as Police stamped the authority of the State.”
It said “The Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele together with Premier of Gauteng, David Makhura and MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko rolled up their sleeves and joined Provincial Commissioner of Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela at the Operation which was conducted in Tshwane District.
“During the Operation, the Minister, Premier and MEC assisted in stopping and searching vehicles at the roadblock and they also interacted with motorists.
“The Operation saw over 700 people being arrested throughout the Province for various crimes such as theft of motor vehicle, possession of illegal firearms, possession car breaking implements, drunk and driving, murder, rape and including undocumented persons.
“The Provincial Commissioner, appreciated the stakeholders who agreed to join forces with Gauteng SAPS in ensuring the safety and security of the people of Gauteng. The public was also urged to continue adhering to the lockdown level one regulations in order to minimise the spread of COVID-19 virus,” it stated.
Another statement for the Western Cape was issued by Colonel Andrè Traut of the South African Police Service, Office of the Provincial Commissioner Western Cape.
It reads “With the festive season on our doorstep, we have turned up the heat on criminality in this Province and conducted several anti-crime operations in crime infested areas to create a safer environment for the Western Cape community.
“These operations saw scores of people and premises being searched while SAPS and other law enforcement officers lit up the sky with their blue lights in line with our Country in Blue theme. Those who broke the law will have to answer for their deeds tomorrow when they are due to make their respective court appearances.
“Three suspects were arrested in Tshishi Street, Browns Farm on Friday when a tracker signal led Police to the location of a stolen Toyota Quantum. While six suspects evaded arrest, three aged 21, 28 and 31 were arrested while stripping the stolen vehicle.
“One of the suspects was armed with an unlicensed firearm and he was accordingly charged. Also in Nyanga an unlicensed firearm was seized from a man who was fatally wounded when he made an attempt to hijack a complainant’s Toyota Avanza in Govan Mbeki Drive Browns Farm.
“In Delft’s Freedom Farm Lockdown II forces arrested a 30-year-old suspect who was caught in possession of 94 parcels of dagga following a community tipoff.
“While patrolling Nyanga, the same members recovered a Toyota Avanza which was hijacked in Delft earlier this month, and in Samora Machel they recovered 34 cellular telephones which were stolen during a business robbery in Gugulethu. The suspects are however still being sought.”
The statement added “In Gugulethu members of the Provincial Extortion Task Team pursued information of ammunition that is stored at a residence and conducted a search. This search resulted in the arrest of a 39-year-old suspect who was caught in possession of 50 x 9mm rounds of ammunition that were possessed without a license.
“Weekend operations also resulted in the arrest of 57 suspects on a variety of charges including murder, attempted murder, possession of firearms and drugs and the seizure of more than 1200 litres of alcohol from premises which operated outside the boundaries of the law. An assortment of drugs comprising tik, mandrax and dagga were also confiscated.”
The Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, the statement said, expressed his appreciation “with the efforts of his operational forces and the impact it had on crime in this Province.”
Another statement by Brigadier Novela Potelwa of South African Police Service, Office of the Provincial Commissioner, Western Cape, said Western Cape Safer Festive Season has been launched in Khayelitsha.
“SAPS Western Cape launched the Provincial Safer Festive Season and Country in Blue in Khayelitsha on Saturday with much fanfare. The integrated law enforcement agencies comprising the various SAPS units, City of Cape Town’s law enforcement unit, Metro Police and Traffic Services showcased their respective competencies.
“A total of 155 new vehicles were handed over to the 16 clusters. A Mobile Police Station for Makhaza Policing precinct was unveiled at the event,” it said.
Officials that witnessed the ceremony included the Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele, MEC for Community Safety, Advocate Albert Fritz, Chair of the Standing Committee on Community Safety, Mr Reagan Allen.
Others are Councillor Sotashe, Deputy National Commissioner for Policing and Operations, Lt General Masemola and WC Provincial Commissioner.
Stakeholders such as Business Against Crime, National Prosecuting Authority, Department of Correctional Services and the Khayelitsha Development Forum were in attendance.
The statement said pledges of support came from the Youth Council, Junior Provincial Commissioners and the Youth Crime Prevention Committee.