By Augustine Ehikioya
Towards ridding the country of crimes, Police officials in Gauteng Province, South Africa, have arrested 1460 crimes suspects last weekend.
The crimes included car hijacking, murder, attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of unlicensed firearm, dealing in drugs, driving while under the influence of alcohol, armed robbery and possession of suspected stolen property.
This was disclosed in a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo of the South African Police Service, Office of the Provincial Commissioner Gauteng.
It was made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA) on Monday.
The statement said “Gauteng Police have arrested more than 1460 suspects during crime prevention operations and raiding of wanted suspects conducted over the weekend.
“The suspects were found to have committed offences that include car hijacking, murder, attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of unlicensed firearm, dealing in drugs, driving while under the influence of alcohol, armed robbery and possession of suspected stolen property.
“Among those arrested were four suspects that allegedly belong to a gang responsible for car hijackings and armed robberies in the South of Johannesburg.
“Police have been searching for the gang after several cases of hijacking and robbery of bank cards were reported in Lenasia, Ennerdale, De Deur and Orange Farm,” it said.
The statement added “A team consisting of members from Crime Intelligence, units of SAPS and Metro Police Departments, went out searching for the suspects until four of them were rounded up and arrested in Lenasia over the weekend.
“They will be appearing at Lenasia Magistrates Court this week, facing charges of car hijacking and armed robbery.”
Giving details of the arrests, the statement said “A total number of 265 suspects were arrested in Johannesburg District for various serious and violent crimes. Police pounced on illegal miners in Florida and arrested suspects who were also found to be illegal immigrants. Illegal mining equipment that include picks, shovel and gold bearing material were confiscated.
“Over 565 suspects were nabbed in Tshwane during crime prevention operations that started with O Kae Molao Operation led by Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela on Friday.
“These suspects were arrested during roadblocks, raiding of illegal liquor outlets, tracing of wanted suspects as well as stop and search operations.
“Joint intelligence-driven operations were effective and yielded positive results in Ekurhuleni where more than 340 suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from assault, robbery, possession of suspected stolen property, rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearm and possession of drugs.”
Continuing, the statement said “Crime Prevention Operations conducted on the West Rand District from Friday led to the arrest of 217 suspects. These integrated and intelligence driven operations included roadblocks conducted on major national and provincial roads.
“A suspect was arrested after he was found in possession of a white Toyota Corolla reported to have been stolen in Kagiso.
“Other suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from murder, car hijacking, business robbery, house robbery, theft, rape and driving while under the influence of alcohol.
“Operations in Sedibeng District on the other hand saw the arrest of 77 people. Suspects were arrested for crimes such as possession of stolen property, house breaking and theft, dealing in drugs, rape and attempted murder.”
Police management in the Province, the statement said, have noted with appreciation the involvement of the community in the fight against crime and “efforts made by the members on the ground to bring crime to minimal in the Province.
“The arrested suspects will appear in various Magistrate Courts around Gauteng from Monday, 10 January 2022,” it stated.