By Augustine Ehikioya
South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng Province have arrested a total of 995 suspects for murder, gender based violence, rape, among others.
Out of the figure, two hundred and twenty (220) suspects were arrested for Gender Based Violence (GBV), alone.
In a press statement made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA) on Friday, Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo in the Office of the Provincial Commissioner Gauteng, said “Two hundred and twenty suspects of Gender Based Violence are among 995 people arrested by Gauteng Police during Operation O KAE MOLAO
“Gauteng Province Premier, Mr David Makhura; Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Ms Faith Mazibuko and Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela led the intensified, multi-disciplinary Operation O KAE MOLAO on Thursday, 16 September, 2021 in Soweto to ensure that the community of Gauteng are and feel safe.
“The operations that started on the evening of Wednesday, 15 September, 2021, resulted in the arrest of more than 990 suspects, of which 220 of them were wanted for offences of gender based violence and crime committed against children which include rape and sexual assault.
“Other suspects were arrested for serious and violent crimes such as murder, fraud, possession of stolen vehicles, possession of drugs, dealing in drugs and selling of liquor without a licence.”
The statement said that four vehicles were impounded during a roadblock in Doornkop, Soweto, after they were found to have been tampered with.
It also said that Police pounced on illegal miners in Roodepoort and other areas in Gauteng where five suspects were arrested for illegal mining “and equipment used for illegal mining seized.”
Seventy-two undocumented people, the statement said were arrested in Gauteng and are expected to be processed by Department of Home Affairs.
“Operation O KAE MOLAO is playing a major role in the reduction of crime in Gauteng while it is also enjoying support from the community members who continue to give tip-offs and information on criminality.”
The arrested suspects it said, will appear in various Magistrates’ Courts within the Province in due course.