By Augustine Ehikioya
For allegedly involving themselves in various crimes at the weekend, Police officials in South Africa have arrested more than 1070 suspects in Gauteng Province.
The arrests cut across all the five districts in Gauteng Province have and were made possible through various high density operations conducted in the districts.
This was contained in a statement issued by Captain Kay Makhubele of the South African Police Service, Office of the Provincial Commissioner Gauteng, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA) on Sunday.
It said “Over 1070 suspects were rounded up by the Police in various high density operations conducted across all five districts in Gauteng during the weekend. Among those arrested are two wanted suspects for robberies committed in West Rand, they were arrested in Snake Park, Soweto.
“One suspect was arrested for being in possession of Police uniform and an unlicensed firearm. During the arrest a dangerous suspect led the team to Randfontein where a shotgun used during business robberies was recovered.
“In Sedibeng District and Ekurhuleni District over 380 suspects were arrested during the weekend’s operation. Among the arrested suspects, 15 were arrested for drunk and driving while a number of illegal liquor outlets were closed and liquor confiscated,” it stated.
The statement went on “Meanwhile, over 101 suspects were nabbed in the West Rand District by the integrated law enforcement agencies for various offences that include possession of stolen property and driving while under the influence of alcohol.
“Furthermore, in Tshwane District over 365 suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from murder, theft, robbery, rape and other serious and violent crimes during the multidisciplinary operation conducted over the weekend.
“In Johannesburg District over 228 suspects were arrested. The Police recovered seven firearms during the operations and they will be subjected to ballistic testing to establish possible linkage to other crimes,” it added.
The arrested suspects, the statement said, are expected to appear before the respective courts across Gauteng Province in due course.