Over this first weekend of the Covid-19 Level 2 lockdown, the South African Police Services (SAPS) together with other law enforcement agencies in Gauteng continued with operations aimed at ensuring adherence to the regulations across all districts in the province, balancing this with mandatory crime prevention duties.
These operations resulted in the arrest of more than 740 suspects, including two police officers arrested for drinking and driving. One of the police officers, a sergeant, was arrested in Norwood, Johannesburg on Thursday night [20 August] after his car collided with a Metro police vehicle. “The 37-year-old was arrested on the spot and charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol,” said SAPS in a statement on 23 August.
#sapsGP Over 740 suspects arrested during weekend operations in Gauteng as security forces continue to balance crime prevention and enforcing #Covid-19 level 2 lockdown regulations. TMhttps://t.co/1v4cgrpuQU pic.twitter.com/1ZsJS9Uj51
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 23, 2020
“Over and above the criminal charges, the members will face internal disciplinary processes as well.”
According to the police, the suspects were arrested for Contravention of Disaster Management Act and other crimes that include driving while under the influence of alcohol, murder, attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of unlicensed firearms, intimidation and possession of drugs.
The arrested suspects will be appearing at various magistrates’ court across Gauteng from 24 August. Gauteng Commissioner of Police, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela in his capacity as chairperson of the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure, welcomed the arrests and also used the opportunity to extend condolences to the Tshwane Metro Police Department who, in the early hours 23 August, lost three of their members who died in a head-on collision with a suspected drunk driver on the N4 in Pretoria West.
Taking a moment to send our deepest & heartfelt condolences to @TMPDSafety & the Bereaved families, for this terrible loss.
May the Souls of the Officers Rest in Eternal Peace. https://t.co/HAXr1azVLb— Jo'burg Metro Police Department – JMPD (@JoburgMPD) August 23, 2020
“This kind of tragedy cuts deep in all of us, reminding us of the great risks taken every day by our men and women in law enforcement to protect and keep our communities safe,” said Mawela. “We, therefore, share the grief of the entire Tswane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) on the untimely death of the three officers killed in the line of duty,” he concluded.
