Rapid Response Services (RRS)
The SAPS Rapid Response Services (RRS), including the flying squad, K9 units, and Highway Patrol, arrested 61 suspects across Gauteng between June 13 and 19.
The operation results:
• Thirty arrests for serious crimes, including assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of suspected stolen property, contempt of court, kidnapping, domestic violence, driving under the influence, contravention of the Immigration Act, fraud, business robbery, burglary, house robbery, murder, possession of counterfeit goods, shoplifting and theft.
• The recovery of 33 hijacked and stolen vehicles, with nine accompanying arrests.
• The recovery of six unlicensed firearms, with four arrests on charges of possessing these weapons.
• Eighteen arrests for possession of drugs with the intent to sell. Heroin, dagga, meth were confiscated.
Water Police and Diving Services (WPDS)
Divers from the SAPS Gauteng WPDS recovered five bodies and a firearm from various water bodies between June 17 and 22.
• The body of a badly decomposed man was recovered from a marshland at Naturena, Mondeor.
• On June 19, Ekurhuleni WPDS members responded to an alleged drowning of two boys, aged 10 and 11, at an old excavation site in Duduza where children often swim. Both the children’s bodies were found at a depth of 2m.
•Tshwane members responded to an accident on Moloto Road in Kameeldrift on June 21 after a vehicle rolled into a nearby marshland. The driver was declared dead on arrival.
K9 Search and Rescue combed the area, looking for any further victims, but found none.
• Two large fishing nets, a canoe and about 120 fish, dead and alive, were confiscated for illegal fishing practices at the Vaal Dam on June 22.
• The Sedibeng WPDS was called to Blougat, a water-filled hole in Vereeniging, following up on information that a firearm was seen in the water body.
Following a 100-minute dive, members retrieved a rusted pistol from the waters. Investigations continue as to the origins and crime relation of the firearm.
• The body of a 37-year-old man was recovered from the Jukskei River, Sandringham, on June 22. It is alleged he went missing the previous day.
Information supplied by RRS and WPDS spokesperson, Warrant Officer Grant Giblin.
ALSO READ: Crime in Brief
ALSO READ: Stay safe around water
