280 suspects arrested in one clean sweep
DIEPSLOOT – More than 400 suspects were arrested in Gauteng on 2 and 3 May as operation Fiyela swept across the province in an effort to root out criminal activity in informal settlements.
Of the total suspects arrested, 280 were from Diepsloot, confirmed Warrant Officer Daniel Mavimbela of Diepsloot Police Station.
Headed by the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints), the intelligence-driven operation saw public security entities such as the police, the national defence force, Metro police and Home Affairs officials combine their efforts to make arrests ranging from robbery, drug possession, illegal immigration, liquor trading without a licence and assault charges. Information from local police analyses of certain attributes of offenders in the area were used to make the arrests.
“The community’s wishes and perceptions were some of the factors that were taken into consideration before the choice of an operational location was made,” said Mavimbela. “Soon after the dust had settled, some of the local community leaders called the local police to express their desire to see similar operations being conducted in the future.”
The operation was conducted in seven of South Africa’s provinces and a total of 745 foreigners were taken into custody for not having the correct legal documentation. They will be deported and handed over to officials in their respective countries.
Operation Fiyela, which means ‘to sweep clean’ in Sotho, continues to enjoy great support from the public who have come forward with information about areas where crime is prevalent.
Anyone with information on crime or criminal activities can report such information to Crime Stop on 086 00 10111.
Read about Diepsloot Police’s previous major bust, Operation Duty Calls
