Police operation in Germiston clamps down on lawlessness
"We arrested 48 illegal immigrants, three for dealing in dagga, closed four illegal shebeens, issued 76 traffic fines to the value of R26 300 to the motorists and 2 J534s issued for second-hand goods non-compliance," said Thethe.
The Ekurhuleni District’s Operation Shanela in Germiston resulted in the arrest of 219 suspects for various crimes between January 29 and 30.
The Ekurhuleni district, SAPS and other law enforcement agencies intensified their visibility in Germiston to combat crime and ensure the safety of residents.
Led by Ekurhuleni acting district commissioner Brigadier Ntombizini Thethe, the team set up roadblocks at the corner of Francois Oberholzer Freeway and Refinery Road.
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These roadblocks focused on stopping and searching vehicles, with the EMPD checking the roadworthiness of vehicles, valid licenses, and car registrations.
“Among the suspects apprehended, detectives across the district arrested 164 while tracing suspects.
Charges range from serious offences, contact crimes, property crime, and gender-based violence issues,” said Thethe.
“We arrested 48 illegal immigrants, three for dealing in dagga, closed four illegal shebeens, issued 76 traffic fines to the value of R26 300 to motorists, and two J534s issued for second-hand goods non-compliance.”
He mentioned they brought the operation to Germiston because the area was troubled with vehicle hijackings, murder, contact crimes, and non-compliance of spaza shops.
“We believe the leading factor to these crimes is alcohol, which contributes to the police station’s high number of cases in contact crime, assault, and gender-based violence or domestic violence,” said Thethe.
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Parallel to Operation Shanela, members of law enforcement agencies conducted an imbizo Good Hope informal settlement in Sector 5, Germiston, to address concerns of the community in relation to crime.
They shared the contact numbers of the station management with the community.
Residents raised concerns regarding cases of rape, theft, drugs, and the illegal selling of alcohol.
The encouraged the community to be the eyes and ears of the SAPS, sharing how they can be anonymous while reporting crime.
He expressed pride in the dedication of law enforcement agencies involved in these operations, noting no serious crime was reported in the Germiston area during their presence.
