Gauteng law enforcers storm crime hotspots, 419 caught
Multi-agency raids across five districts lead to hundreds of arrests for drunk driving, drug possession, and illegal mining.
The Gauteng Traffic Police, Gauteng traffic wardens and SAPS worked together to target crime hotspots in Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, Johannesburg, the West Rand and Sedibeng.
In Ekurhuleni, police arrested 94 people. Some were caught for drinking and driving (34 people), and others for having drugs (25 people).
Police searched 262 people and 95 vehicles in places like Dunnottar, Actonville, Vosloorus, Benoni, Springs and Alberton.
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Tshwane had the most arrests – 163 people. Fifty-nine were arrested for drinking and driving, and 75 for drinking in public.
Officers searched 3 327 people and 2 191 vehicles in areas including Pretoria Central, Sunnyside, Hammanskraal and Olievenhoutbosch.
In Johannesburg, 37 people were arrested. Twelve were arrested for drugs, five for drinking in public and 11 for not having legal documents.
Police searched 264 people and 56 vehicles in places like Honeydew, Cosmo City and Eldorado Park.
In the West Rand, 31 people were arrested. Ten were caught for illegal mining, and 13 for immigration offences.
A total of 1 132 people and 300 vehicles were searched in areas like Kagiso, Carletonville, Randfontein and Magaliesburg.
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In Sedibeng, 94 people were arrested. These included 48 for drinking and driving, 15 for immigration offences and nine for having drugs.
Police searched 1 476 people and 706 vehicles in areas such as Sebokeng, Vanderbijlpark, Heidelberg, Sharpeville and Orange Farm.
Gauteng’s Department of Community Safety thanked the police for their work.
“This shows their commitment to keeping communities safe,” said spokesperson Ofentse Morwane.
He said the arrests support Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s plan to fight crime and make the province safer for everyone.
