A total of 216 suspects were arrested, two unlicensed firearms recovered and two illegal liquor outlets closed during high-density crime prevention operations conducted across the Ekurhuleni District between July 10 and 12.

Ekurhuleni District Commissioner Major General Anna Sithole expressed her appreciation to police members and law enforcement agencies involved in the operations, saying their efforts contributed towards protecting communities across the district.

Of the arrests, 135 suspects were apprehended by detectives for contact crimes, serious crimes and gender-based violence-related offences.

Other arrests across Ekurhuleni included suspects accused of driving under the influence of alcohol, dealing in drugs, possession of drugs and being in the country illegally.

ALSO READ: Bonaero Park CPF chairperson urges residents to help fight crime

In Thembisa South, Crime Prevention members and the sector manager were conducting a high-density operation, including stop-and-searches, in Umthambeka when they approached a man who appeared suspicious.

During the search, officers allegedly discovered a brown .38 Special revolver with the serial number filed off, as well as six live rounds of ammunition. The suspect was arrested and detained at Thembisa South SAPS.

At Olifantsfontein SAPS, police officers stopped a silver Mercedes-Benz with two occupants. During a search, one of the occupants was allegedly found in possession of a firearm and failed to produce a licence.

The suspect was arrested and taken to Olifantsfontein SAPS for detention. Preliminary investigations revealed that the firearm allegedly belonged to a deceased person in Thohoyandou.

Meanwhile, SAPS Ekurhuleni District members, Public Order Policing and the South African National Defence Force conducted an illegal mining operation at Lindelani informal settlement in Benoni on July 11.

ALSO READ: Hlasela Tactical strengthens crime-fighting with new air wing

Officers discovered and confiscated pendukas and other illegal mining equipment. Members also searched an unoccupied shack where gas bottles and liquor were found and confiscated.

Sithole praised all officers and law enforcement partners involved in the operations for their continued efforts in combating crime within the Ekurhuleni District.