High-density police operation targets hijackings in Kempton Park
Monument Road and the R23 were selected for the roadblock due to the prevalence of vehicle hijackings in the area.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni led Operation Shanela II in Kempton Park on July 30, alongside Kempton Park SAPS and various law-enforcement stakeholders.
The operation was conducted at the corner of Monument Road and the R23 as part of ongoing efforts to combat crime and improve safety in the area.
Mthombeni said Kempton Park continues to face challenges relating to assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, which could contribute to attempted murder and murder cases.
He said Monument Road and the R23 were selected for the roadblock due to the prevalence of vehicle hijackings in the area.
Also read: Six suspects arrested and drugs seized in police operations
“Monument Road and the R23 was selected for the roadblock as a result of the prevalence of vehicle hijackings in the area,” he said.
Mthombeni also identified property and business burglaries as ongoing crime concerns within the precinct.
“We have successfully recovered hijacked vehicles in Kempton Park which were hijacked on Tuesday. Fortunately, because of the high-density operations, we managed to recover these vehicles, with two suspects arrested,” he said.
“We are continuing and ensuring that the community are and feel safe,” he added.
Also read: 98 suspects arrested in Gauteng police operations
Reflecting on the successes of Operation Shanela II since it began across Ekurhuleni on July 29, Mthombeni said several firearms had been recovered and 756 wanted suspects had been arrested across Gauteng.
Of these, 200 arrests were related to gender-based violence cases, with 67 convictions secured through the courts.
In Kempton Park, 52 illegal immigrants and at least five people were arrested for possession of drugs.
Mthombeni emphasised that crime affects everyone and highlighted the importance of collaboration between law-enforcement agencies and community policing forums.
“Together we can do more,” he said.
The operation is still ongoing.
