The police across Gauteng conducted major, simultaneous surprise operations to identify, fine and arrest persons of interest in illegal activities on 15 August.
The News reported on the O Kae Molao operation on the West Rand, where illegal goods were seized and wanted suspects arrested in Kagiso, Tshepisong and Krugersdorp. Various road blocks were also held in high traffic areas.
Read the initial article here:
https://www.citizen.co.za/krugersdorp-news/387613/watch-krugersdorp-and-kagiso-wide-raids-end-in-multiple-arrests/
The police have now released a media statement in which they announced the general outcome of the operation.
Over 600 suspects were arrested throughout Gauteng during the course of the entire O Kae Molao project.
Captain Mavela Masondo, the Provincial Police spokesperson, noted that, “The Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, and the Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, led the operation on the West Rand to a chop shop in Krugersdorp. There the police recovered six motor vehicle engines that had been tampered with, and the engine of a Mercedes Benz that was reported stolen in Pretoria.”
Watch the chop shop raid video here:
The chop shop in question, located on Rustenburg Road in Krugersdorp West, was reportedly owned by a 45-year-old man, as per the police’s media release. Police advised the News on the day that the man was a Nigerian immigrant, but were unable to state whether he was in the country legally. The man was arrested for possessing and receiving stolen property.
As police were in the process of working through the large garage’s contents, they discovered a Colt van carrying more vehicle components and engines. The van was impounded after it was determined that the engine on board had also been “tampered with”.
During the course of the day, police also raided a hostel in Kagiso and discovered six unlicensed firearms and a stolen vehicle.
“Another stolen vehicle was recovered and suspects arrested while the MEC for Community Safety and the Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner were at a roadblock in Kagiso,” Captain Masondo said.
“Fines amounting to R6 500 were issued in relation to Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences, while counterfeit goods to the value of R550 000 were confiscated during the operation,” the media release noted, with Captain Masondo finishing off by saying, “The multi-disciplinary operation, O Kae Molao, will continue in Gauteng until crime is brought to its lowest level.”
The arrested suspects will appear in different Magistrates’ Courts within the province.
