“Police on the West Rand continue to make sure that the community is safe as it is their mandate to responsibly prevent, combat and investigate crime, maintain public order, protect and secure the inhabitants.”
These words came from Captain Raymond Sebonyane, spokesperson for the West Rand District Police and the Krugersdorp Police in a statement following another successful operation in the District during which 264 suspects were arrested.
The operation involved the police, South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Merafong Traffic, Rand West Traffic and other law-enforcement agencies.
Members focused on stops-and-searches, vehicle check points, rural safety and enforcing community adherence to the regulations of the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002,” read the statement.
The operations were conducted around the West Rand District between Friday, 4 September and Sunday, 6 September, and dealt with liquor-related crimes in an effort to minimise accidents and homicides.
Sebonyane said the women in blue will be continuing to lead operations during Heritage Month.
Randfontein women make 40 arrests
“They took over the streets in the Randfontein policing area on the Saturday from 10.45am to 6pm,” he said.
Their focus was on illegal mining, and the members managed to arrest 26 suspects for possession of gold-bearing material, possession of drugs, and illegal immigrants.
From 7pm to 12am they arrested 14 suspects for drunk driving, drinking in public, and being undocumented. They also issued traffic fines to the value of R1 000. All those arrested will be appearing in different magistrates’ courts around the District.
Other arrests were for crimes such as murder, arson, rape, sexual assault, housebreaking and theft, possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of housebreaking implements, possession of suspected stolen property, possession of stolen cable, possession of drugs, fraud, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, domestic violence related crimes, malicious damage to property, selling liquor without a licence, dealing in drugs and dagga, shoplifting, and trespassing.
Major General Fred Kekana, the West Rand District Police Commissioner welcomed the successes and thanked everyone involved. He encouraged the community to work with the police in the fight against crime by being part of the Community Policing Forum (CPF) or neighbourhood watch.
He also asked the community to report any crimes on the Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111 or communicate any tip-offs via the My SAPS app, or send an SMS to 32211.
