The streets of Carletonville and Khutsong in the Merafong Municipality were painted blue as police across the West Rand held another operation in which 122 people were arrested on Thursday, 10 December.

Captain Eddie Boboko, the West Rand District Police spokesperson said Major General Fred Kekana, the West Rand District Police Commissioner led the team of South African Police Service members, Employee Health and Wellness, Crime Intelligence, Public Order Police, Community Safety, Gauteng Provincial Traffic, Merafong Traffic, Department of Correctional Services, and Community Patrollers during the operation. 

Captain Boboko added that the operation focused on different areas through stops-and-searches for illegal transportation of stolen goods, drugs, stolen or hijacked vehicles, illegal firearms, roadblocks, compliance by liquor outlets and secondhand-goods dealers, illegal mining, rural safety, tracing wanted suspects, and creating awareness about the 16 Days of Activism.

Police will continue to give up their holidays to serve and protect the inhabitants of the District, and we will continue to carry out crime-prevention operations. But we ask the members of the community out there to be patient and cooperate when they get to police roadblocks and vehicle checkpoints,” said Major General Kekana.

Captain Boboko added that the festive season is here and people are looking forward to the celebrations. 

“It’s a time when friends and relatives get together and have fun, with many people also leaving their homes to go on holiday. But unfortunately during this time there is a rise in burglaries at homes and businesses,” said Boboko. 

He urged the community to stand together against crime and get to know their neighbours whom they trust, as well as to be on the lookout for any suspicious people on or near one’s property. 

He added that gender-based violence is still a problem in the West Rand District, especially rape.

Real men don’t rape; a real man is responsible, mature and considerate, he thinks before he acts. This message is also meant for women – avoid risky situations like walking home alone at night because a woman who values her life does not put herself in danger. We will continue fighting this pandemic and put those who break the law behind bars and face the full might of the law.”

The arrests included 29 for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm; five for common assault; nine for common assault under domestic violence; one for robbery with aggravating circumstances; four for business robbery; four for common robbery; one for sexual assault; nine for residential burglary; eight for theft; five for possession of drugs; one for possession of stolen property; one for possession of an unlicensed firearm; and two for possession of ammunition. 

Other suspects were arrested for various crimes such as contravention of protection order; malicious damage to property; fraud; reckless and/or negligent driving; use of motor vehicle without owner’s consent; pointing a firearm; and intimidation. 

A total of 43 traffic fines were issued to the value of R39 000; three fines were issued for counterfeit goods to the value of R4 500; and one fine was issued for illicit cigarettes to the value of R1 500.

According Boboko, all arrested suspects will appear in the Oberholzer and Khutsong Magistrates’ Courts soon. 

Major General Kekana thanked all police members and other law-enforcement agencies, including community patrollers, for their efforts to make sure the members of their communities are and feel safe at all the times, and reminded each and everyone to take full precautions against Covid-19 because it is still there. 

He also urged everyone who will be travelling during the holiday season to be careful and to keep to the rules of the road, especially regarding speed and drinking alcohol.

We also wish to draw people’s attention to government’s campaign of 16 Days for no Violence against Women and Children. Let us all stand together to stomp out the evil of gender-based violence in our communities by working with the police and reporting those who abuse women and children. Lets conclude the year with the commitment to respect, uphold and support the aims of this campaign for 365 days of the year,” he concluded.

Any acts of gender-based violence or any suspicious criminal activities may be reported anonymously on the Crime Stop Hotline 086 001 0111, My SAPS app or to the nearest police station.