Ahead of the long weekend, police on the West Rand intensified their visibility in an effort to reduce crime.
This Operation Okae Molao was held in Kagiso and started at 06:30 on Wednesday morning September 23, and by 15:00 that day 144 suspects had been arrested.
In a statement from West Rand District Police communications officer, Captain Raymond Sebonyane, he explained that different role players came together to fight the costly effects of crime in the district.
Their operation included roadblocks, stops-and-searches, crime-prevention operations, visits to liquor outlets and second-hand goods dealers, and tracing wanted suspects and absconded parolees.
Captain Sebonyane also said three men whose ages ranged between 25 and 35 were arrested for carjacking, kidnapping and possession of a hijacked vehicle. They were caught at the roadblock next to Azaadville on the R41.
“The members stopped a white VW Polo with four male occupants. When the man in the right rear passenger seat opened the door and screamed ‘hijacking’, the other occupants opened their doors and started running in different directions. The members gave chase and all three were arrested. The victim allegedly was hijacked and kidnapped at Umphakathi Mall in Randfontein.”
More suspects were arrested for other crimes that included:
• One person for murder
• One person for armed robbery
• One person for robbery
• 29 people for assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm
• 20 people for common assault
• One person for rape
• Two people for housebreaking and theft
• 13 people for theft
• 11 people for malicious damage to property
• One person for possession of stolen property
• Ten people for possession of drugs
• One person for dealing in dagga
• One person for drunk driving
• One person for fraud
• 34 people for being undocumented foreign nationals
Arrests were also made for reckless or negligent driving, contravention of a protection order and contempt of court.
“The suspects in the hijacking and kidnapping will be linked with other crimes committed around the District after being profiled,” Captain Sebonyane said.
Seventy one fines were also issued during the operation and a number of items were confiscated.
Among the confiscated items were:
• One hijacked vehicle, a white VW Polo
• A roll of black cable
• Eight packets of nyaope
• 11 blasting cartridges
• 30 phendukas
• 3 911,75 litres of alcohol
“All arrested suspects will appear in the Kagiso Magistrates’ Court in due course,” said Captain Sebonyane.
He added that the District Commissioner, Major General Fred Kekana said the police’s mandate is to ensure that the community is safe and protected.
Kekana also encouraged everyone on parade to get their Covid-19 vaccines, and welcomed the success of the police members and other law-enforcement agencies.
He reminded the community that they are encouraged to report crime and criminal activities, which include those committed by the police and other law-enforcement agencies. You can report these crimes on the Crime Stop number 08600 10111, via the My SAPS app or on the SMS line 32211.
