580 suspects arrested in one week
The Mpumalanga police have arrested more than 580 suspects in a sting operation carried out between June 14 and 20.
The crimes committed include murder, attempted murder, carjacking, rape, robberies, assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs as well as possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
More than 85 of the suspects were arrested on charges related to the contravention of the Disaster Management Act regulations put in place to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The acting provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Maj Gen Thulani Phahla, has urged members to obey the law, especially now as the country is in the midst of the pandemic’s third wave.
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“We are extremely concerned about the conduct displayed by some community members who are often seen at social gatherings without practising social distancing and not putting their face masks on. It seems as if some people are ignorant of the fact that we are still faced with this virus,” said Phahla.
All those arrested have either been dealt fines or are due to appear in various courts across the province.
