Solar panels, toy guns and more as West Rand cops make 94 arrests
Nearly 100 arrests were made by police in the West Rand District during Operation Shanela which targeted areas in both Mogale City and Rand West City.
Police on the West Rand continue to stamp their authority on crime following yet another major Operation Shanela held in the district recently.
Led by Randfontein Police Station Commander Brigadier Mashole Manamela, along with the assistance of Kagiso Police Station Commander Brigadier Nyelisani Mabatha, the operation was divided into phases namely a roadblock, an illegal mining sweep operation, two crime prevention initiatives, the involvement of two Firearms Liquor and two Second Hand Goods Control (FLASH) groups and one vehicle checkpoint.
The men and women in blue were also supported by other law enforcement, wardens and more.
The areas focused on included Swaneville, Soul City, Rietvallei Ext 2 and 3, Sinqobile, central Kagiso, Chamdor’s industrial area, Madala hostel, Chief Mogale, Azaadville, the N12 and R28 roads as well as Flower Road in Rand West City.
According to West Rand District Police spokesperson, Captain Solomon Sibiya, the multidisciplinary operations led to 94 arrests. Of those successful arrests, detectives made 65 arrests while Vispol groups contributed to the other 29 arrests.
Those arrested included three suspects for armed robbery, one for attempted murder and murder, 15 for assault, 16 for common assault, one for housebreaking and theft, one for business burglary, four for theft along with 13 others for malicious damage to property. Another four suspects were arrested for pointing a firearm, one for intimidation, one for contempt of court, one for discharging a firearm and three for domestic violence.
Vispol groups through their disruptive activities made five arrests who were dealing in liquor without licenses. A total of 130 480ml of liquor were also confiscated.
In addition, one person was arrested for being in possession of a stolen motor vehicle, four for drug-related crimes and one for being in possession of suspected stolen property. A total of 17 undocumented persons were also nabbed.
Regarding lawlessness on the road, 38 traffic fines worth R26 600 were issued at a roadblock.
Among the items confiscated by police included a stolen Nissan NV 200 from Bronkhorstspruit, one 9mm pistol with serial number A184449, one pistol magazine, one toy gun, more than R8 000 unaccounted cash, four black chairs, solar panels, 16 packets of nyaope and seven syringes.
Furthermore, cops visited nine illegal liquor outlets closing four of them.
All the arrested suspects are yet to appear in court for various offences.
