Twelve people were arrested – for the possession of drugs and dangerous weapons – in an early morning raid by Lyttelton police in Centurion on Friday.
The raid was held at 3:30 in the morning and targeted 20 shacks in a small informal settlement situated near the Gautrain station.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: Centurion police accused of turning a blind eye to child abuse
Another crime hot spot – abandoned houses in Irene belonging to Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) where vagrants had made themselves at home – was also raided.
Those arrested included illegal immigrants who will appear in court soon.
People were also arrested for allegedly being in possession of drugs and illegally selling alcohol.
The arrests were made during a joint operation between the police, security companies, department of home affairs, Prasa, community policing forum and community members.
Police spokesperson Captain Dave Miller said that sometimes that criminals seeking refuge at these houses were armed with illegal firearms.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: Centurion taxi rank shooting baffle police
“In the past, we’ve made arrests where criminals had unlicensed firearms in their possession.”
The Centurion taxi rank, where two men were shot and killed and another one wounded last Friday, was also included in the operation.
Some vagrants who shacked up at the taxi rank were also arrested for being in the possession of nyaope.
Miller said the operation was a huge success.
“We need to send a clear message to criminals that they will be caught.”
He said the crime-fighting partners played a huge role in the operation.
“The police are not done yet cleaning the streets. More operations will follow and more arrests will be made,” said Miller.
ALSO READ: NEWSFLASH: Police operation target Centurion hotspots
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
