The man believed to be behind the reign of terror against the Sinoville community will remain behind bars until his next court appearance next week.
“His case was remanded until 18 June for a formal bail application,” police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo told Rekord.
The man was among the police’s top 10 most wanted suspects. He was arrested in a police operation at the weekend.
He appeared in the Pretoria North magistrate’s court on Monday.
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“The suspect was on the run after committing a series of criminal offences and terrorising the community of Sinoville,” Masondo said.
Some of the charges the man faced included hijacking, theft and malicious damage to property.
“There are two residential burglary charges, one attempted theft of motor vehicle, one malicious damage to property and one business robbery,” Masondo said.
He said the police believed they were making progress in locating and arresting repeat offenders and suspects responsible for serious and violent crimes in the province.
“Integrated intelligence-driven operations have been intensified and these have thus far resulted in the arrest of more than 1 200 suspects in Gauteng just this past weekend.
“More than 420 suspects were arrested in Tshwane and in the West Rand,” he said.
Masondo said the people were arrested for crimes including attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms, dealing in drugs, driving under the influence of alcohol, assault, malicious damage to property and housebreaking.
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Meanwhile, Gauteng community safety MEC Faith Mazibuko has met with provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela and the SAPS senior management to communicate the priorities for the province.
Some of the highlights Mazibuko identified included adequate training of police officers, increased police visibility and the strengthening of the CPFs and community safety forums.
She added that gang violence also had to be targeted and tackled along with the implementation of the national plan of action to end gender-based violence.
Additional highlights included the strengthening of victim empowerment centres, enforcement of stricter bail conditions and stronger family violence, child protection and sexual offences units at cluster level along with a rapid response from the police.
“It is of utmost importance that the police uphold the principles of Batho Pele and restore public trust by disassociating themselves from corrupt activities,” Mazibuko said.
She said that Gauteng premier David Makhura was apparently concerned about the reputation of the province as the “crime capital”.
“Efforts must be intensified to send a strong message that criminals have no place in Gauteng,” Mazibuko said.
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