About 1 430 suspects arrested for crimes ranging from murder, rape and hijacking
“Gauteng police are sending a strong warning to those criminals who think the police are not focusing on combatting serious and violent crime during this period of lockdown”- SAPS.
More than 1 430 people were arrested in Gauteng over the weekend for violent crimes ranging from car hijacking, rape and murder.
SAPS spokesperson Mavela Masondo said the arrests were part of Operation O Kae Molao aimed at arresting wanted suspects in the province.
“Out of those arrested this past weekend, 522 suspects were arrested in Johannesburg.
“Crimes ranging from possession of drugs, armed robbery, fraud, possession of the hijacked vehicle, rape, truck hijacking, possession of the suspected stolen vehicle, dealing in dagga, driving while under the influence of alcohol, assault, housebreaking and theft.”
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Masondo said some of these crimes were committed during the lockdown, while some were committed before the lockdown.
He said more than 350 suspects were nabbed by the police in Ekurhuleni for murder, rape, fraud, business burglary, possession of suspected stolen property, robbery and driving while under the influence of alcohol.
“Joint intelligence-driven operations were effective and yielded positive results in Tshwane where more than 310 suspects were arrested.
“Crime ranging from assault, robbery, possession of suspected stolen property, rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearm and possession of drugs.”
Masondo said operations were also conducted in Sedibeng and the West Rand where 245 suspects were arrested for armed robbery, murder, assault, business robbery, house robbery, driving while under the influence of alcohol and possession of drugs, amongst other crimes.
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“Gauteng police are sending a strong warning to those criminals who think the police are not focusing on combatting serious and violent crime during this lockdown period.
“Police visibility will still be intensified at crime hotspots. Reported crimes will still be prioritised and suspects hunted down and brought to book for their criminal activities.”
He added that the arrested suspects would appear at various magistrate’s courts within the province in due course.
This as police minister Bheki Cele said the department recorded an increase in crime under level 4 compared to level 5.
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