280 cuffed in anti-crime blitz

Tshwane police were out in their numbers targeting various area as part of their O kae Molao operation on Thursday.

The operation saw 281 people arrested for various crimes ranging from burglary, theft, assaults and attempted murder.

Another 38 were arrested for gender-based violence in different parts of the metro.

Various roadblocks were held in Garsfontein and Lyttelton leading to some 189 motorists being fined for contravention of the road traffic act.

ALSO READ: Metro police not ruling out possibility of more arrests of own officers

Fines to a total R91 400 were issued.

“A total of 422 people and 140 vehicles were searched during the operation,” said police spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk.

“A suspect was also found in possession of a firearm and with further investigation, another three suspects were arrested.”

The team made up of the SAPS, Tshwane metro police and the Department of Home Affairs also visited the Plastic View informal settlement were they raided places suspected to be illegal alcohol traders.

Leading the multi-disciplinary operation, Tshwane district commissioner Major-General Hilda Mohajane sent a strong message to criminals warning that they would have no place to hide.

“Police are out in numbers conducting various operations and our concentration is much on suspects of gender-based violence,” said Mohajane.

“We are going to continue fighting crime. Not only through arrests, but also raising awareness among our community members on issues of children being kidnapped and human trafficking.”

Mohajane said the operations were aimed at dealing with factors that contribute to crimes such as liquor and unlicensed liquor outlets.

She reminded members of the public that although the country was under level 1 lockdown, regulations still needed to be followed.

“Every day, there are operations taking place looking into compliance with Covid-19 regulations.

“Sanitising, social distancing and wearing of masks remain important.”

She applauded the police for their efforts in making Tshwane a safer place in the country.

Arrested people were expected to appear in the Pretoria magistrate’s court soon.

In the past weeks, police have addressed various social media posts regarding human trafficking as fake and have sent a stern warning to anyone spreading fake news.

In Pretoria, a building in the CBD, which residents believed to be an alleged human trafficking hub, was actually a police barracks.

Various residents took to social media recently to warn people against visiting the building if called for an interview but police said this was misleading and untrue.

“We are not disputing that we have such cases; hence, we want to create awareness. But it is important that people need to avoid spreading and consuming fake news,” she said.

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: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram