Police festive season operations to continue until January 2025
The suspects arrested were involved in a wide range of serious crimes, such as murder, attempted murder, rape and business robbery.
Almost 1 200 suspects were arrested for various cases in Gauteng over the weekend which saw the launch of the Safer Festive Season Operation.
The launch was held in Moretele Park in Mamelodi last Friday.
These operations will be conducted between October this year and January 2025 to intensify operations and police visibility during the festive season.
Under the leadership of the Gauteng police commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, the weekend Safer Festive Season Operation was carried out across all districts in Gauteng.
Gauteng police spokesperson, Brigadier Brenda Muridili said the suspects arrested were involved in a wide range of serious crimes. These include murder, attempted murder, rape, business robbery, dealing in drugs, possession of drugs, assault, hijacking as well as possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
“This past weekend in Gauteng, the operation’s collaborative effort involved multiple law enforcement agencies. These include the departments of Community Safety, Home Affairs and Correctional Services, Gauteng Traffic Police, Metropolitan Police Departments, Local Traffic, Gauteng Traffic Wardens, CPF and private security companies,” said Brigadier Muridili.
She said the operation included strategic roadblocks and detectives’ targeted raids focused on capturing wanted suspects.
“During the operation, over 800 wanted suspects for various crimes were apprehended by detectives across the province, with 162 arrests related to crimes committed against women and children,” said Muridili.
The commissioner took charge of the roadblock in Roodepoort, Johannesburg District, while other operations were conducted across all five districts led by the district commissioners.
There were 114 suspects arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, 197 illegal immigrants, 20 for possession of drugs, 17 for dealing in liquor and one for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Seventeen liquor outlets were closed for non-compliance with the Liquor Act, among others.
The high-density operation will persist until a significant crime reduction is achieved in Gauteng. The apprehended suspects will soon face justice as they appear before various provincial Magistrate’s Courts.
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