An operation organised by SAPS on April 25 resulted in the arrest of 328 people and the confiscation of two firearms, associated with criminal activities.
The focus of this operation was on the Mabopane and Loate areas, known for high crime rates. It was led by Tshwane District Commissioner Major-General Samuel Thine, who co-ordinated efforts among SAPS units and various law enforcement agencies.
Out of the 328 arrests, 247 were made by detective teams specifically targeting individuals involved in serious and violent crimes such as rape, armed robbery, hijacking, house breaking and obstructing justice.
The operational teams, as mentioned in the statement, ‘maintained a high-visibility presence through a strategic roadblock and stop-and-search efforts’, during which 582 people and 298 vehicles were searched. This strategy aimed to disrupt criminal activities in identified hotspots.
The initiative also resulted in the arrest of undocumented individuals, with police reporting that 27 undocumented immigrants were detained and are currently being processed by the Department of Home Affairs for verification.
Road safety enforcement was also a focus. The statement highlighted that 17 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, as authorities heightened their efforts to tackle dangerous driving.
Liquor compliance operations produced additional results, with police revealing that 15 liquor outlets were inspected, resulting in the closure and fining of 10 establishments for non-compliance. Authorities also reported the confiscation of liquor due to violations of the Liquor Act, and 10 individuals were penalised for consuming alcohol in public.
Targeted patrols in 15 identified crime hotspots led to further arrests. Four suspects were detained for drug possession, while “three suspects were apprehended for possession of two illegal pistols with filed-off serial numbers and 13 rounds of ammunition,” the statement noted.
Police also indicated that preliminary investigations suggest these individuals were wanted for house robbery and face additional charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. The recovered firearms are set to undergo forensic analysis to explore potential connections to other crimes.
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