VANDERBIJLPARK – In less than two weeks, Sedibeng has been visited by the Gauteng provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela during yet another instalment of Okae Molao operations.
On Saturday evening, Mawela, together with his SAPS team and different law enforcement agencies, conducted random stop and search during a road block on Barrage Road in Vanderbijlpark.
During the road block, stolen vehicles were recovered, drunk drivers were arrested and illegal immigrants were detained.
After an hour-long road block, Mawela and other high-ranking cops including his Deputy Major General Mthombeni, Sedibeng Acting Commissioner Brigadier Abbey Nkhwashu and Vanderbijlpark station commander Brigadier Nikiwe Sefatsa hit and clamped down several illegal taverns in the area.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Mawela said he will be in the region more often to deal with the mounting crime.
“Sedibeng is showing an ugly head and not only the areas we have visited recently [Evaton and Vanderbijlpark], we also include De Deur when we refer to hotspots in this region. You are going to see me more so that I can help in strengthening the arm of the district commissioner and station commanders,” he said.
Mawela said the area is challenged with property related crimes which includes house robberies among many others.
“All these hotspots have different crimes. Vanderbijlpark is faced with property related crimes, this includes burglaries whether in business or residential areas. Robbery aggravating is another headache, not forgetting substance abuse,” he said.
“Where there are students, drug peddlers are always roaming around. We are dealing with all law breakers in this region because if these wrong doers go unchallenged, we are going to have a crisis of uncontrollable lawlessness,” he said.
Mawela said over 868 wanted suspects were arrested, 16 undocumented persons were behind bars and one drunk driving person was arrested.
He further added that two stolen vehicles were recovered during the roadblock.
Above stats were recorded during the interview with Mawela, more suspects were arrested and illegal taverns clamped down during the raids.
