16 arrested during an operation in Orange Farm
Various law-enforcement agencies in the Sedibeng district joined hands to fight crime within the community.
Sixteen suspects were arrested for various crimes in the Orange Farm SAPS policing precinct during Operation Okae Molao on May 13.
The operation started at 5.30am and continued until 2pm.
According to Sedibeng SAPS spokesperson Capt Thivhulawi Tshilate, the main objective was to conduct police visibility, vehicle control points, roadblock, close identified illegal shebeens, raid drug dens and trace illegal firearms.
The operation looked to monitor compliance by tuck shop owners, liquor outlets, motorists and passengers as per the Disaster Management Act under level one regulations.
“Police arrested 10 illegal immigrants, one suspect for possessing Mandrax tablets, one suspect for possessing an unlicensed firearm and 12 live ammunition. They also nabbed four tuck shop owners for selling illicit cigarettes, which were seized,” said Tshilate.
The captain added police seized abandoned dagga that was found wrapped in ziplock plastics hidden in the street electricity steel pole.
Provincial Traffic officers issued 36 fines, valued at R23 850, to motorists for non-compliance with the national road traffic regulations.
“During the operation, 743 people, as well as 232 vehicles, were searched. The police visited tuck shops, clinics, post offices, taxi ranks, malls and shopping complexes,” he said.
Tshilate also mentioned police recovered and seized a maroon Toyota Tazz.
He explained the vehicle was reported stolen at the Kagiso Police Station in January 2019 and Zamdela Police Station in the Free State in October 2017.
The Sedibeng district commissioner, Maj-Gen Zodwa Molefe, was pleased with the success of the operation. She encouraged law-enforcement agencies to keep providing good quality services to the community.
The arrested suspects will appear in the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court soon.
