GAUTENG. – A most wanted Cash-In-Transit (CIT) robbery and murder suspect was among 1170 people arrested in Gauteng over the weekend. According to police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo, the suspect was arrested in Tembisa.

“The suspect who is listed as one of the top 5 most wanted suspects was initially arrested in 2017 for murder and Cash-In-Transit robbery in Pretoria but absconded from his trial. A warrant of his arrest was issued and police CIT Task Team and Tactical Response Team traced and arrested him again.”

Police in Tshwane District conducted an integrated operation where they arrested three suspects who were found with copper cables belonging to PRASA to the value of R700 000.

“On Saturday police received information about suspects who are in possession of copper and on their way to sell it at a scrapyard in Silverton. Members were placed strategically along the possible route which was to be used by the suspects. The vehicles were stopped searched and the copper cables were found.

“ Prasa members identified the copper cables as belonging to Prasa and used on railway signals. 24 other suspects were arrested during operations and raiding of wanted suspects in the district.”

In Sedibeng and West Rand more than 267 suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearm, dealing in drugs, driving while under the influence of alcohol, assault, malicious damage to property and house breaking.

“Intelligence driven operations were conducted in Johannesburg which resulted in the arrest of more than 250 suspects for criminal offences that include rape, possession of suspected stolen property, assault, possession of drugs and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

“In Ekurhuleni 240 suspects were arrested for possession of suspected stolen motor vehicle, possession of suspected stolen property, malicious damage to property, car hijacking, kidnapping, fraud, attempted murder, driving while under the influence of alcohol among other crimes.”

Arrested suspects are expected to make an appearance at different magistrate courts from Monday.