arrested

More than 1 230 people were arrested in Gauteng during the operation O Kae Molao. PHOTO: Twitter/@SAPoliceService

More than 1 230 Gauteng suspects arrested this past weekend

The police conducted road blocks, tavern raids and stop and search across the country and arrested more than 1200 suspects.

arrested

More than 1 230 people were arrested in Gauteng during the operation O Kae Molao. PHOTO: Twitter/@SAPoliceService

The police’s weekend operation O Kae Molao arrested more than 1 230 suspects over the past few days.

POLICE REMAIN RESOLUTE IN FIGHTING CRIME

The police in Gauteng seem resolute in fighting crime in the province to ensure people in the province are safe.

The operation took place simultaneously across the province through roadblocks, tavern raids, stop and searches and tracing of wanted suspects by the police detectives.

Approximately 400 suspects were arrested in the Johannesburg district where the operation was led by the Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela. He led the integrated operation on Saturday in Alexandra township, said police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Sello.

“During this operation, several people were arrested for different crimes such as driving while under the influence of alcohol, possession f unlicenced firearms, dealing and possession of drugs.”

Captain Dimakatso Sello
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Gauteng police and community policing forum discussing the operation where more than a thousand were arrested in Gauteng. PHOTO: Twitter/@SAPoliceService

Others were arrested during the tracing of wanted suspects. These wanted suspects committed various offences including rape, murder, assault, housebreaking and theft. Other suspects were arrested for armed robbery, fraud, sexual assault and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, Sello said.

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MORE ARRESTED THROUGHOUT THE PROVINCE

An additional 454 people were arrested in the Ekurhuleni district. In Tshwane, 253 suspects were apprehended and detained.

“211 in the West Rand District and 69 in the Sedibeng District,” said Sello.

Firearms, drugs, dangerous weapons were also seized including liquor at illegal shebeens.

“Some of the suspects were released after paying fines while others are expected to appear before various Magistrate’s Courts from Monday, 29 August 2022.”

FOREIGN NATIONAL BUSTED FOR SMUGGLING R2.2 MILLION WORTH OF COCAINE

Meanwhile, a foreign national was busted smuggling cocaine worth R2.2 million in a backpack while travelling in a taxi from Botswana into South Africa.

The man, 45, was caught by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team in Mahikeng and officials of the Swartkopfontein Port of Entry.

Hawks’ spokesperson Captain Tlangelani Rikhotso said the man was caught out when the multi-disciplinary team conducted cross-border operations.

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“Resultantly, the suspect was arrested after a taxi travelling from Botswana to South Africa was searched and three bags of cocaine were allegedly found hidden in false compartments of two backpacks,” said Rikhotso.

The suspect is expected to appear before the Lehurutse Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. The man is expected to face charges of contravention of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, Rikhotso said.

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