An alleged Hawks imposter was denied bail on Tuesday at the Pretoria Specialized Commercial Crimes Court. Photo: Pexels
Okae Molao: More than 400 suspects ARRESTED in Gauteng
The operation saw people being arrested for several crimes, including murder, rape, drug dealing and possession of stolen goods
An alleged Hawks imposter was denied bail on Tuesday at the Pretoria Specialized Commercial Crimes Court. Photo: Pexels
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng says its crime-busting operation Okae Molao yielded some results, with more than 400 suspects being arrested for various offences.
The operation was led by the Provincial Commissioner of police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela.
“This weekend, the operation saw over 400 suspects being arrested for various crimes including 239 wanted suspects arrested during detective’s tracing actions. The suspects were arrested in various places throughout the province as the operation is conducted simultaneously in all five districts of the province,” said SAPS Gauteng’s Colonel Dimakatso Sello.
OKAE MOLAO ARRESTS: SUSPECTS DUE IN GAUTENG COURTS
The suspects arrested during Operation Okae Molao are set to appear before the various courts in Gauteng. Some of the charges include dealing in drugs, possession of unlicensed firearms, possession of suspected stolen goods, contravention of Immigration Act, murder and rape amongst others.
Lt Gen Mawela has expressed gratitude to other law enforcement agencies and the Community Police Forum for their ongoing support in the fight against crime.
“We will continue to assert the authority of the State and ensure that criminals are behind bars”, he said.
Meanwhile still in Gauteng, two men in Katlehong, aged 30 and 37-years-old, and a 25-year-old woman in Moleleki, were arrested for kidnapping, sexual assault, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
SAPS members were out on a routine Crime Prevention patrol when they noticed a suspicious looking vehicle parked on the side of the road with four people inside.
“The suspects attempted to flee on foot when the members approached their vehicle. Three suspects were apprehended of which one is a female suspect. One suspect managed to evade arrest and fled the scene. Soon after a woman come out from the suspects’ vehicle screaming for assistance from the police, with her hands tied with cable ties; the victim indicated that she was kidnapped,” said Sello.
It was then learnt that the 29-year-old woman found inside the car was kidnapped from Welkom in the Free State. The suspects allegedly drove with her vehicle to Katlehong. It is further alleged that on the way, one suspect sexually assaulted her.
“Police recovered an unlicensed 9mm pistol with seven rounds of ammunition and arrested the three suspects. The firearm will be subjected to ballistic tests to determine whether it may be linked to other serious crime committed. The suspects are expected to appear before the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court soon,” Sello added.
