Law enforcement turned Edenvale on its head as Operation Okae Molao descended on the town and yielded more than 200 arrests.
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On November 9 the operation made its way to Edenvale and Sebenza policing precincts for the first time with Ekurhuleni SAPS district commissioner Major General Anna Sithole at the helm.
Speaking to Bedfordview and Edenvale News, Sithole said the reason Operation Okae Molao came to Edenvale was because of an increase in reported crimes by community members.
She said in particular theft of and theft out of motor vehicles have shown a significant increase.
The integrated operation saw various stakeholders such as EMPD, Gauteng Traffic, Home Affairs, security companies and Edenvale CPF.
Sithole said within the district hijackings are a concern, therefore, the roadblock held on Van Riebeeck targeted potentially hijacked vehicles while narcotics and stolen goods were also on the radar.
An elated Edenvale CPF chairperson Sheryl Damerell said despite the traffic caused by the roadblock the results were well worth it.
“With the festive season approaching crime is on the increase and we hope residents see the positive of these operations.”
Captain Neldah Sekgobela, Ekurhuleni District SAPS spokesperson, said between November 9 and 10 more than 200 suspects were arrested for various offences as detectives conducted raids as part of the operation.
A total of 130 suspects were arrested for contact crimes, 32 for serious crimes, 22 for GBV and 14 for crimes depending on police actions.
On Thursday morning, Sithole continued the operation as officers took to Edenvale and Sebenza, conducting vehicle checkpoints, verifying compliance with liquor and second-hand stores, searching for narcotics and following up on leads.
Sekgobela said this resulted in the arrest of 47 illegal immigrants, 75 traffic fines (valued at R69 100) issued to motorists, three vehicles were seized for inquiry and one taxi was discontinued.
She said one suspect was arrested for the possession of narcotics.
Highlighting further successes Sekgobela said two illegal shebeens were closed, five were fined for non-compliance while four tickets were issued to second-hand goods dealers for noncompliance and a 9mm Parabellum pistol with 60 live ammunition was also taken for inquiry.
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“During the operation, police visited malls and shopping centres in the hopes of creating greater police visibility and preventing crimes,” said Sekgobela.
While at a shopping centre, a stolen vehicle was recovered and a suspect was arrested.
“A silver Mercedes Benz which was stolen from a dealership in Boksburg North this month was recovered,” said Sekgobela.
“The suspect was taken to Edenvale SAPS for the possession of the stolen vehicle.”
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Sekgobela said awareness campaigns were also conducted throughout the precincts to address crime trends. Pamphlets about substance abuse were distributed to the community.
Sithole said going forward the district will conduct additional operations in the Edenvale and Sebenza precincts.
She encouraged community members to report any suspicious and illegal activity to Edenvale’s station commander Colonel Ntombomzi Basholo or Edenvale CPF.
“The station commander has a good relationship with the CPF chairperson, so whatever information is reported to the CPF will be passed on to the station commander,” said Sithole.
She thanked the members who participated in the operation and highlighted that the arrests would send a clear message to those who perpetrate crimes.
Edenvale Police station may be contacted at 011 454 5026 while info@edenvalecpf.co.za may be used for the CPF.
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