Law enforcement across Ekurhuleni and Gauteng descended on Edenvale when Operation Okae Molao commenced in town last Wednesday.
Ekurhuleni district communications officer Captain Neldah Sekgobela said the integrated operation resulted in the arrest of 127 suspects.
The operation started on June 12 and ended on the afternoon of June 13.
Aiming to reduce and eradicate crime in the precinct included SAPS members, Gauteng Traffic and Crime Prevention Wardens, EMPD, home affairs, community policing forums, security companies and other stakeholders.
The last time this operation was held in Edenvale was in November.
Sekgobela said detectives arrested 127 people on Wednesday night within the district policing precincts.
“The detectives traced suspects to ensure those who broke the law be brought to book.”
Among the suspects, 59 were arrested for contact crimes, 14 for contact-related crimes, 17 for other serious crimes, three for crimes dependent on police actions and nine related to gender-based violence matters.
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Following the efforts of the detectives Ekurhuleni deputy district commissioner Brigadier Lebohang Machakela, further led the operations in the Edenvale policing precinct.
Multiple operations took place at the same time in a roadblock on Van Riebeeck Avenue.
The officers used the SAPS Person Verification System at this roadblock to determine or trace wanted suspects who may have passed through the roadblock.
Sekgobela said the officers issued 43 traffic fines of R17 000 to the motorists while arresting 30 undocumented individuals.
The SAPS also confiscated a large knife from a community member.
She said one suspect was arrested for the possession of marijuana, and another for illicit cigarettes. The police also impounded two vehicles.
“One of those vehicles was a Toyota Quantum, with its engine number linked to a Tembisa South case number,” said Sekgobela.
An elated Edenvale CPF chairperson Sheryl Damerel said it was great to have the operation return to town.
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“The joint law enforcement presence sends a strong message to the community. The operation always yields good results.”
Damerel said the operation focussed on targeting illegal activities and building relationships with churches, taxi associations, and groups such as Essentially Edenvale.
Jomo Msimango of the Gauteng provincial board of the CPF said the operation went well.
“The high number of undocumented people was one thing we noticed during the operation,” said Msimango.
He said undocumented individuals were a challenge to law enforcement when trying to process suspected persons.
Members of the social crime prevention unit and Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens also conducted a crime awareness campaign at Greenstone Shopping Centre.
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“They distributed 600 educational pamphlets with safety tips for human trafficking, substance abuse, sexual offences and kidnapping to community members who were shopping at the mall.”
Machakela commended their efforts of making an impact in Edenvale since no crime was reported at the Police station during the operation.
